Yet notwithstanding the exalted faith of Abraham, by which all religious faith is tested, an eternal pattern and example for our reverence and imitation, the grand old man deceived both Pharaoh and Abimelech, and if he did not tell positive lies, he uttered only half truths, for Sarah was a half sister; and thus he put expediency and policy above moral rectitude,—­to be palliated indeed in his case by the desire to preserve his wife from pollution.  Yet this is the only blot on his otherwise reproachless character, marked by so many noble traits that he may be regarded as almost perfect.  His righteousness was as memorable as his faith, living in the fear of God.  How noble was his disinterestedness in giving to Lot the choice of lands for his family and his flocks and his cattle!  How brave was he in rescuing his kinsman from the hands of conquering kings!  How lofty in refusing any remuneration for his services!  How fervent were his intercessions with the Almighty for the preservation of the cities of the plain!  How hospitable his mode of life, as when he entertained angels unawares!  How kind he was to Hagar when she had incurred the jealousy of Sarah!  How serene and dignified and generous he was, the model of courtesy and kindness!

With Abraham we associate the supremest happiness which an old man can attain unto and enjoy.  He was prosperous, rich, powerful, and favored in every way; but the chief source of his happiness was the superb consciousness that he was to be the progenitor of a mighty and numerous progeny, through whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed.  How far his faith was connected with temporal prosperity we cannot tell.  Prosperity seems to have been the blessing of the Old Testament, as adversity was the blessing of the New.  But he was certain of this,—­that his descendants would possess ultimately the land of Canaan, and would be as numerous as the stars of heaven.  He was certain that in some mysterious way there would come from his race something that would be a blessing to mankind.  Was it revealed to his exultant soul what this blessing should be?  Did this old patriarch cast a prophetic eye beyond the ages, and see that the promise made to him was spiritual rather than material, pertaining to the final triumph of truth and righteousness?—­that the unity of God, which he taught to Isaac and perhaps to Ishmael, was to be upheld by his race alone among prevailing idolatries, until the Saviour should come to reveal a new dispensation and finally draw all men unto him?  Did Abraham fully realize what a magnificent nation the Israelites should become,—­not merely the rulers of western Asia under David and Solomon, but that even after their final dispersion they should furnish ministers to kings, scholars to universities, and dictators to legislative halls,—­an unconquerable race, powerful even after the vicissitudes and humiliations of four thousand years?  Did he realize fully that from his descendants should