See Genesis xviii.

WHEN Abraham was commanded to leave his kindred in Ur of the Chaldees, and make for himself a new home in Canaan, it was with the assurance that this goodly land, rich in pastures and flowing with milk and honey, should be: given him and become the inheritance of his children. This promise was renewed again and again; and even when Abraham and Sarah had become old-when they had far exceeded the usual age allotted to man, and were yet childless-the promise was still held forth to Abraham that he should become the father of a great nation; that his children, his children's children and their heirs forever, should possess Canaan; and that the care and favor and blessing of God should be manifested towards them in a peculiar manner. Abraham believed that all these promises) would be made good, for he walked in the favor of God, and thus far his life had been attended with many blessings. Honor and power had been bestowed upon him, he had acquired vast possessions, and was regarded as a mighty prince in the land to which he came a stranger. .

One day, sitting in the door of his tent during the heat of the day, he beheld, three men standing near. They were messengers sent to Abraham, and bore tidings to make glad his heart. He went out before them and bowed himself to the earth, for thus were strangers welcomed in those days. And he said: O My lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet and rest yourselves urJder the tree; and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that you shall pass on: for therefore are you come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fIne meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hastened to dress it. And he took butter and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will certainly return unto the, according to the time of life; and Sarah thy wife shall have a son."

Thus in this special mallner was again announced God's purpose towards Abraham. The picture which represents the scene here described is quite simple in detail, reflecting, therefore, the spirit of the narrative. The figures of the three spiritual visitants are impressive and beautiful, and their features bear the impress of serenity and peace.