her voice. Dan is compared to a kind of ser pent which is called Cerastes, because it has two fleshy horns. It hides itself in the sand and fastens upon whatever animal passes over its retreat. Dan appears from his name to have been a wise, crafty, cunning man, an artful and mischievous boy, that is, if we might judge of the Father by the Children. The serpent is said to be more subtil than any beast of the field. Sampson was a strong man and very crafty also, he belonged to the tribe of Dan. It was by art and surprize that they conquered a city called Laish, and after having burnt it they erected another and called it Dan. In their way they robbed Micah of his Idols. “Dan” says, Jacob “shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel Dan shall be a Serpent by the way; an adder in the path; that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward."

II. GAD.

His mother's name was Zilpah, she was the handmaid of Leah. His name signifies a troop. It also means armed and prepared. "Gad, said dying Jacob "a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the

last,"

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last." By which it, was, intimated that the tribe, of Gad should be a warlike people, Many were the wars in which they were enga ged. The Arabs, Ammonites and Moabites, often fought with them, therefore that, they might not be proud of their strength, Jacob tells them that they shall often be defeated, but that at last they shall be victorious. over their enemies. In the time of Saul and David, the Moabites and Ammonites were entirely subdued. We may suppose, that the fa ther of this tribe was a warlike man. That his was fond of a Military life. Thus the young Christian has a numerous troop of enemies to fight with, and though he may sometimes be overcome, yet he shall at last be made more than a conqueror, through Jesus the Captain of his Salvation. The martial spirit of GAD no doubt shewed itself in the attack on the city of Shechem and the barbarous murder of its inhabitants. A person may be brave and good, courageous and merciful. He will not contend with an enemy that is already con quered. He will spare his life if possible when he calls for mercy, Remember my brave boys.. you who talk of being volunteers and sol

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diers in the army, who are looking forward to the command of a Company or a Regiment. Remember there is no army like that of the Lord of Hosts. No soldiers like the soldiers of Jesus Christ. No banner like that of the Cross. No sword like that of the Spirit. No helmet like the helmet of Salvation. shield like the shield of Faith. No armour like the armour of God. No battles like those which you must fight with the adversary of your souls. No enemies so numerous, powerful, cruel, and persevering as the spiritual enemies of the young Christian. There is no victory so glorious as that which is obtained over these enemies. No reward so honorable or unfading as that Crown of Glory, that Palm of Victory, that Robe of Honour, which Jésus the Captain of your Salvation will be stow at the last day on those who are con querors in and through his precious blood. You shall march from the Field of Battle to Eternal Glory and Honour, Peace and Joy. This is the reward of all the soldiers of the Cross.

III. ASHUR.

He was the second son of Zilpah. Leah,

when

when she gave him this name, said, "Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed." His name means blessedness or happiness? We are not told that Jacob or Leah experi enced any more happiness in this son, than the rest. This we know that his lot was a happy lot, that he had a goodly heritage, the lines did indeed fall to him in pleasant places. His part of the land of Canaan not only yield. ed corn and wine and oil, but royal dainties. That is, some rare and beautiful fruits, such as kings are accustomed to have on their tables. His land not only furnished him with the necessaries, but also the luxuries of life. There are royal dainties in store for all those children that fear God and love his son Jesus. They will feast on dainties indeed, when they shall sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb. "Out of Ashur, said Jacob, his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties." IV. NAPHTALI.

He was the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid. His name signifies a struggle. Rachel had struggled with her sister for chil dren, and therefore she gave him this name. It signifies also WRESTLING, and the bless

ing which Jacob gave him signifies prevail ing. Naphtali is a hind let loose, or a deer roaming at liberty; that is, he had been con fined, but now has gained his liberty and roams at large. A deer is a beautiful crea. ture with large branching horns. Naphtali is compared to this beautiful animal, which intimates that his portion of Canaan should be fruitful and that he should be a numerous tribe. When he went down into Egypt he had but four sons, but when he departed from that country about two hundred years afterwards, there were no less than fifty three thousand men capable of bearing arms.

He was Jacob's darling. His beloved son, by Rachel his beloved wife. His name signifies increase or addition. His mother called him Joseph, and said, the Lord shall add to me another son. He is compared by his father to a fruitful bough or tree planted by the side of a well of water, whose branches run over the wall. The archers who shot at him were his brethren, they envied him; though he was beloved by his Father he was hated by his brethren. "But his bow abode in strength,