most glory to God; and it is as true, that strong faith brings most trials to men. The great Shep

herd is dotingly fond of and tender to the weaklings of the flock; he carries them in his bosom, bids such weak ones say, I am strong, and pronounces a wo to the world if they offend the least of them.

I hope thou wilt not incumber thyself with much serving, nor in this thing copy after Martha, but Sarah, who made three measures of meal into cakes, and baked them, at Abraham's command, on the hearth, while he prepared the calf, the butter, and the milk. As we are to dine under the tree, let it be one of Abraham's entertainments, who entertained him that has so often entertained us.

THE HISTORY AND MYSTERY OF ABRAHAM'S ENTERTAINMENT.

THE HISTORY.

IN days of old there liv'd a rev'rend sage,
Whose life of faith is call'd a pilgrimage;
Ordain'd to rove, of fix'd abode debar'd,
To teach his faith to seek the great reward.

This prince and princess, bless'd where'er they went,
Enjoy'd in mutual faith their homely tent;
No bolts nor bars the palace to secure,

No shield but God to make their dwelling sure.

From plain to plain the roving household past,
He led their way through kingdoms wide and vast;
Reproved kings, and gave their courts alarm-
'Touch not my prince, nor do my prophet harm.'

Thus travers'd they throughout the promis'd land,
Committing all to great Jehovah's hand.
The land their own, yet no possession call;
A burying-place they gain'd, and that was all.

Their mystic seed, who tread their pilgrim path,
Who mark their steps and learn to walk by faith,
Must share their fate; for, whether rich or poor,
May find a grave, but God allows no more.

The Holy Land, which was by promise given,
Their faith constru'd to be the type of heaven;
They ey'd their home, and walk'd with God their friend;
Who was in life their shield, in death their end.

O, happy pair; with peace and plenty blest;
Nor God refus'd to be their constant guest:
Throughout their course he lent his friendly aid,
And day by day his constant visits paid.

On Mamre's plains, that sacred spot of ground,
The tents were spread, the herds were feeding round,

The royal master seated at the door,

To see the bleating flocks that graz'd before;

The pensive sire lifts up his rev'rent eyes,

And sees three men appear in such disguise:
Up starts the prince, and runs the guests to meet,
And drops his grave devotions at his feet.

'My Lord,' he cries, if favour found with thee
Will gain attention to thy servant's plea,
Pass not from hence till I may entertain
My Lord, and his attendants, on the plain.

A little water shall be quickly brought,
With rich supplies my homely tents are fraught;
And rest yourselves beneath this spreading tree,
While I thy host will gladly wait on Thee.

I'll from the tent a morsel fetch of bread,
While you shall rest beneath the rural shade;
And after this you shall in peace pass on,
For therefore are ye to your servant come.'

To Abraham's request He condescends;
He ne'er refus'd the banquet of his friends;
'Perform as thou hast said,' reply'd the Guest;
And Abraham obeys the high behest.

He to the royal tent will now repair,

And to the princess gives the bill of fare;

'Make ready, quick, of meal three measures fine, For I have three in number come to dine.

Knead well the dough, make cakes upon the hearth,
And I'll command a youth to dress the calf;
Too much for thee to bear the toil and heat;
Bake thou the bread, and we'll prepare the meat.'

He leaves his orders at the matron's tent,
And to the grazing herd with haste he went,
And brings a calf that's tender, young, and good,
And bids the servant haste to dress the food.

The whole serv'd up; the butter, milk, and veal,
With all the cakes that Sarah made of meal;
Beneath the tree he spreads the sumptuous feast;
And then, by waiting, serves the heavenly Guest.

The Lord partakes, the rev'rend saint attends,
And soon begins to talk of some amends:
The heart or hand that Jesus entertains
Can ne'er go unrewarded for their pains.

'Where now is Sarah? she doth not appear; Where is thy wife; why not her presence here?' 'She waits on me;' no scorn or slight is meant ; 'Behold, thy handmaid's standing in the tent.'

The Lord reply'd, 'I'll certainly return,
And barren nature shall with vigour burn;
The time decreed shall first its circuit run,
And, lo, thy wife shall bear a promis'd son !'

THE MYSTERY OF THE ENTERTAINMENT.

THE CALF.

THE Lord renews the ancient promise made;
To Abra'm's faith reveals the woman's seed,
In whose embrace the weary soul shall rest;
The seed in which the nations shall be blest.

This promis'd Son, this better fatted calf,
Once offer'd up on rebel man's behalf,
Our only hope, the long-expected seed,

Whose flesh is meat, whose blood is drink indeed.

'Tis this shall be Jehovah's mystic feast,
To which from age to age he bids his guest;
Thus Abra'm's dish, so tender, young, and good,
Points faith divine to rich and heav'nly food.

In future days the trumpet shall be blown,
To sound alarm to nations yet unknown;
Awaken'd minds shall fly the fearful doom,
And perish'd rebels hear, believe, and come.

He to his sons impulse divine shall send,

To bring them to their Father, God, and Friend; With hearts contrite, and cheeks bedew'd with tears, Shall feel the cancel of their vast arrears.

Poor prodigals, self-lost, distress'd, forlorn,

Their crying crimes and wretched state bemoan;
By hunger drove, by consolations led,

Shall seek, shall crave, and find the living bread.

Heathen, elect, return from banishment,
The angels triumph as the slaves repent;

Enrob'd, adorn'd, and cheer'd with comforts sweet,
With kind embrace the sire and sons shall meet.

The ransom'd race shall hear the joyful sound, And sinners lost shall both be sought and found; Their souls renew'd, and fed with heavenly bread, By faith shall live as risen from the dead.