could say, "The rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee. I bare the loss of it. In the day I was scorched by the sun, parched with thirst, and weary and fatigued. Yet I watched also in the night, and many a time have I been pinched with cold. I slept not, but watched thy flocks, lest any harm should come to them." Laban's flocks

He was careful that none of

should suffer by his neglect. He was honest and did not take that which was not his own, no, not even for food. He watched in all weathers and patiently suffered both heat and cold. Laban was not only an unkind uncle, but a bad master. He changed Jacob's wages ten times in the course of five years. Every - time he did this, he expected that Jacob would lose, and that he would gain by the change, but it was not so. He was unjust in requiring Jacob to make good that which was injured or lost, not by carelessness and neglect, but by accident. Such had been Laban's conduct to Jacob that he dare not tell him when he was going away, for fear he should take from him his wives and his cattle by force. How unkindly

did Laban belave to his daughters in selling them like slaves. There are many fathers like Laban; they do not care who they give their daughters to, if they are but RICH, But if there is no love, no affection, how can there be any happiness. Never endeavour to impose on any one, the cheat will be found out sooner or later. Therefore always act with candour and sincerity. Jacob was a man of peace, and though Laban was in the wrong and had greatly injured Jacob, yet he is very ready to overlook ali and to promise in the most sacied and solemn manner, that he would not at any future period, do any harm either to Laban or his children. Let all Nephews act like Jacob. Let all Uncles avoid the conduct and disposition of Laban.

A HYMN.

A HYMN.

Jacob and Laban.

IN Laban's character behold

A man who loves his flocks and gold,
He cheats his nephew, gives him Leah,
And chang'd his wages twice a year.

But Jacob's God doth Jacob pay,
And Laban dare not take away,

Those flocks which Jacob's God had given,
The blessing of the God of heav'n.
His daughters Laban basely sold,
And their own portion did withhold;
They cheerfully consent to leave
A Father who no blessing gave.
[Let all who lead a Shepherd's life
Far from the scenes of noise and strife,
Employ their timė like Israel's king,
The praises of their God to sing.]
Like Jacob let them watchful prove,
Nor let their sheep or lambkins rove,
Like his may all their cattle thrive,
Like him do not them over drive.

O may

it be your joy to share

Jesus, the tender shepherd's care,

And when your days on earth are told,

You shall be gather'd to his fold.

R. M,

LECTURE

LECTURE XXXI.

JACOB'S RETURN.

GEN. 32. 1. And Jacob went on his way, and the Angels of God met him.

AFTER Laban had departed to his place, we find that Jacob proceeded on his way towards the land of Canaan. Of Laban we hear no more, and it is much to be feared that his posterity were worshippers of Idols. They might re tain a knowledge of the true God for a time, but by continually mixing with the Heathen around them, and practising the rites and ceremonies of the country. They lost it entirely they changed the glory of the incorruptible God, into an image made like to corruptible man, and as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind; Who having changed the truth of God into a lie, worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator. Some say that Balaam the soothsayer was a descendant of Laban; if so, he followed the example of Laban, and though he did not entirely disown the true and

living God, yet he was devoted to the abo minations of the Heathen. How many things happened to Jacob, while he was returning to his father's house. There are five remarkable things in this chapter. We shall briefly notice each of them.

J. JACOB'S VISION.

"And Jacob went on his way and the Angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, this is God's host: and he called the name of the place Mahanaim." Whether these Angels met him in a vision by day, or a dream by night, we are not told. They met him, he saw them. Angels met Jacob. When a conqueror or a king returns, the Officers of state meet him, the members of the corporation or the magistrates of the city. They go and meet him and present him with a sword and the freedom of the city. This was the case when the Duke of Wellington entered one of the cities in England. But Jacob is highly favored. Jacob is met not by nobles, but by Angels, not by the representatives of a city, a county or a king, but by the Messengers of the King of kings.

They met