o TLHE OFFERINGS.

strong until the rosy children were men, and play changed
for work. Cain worked as his father did, for he was a
farmer; but Abel was a shepherd, and took care of sheep
and lambs. Does it not seem as if they might have been
very happy together ?
 What are they doing in the picture? How are they
dressed? Do you see they have on coi ts of fur? God
made the first coats that Adam and Eve had, and taught
them to kill the animal to wear its skir ; and the flesh
they were to burn as an offering to Him. He taught them
too, to worship him on one day in seven, for it was God
himself who made and kept the first Sabbath-day.
 One Sunday the brothers came with their offerings
to God. Cain brought some of the best things which
grew in his garden, and laid them on the stone altar;
Abel brought the best lamb in his flock, and while it was
burning he knelt and prayed.
 Cain's offering lay wilting on the stones while Abel's
was burned with fire, and the smoke rose up towards
heaven. Which one was the Lord pleased with ? Cain's
grew on the sin-stained earth from the labor of Cain's
own hand; Abel's was a lamb to whom God had given
life, and Abel gave it back with penitence and love. Cain
wanted to worship all his own way, and with his own
works; Abel worshipped in God's way, for He had taught
them that there must be blood shed before He could for-
give sin.