THE PATRIARCH AND THE FIVE KINGS. g

« So Lot got home again, and all his goods with him.”

“ You said, grandfather,” said George, “ that Lot’s
choice brought misfortunes upon him, but they all ended
well.” '

«“ But further and greater misfortunes came upon
him; they did not come by a battle, so that you would
not care to hear them.”

“Qh yes, grandfather, tell them.”

“The people of Sodom were a very wicked people; they
had been warned to turn from their wickedness by the
invasion of Chederlaomer, but that warning they did not
improve. The wisest of men says, ‘He that being often
reproved hardeneth his neck, shall be suddenly de-
stroyed, and that without remedy.’ So it was with the
people of Sodom. That their destruction was near, the
Lord made known to Abraham, for Abram’s name was
now changed into Abraham, which means a father of
many nations. When the Lord intimated to him that
Sodom for its wickedness was to be destroyed, Abraham
pleaded that the righteous be spared, and that if in the
city there were fifty such, the place for their sake might
be preserved. ‘The Lord replied, that if in the city
there were fifty righteous he would not destroy it.
Abraham said that five might be awanting of the fifty,
would the Lord destroy it for the want of five? The
Lord replied, that for the sake of forty-five righteous
he would not destroy it. Again Abraham pleaded there
might be forty there. Again the merciful God replied,
‘I will not do it for forty’s sake.’