The opportunity to lead children in the study of these early stories is a privilege which every teacher should appreciate to the utmost. Dr. Eiselen calls attention to the value of these stories in this way: “Missionaries say—and experiences at home confirm the claim—that the patriarchal narratives are of inestimable value to impress lessons of the reality and providence of God, and to encourage the exercise of faith and confidence in him. There is nothing that can be substituted for them in religious instruction.”[4] He also quotes from Prof. W. W. White twenty-one Christian virtues that are illustrated and enforced in the life of Abraham: “He was steadfast, resolute, prudent, tactful, candid, kind, self-controlled, obliging, self-denying, condescending, unselfish, peaceable, hospitable, courteous, humble, thankful, reverent, prayerful, worshipful, faithful, obedient.” This lesson is a fitting climax to the three which show particularly Abraham’s unselfishness and kindness and self-forgetful thoughtfulness. In the other two he was acting for some one whom he knew and loved as a father might love a son. In this incident he extends the most complete and joyous hospitality to men whom he believed to be ordinary travelers. LESSON PRESENTATION Introduction I wonder if Abram was not a little discouraged when he came back after rescuing Lot and the other people of Sodom from the four kings of the East? It would not be strange if he was both sad and discouraged, for the nephew whom he loved had gone back among the wicked people of Sodom, where his life was in danger all the time, and Abram might easily have felt that he had not done very much for Lot, and had made enemies for himself of the powerful kings whose soldiers he had attacked. The Lesson Story But if he was discouraged and half afraid, his heavenly Father and Friend knew it, and he appeared to Abram in a vision saying, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Then Abram said: “O Lord, how will you give this land to my children as you have promised, when I have no child at all?” The Lord took Abram out into the night and bade him look at the stars in the sky, saying, “Can you count them? Your children’s children shall be as many as the stars for number.” And Abram believed God’s promise and was comforted. Again God appeared to him and repeated his promise, and said, “Your name shall not be Abram any more but Abraham, which means father of a multitude, and your wife’s name shall no longer be Sarai but Sarah, or princess, for she shall be the mother of kings.” Yet Abraham and Sarah had no children.