then the promised land and a temple; and only through a long course of discipline learnt to obey the law willingly. These three periods, together with the end which is yet to come, and the beginning in Abraham, form the series of Jewish history. You Greeks like to have things presented to you in such arranged and comprehensive views,"

"With good reason," exclaimed Myron, who had all that curiosity for knowledge of every kind, which was the characteristic of his nation. "And now, my venerable Elisama, I would fain hear from thee the whole history of thy people, arranged according to the plan which thou hast traced. Ere we reach Gaza, we shall pass many an hour together, at the places of encampment, which might be so employed, agreeably to us all. You will delight in an opportunity of relating what redounds so much to the honour of your people; Helon will listen as gladly as you will relate; and I shall rejoice in an opportunity of hearing a connected narrative of your history."

"As thou wilt, Myron," said Elisama, “in

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the hope that you Greeks may also learn to value duly the chosen people of Jehovah. It is only of the history of such a people as Israel, that such an orderly developement can be made: it is necessary for this purpose that God himself should have taught us what plan of his he designs a nation to fulfil. Of Israel he declared this, even when he had no political existence; and we need only open our eyes upon his history, in order to perceive the progressive accomplishment of the promise. The Messiah, when he comes, will perhaps teach us to what purpose Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians have existed. I know not what it may be, but this I know, that theirs must be a subordinate part, and an inferior destination to that of Israel. This I tell you frankly, and you will see the proofs of it still more strongly in the history itself. Are you satisfied with it?"

"Only begin your discourse," said Myron, "and I promise you to listen, as the Hellenic nation listened to Herodotus, when he recited his history at the Olympic games. A Greek of Athenian blood, a pupil as I boast myself to

be of the Alexandrian philosophy, knows no greater pleasure than to acquire knowledge, wherever he may find it. Pythagoras travelled into the east, and Plato visited Egypt and Italy. Conversation is the life of life; and a discourse which is regularly renewed should have some fixed object, by which it may be resumed at each successive opportunity. Do us then this favour, and relate the history of your nation."

Helon had been sitting absorbed in thought on what he had heard from his uncle. "What a noble subject," he now exclaimed, "for our conversation on our pilgrimage to the Passover! What an excellent preparation for the momentous times which are approaching! Truly,

days should speak and length of years give understanding.' How profound is the discernment of those whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditate upon it day and night!' Begin then, dearest uncle, and speak of the glories of our forefathers."

"Youths," said Elisama, "I will not refuse your request, though ye praise me too much.

I call to mind the psalm of Asaph, which I will rehearse to thee, Myron:

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching!
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
I will open my mouth in parables;

I will declare the histories of old,
Which we have known and heard,
Which our fathers have told us

That we might not hide them from their children,
Showing to the generation to come the praise of Jehovah,
His strength, and the wonders he hath done.

He established a testimony in Jacob,

And appointed a law in Israel,

Which he commanded our fathers

That they should make known to their children;

That the generation to come might know them, the sons which should be born;

That when grown up they might declare them to their children,

That they might set their hope in God,

And not forget the works of God,

And keep his commandments.-Ps. lxxviii.

"Israel is rich in such psalms as this. The history of our nation lives in their poetry, it is interwoven with their prayers, it is the groundwork of doctrine and the theme of narrative; all our festivals rest upon it as their basis, and nothing great or important can take place in

Israel, which has not an historical reference. The cause of this lies in the promise of Jehovah and in its fulfilment. We seek our wisdom in the revelation which God has given us-ye seek it in your own reflections: hence our wisdom is historical, yours speculative. What we know of God and of his law, was communicated to us through the discourses of God to our fathers, or derived from the observation of his dealings with them. It is therefore a bold undertaking in which I engage, to relate the history of our nation, and I must stipulate beforehand that you will not expect from me any thing like a perfect view of it, in the halts of a caravan. You must also permit me, Myron, to go on, after the oriental manner, in an unbroken narrative, which besides better suits a history, than that dialogue form, interrupted by question and objection, in which you Greeks so much delight. There will be time for these when my narrative is ended."

"Make what stipulations thou wilt," said Myron, "only begin."

"For to-day," said Elisama, resuming,