Abraham, styled "the friend,"" was found faithful, inasmuch as he rendered obedience to the words of God. He, in the exercise of obe- dience, went out from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak flimily, and an insignificant house, he might in- herit the promises of God. For God said to him, " Get thee out from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, into the land which I shall show thee. And I will make thee a great nation, and will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be blessed. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee ; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." '^ And again, on his departing from Lot, God said to j^im, " Lift up thine eyes, and look from the place where thou now art, northward, and south- ward, and eastward, and westward \ for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, [so that] if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered." '^ And again [the Scrip- ture] saith, " God brought forth Abram, and spake unto him, Look up now to heaven, and count the stars if thou be able to number them ; so shall thy seed be. And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." '•♦ On account of his faith and hospitality, a son