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had sold his birthright to his brother Jacob, and with it the blessing also. Still, see how desirous he is of a blessing, if it be only one, and that a common one, any blessing is better than none at all. It is better to have a light blessing than a heavy curse. How many wish to die like the righteous; but do not like to live as they do. Many will ask the wise virgins for oil when their own lamps are gone out, but they will find that the wise have none to spare. Be wise betimes. Seek heavenly wisdom, seek divine grace, seek pardon, peace and holiness through Christ alone. Seek, and ye shall find, ask, and it shall be given.

Esau asked his father for a blessing, and he gave him one. "And Isaac his father said un him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; and by thy sword shalt thou live and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass that when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck."

V.

CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

1. What are the words of the Text? Read them.

2. Why did Isaac ask Esau to go for veni son, that he might eat and bless him before he died? Because he was old, and knew not the day of his death.

1

8. Who was it that overheard Isaac speak to Esau? Rebekah.

4. What did Rebekah tell Jacob to do? To go and fetch two good kids that she might make savory meat, that Isaac might eat and bless Jacob.

5. When Jacob said that his father would find him, and he should bring a curse on his head and and not a blessing, what did Rebekah say? Upon me be thy curse, my son.

6. How many falsehoods did Jacob tell in order to obtain the blessing?

No less than five LIES.

(1) That he was Esau the first born. (2) That he has done what his father told him. (3) That it was his venison. (4) That the Lord God of his father had brought it to him. (5) And that he was indeed his very son Esau.

7.

Which was the most wicked? That where he said, because the Lord thy God brought it to me.

8.

Did he obtain the blessing? Yes. 9. When he was just gone from the pre sence of his father, what happened? Esau his brother came in from hunting, and brought savory meat to his father, in order that he might eat and bless him.

10. When Isaac found what he had done, how did he feel? He trembled very exceed ingly, but confirmed the blessing he had given. PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

VI.

My dear

come.

How desir

young friends-You are all like Isaac. I do not mean that you are old and blind and cannot sec, but I mean that you know not the day of your death. able it is to be prepared for death. The grace. of God alone can prepare you for that solemn hour. You must not do evil that good may The method which Rebekah and Jacob used to obtain the blessing, was sinful and wicked. You must not imitate them. Their conduct cannot be excused. Jacob was guilty of so real falsehoods that every, one many must hate and despise the deceitful means by which he obtained the blessing. The exam ple of Jacob should teach you never to step a

side from the path of truth and sincerity, one lie makes way for another, and how many lies must be told to hide the first. The conduct of Rebekah was still more blameable than that of Jacob, even allowing she had a good end in view. She proposes and recommends the plan of deceiving Isaac, and offers to take the whole blame on herself. She acted her part and Jacob acted his, and both acted very badly. How many parents there are who imitate Rebekah by training up their children in the arts of lying and deceit, for the sake of a little wordly advantage. The Hindoos think falsehood and deceit are not sins.

it an honor to excell in cheating.

They think

But

Their Shas ter permits a man to tell a lie if it is to save the life of a Bramin, or to appease an angry wife. It is allowed also if it is to save his own life or the goods in his house from being spoiled. you are not to tell lies for peace sake, nor yet to tell only half the truth when the telling of the whole would be better. The truth may be told in such a manner as to do all the harm and mischief of a lie. How ready and quick was Jacob with those lying answers to the questions of his father Isaac. Take heed, my

dear

dear young friends, of Lying.Imitate "THE LITTLE BOY THAT COULD NOT TELL A LIE."

"When George Washington was about six years old, some one made him a present of a hatchet; of which, like most children, he was very fond. He went about chopping every thing that came in his way. Going into the garden he cut an English cherry tree, so much that there was but little hope that the tree would live. The next morning his father saw the tree, which was a great favorite, in that condition, and enquired who it was that had been so mischievous. He declared that he would not have taken 40 rupees for that tree. No one could tell him who had cut the cherry tree. Presently after George came with his batchet in his hand. George, said his father, do you know who killed that beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden, The child was silent for a moment, and then nobly replied, "I cannot tell a lie, Papa. You know I cannot tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet. Run to my arms! my boy, cri.d his father. Run to my arms. Glad am I George that you killed my cherry tree, for you have paid me for it

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