3. Notice ABEL'S CHARACTER. Christ calls him righteous Abel. What a bright example of righteousnes and faith. He was a meek, gentle, humane man, who delighted in a pastoral employment, and therefore chose that of a shepherd. We see him recorded as an eminent example of faith, by which he being dead yet speaketh. He persevered in the uniform practice of holiness, and at last suffered death in the cause of Righteousness. He is there fore called the first Martyr. Yes, he was the first Man who received a Martyr's crown. The cause and manner of his death we shall speak of in the next Lecture.

III. CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

1. What were the words of the Text? "And Abel was a keeper of sheep; but Cain was a tiller of the ground."

2. Where are these words to be found? Genesis, chapter 4th, verse 2d.

3. Who was Cain? Adam's eldest son.

4. What did Eve say when Cain was born?

"I have gotten a Man from the Lord.”

5. What does Cain's name signify? Pos session, or possessed.

6. Why did Eve give him that name? Because she was glad.

7. What was Cain's employment He "was a tiller of the ground."

8. Did Cain bring any offering unto the Lord? Yes, he "brought of the fruit of the ground."

9. What kind of an offering was it? It is supposed to be merely a thank offering.

10. Did the Lord accept the offering of Cain? No, for it is written, "but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect."

11. Why did not the Lord accept of Cain's offering? Because Cain was a wicked man, and did not offer it up in a proper manner.

12. When Cain saw that his offering was not accepted by the Lord, was he angry? Yes, it is said "Cain was very wroth." 13. How did he show his anger? countenance fell."

"His

14. What did the Lord say to Cain when he saw that he was angry?

Why art thou wroth, and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door."

15. Did the Lord say any thing concerning Abel? Yes, "and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."

16.

"

16. Who was Abel? Cain's younger brother. 17. What is the meaning of Abel's name? Vanity.

18. What was Abel's employment? He was a keeper of sheep."

19. Did Abel make any offering to the Lord?" He also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof."

20. Did the Lord accept of Abel's offering? Yes, for it is said "and the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering."

21. In what manner did Abel offer his sacrifice? It is said "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain."

22. What token was given to Abel? "He obtained witness that he was righteous; God testifying of his gifts."

23. How did God testify or bear witness to his gifts? He shewed his approbation by his acceptance of the offering.

24. What do you learn from this part of Abel's History? That God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth, and that all our prayers must be offered up thro' Christ, and are acceptable to God only in and through the merits of his death.

JV.

IV. PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

Parents should not be overjoyed at the birth of children, but receive them as precious gifts from the hands of their heavenly Father. They should bring them up in his fear, and remember that the same God who gave them, can take them away. Children should have suitable names given to them.*

Children should not be brought up in idleness. He that does not bring up his son to some trade, makes him a thief. Cain and Abel were brought up to labour. Let them be taught habits of industry, diligence and frugality in early life. It is the will of God that we should all have something to do in the world. They should be put to those employments which are suitable to their capacity, disposition and constitution. It is of unspeakable importance that they should be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. That they should be taught to wor

ship

* A child was once brought to be baptized, and the father wished him to be called Hercules, but the Minister refused to baptize the child by that name, because it was a name given to one of the heathen Deities.

ship him in spirit, and in truth. To offer up to God in and through Christ, their morning and evening sacrifice of prayer and praise. Children themselves should be offered to God in prayer by their parents. Samuel was

prayers and

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brought to the house of God by his parents. He was given to his mother in answer to her fervent prayers and tears. "For this child I prayed, (said Hannah) and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth, he shall be lent to the Lord." Children should be taught how to worship God. They should be taught not only to honor God in their praises, but also by offerings. offer one thing and some another. honor God by giving to a poor of their old cast off garments. honor God by giving their pice, or their siccus to print Bibles and tracts in Bengalee for the poor Hindoo children; for the establishment of schools, to instruct them in reading, writing and arithmetic. Others who have no money or clothes to give, c give their time, and perhaps they can teach

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child some

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