214 The Histoby of

and thereby saved himself and family. So likewise was
the command to Abram, Separate thyself from thy
country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's
house, and go into a land I will show thee, and I will
make of thee a great nation. All of which Abram did
in full confidence and trust that God would do as he
said, and this history of Abraham is a history of faith
and obedience. And to show the strength of that faith,
and the fidelity and integrity with which he acted, the
sacrifice of his beloved Isaac, as it was made in the
father's heart, is proof that in all things within the com-
prehension of the father of the faithful, he had given
to his God his whole heart. If he failed in anything
to do his whole duty, it was not for want of purpose,
but for lack of knowledge.
