THE RESCUE OF LOT.

AMRAPHEL king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, having engaged in battle the armies of the princes of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Zoar, routed them and pillaged their cities. Lot, who had taken up his abode in Sodomwas consequently made prisoner and dispossessed of all his property. The news of this disaster being conveyed to Abram by a fugitive who had escaped the slaughter, he immediately armed his retainers, and, engaging the assistance of the neighbouring tribes who "were confederate with him," he came upon the conquerors by night, and, taking them by surprise, overthrew them, rescued his nephew, and redeemed the property which they had carried off. "And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people." Though in the passage of scripture here quoted, Lot is called Abram's brother, he was really his nephew, the word brother being frequently used among the primitive Hebrews, as well as the later Jews, as a general term to signify any near relationship. The point of time indicated in this illustration is immediately after the rescue of Lot by Abram. The uncle and nephew are in the act of embracing. Immediately beyond are the patriarch's servants and allies; while in the distance the armies of the discomfited kings are seen retreating in confusion before their conquerors. The moon appears rising over Sodom upon which it casts its gentle radiance, reflecting her towers in the calm lake that laves her battlements. A hill rears its broad crest majestically behind, projecting its long deep shadow over the valley beneath, while the bland repose of the distant prospect presents an impressive contrast to the bustle of the nearer plain, "where night's calm hour of silence and repose" was so lately disturbed by the shouts of battle and the shriek of death.