And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burntoffering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt-offering so they went both of them together."

This conversation took place as they were ascending the mountain. I think I can see Isaac carrying the wood, ignorant as yet of the victim for whom it was prepared,-himself to be that victim; and his venerable father, with the fire and the knife, sad emblems of the mournful. deed to be performed, summoning up all the power of his faith in God, and looking to him for strength and support in this trying hour. Well may Isaac wonder at what his father is doing. The wood, the fire, and the knife are prepared, but no offering for the sacrifice. And well may Abraham, in the anguish of his soul, shrink back from answering the affecting inquiry of his son by telling him who the victim is to be, and say that God will provide one. God will indeed provide one. He has already chosen it, as it were, the most precious lamb of the flock,—the child

of the covenant, the heir of the promise, the well-beloved son.

They reach the spot which God had told Abraham was to be the place for the sacrifice. He prepares the Altar,-a solid table of stone or earth, quickly and rudely put together. He lays the wood on it, arranging it in order for the fire that is soon to consume the body of the victim. He binds Isaac, who makes no resistance, but suffers himself to be placed by his father upon the wood on the altar. He is so confined that his death-struggles shall not throw him on the ground, and thus defeat the design of his becoming a burnt offering to the Lord.

While making these preparations, Abraham explains to his son their object. He tells him of the divine command, of the reasons of his obedience, and of his strong faith in God. He calls upon Isaac to exercise a similar obedience and faith. He soothes, he comforts, he encourages him, that he may meet death with composure, and with an unshaken confidence in God and his promises.

The son yields meekly and submissively. Nothing is left for the father to do but to give the fatal stroke. He is preparing to

inflict it. His hand has grasped the knife, and his arm is extended for the execution of One moment more-and the

his purpose.

victim is bleeding on the altar.

Suddenly a voice is heard. It is a voice from heaven. The angel of the Lord calls to him," Abraham, Abraham." He answers, "Here am I." 66 Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me."

God is satisfied with the trial of his faith. Abraham is spared the last, the heart-rending act of obedience. Father and son rejoice together.

Isaac is unbound. He stands once more by the side of his venerable parent, the living child of his fondest hopes. He is rescued from impending death by the goodness of God; and through him, thus preserved, all the blessings of the covenant will be made certain, and its promises exactly fulfilled.

Another, and far less costly sacrifice is provided. Abraham discovers behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. He

takes it and offers it up for a burnt-offering instead of his son.

After this solemn act of worship, God confirms his former covenant to his servant, by an oath. "By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing, I will bless thee; and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."

Such are the rewards of faith in God, and obedience to his will. They were bestowed abundantly upon Abraham. Enjoying the favor and friendship of the Almighty; trusting in his promises; and relying on his protection; he returns to his home in Beer-sheba with the son now doubly dear to him. They go there to gladden the heart of an anxious mother; and to rejoice with her and the family in the loving-kindness of a covenantkeeping God.

What do you think, my dear reader, of the faith and obedience of Abraham? Is he

not an example worthy of your imitation? Will you not earnestly beseech God to give you his Holy Spirit, that you may have the same kind of faith and obedience?

You will not be called, indeed, to just the same kind of trial that Abraham was. But you may be called to very severe ones. God may take from you some thing, or some person, that you love very much. He may do this in a way which appears to you exceedingly strange and unaccountable. Or, in his providence, he may call upon you to go somewhere or to do something, when it will seem to you very difficult and distressing to obey. You may hesitate, and doubt, and shrink back with strong reluctance from the duty.

The hour is coming when Death will lay his hand upon you; and give the dreadful stroke; and there will be no deliverance for you, as there was for Isaac.

Whether in joy or in sorrow, in health or in sickness, in life or in death, you will need the faith of Abraham to guide, support and comfort you ;-an affectionate confidence in God; an unwavering belief in all that he has said and promised; a firm and habitual trust in his wisdom, justice, and goodness.