softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me, and the children be able to endure, untill. I come unto my Lord unto Seir. And Esau said, Let me now leave of the folk that are with me.

with thee some

what needeth it? Let me find

And he said,

grace in the sight of my Lord. So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.

"And Jacob journeyed to Succoth and built him an house and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth."

IV.

CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

1. What did Jacob see when he lifted up his eyes? He saw Esau coming and with him four hundred men.

2. When he saw that Esau was so near what preparations did he make?

"He divided the children unto Leah and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. 3. In what order did he place them? "And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after

* Succoth means tabernacles, tents or booths.

after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.

4. Where did Jacob place himself, and what did he do till he came near his brother? He passed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times.

5. What are the words of the Text?

"And Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him : and they wept."

6. When Esau saw the women and the children, what enquiry did he make concern. ing them?

And he said, who are those with thee?

7. What answer did Jacob give him?He said, the children which God has graciously given thy servant.

8. How did Jacob's family behave to Esau? The handmaidens came near and bowed them. selves; and Leah also with her children came near, and bowed th mselves: and after camè Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

9. What did Esau say concerning the present which Jacob sent him? What meanest thou by all this drove which I met!

10. What did Jacob give him? These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.

11. When Esau said that he had enough and desired his brother to keep the present for himself, what did Jacob say? Nay, I pray thee now, if I have found grace in thy sight, receive my present at my hand; for therefore have I seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.

12. Did Esau accept the present from his brother? Yes, he urged him and he took it.

What did Esau say he would do for him on his way back? That he would go before him to be his guard.

14. Did Jacob accept of his brother's offer? No, he declined on account of the children and the cattle.

15. When did Esau return home? So Esau returned that day unto Seir.

16. To what place did Jacob journey and "where did he remain?

"And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house and made booths for his cattle." V. PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

Here we see the storm which Jacob so much

dreaded

dreaded, passed away. A bright sun, a clear sky and fair weather. Designs of revenge and murder, are changed to tenderness and love.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,

The clouds you so much dread, Are big with mercy and will break

In blessings on your head.

Cowper.

God will not only restrain the wrath of man, but he will make it to praise him. He can bind the hands of our enemies He can awe their spirits as he did that of Laban's. He can change their hearts as he did that of Esau and excite in them natural affection. How true are those words, "That when a Man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his Enemies to be at peace with him." We cannot help admiring the good behaviour of all Jacob's children. We see no disobedience to their father's commands. They cheerfully follow his example. We do not hear any of them, saying:- "I do not love Uncle and I will not bow to him because he was going to kill Father." No such words as these was heard:

kind look that we read of.

Not even an un

We must not be

angry and behave disrespectfully to our rela

1

tion, because they do not behave as they ought to us. We must not only forget, but likewise forgive, and pray that God would bless them. If one obstinate child had refused to bow to Esau, what mischief he might have done. When parents set before their children a good example there is reason to hope they will follow it. It is the duty of parents to promote a reconciliation among their children when they fall out with each other. Jacob humbled himself before his brother and called him his lord. Many preserve themselves by a humble and submissive conduct. The ball flies over him that stoops. Many are forced to stoop as they pass through the world, and those that do not and will not, often get a hard knock on the head. Call upon God in the day of trouble and he will hear you. Jacob did not pray in vain. Children are the gift of God. Let us remember that he who gives them can take them back again when he pleaseth, this will moderate our affection to them. Let parents imitate Jacob's kind and tender care of his children, and not drive them, but lead and guide them. Let all shepherds and drovers imitate