QUESTIONS.

Who were the two first sons born unto Adam and Eve? What were the character and occupation of Cain? What were the character and occupation of Abel? What oblations did Cain and Abel offer unto God, and how were their oblations received? What dreadful act did Cain commit? What was the sentence passed upon Cain? What did Cain do after his condemnation, and what was the conduct of his immediate descendants? What substitute was given to Adam and Eve for the loss of Abel? What descendant of Seth was remarkably pious; and what is said of him? What cause brought on the deluge? Whom did God forewarn of this awful catastrophe, and how long was the warning given before the event took place? By what means was Noah saved from the common destruction, and who were saved with him? What were the length, breadth, and height, of the ark? In what manner was the deluge produced? How long was Noah in the ark, and what was his first action upon his coming forth on the dry land? What appearance in the heaven did God appoint for a sign or pledge that he would not again cover the earth with the waters of a deluge?

CHAP. III.

THE earth once more emerged from the bosom of the deep, but human bodies grew less strong, and human life, which, before the flood, was extended to nearly a thousand years, was gradually shortened. Noah, himself, indeed, lived three hundred and fifty years after the deluge; so that his whole life endured nine hundred and fifty years. Noah cultivated the vine tree; and of the grapes made wine; but, being ignorant of the effect of fermented liquor, he

drank thereof, and was intoxicated. Ham beholding his father in this condition, mocked at him, but his brothers, Shem and Japhet, covering the venerable old man with their garments, concealed his shame. For this deed of filial reverence and filial affection, they received a blessing from the Lord; but Ham, for his disrespect of paternal sanctity, was condemned, in himself, and in his posterity, to be subject unto his brethren. Mankind now again multiplied greatly, and an evil spirit of ambition and violence prevailed among them. Nimrod, a descendant of Ham, was a mighty and pernicious conqueror; and many strong cities did he build. While the inhabitants of all the peopled parts of the earth had but one language, it came to pass, that, moving from their first place of residence, they came to a fertile plain in the land of Shinar, where settling, they proposed to erect a city, and a tower, whose summit should reach the clouds; that they might not be dispersed, and that they might take refuge therein should another deluge come. Thus they added disobedience to the command of the Eternal, to distrust of his promise. Then the Lord God confounded the language of mankind, and dispersed them over the face of the earth. Therefore was the name of that city and tower, which they attempted to build, called Babel, or confusion. Though the knowledge of the only true God might have been continued by uninterrupted tradition from Noah, yet the sons of men, forgetting the deluge, that signal instance of the Almighty's government, gradually departed from

true religion. They worshipped the sun, and moon, and all the host of heaven; they made unto themselves gods of gold and silver, brass and wood; they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image, made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

With the confusion of tongues, and the scattering of mankind, ends the second period, or epocha, containing 527 years.

Abram, a descendant from Shem, was born about 350 years after the deluge. Noah slept with his fathers, but Shem yet lived, and Abram might have passed a considerable portion of his life with his venerable ancestor. A prince in the midst of his family, rich in flocks and herds, he abode principally near the place where men had attempted in vain to erect the tower of Babel. Though idolatry prevailed around him, he retained the pure faith handed down to him from his forefathers. He worshipped the God of Adam, of Noah, and of Shem, and Him only did he serve. And the Lord said unto Abram, Depart from thy country and thy kindred, into a land which I will show unto thee; for I will make of thee a great nation; in thee, and in thy posterity, shall all human kind be blessed. So Abram departed from the plain of Shinar, taking with him Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his brother's son, and all his possessions, and journeyed to the land of Canaan, which God had shown unto him, and promised unto his offspring. And the herdsmen of Lot disputed with the herdsmen of Abram; and Lot and Abram separated, that

strife might not be between them. Lot pitched his tent by Sodom, in the plain of Jordan, and Abram dwelled in Canaan. Abram was ninety nine years of age when the Lord God appeared unto him in a vision, saying, "I am the Almighty: walk before me in integrity of heart, and I will render thy posterity numerous. Thou shalt no longer be called Abram, but Abraham, or father of a multitude; and thy wife shalt thou no longer call Saraï, the star, but Sarah, the fruitful. And Abraham, who had long remained childless, had sons born unto him; Ishmael, the progenitor of the Arabians; and by Sarah, Isaac, destined to be the father of the chosen people.

Now, the men of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities of the plain, were wicked above all other men. And those cities, the Lord God had determined to destroy; for their iniquity was exceeding great. But Lot being righteous in his sight, the Lord warned him to flee from destruction, with his family. And though Abraham intreated for them, yet God listened not unto his supplication; for in those cities, not ten just persons were found. And God sent a fiery rain of sulphur and inflamed ashes, which burnt up the cities and their inhabitants, and desolated the whole plain.

And when Isaac was become a youth, the Lord God tried Abraham's faith and obedience; for He said unto Abraham, "Take now, thy son Isaac, thy son Isaac whom thou lovest, and offer him up as a sacrifice on a mountain which I shall show thee." And Abraham prepared to obey the voice of the Lord, but the Lord accepted the

will of Abraham instead of the sacrifice, and was pleased with his submission. A second time

did Abraham receive a benediction from God, and a confirmation of the promise, that in his posterity should all the nations of the earth be blessed.

QUESTIONS.

What change took place in the life of man after the deluge? How long did Noah survive the deluge, and how long was his whole life? What was the different conduct of Noah's sons with respect to him? Into what state did mankind fall after the deluge? Who was Nimrod, and what were his deeds? What is the history of the tower of Babel? What event closes the second epocha, and how many years does that period contain? When was Abram born, and from which of Noah's sons was he descended? What was the character of Abram, and what was his mode of life? What was the first striking instance of his obedience to God? Who was Lot; what was his character; and what great destruction did he escape? What change was made in the names of Abram and Sarai? Who were

Abraham's first sons? What illustrious example of submission to the will of God did Abraham exhibit, for which he received a repetition of the blessing and promise? What was that promise?

CHAP. IV.

ABRAHAM was now become old, and he was blessed, and called the friend of God. And Sarah, his wife, died at the age of a hundred and twenty-seven. And Abraham mourned for Sarah, and buried her in a cave, in the field of Machpelah, in the land of Canaan, which he had purchased for a place of sepulture. And Isaac grew up, and became a righteous man