is quite willing to take Lot's leavings. Right or left--it mattered
not to him; God would be with him, whichever way he went; and the
glorious Beyond, for which he lived, blazed too bright before his
inward sight to let him be very solicitous where he was. 'I have
learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.' It does
not matter much what accommodation we have on ship-board, when the
voyage is so short. If our thoughts are stretching across the sea to
the landing at home, and the welcome there, we shall not fight with
our fellow-passengers about our cabins or places at the table. And
notice what rest comes when faith thus dwindles the worth of the
momentary arrangements here. The less of our energies are consumed
in asserting ourselves, and scrambling for our rights, and cutting
in before other people, so as to get the best places for ourselves,
the more we shall have to spare for better things; and the more we
live in the future, and leave God to order our ways, the more shall
our souls be wrapped in perfect peace. Mark the conduct of the man
of sense. We can fancy the two standing on the barren hills by
Bethel, from one of which, as travellers tell us, there is precisely
the view which Lot saw. He lifted up his greedy eyes, and there, at
his feet, lay that strange Jordan valley with its almost tropical
richness, its dark lines of foliage telling of abundant water, the
palm-trees of Jericho perhaps, and the glittering cities. Up there
among the hills there was little to tempt,--rocks and scanty
herbage; down below, it was like the lost Eden, or the Egypt from
which they had but lately come.

What need for hesitation? True, the men of the plain were 'wicked
and sinners before the Lord exceedingly,' as the chapter says with
grim emphasis. But Lot evidently never thought about that. He knew
it, though, and ought to have thought about it. It was his sin that