Perizzite dwelled then in the land." This made the strife between the herdmen to be very dangerous. They were the inhabitants of the country. Abram and Lot were strangers in this land. They were not enemies to Abram and Lot, and if they were, to see and hear them quarrelling among themselves, perhaps they would unite together to put Abram and Lot to death, and then seize upon all their riches. Besides what a bad example did they set before their heathen neighbours. They professed to be worhippers of the true God, and yet could not live in peace and quietness among themselves. What must wicked men think when they see Christians quarrelling with each other. People often lose their characters and sometimes their lives by quarrelling. No one will like to live near a quarrelsome neighbour. If parents quarrel, so will the children, and the neighbourhood will be always in an uproar.

IV. The END of this QUARREL.

It is best not to quarrel at all, but if there be strife between you and others, the sooner you put an end to it, the better.

"And

Abram

Abram said unto Lot, let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me, and between thy herdmen and my herdmen: FOR WE BE BRETHREN." Thus Abram addresses his nephew. Let us not be brethren in name only, but in reality. Unpleasant things will sometiines take place, but let us try to settle them. Your concerns and mine have of late interfered with each other. Our servants may have increas. d the cause of our difference, but on examination we shall find things to be much better than they are represented. Let that be as it may, it is not right that our servants should be permitted to rufle our temper and discompose our minds in this manner. This strife between them and us is quite needless. If the land is too narrow, we are not confined to it, the whole country is before us, chuse for yourself, take which part you please, and I will take the rest. God has taken care of us hitherto, and he will still protect and bless us wherever we go. We have no reason to doubt his future goodness. Seperate thy. self I pray thee from me; if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou will depart to the right hand, then I

will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes and beheld all the plain of Jordau that it was well watered every where, then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east: and they seperated themselves the one from the other." It was Lot's place to have put an end to this quarrel, being the youngest, but Abram knew how to turn away wrath by a soft answer, he was a man of a kind and peaceable disposition.

We are brethren of the same family and the same religion, and we obey the same God. He is very desirous that they should part friends. The land was promised to Abram, and not to Lot, and yet he offers Lot any part that he may chuse to approve. Abram being the eldest had a right to chuse first, but he gives up his right for the sake of peace. See then that you quench the growing flames of strife by throwing water upon them and not oil. Sometimes persons will endeavour to provoke each other more, instead of putting an end to their strife as soon as possible. After Lot went away God gave Abram a promise of all the land of Canaan." For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give and thy seed forever."

V. CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

1. What are the words of the Text, and where are they to be found? "And Abram said unto Lot, let there bé no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen: for we be brethren." Gen. 13. 8.

2. Where did Abram come from when he came to Bethel? From Egypt.

3. Was Abram poor or rich when he came from Egypt? "And Abram was very rich, in cattle, in silver and in gold."

4. Had Lot who went with him, any possessions? Yes, he had flocks and herds and tents.

5. What was the reason they could not dwell together. Their substance was so great that the land was too narrow for them.

6. With whom did the strife begin, between Abram and Lot? No, there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle.

7. Where was the danger of this quarrel? "The Canaanite and the Perizzitę dwelled then in the land."

8. Who was it that put an end to this

strife?

strife? Abram, for he said,

"Is not the whole

land before thee, separate thyself, I pray thee from me: if thou will take the left hand, then I will go to the right, and if thou wilt de-. part to the right hand, then I will go to the left."

9. Did Lot separate himself from Abram? Yes, Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east.

10. What was the character of the people among whom Lot dwelt? "The men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners before the Lord exceedingly."

VI. PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

See what danger there is attending riches. If riches increase, set not your hearts upon them, for they will not profit you in the day of wrath. Children are often the cause of much ill will by the tales they tell of their brothers and sisters of the neighbours and friends of their parents. Take heed of the beginning of quarrels. They are often very dreadful and dangerous in their consequences. They do not always end so well as this did. Quarrels in families often end in their ruin and destruction. Children often quarrel among themselves.