ok the big, hard stone, that had afforded him so
sweet a resting-place, and setting it up for a pillar, in grateful
remembrance of his happy dream, poured oil on the top of it. The
sweet perfume of the precious oil filled all the air, and rose up
like an offering of glad thanksgiving, well-pleasing to Him who
looked down upon it.

"Surely God is in this place, and I knew it not," Jacob said. For he
could never have imagined, as, with tearful eyes, he first lay down
on that lone spot, that God would have revealed Himself there; and
this was the first great lesson of love and mercy that he had ever
spelled over. "I knew it not; but now I know, and will go on my way
with gladness, fearing nothing."

So sacred had the spot become to him, that he called it Bethel, _the
House of God_. And he vowed a vow, that if God would indeed be with
him, as He had promised, and prosper him, and bring him back again to
his father's house, then he would serve Him faithfully all his life,
and would give Him a tenth of all that was bestowed upon him.

He went on his journey no longer lonely and sad; for the God of his
fathers was with him; and His presence brightened up the dreary
wilderness, and made the solitary place glad.

In the new land to which he went Jacob had much to endure; but the
vision of the bright ladder that he had seen in his dream rose up
again and again to comfort him; and his heart grew stronger and
braver as he thought of the abiding presence of God.

Years afterwards, when he came back to the land of Canaan, he visited
the spot where, on that memorable night, he had lain down in such
sorrow, and risen up in such joy. He had then rosy children, and
numerous possessions. And as he thought of all the unmerited goodness
and mercy which had followed him in the strange land, and of the
faithfulness which had brought him back, he built another altar, and
praised God anew.

But, though Jacob was so comforted by his dream, it is scarcely
likely that he could see, as we can, the full meaning of it; for the
vision of the bright ladder was intended to comfort God's people in
all ages, and to grow brighter and brighter as it came to be
understood.

So, we, who know how the glorious ladder is Jesus Christ, through
whom all blessings come down from heaven to us, and through whom,
also, we may mount up to the very throne of "our Father," in the
highest heavens; we, too, will raise up our altar of thanksgiving,
and go on our w