The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-27
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 oduction--According to the com- monly received chronology the events of our present lesson were little more than four centuries after the flood, studied last Sunday (B. c. 2349 to lSzl) Of this time the Scriptures make only a brief record. The genealogical taoies of Noahs sons are given without com ment Remembering the deluge the st-diluviau race feared similar calamity which 1t sought to avert py building a tower about which they might settle. But this scheme was contrary to the plan of God who would have the earth re-populated. tGen. ix' n He therefore confused their lan- suase So that it was impossible TOT 9hem to remain in one community. Thus the people began those migrauons which have continued until the pre- 'e1t time, The early distribution reveat@d a disposition, possibly under Divine guidance, to form three great iaceS whose peculiarities are now recognizeo bv ethnologists.
 command-(verse D This interposi- tion of Providence, designed for the good of man, (Acts xvii, 26) aid not sr- rest the downward movement. Judging hy the historic fragments of those oE,
 by Noah, was laid aside by his pos terity. and idolatry was introduced. This probably resulted from .ntsilec gal inflrmity attending moral degeneracy: But in the midst of the unlVe:sdl darkness there was one whose views of God were more exalted than those of his contemporaries. This was Aoraf-l of the stock of Shem, whose home Was in UT of the Chaldees. (Gen. xi. 3l) we are not told whether he gradually ar prehended the unity and spirituality or God, or whether 1t was sudoen.y ie- vealed to him. But he was selecte to be the leader in new religious movement, and, as a'prelimiaary was commanded to separate himself from his kindred. T,
 Promise--(Verses ? and 3 The AL mighty seldom calls men to new lines of action without presenting a reason and a motive. In commanding Aoram to leave his native land He promised that which would appeal to his highest nature and awaken his liveltst hopes. That promise was in three parts, CD It offered a personal blessing, one that should enrich his own life and estab- fish his name in honor, (Gen. xxiv, 3o) what every man desires; CD The promise declared that from Abram
 
 pcsterity should be numerous and should form a separate political com munity, q Kings iii. 8 and (3) Through Abram and his seed the other nations should be blessed. (Gen. xviii. 1S) Or, more briefly, in the removal of Abram from the lend of his fathers God pro- posed to raise up people for the good of the world. There was a race-w:de purpose in the command.
 Defense-(Verse 3 One other poin; needed to be covered to gain the hearty assent of this man to leave his idola- trous kinsfolk. (Josh. xxiv. 9 Difflcul- ties, and possibly enemies, will be en- countered in taking up an abode among strangers. It was a day of seifshness and strife. Men had not learned to live for each other and to build a brotherhood for mutual good. Besides to go with a religious conviction and with a national hope might provoke controversy. Well might Abram hes!- tate in such an undertaking, choosing to abide in present safety rather than