THE SACRIFICE.

How hard it was for Abraham To say, God’s will be done, When he was called to offer up His dear,—his only son. “Take Isaac, now, thine only son,” (This was the Lord’s command,) “And offer him a sacrifice, To die by thine own hand.” But Abraham believed that God, His Father, always knew Just what was right, and could not tell Him a wrong thing to do. He did not stop to question God, But rose at early dawn, Saddled his ass, and called his son, To go that very morn A three days journey to a spot Which God to them would show; And Isaac, with the two young men, At once prepared to go. At length the Mount appeared in sight, And Abraham told his men, “I yonder go to worship God, And will come back again.” Much Isaac wondered what it meant, But he obeyed his sire, And took the wood upon his arms, To build his funeral pyre. Upon the mountain now they stand, And Isaac meekly cries, “Behold the fire and wood! but where’s The lamb for sacrifice?” When they had reached Moriah’s top, The father told his son,— And Isaac willingly was bound, That God’s will might be done. Upon the altar, then, the wood Was all in order laid, And Abraham took the knife in hand,— That knife with naked blade. Then quick an angel of the Lord Was sent from heaven above, To gladden faithful Abraham’s heart With these sweet words of love. “Lay not thy hand upon the lad, For now, indeed, I see Thou fearest God, nor hast withheld Thine only son from me. “And now in blessing I will bless Thee and thy numerous seed; All those who have thy simple faith Shall be my friends[5] indeed. “When I shall give mine only Son To die on Calvary, The Lamb of God for sinners slain, Thine offspring he shall be.” And has “Our Father” sent his Son, His only Son, from heaven To die for us that we might live And have our sins forgiven? Lord, help me, then, to read thy Word, Believing all it saith; For I may be a friend of God, If I have Abraham’s faith.