husband; then into barbarity to her slave, who was entirely at her mercy; who had been brought into a condition which claimed compassion and mercy, and brought into it by herself too.

Hagar was an object of commiseration, throughout, in having been elevated to a transient gleam of hope, exulting in the prosperity of a moment, hurried instantly back by all the severities which jealousy can inflict; and driven from visionary prospects of bliss, into scenes of real distress; ready to perish, with her unborn innocent, in the wilderness, by a famine, or the jaws of some ravenous beast; for when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

Mark how seasonably and suitably, all this disorder is remedied by Divine interposition. When we have wearied ourselves with our own devices, and snared ourselves in the works of our own hands, Providence takes up the case, and subdues it to his own wise and gracious purpose, and turns evil into good. Hagar had fled from the face of her mistress, but the interest which Abram had in her, gives her an interest in the peculiar care and protection of the Almighty. And now, for the first time, we read of an angel appearing; and it was to reprove,

exhort, and encourage a helpless and afflicted woman; and he said unto her: "Thou shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction; and he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.", "And she called the name of the Lord that spake to her: "Thou God seest me."

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The history informs us of Hagar's flight, but leaves us to draw our own conclusion respecting her return. Indeed we may now suppose all parties brought a little to themselves. The solitude and danger of the wilderness, and the appearance of the angel, awful, though in mercy, enjoining her to return to her mistress, we may suppose, had disposed Hagar to submit herself to Sarai. The sudden disappearing of her maid, the just apprehension of the evil which might befal a desperate woman in her delicate situation, and reflection on her own cruel and ujnust behaviour, might have mollified the heart of Sarai, and disposed her to receive the returning fugitive; if not with external complacency, with secret and silent satisfaction. And Abram would doubtless rejoice in the restoration of the peace of his house; in this fresh demonstration

of divine tenderness towards his family; in the further enlargement of the promised blessing; and in prospect of the final and full accomplishment of all that the Lord had spoken.

To preserve for ever the memory of the Divine interposition, the pious father puts upon his son the name given to the child, by the angel, in the wilderness, viz. Ishmael; which signifies : God shall hear; because he heard and pitied the affliction of his mother.

But he was to be a wild man, whose hand should be against every man, and every man's hand against him; whereas in the seed which the Most High had promised to raise up to Abram, all the families of the earth were to be blessed. Abram is therefore apparently as far as ever from his favourite object; and as a further trial of his faith, thirteen years more are permitted to elapse, and yet no symptom of the expected merey appears. But at that period, while the improbability, in the course of nature, was daily increasing, Abram is again visited with the vision of the Almighty.

The appointed time is at length come for the performance of the promise. The very first words which proceed from His lips remove every difficulty, though natural obsta

eles might seem increased: "I am the Almighty God." As much as to say, fear no failure of the covenant on my part; for what truth hath spoken, that shall Omnipotence bring to pass; and see there be no unfaithfulness on thine: "Walk before me, and be thou perfect."

The former declarations respecting a numerous offspring are renewed; and an alteration is made in the patriarch's name, importing his relation to a multitude of princes and nations, which should spring from him; but the trials of Abraham's faith and obedience are not yet over.

It is declared that Sarai whose name too was changed, as a witness and token of the events, should bear a son; and that the next year should evince the truth and faithfulness of God. Abraham, in rapture, fell on his face and laughed. The memory of his faith on this occasion, was perpetuated to future generations by the name of his son Isaac. He shall laugh; expressive of the emotions which his pious father felt, when the Divine will was revealed to him. Abraham laughed 'in faith, and was rewarded by the approbation of his own conscience. Sarah laughed in incredulity, and was reproved for her unbelief.

One day, while Abraham was enjoying the coolness of the shade, at his tent door, in the heat of the day, three men, under the appearance

of travellers, presented themselves to his view. The scene which follows, is a beautiful picture of ancient manners; and coincides with the custom of other nations of remote antiquity, as transmitted to us by their historians and poets; particularly Homer, that careful observer, and masterly delineator of nature, and of human life.

Abraham immediately starts from his seat at the sight of strangers, and runs to meet them; and with that glow of affection which is natural to a good man who had himself known the heart of a stranger, he tenders them every accommodation and refreshment, which his simple habitation could afford.

Sweetness of temper, easiness of behaviour and kindness of disposition, are peculiarly engaging in old people; because these qualities do not so frequently adorn life's decline.

The invitation, hospitably given, is cheerfully accepted. True kindness, which is true politeness, attends to the little wishes and wants of those we entertain.

Water to wash the feet of a weary traveller, in a sultry climate, must have been a great refreshment; though not so necessary as a morsel of bread to comfort the heart. What a delightful simplicity runs through the whole story! The fare, cakes of fine meal, baked upon the hearth