July 17

Genesis xxix. — 1. Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.

2. And he looked, and behold, a well in the field; and lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. 3. And thither were all the flocks gathered; and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place. 4. And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are, we. 5. And he said unto them, Know ye Laban, the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. 6. And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well; and behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. 7. And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. 8. And they said, We cannot until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep. 9. And, while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them. 10. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's

mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

11. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son; and she ran and told her father. 13. And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. 14. And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh; and he abode with him the space of a month. 15. And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou, therefore, serve me for nought? Tell me, what shall thy wages be? 16. And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17. Leah was tender-eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. 18. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. 19. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

It is an Eastern idiom for a definite journey, that one "carries his feet," for journeying at random, that "his feet carry him." Jacob carried his feet upon his long and unknown way, having a definite end in view. At last, he found himself in the country from which his grandfather Abraham had started on his pilgrimage of faith, and near the house from which his mother had set out upon her more romantic journey. A well being a valuable and sometimes a devoted property, it was frequently covered to debar strangers from using it. At this well the flocks of several owners were watered together for an equal share. When Jacob heard that Rachel was coming, he

wished the herd-men well out of the way; but as soon as she appeared, not regarding their presence, he gave her a somewhat impetuous greeting as her cousin, and the beautiful shepherdess ran home with the news of his arrival. Laban gave Jacob his confidence and a cordial welcome. As he was penniless, and could not hope to marry without providing a dowry, he tried himself out for Rachel's sake; but her love sweetened his toil, and shortened the years. After all, Laban required him with deception, giving him Leah, and making him serve for Rachel seven years more; and this was another penalty for Jacob's fraud upon his brother.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 21, 32, 137.

Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for the mercies of the past night; for shelter, safety, comfort, rest, and peace. How precious are thy thoughts unto us, O God! how great is the sum of them! When we awake, we are still with thee. So would our hearts rise to thee, O Lord! with the morning light, with the incense of prayer and praise; yea, we would present our bodies unto thee a living sacrifice. May this, our reasonable service, be made holy through the blood of Jesus! Help us this day to live unto thee, and in all our works and ways to do that which is well-pleasing in thy sight. Prosper, we beseech thee, the

labor of our hands, our studies, our various callings; bless to us the means of knowledge and improvement; make us thoughtful of others, considerate of the poor and afflicted, wise and ready unto every good word and work. We commend unto thee our kindred and friends, beseeching thee to grant them the promise of the life that now is; and, in the world to come, life everlasting. We pray for thy holy Church universal, for the coming of light and peace and salvation in the latter-day glory to all the earth, through Christ our Lord; and to thy name be power and glory and dominion world without end. Amen.