Abram however did not depart alone. He was already united to an amiable woman. A nephew of his own too,

a man of many virtues, chose to accompany him and share his uncertain lot; and an aged father who possibly had now no other comforter, or who might have been solicitous to lay his bones in the land which was to become the seat of Abram's future greatness-the aged Terah would not be left behind. This circumstance is noted, but not with great distinctness in the history before us. The death of Terah is recorded in the latter part of the preceding chapter. He died in Charan in Mesopotamia. He never reached the land of Canaan. It is in a measure to account for the circumstance of their being found at Charan, that our historian introduces so abruptly this account of the call of Abraham. For by comparing this account with the comment of Stephen, in the 7th chapter of Acts, you will perceive that it was while Abraham resided in Ur of the Chaldees, that the call was given; there it was that his journey was commenced; and Terah died at Charan while they were yet upon the road.

We cannot leave so venerable a man, the parent of Abraham the chief of patriarchs, without soliciting your attion to this affecting circumstance. To see aged per

sons change their residence at the extremest verge of life, and thus break in on all those strong associations which had furnished the last earthly solace to the heart--to see them do it at an age when no new attachments can possibly be formed, and no new employments fill up the painful hours once devoted to recollections so natural and soothing; to witness this is at all times an affecting occupation. But in the case of Terah we see such a change attempted under circumstances that blend admiration with our sympa

hy. The command which compelled the removal of A braham could not be unknown to him; and that he should have thus cast in his lot with the wanderer, departing him self could not tell whither, bespeaks not only a strong af fection for his son; it indicates that like Abram he too had faith in God, and was so disposed to confide in his wisdom and goodness as to share the lot which had been appointed for his son.

At all events we contemplate a sight among the most pleasing that this earth is ever permitted to behold-We contemplate a parent now in second childhood, fondly and confidently reclining on a son for that protection and sup♣ port which had been so fondly given when that son was in his childhood. Nor rests there under heaven feelings more pure from every mortal taint than those which are reciprocated between virtuous manhood and declining age, when now the children are the solace of the parent, as the parent was once the solace of the child. Nor see we under heaven a sight so truly grateful as when children, the pride as well as hope of virtuous parents, repay them with a solicitude tender and overflowing as their infancy had experienced, and mingling their tenderness with the homage due to age. Nor scan we under heaven a nobler benefit flowing from piety pure and undefiled, than the truth and tenderness which it imparts to all the finer feelings of the heart, thus strengthening all the bonds and multiplying the enjoyments, and smoothing the many ills of social life.-Yes; all that is most tender in human feeling, and all that is most elevated in human sentiment, and all that is most firm in human resolution, will spread their roots within a christian soil: and far as heaven from earth is the spirit of the gospel from the selfish and politic and

cold-blooded being, profess it as he may, who, living mainly for himself, feels not the thrilling impulse of the charities of life.

Far other was the spirit of the patriarch Abraham. That aged parent wished not to be separated from his son. And unsuited as was the journey to the decrepitude of age, forbidding as was the circumstance that he himself knew not the place of distination-Yet far be it from him to cross the anxious wishes of the parent who had loved him: far be it from him to shun any pains or dangers to which this burden might expose him on a route unknown; if the relief was to be purchased at the pitiable alternative of leav◄ ing such a parent unprotected in his age, a melancholy prey to regrets and anxieties such as old men feel when their last prop has been withdrawn, the only remaining object of affection failed them; then perish forever the earthly hopes of Abram, before he would leave a parent to regrets so unavailing. Yes, my father, our lot shall be the same; one shall be our travel, and our habitation And when old age lingers from the fatigues of that long journey, the arm of Abraham shall support the feeble step; and should rudeness assault thee in that land of strangers, the eye of Abraham shall dart a withering glance; and should sickness smite thee, as at length it must, the care of Abraham shall smooth the dying bed, the ear of Abraham shall catch the dying sigh, the hand of Abraham shall wipe the dewy forehead, and close at length the eyes when set in death.

one.

Thus they moved together to the land of promise. But Terah never reached it. When they had reached the place called Charran, in the west of Mesopotamia, and a◄ bout 150 miles to the east of modern Antioch, the days

Cc

the aged traveller were numbered. His ashes rest in Charran. There our patriarch was delayed for a considerable time; we know not how long, but it would seem to have been for years. At length however he proceeded, for as yet he knew not the place of destination. He proceeded when warned by a second intimation, and came to the land where should dwell a mighty nation, whose progenitor was he alone. His arrival in Canaan forms no mean epoch in the history of the world. To Abraham it was a moment of uncommon interest. But we may not attend him now. On next Lord's day we will accompany that cavalcade as they first set their feet on the land of their inheritance. To-day we intended no more than to intro duce you to our patriarch, to mark his beginnings and to trace his dispositions. He is the little germ of a stupendous system; it was leisurely unfolded, and we mean to view it leisurely. To-day we only invite you to note a general law. Abraham, designated to such distinguished honours, the father of all the faithful, and the friend of God, a man of resplendent and eternal fame-He began his course in circumstances dark and difficult; and, as you will ere long see, in circumstances dark and difficult that course was long continued. Fit emblem was he of that greater One than Abraham-that second Man for heaven. The beginning of his course, though now all the nations bless him, though all the angels worship him-the begin ning of his course was in self-denial and in pain. Though in the form of God, he stooped to take upon him "the form of a servant;" though heir of all things, he had not where to lay his head; though destined to a glory co-extensive with the universe, boundless as eternity, he bowed his head to indignity and scorn.-But now Abraham is exalted:

high among the powers and principalities of heaven the patriarch takes his seat, and all the nations bless him:Now the Saviour is exalted; high above all principalities and powers and might and dominion and every name that is named, the Saviour takes his seat; and "at the name of Jesus every knew must bow." Who then will be dissatis fied with the christian discipline because its first beginnings are in gloom and pain? or who will aspire to the triumph of the cross, but hoping to escape its pain. We point you to the path in which Almighty Providence has hitherto led the fathers. You see its character and you see its end. We point you to the warning of the Saviour himself; he needs no arts to conceal the hardships of his service; he manifests them all; but he displays its triumphs too. Thus then has he written it to all who would be with him that they may behold his glory: "If any man will come after me let him take up his cross and follow me." And if any man have ears let him hear what is thus directed, not only to the churches, but to all the world.