JACOB'S LADDER.

WHEN Isaac blessed Jacob, he told him not to marry one of the women of Canaan, but to choose one of the daughters of his uncle Laban for a wife, as the women of Canaan were depraved and worthless.

And Jacob went alone on his journey, and when night came on he found himself in a solitary valley, and there was no house or tent near, so he piled some stones together for a pillow, and lay down upon the grass to sleep. And as he lay with his face turned to the unnumbered stars, and the branches of the tall dark trees waved and murmured gently near him, a wonderful dream passed through his mind. He saw a great ladder which reached from earth to heaven, and thousands of angels with smiling radiant faces, and eyes beaming with love, descended to earth, and then reascended by the miraculous ladder to their blissful abode. Then he thought he saw the awful form of God himself surrounded by light and glory; and God spoke and said, "The land on which thou sleepest will I give thee, and thy descendants shall be as numerous as the dust of the earth, and they shall be spread abroad to the west, and the east, and the north, and the south; and I will bring thee again into this land, and guard thee for ever."

Then the glorious vision vanished, and Jacob awoke, and the grey morning was breaking upon the earth; and he said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not." And Jacob took the stone that was his pillow and set it up for a remembrance, and poured oil upon it, and to the place he gave the name of Beth-el. And he made a vow to God, that if the Lord would bless and prosper him, he would worship him and walk in his ways for ever.

RACHEL FIRST SEEN BY JACOB.

JACOB Continued his journey, and came to Padan-aram, where he met some shepherds tending their flocks, and he asked them if they knew Laban? They answered they were his servants, and, pointing to a young and beautiful maiden who approached driving a flock of lambs, said. "Behold! Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep!"

And Jacob thought he had never seen any one so graceful, or with so sweet a countenance; and he went to his cousin, and telling her who he was, kissed her. Laban had two daughters; Leah, the elder, who had bright tender-looking eyes and glossy raven ringlets; but Rachel, the younger, was the most beautiful, and exceedingly fair; and Jacob loved Rachel, and promised to serve Laban seven years if he would give her to him as his wife.

Laban consented, and the seven years spent by Jacob in the society of his dear Rachel seemed but like seven long days, and when they were past he claimed her as his wife. Then Laban made a bridal feast, and there was music, and dancing, and great mirth; but he deceived Jacob, and married him to Leah, for whom he had no affection.

Then Jacob was full of grief and anger; but Laban said, "In our country the younger must not be married before the firstborn; serve with me another seven years, and thou shalt have my daughter Rachel also." This promise reconciled Jacob, and gave him great joy, and a short time after he was married to the fair Rachel whom he so loved, for in those days it was not considered wrong for a man to have two wives.