cob's pottage, and the color of it seems to have taken his fancy, and he desired it the more on that account. The color was like himself, red, on this account he was afterwards, by way of reproach, called Edom, red. Jacob-proposed to his brother to sell his birthright to him. He knew how little his brother valued a privilege which he so much desired; but it was not right of him to take advantage of his brother's necessity. Esau said, behold I amat the point to die, which means,. I am going towards death: because he could not die for want of food, there was no doubt plenty to eat in his father's tent. No, he must have some of Jacob's pottage, and when he said. these words he seems to have meant," I shal never live to inherit Canaan, or any of the future supposed blessing, and what signifies who has them when I am dead and gone. I cannot live upon promises, give me something to eat and drink, for to-morrow I die.” When Jacob found him so indifferent about the matter, to make the bargain sure, he would not part with his pottage, till he had bound his brother by an oath to confirm the birthright to him. And Jacob said, swear unto me

this day, and he swear unto him: and he sold his birthright to Jacob. Jacob is said to be a plain man, and Esau a cunning hunter, but Jacob was wiser than his brother, for surely no one could have made a more foolish, sinful bargain than Esau did. He ate and drank, rose up and went his way, and thought no more about the matter. He made no attempt to revoke the bargain, or recover the blessings he had lost. He made no appeal to his parents. No entreaty that his brother would absolve him from his oath. In his necessity he made the bargain, and his neglect, contempt and profaneness confirmed his own words, that he cared little or nothing about the matter. Well may Esau be called a profane person, who "thus despised his birthright."

IV. CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

1. What are the words of the Text?" And the boys grew and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents."

2. What is the meaning of Esau's name? Red, made, full formed.

3. What is the meaning of Jacob's name? B 5

Supplanter,

Supplanter, one that gets the place of another by force or fraud.

4. Who did Isaac love best? Esau, because he did eat of his venison.

5. Who did Rebekah love best? Jacob, because he was beloved of God.

6. When Esau came from the field, faint and hungry, what was Jacob doing? And Jacob sod pottage.

7. What did Esau say to Jacob? Feed me I, pray thee, with that same red pottage, for I am faint.

8. What answer did Jacob make? And Jacob said, sell me this day thy birthright.

9. Did Esau do what Jacob desired ? Yes, and confirmed it by an oath.

10. What is said of Jacob and Esau after the birthright was sold? Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles: and he ate and drank, and rose up and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

VI. PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

Let me say a few words to those who are twins. Love each other very much. Remember you are both equal in age. Some times twins

.1

are so much alike that they can scarcely be known apart, the one from the other. Be equally kind and affectionate to each other as well as to your Parents. It is better to be a plain pious man like Jacob, than to be a profane careless hunter like Esau. It is better to be called a simple good child, than a clever wicked child, who loves only mischief. It is better to love school than to love to ramble about the fields. When you are going to school do not stay to hunt dogs, cats or sheep by the way. Hunting and shooting are dangerous sports, and the less they are practised the better. If it is merely for diversion it is very cruel sport. What pleasure can there be in killing a poor timid hare or in hunting a stag to death. Let parents take heed of shewing any partiality towards their children, of loving one more than another. Jacob felt the evil of this conduct very bitterly, yet strange to tell, he committed the same fault himself in loving Joseph above the rest of his children. Those are the wisest children who choose that good part which can never be taken away. Those that know the value of the blessings of the Gospel, will not part with B 7

it

it for any price, much less for a mess of pottage. "A Spanish Boy, who was a Catholic, having a silver crucifix hanging in his bosom, was asked by a person in his company to sell it for a Rupee. At which, he shook his head (meaning no). He was then offered two Rupees, to which he replied in broken accents, " No, not for tousands of tousands." This poor little Boy loved and adored this foolish trifle, he would not part with it for thousands.* Are there not many children in India as well as in Europe, who disregard the word of God, set no value on the Bible or on Christ and his salvation. These despise Christ, despise his people, and despise the holy name by which they are called. Take heed lest you should be rejected at the last day, for you will find no place for repentance in hell; you may seek it, but shall not find it, though you seek it carefully with tears. Repent for your past conduct, and as you are called Christian children, act like those who love and serve Jesus Christ.

Amen.

A HYMN.

* See Youth's Magazinę, vol. 6. p. 25.