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dream, as in that of Jacob, but addressed to your faith in the word of God. See it. Hear it. Believe it. Thus look up to your heavenly Father, through his Son our Saviour, and God will bind himself, in a sure and everlasting covenant, to be your Friend, now and for ever.

And what will you do for Him who has done so much for you, and offers to do so much more? Jacob vowed to devote one tenth to God, of all that he should receive from his bounteous hand, How much, my dear reader, do you give to God;-how much of what you have of money, or of other valuable things, to aid the poor and ignorant, and to help to sustain benevolent and religious objects?

If you do not give something; if you do not desire to give as much as you can, consistently with your other obligations, and pray to God that you may know how much that is; how can you consider yourself a follower of Christ, and as having a part in the covenant of grace?

STORY XXV.

JACOB MARRIES LEAH AND RACHEL.

JACOB Continued his journey till he came, at length, into the land of Padan-aram. As he was bending his way, as he supposed, towards the dwellings of his mother's kindred, he approached a well in a large open field. Near it were three flocks of sheep, lying on the ground, under the care of their respective shepherds. They are waiting for some other flocks to arrive, and to have the stone removed which covered the mouth of the well, and kept it clean from the dust and sand. All the sheep could then be watered, and the stone the more speedily put back in its place. This was their constant custom. They probably united together in digging the well; or, at any rate, they used it in common; and they took this course as well for mutual convenience, as to secure the water, which in those countries is very valuable, from waste, and from the depredations of those who had no right to it.

Jacob accosted those who had the care of the sheep. "My brethren whence be ye?"

"Of Haran ;" they replied.

"Know ye Laban the son of Nahor?"
And they said, "We know him.”

66 Is he well?" And they said, "He is well: and behold Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep."

And he said, "Lo, it is is yet high day, (a long time before sun-set,) neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together water ye the sheep, and go and feed them."

And they said, "We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep."

"And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep for she kept them. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.-And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, (for so very near kinsmen were

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called,) and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father."

As soon as Laban heard this, "he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house."

There Jacob was treated with the greatest hospitality and kindness. Many inquiries were mutually made with regard to the welfare of the members of their respective families; and Jacob, doubtless, informed them of his object in visiting Padan-aram, and of his possession of the birthright. A month passed away quickly and pleasantly in this friendly intercourse, during which time Jacob rendered Laban many kind offices, by aiding him in his various and arduous labors.

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Laban thought that such services, especially, if continued and becoming regular, ought not to go unrewarded. Because thou art my brother," said he to Jacob, "shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me what shall thy wages be?" The object which had brought Jacob so far from home, was one of great moment both to himself and to his parents. Its accomplishment was of more value to him any amount of wages in money that he

than

could receive. To obtain Rachel, whom he already loved, for his wife, would, he thought, be the richest compensation for his services. And what shows his devoted attachment to her, he offered to serve Laban seven years, if he would then bestow her upon him in marriage.

Laban agreed to the proposal, and Jacob set about the faithful performance of his engagement. He persevered till it was completed, and the time, we are told," seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to Rachel."

At his expiration he claimed a fulfilment of the engagement on the part of Laban.

What was his surprise to find that Leah the elder sister of Rachel was given to him in her stead!

"What is this," said he to Laban, "thou hast done unto me? Did I not serve with thee for Rachel? Wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

The only reason which Laban gave for his conduct was; 66 It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before But to secure the services

the first born."

of Jacob, which he found to be exceedingly

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