means of shewing his gratitude, he would honour the LORD as his GOD, in the way his fathers had done; that he would commemorate the Divine goodness at that place; and make a willing offering of the increase of his substance for religious uses.

There is something in Jacob's vow peculiarly modest, and suitable to the condition of a man, who possessed nothing of his own at that time, but depended entirely on the bounty of heaven for a future supply.

It will appear, that Jacob considered the LORD as his God, for this instant; and that he never gave himself up to idolatrous practices, in the midst of his se verest trials.

The ceremony which Jacob observed, of pouring oil on the stone which had been his pillow, signified the consecration of it to GOD. As the LORD permitted this act, we may conclude, that he prevented the stone from being taken away; and that it remained there, to put Jacob in mind of his vow; and likewise to keep up the remembrance of it among his descendants.

This section affords a striking proof, that God's particular providence watches over His servants; that He is about their bed, and about their path, and spieth out all their ways; that He has compassion on their infirmities, and supports their minds under difficult cir

cumstances.

The LORD, in his vision to Jacob, declared, that He is really GOD; let us, then, acknowledge and worship Him as such, and implore His protection at all times, particularly when we are under the necessity of taking perilous journeys. If it be our fate to leave our native country, and travel to a land where the LORD is either not known, or worshipped in a superstitious manner, let us not suppose, that He is not there; for as Gon was

with Jacob in all places, so will He be with every one that honours His holy name, and wishes for communion with Him. The LORD, it is true, has not actually made a personal covenant with us, like that he made with Jacob; but we have, as a nation, a share with the rest of the families of the earth in the Everlasting Covenant; and from God's promises to the Patriarchs, we may undrstand, what kind of blessings He will bestow on individuals, who adhere to Him; for God is no respecter of persons.

Christians, like Jacob, have a painful pilgrimage to perform on earth; but if they continue stedfast in the service of the LORD, He will sustain them with food and raiment, and comfort them with the hopes of fi nally enjoying peace in their father's house, even in the mansions of eternity; and the painful conflicts and vicis. situdes of life shall, like Jacob's ladder, prove steps to conduct them to that blessed abode, in which the LORD displays the glory of the ineffable GODHEAD.

SECTION XXXVI.

JACOB HIRES HIMSELF TO LABAN, AND MARRIES LEAH AND RACHEL.

From Genesis, Chap. xxix.

THEN Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. And he looked, and behold, a well in the field, and lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it: for out of that well they watered the flocks; and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.

"And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in its place.

And

And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? and they said, Of Haran are we. And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? and they said, We know him.

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

And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, 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, and that he was Rebekah's son; and she ran and told her father.

And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house, and he told Laban all these things.

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a

month

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought: tell me what shall thy wages be?

And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender-eyed: but Rachel was beautiful and well-favoured.

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man; abide with And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

me.

And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her unto him.

And Jacob said unto him, What is this thou hast done unto me? did I not serve thee for Rachel ? where'fore then hast thou beguiled me?

And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born.

Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

And Jacob did so, and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

And Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

Animated by the Divine promises, Jacob was encouraged to pursue his journey; for he now knew, as a certainty, that he was under the particular protection of DIVINE PROVIDENCE.

Considering

Considering Jacob's circumstances, we cannot wonder that he felt such extraordinary emotions of joy as drew tears from his eyes when he found in his mother's family a woman so agreeable to his wishes.

It appears that Jacob did not remain an idle guest in his uncle's house, he endeavoured to make himself useful: but justice required, that as he was destitute of a provision, and earned more than his maintenance cost, he should have wages.

It was at that time a custom in contracting marriages, that as the wife brought a portion to her husband, he should make some present to her friends in return. Jacob therefore being destitute of money, offered to his uncle seven years service, which was equivalent to a large sum. Why he did not rather send to his father for a supply the Scripture does not mention; but it is likely that Jacob having received such gracious promises from GOD, thought it incumbent on him to depend upon the blessing of Providence, on his own labours, rather than to ask assistance from his friends: and Isaac might be restrained from providing for him (as Abraham was in the case of Ishmael) by a Divine command.

The custom of having a plurality of wives prevailed generally in that part of the world, and Jacob did not know it was wrong to comply with it. From Jacob's example in working for Laban, we are instructed, that the best way for persons in necessity to ensure a welcome among relations, is to endeavour to be useful to them. The treachery of Laban needs no comment.

SECTION XXXVII.

HISTORY OF JACOB CONTINUED.

From Genesis, Chap. xxx.

And when the LORD saw that Jacob hated Leah, he