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family； and the same spirit of love and conciliation should govern them。 〃Be
kindly
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affectioned one to another with brotherly love； in honor preferring one
another〃 （Romans 12：10）； is the teaching of our Saviour。 The cultivation of
a uniform courtesy； a willingness to do to others as we would wish them to
do to us； would annihilate half the ills of life。 The spirit of
self…aggrandizement is the spirit of Satan； but the heart in which the love
of Christ is cherished； will possess that charity which seeketh not her own。
Such will heed the divine injunction； 〃Look not every man on his own things；
but every man also on the things of others。〃 Philippians 2：4。
Although Lot owed his prosperity to his connection with Abraham； he
manifested no gratitude to his benefactor。 Courtesy would have dictated that
he yield the choice to Abraham； but instead of this he selfishly endeavored
to grasp all its advantages。 He 〃lifted up his eyes； and beheld all the
plain of Jordan； that it was well watered everywhere； 。 。 。 even as the
garden of the Lord； like the land of Egypt； as thou comest unto Zoar。〃 The
most fertile region in all Palestine was the Jordan Valley； reminding the
beholders of the lost Paradise and equaling the beauty and productiveness of
the Nile…enriched plains they had so lately left。 There were cities also；
wealthy and beautiful； inviting to profitable traffic in their crowded
marts。 Dazzled with visions of worldly gain； Lot overlooked the moral and
spiritual evils that would be encountered there。 The inhabitants of the
plain were 〃sinners before the Lord exceedingly；〃 but of this he was
ignorant； or； knowing； gave it but little weight。 He 〃chose him all the
plain of Jordan；〃 and 〃pitched his tent toward Sodom。〃 How little did he
foresee the terrible results of that selfish choice！
After the separation from Lot； Abraham again received from the Lord a
promise of the whole country。 Soon after this he removed to Hebron； pitching
his tent under the oaks of Mamre and erecting beside it an altar to the
Lord。 In the free air of those upland plains； with their olive groves and
vineyards； their fields of waving grain； and the wide pasture grounds of the
encircling hills； he dwelt； well content with his simple； patriarchal life；
and leaving to Lot the perilous luxury of the vale of Sodom。
Abraham was honored by the surrounding nations as a mighty prince and a wise
and able chief。 He did not shut away his influence from his neighbors。 His
life and character； in their marked contrast with those of the worshipers of
idols； exerted a
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telling influence in favor of the true faith。 His allegiance to God was
unswerving； while his affability and benevolence inspired confidence and
friendship and his unaffected greatness commanded respect and honor。
His religion was not held as a precious treasure to be jealously guarded and
enjoyed solely by the possessor。 True religion cannot be thus held； for such
a spirit is contrary to the principles of the gospel。 While Christ is
dwelling in the heart it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence；
or for that light to grow dim。 On the contrary； it will grow brighter and
brighter as day by day the mists of selfishness and sin that envelop the
soul are dispelled by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness。
The people of God are His representatives upon the earth； and He intends
that they shall be lights in the moral darkness of this world。 Scattered all
over the country； in the towns； cities； and villages； they are God's
witnesses； the channels through which He will communicate to an unbelieving
world the knowledge of His will and the wonders of His grace。 It is His plan
that all who are partakers of the great salvation shall be missionaries for
Him。 The piety of the Christian constitutes the standard by which worldlings
judge the gospel。 Trials patiently borne； blessings gratefully received；
meekness； kindness； mercy； and love； habitually exhibited； are the lights
that shine forth in the character before the world； revealing the contrast
with the darkness that comes of the selfishness of the natural heart。
Rich in faith； noble in generosity； unfaltering in obedience； and humble in
the simplicity of his pilgrim life； Abraham was also wise in diplomacy and
brave and skillful in war。 Notwithstanding he was known as the teacher of a
new religion； three royal brothers； rulers of the Amorite plains in which he
dwelt； manifested their friendship by inviting him to enter into an alliance
with them for greater security； for the country was filled with violence and
oppression。 An occasion soon arose for him to avail himself of this
alliance。
Chedorlaomer； king of Elam； had invaded Canaan fourteen years before； and
made it tributary to him。 Several of the princes now revolted； and the
Elamite king； with four allies； again marched into the country to reduce
them to submission。 Five kings of Canaan joined their forces and met the
invaders in the vale of Siddim； but only to be completely overthrown。 A
large
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part of the army was cut to pieces； and those who escaped fled for safety to
the mountains。 The victors plundered the cities of the plain and departed
with rich spoil and many captives； among whom were Lot and his family。
Abraham； dwelling in peace in the oak groves at Mamre； learned from one of
the fugitives the story of the battle and the calamity that had befallen his
nephew。 He had cherished no unkind memory of Lot's ingratitude。 All his
affection for him was awakened； and he determined that he should be rescued。
Seeking； first of all； divine counsel； Abraham prepared for war。 From his
own encampment he summoned three hundred and eighteen trained servants； men
trained in the fear of God； in the service of their master； and in the
practice of arms。 His confederates； Mamre； Eschol； and Aner； joined him with
their bands； and together they started in pursuit of the invaders。 The
Elamites and their allies had encamped at Dan； on the northern border of
Canaan。 Flushed with victory； and having no fear of an assault from their
vanquished foes； they had given themselves up to revealing。 The patriarch
divided his force so as to approach from different。 directions； and came
upon the encampment by night。 His attack； so vigorous and unexpected；
resulted in speedy victory。 The king of Elam was slain and his
panic…stricken forces were utterly routed。 Lot and his family； with all the
prisoners and their goods； were recovered； and a rich booty fell into the
hands of the victors。 To Abraham； under God； the triumph was due。 The
worshiper of Jehovah had not only rendered a great service to the country；
but had proved himself a man of valor。 It was seen that righteousness is not
cowardice； and that Abraham's religion made him courageous in maintaining
the right and defending the oppressed。 His heroic act gave him a widespread
influence among the surrounding tribes。 On his return； the king of Sodom
came out with his retinue to honor the conqueror。 He bad