I go through this world like Abraham, not knowing
whither I go; but like Abraham, I fear not, for I go whither God
sends me. I rest on God; he is my defence, and my exceeding great
reward. To have known him, loved him, obeyed him, is reward enough,
even if I do not, as the world would say, succeed in life.
Therefore I long not for power and honour, riches and pleasure. I
am content to do my duty faithfully in that station of life to which
God has called me, and to be forgiven for all my failings and
shortcomings for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, and that is
enough for me; for I believe in my Father in heaven, and believe
that he knows best for me and for my children. He has not promised
me, as he promised Abraham, to make of me a great nation; but he has
promised that the righteous man shall never be deserted, or his
children beg their bread. He has promised to keep his covenant and
mercy to a thousand generations with those who keep his commandments
and do them; and that is enough for me. In God have I put my trust,
and I will not fear what man, or earth, or heaven, or any created
thing can do unto me.'

Blessed is that man, whether he inherit honourably great estates
from his ancestors, or whether he make honourably great wealth and
station for himself; whether he spend his life quietly and honestly
in the country farm or in the village shop, or whether he simply
earn his bread from week to week by plough and spade. Blessed is
he, and blessed are his children after him. For he is a son of
Abraham; and of him God hath said, as of Abraham, 'I know him that
he will command his children and household after him, and they shall
keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord
may bring on him the blessing which he has spoken.'

Yes; blessed is that man. He has chosen his share of Abraham's
faith; and he and his children after him shall have their share of
Abraham's blessing.

SERMON VI. JACOB AND ESAU

(Second Sunday in Lent.)

GENESIS xxv. 29-34. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the
field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray
thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his
name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit
shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this
day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthrig