valuable to him, for a still longer period of time, he offered to give him Rachel also for his wife, if he would remain with him another seven years. Jacob consented, and in, a few days, the marriage took place. So that Jacob now had two wives, who were sisters, a thing which was permitted at that time; but would be very wrong now.

After a long residence with Laban during which time Jacob had a large family of children-eleven sons and a daughter,-and was greatly prospered in the increase of his property, he was directed by God to return to the land of his fathers.

He had observed a great change in the deportment of Laban towards him, and found out also that his sons were complaining bitterly of the loss of their father's wealth by its passing into the hands of Jacob. He thought it best to set out on his journey to Canaan with as much secrecy and despatch as possible. For he feared lest there should be some difficulty between him and Laban and his sons, and objections made, on their part, to his departing with so much property as he had in his possession.

Laban, and probably his sons with him, had gone some distance from home, to shear

their large flocks of sheep. Jacob availed himself of this opportunity, and, taking his wives and children on camels, and carrying with him all his cattle and goods, departed for his native country.

One trait of Jacob's character, while he was with Laban, is worthy of particular notice, the fidelity with which he fulfilled his engagements.

Notwithstanding he met with deceit and oppression, on the part of his employer, he did not consider this as affording him any justification for the violation of his duty. He went forward, aud did faithfully and laboriously what he promised to do.

Here he set a good example, and worthy of our constant imitation. All lawful engagements with our fellow-men should be scrupulously fulfilled. Even if they do us wrong, we should be anxious, in all respects, to do right to them.

How many sadly fail in this thing! Let us pray and strive, that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

STORY XXVI.

JACOB PREVAILS WITH GOD, IN PRAYER, AND HIS NAME WAS CHANGED TO ISRAEL.

PADAN-ARAM was between four and five hundred miles from Canaan. Jacob had gone over a considerable part of this distance, and was approaching the country of Edom, which his brother Esau had conquered and brought into subjection, and where he now lived.

He feared Esau, who, he knew, would certainly hear of his return, and might rejoice in the opportunity of gratifying his resentment, and of gaining a rich booty. He determined to do all that he could to avert these evils. He sent messengers to his brother, directing them to inform Esau of his long residence with Laban, and of the great possessions which he had acquired; intimating, perhaps, that he was abundantly satisfied with them and would relinquish all claims, on the ground of his birthright. to what his father might leave at his death. He also instructed the messengers to treat Esau with great respect, addressing him with the

title of "my lord," and saying that they were sent expressly to procure his good-will and clemency towards his brother.

The message seems to have produced no favourable effect. For the messengers returned, saying, that Esau was coming to meet Jacob with four hundred men.

This threw him into great consternation; and he immediately began to consider what would be the best mode of providing for his safety; and that of his family and attendants. He seems, at first, to have nearly despaired of accomplishing this entirely. For he "divided the people that was with him, and the flocks and herds, and the camels, into two bands. And said, If Esau come to the one company and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape."

He, also, felt deeply his dependance on God, and that if he was delivered from the fury of Esau, it could only be under the protection of an almighty arm.

He knew the value and efficacy of prayer, and lifted up his soul to God in these fervent and importunate supplications. "O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred,

and I will deal well with thee: I am not wor-
thy of the least of all the mercies, and of all
the truth which thou hast showed unto thy
servant; for with my staff I passed over
this Jordan, and now I am become two
bands. Deliver
Deliver me, I pray thee, from the
hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau :
for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me,
and the mother with the children. And
thou saidst. I will surely do thee good, and
make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which
cannot be numbered for multitude."

His own utter unworthiness in the sight of God was deeply felt by Jacob in offering up these petitions. He recollected, there is every reason to believe, and repented of, his great unkindness in his treatment of Esau, when being faint with fatigue and hunger, he so unfairly took advantage of his necessity, and of his foolish contempt of the birth-right, and bought it of him with a mess of pottage. He recollected, too, with equal self-reproach and penitence, the gross deception and falsehood which he had practised on his blind old father in order to obtain the blessing intended to bestow on his brother. He now saw the natural consequences of such conduct. That hatred of Esau which

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