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self…forgetfulness； by cherishing a loving； helpful spirit； that we can make
our life a blessing。 The little attentions； the small； simple courtesies； go
far to make up the sum of life's happiness； and the neglect of these
constitutes no small share of human wretchedness。
Seeing the abuse to which strangers were exposed in Sodom； Lot made it one
of his duties to guard them at their entrance； by offering them
entertainment at his own house。 He was sitting at the gate as the travelers
approached； and upon observing them； he rose from his place to meet them；
and bowing courteously； said； 〃Behold now； my lords； turn in； I pray you；
into your servant's house； and tarry all night。〃 They seemed to decline his
hospitality； saying； 〃Nay； but we will abide in the street。〃 Their object in
this answer was twofoldto test the sincerity of Lot and also to appear
ignorant of the character of the men of Sodom； as if they supposed it safe
to remain in the street at night。 Their answer
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made Lot the more determined not to leave them to the mercy of the rabble。
He pressed his invitation until they yielded； and accompanied him to his
house。
He had hoped to conceal his intention from the idlers at the gate by
bringing the strangers to his home by a circuitous route； but their
hesitation and delay； and his persistent urging； caused them to be observed；
and before they had retired for the night； a lawless crowd gathered about
the house。 It was an immense company； youth and aged men alike inflamed by
the vilest passions。 The strangers had been making inquiry in regard to the
character of the city； and Lot had warned them not to venture out of his
door that night； when the hooting and jeers of the mob were heard； demanding
that the men be brought out to them。
Knowing that if provoked to violence they could easily break into his house；
Lot went out to try the effect of persuasion upon them。 〃I pray you；
brethren；〃 he said； 〃do not so wickedly；〃 using the term 〃brethren〃 in the
sense of neighbors； and hoping to conciliate them and make them ashamed of
their vile purposes。 But his words were like oil upon the flames。 Their rage
became like the roaring of a tempest。 They mocked Lot as making himself a
judge over them； and threatened to deal worse with him than they had
purposed toward his guests。 They rushed upon him； and would have torn him in
pieces had he not been rescued by the angels of God。 The heavenly messengers
〃put forth their hand； and pulled Lot into the house to them； and shut to
the door。〃 The events that followed； revealed the character of the guests he
had entertained。 〃They smote the men that were at the door of the house with
blindness； both small and great： so that they wearied themselves to find the
door。〃 Had they not been visited with double blindness； being given up to
hardness of heart； the stroke of God upon them would have caused them to
fear； and to desist from their evil work。 That last night was marked by no
greater sins than many others before it； but mercy； so long slighted； had at
last ceased its pleading。 The inhabitants of Sodom had passed the limits of
divine forbearance〃the hidden boundary between God's patience and His
wrath。〃 The fires of His vengeance were about to be kindled in the vale of
Siddim。
The angels revealed to Lot the object of their mission： 〃We will destroy
this place； because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the
Lord； and the Lord hath sent us to destroy
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it。〃 The strangers whom Lot had endeavored to protect； now promised to
protect him； and to save also all the members of his family who would flee
with him from the wicked city。 The mob had wearied themselves out and
departed； and Lot went out to warn his children。 He repeated the words of
the angels； 〃Up； get you out of this place； for the Lord will destroy this
city。〃 But he seemed to them as one that mocked。 They laughed at what they
called his superstitious fears。 His daughters were influenced by their
husbands。 They were well enough off where they were。 They could see no
evidence of danger。 Everything was just as it had been。 They had great
possessions； and they could not believe it possible that beautiful Sodom
would be destroyed。
Lot returned sorrowfully to his home and told the story of his failure。 Then
the angels bade him arise and take his wife and the two daughters who were
yet in his house and leave the city。 But Lot delayed。 Though daily
distressed at beholding deeds of violence； he had no true conception of the
debasing and abominable iniquity practiced in that vile city。 He did not
realize the terrible necessity for God's judgments to put a check on sin。
Some of his children clung to Sodom； and his wife refused to depart without
them。 The thought of leaving those whom he held dearest on earth seemed more
than he could bear。 It was hard to forsake his luxurious home and all the
wealth acquired by the labors of his whole life； to go forth a destitute
wanderer。 Stupefied with sorrow； he lingered； loath to depart。 But for the
angels of God； they would all have perished in the ruin of Sodom。 The
heavenly messengers took him and his wife and daughters by the hand and led
them out of the city。
Here the angels left them； and turned back to Sodom to accomplish their work
of destruction。 AnotherHe with whom Abraham had pleadeddrew near to Lot。
In all the cities of the plain； even ten righteous persons had not been
found； but in answer to the patriarch's prayer； the one man who feared God
was snatched from destruction。 The command was given with startling
vehemence： 〃Escape for thy life； look not behind thee； neither stay thou in
all the plain； escape to the mountain； lest thou be consumed。〃 Hesitancy or
delay now would be fatal。 To cast one lingering look upon the devoted city；
to tarry for one moment from regret to leave so beautiful a home； would have
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cost their life。 The storm of divine judgment was only waiting that these
poor fugitives might make their escape。
But Lot； confused and terrified； pleaded that he could not do as he was
required lest some evil should overtake him and he should die。 Living in
that wicked city； in the midst of unbelief； his faith had grown dim。 The
Prince of heaven was by his side； yet he pleaded for his own life as though
God； who had manifested such care and love for him； would not still preserve
him。 He should have trusted himself wholly to the divine Messenger； giving
his will and his life into the Lord's hands without a doubt or a question。
But like so many others； he endeavored to plan for himself： 〃Behold now；
this city is near to flee unto； and it is a little one： O； let me escape
thither； （is it not a little one？） and my soul shall live。〃 The city here
mentioned was Bela； afterward called Zoar。 It was but a few miles from
Sodom； and； like it； was corrupt and doomed to destruction。 But Lot asked
that it might be spared； urging that this was but a small request； and his
desire was granted。 The Lord assured him； 〃I have accept