These angels, too, are spoken of as men, in their intercourse with Lot; so that they undoubtedly showed themselves to him in a human form, as they did to Abraham.

He was sitting at the gate of the city, as they approached. For cities, at that time, had walls round them, to protect them against the attacks of enemies; and the gate was a place where men met and did business with each other, as there was a great deal of passing in and out there.

It was very convenient, for this purpose, to those who cultivated the fields around the city. Justice, also, was often administered there; that is, the judges sat there and heard the complaints which men made against each other; and examined the matter; and said who was in the wrong, and who was in the right; and ordered what must be done, so that justice, or right, should take place.—Is it not probable that Lot was one of these judges?

He seems to have been like his uncle Abraham, a kind and courteous man. He perceived the strangers at some distance, and arose from his seat, to advance and meet them. And as he met them, with great

respect, "he bowed himself with his face toward the ground."

"And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall arise up early and go on your ways."

After some further solicitation on Lot's part, they entered into his house, and he provided food for them in a very abundant and generous manner.

He asked them, you observe to wash their feet, as Abraham did the three strangers, when he first met them. This was one of the things which a hospitable and polite person always offered to those who came to visit him, or stopped at his house or tent. It was a great refreshment when the weather was warm, and the traveller had been walking in the sandy or dusty roads.

For the people in those countries did not wear such boots or shoes as we do. They wore a kind of shoe, or sandal, which was nothing more than a sole of hide, leather, or wood, fastened to the bottom of the foot by two straps, one of which passed around the great toe, or the fore part of the foot, and the other around the ankle. Besides, they did not

wear stockings; so that the feet in walking soon became dirty, and it was very necessary for cleanliness and comfort, that they should be washed often.

In the latter part of the evening, before the two strangers retired to rest, a great multitude of both old and young men, assembled, from all parts of the city, around Lot's house. They intended to act very wickedly, and made a great uproar. Lot went out of the house, shutting the door after him, and endeavoured to persuade them to desist from their purpose. But they used very harsh and insulting language towards him; as such persons almost always do, when any one interferes, and would lead them to abstain from wicked conduct. They rushed violently towards Lot, and pressed so hard upon him, that they came near to breaking the door of the house.

What they would have done to Lot, or to the family, in the madness of their outrageous feelings, it is difficult to tell. Tumultuous meetings and mobs, which assemble for evil purposes, are very apt to go on from bad to worse, following their infuriated leaders, till they do the most horridly wicked things.

There is nothing which can justify such mobs. We should be very careful to take no part whatever in them, and to use all proper means in our power to prevent them, or, if assembled, to keep them from doing evil.

While Lot was in such great danger, the two strangers whom he had so hospitably invited to his house, and who perceived his perilous situation, rendered him very essential aid. They caught hold of him quickly, and pulling him into the house, shut to the door. But they did something more than this, which they were enabled to do by a power given to them by God.

66

They smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great;" so that, in the bustle and confusion into which this threw them, they were unable to find the door.

What became of them after this, and whether they continued blind or not, the Bible does not tell us. Terrified, however, at such an uxexpected and severe punishment for their wickedness, they molested Lot no longer, and probably did the best they could to grope their way back to their different homes.

All this must have filled Lot with astonishment, and led him to see that the two strangers were no common men. He was thus prepared to regard them with great respect. He probably considered them, as messengers sent by God for some important purpose, though for what particularly he was unable to tell.

They soon informed him. They inquired of him; "Hast thou here any besides? Sonin-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place. For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord." Their wickedness had become so great and abominable, that it calls, as it were, with a loud voice, for God to come down and punish the city in the most terrible manner. "And the Lord," (added they,) "hath sent us to destroy it."

Alarmed at this message, Lot immediately went out, "and spake unto his sons-in-law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get ye out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city."

But they disbelieved him entirely, and