EZRA READING THE LAW.

As soon as the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, after the return of Nehemiah, which was accomplished in fifty-two days, the governor ordered the signal success of his countrymen to be celebrated with suitable thanksgivings. "And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until mid-day, before the men and the women and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Auaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam, And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people ;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: and Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground*." In the accompanying illustration, Ezra appears upon a raised pulpit of wood, just before one of the principal gates of the city, accompanied by the Levites mentioned in the text, who are supposed to have severally assisted him, when he was weary, as the sacred ceremony occupied several hours, from morning to mid-day.

ESTHER TOUCHING THE SCEPTRE.

ESTHER was a jewess of the tribe of Benjamin. Being left an orphan, her uncle Mordecai became her guardian. Ahasuerus, the reigning king of Persia, having divorced his queen Vashti because she refused to appear before his court, which he had summoned for the purpose of beholding and admiring her beauty, ordered search to be made throughout his dominions for the most lovely woman, that he might elevate her to share his throne. Esther was selected, and imme

diately conducted to court. When the proper time arrived, she was led into the royal presence, and being approved of by the sovereign, he married her without ascertaining who she was, satisfied with the beauty of her person and the modesty of her demeanour. Mordecai, her uncle, was keeper of the palace gate, a place no doubt of considerable trust, though, by Calmet and other commentators, he is supposed to have repaired to this place daily to inquire after his niece's health. He did not make known his relationship to the queen, fearing, probably, that it might prejudice her in the eyes of her royal consort. Mordecai, by refusing to honour Haman, an Amalekite of the race of Agag, and the king's favourite, drew upon himself that officer's indignation, who in revenge induced his sovereign to issue a proclamation, condemning to death all of the race of Abraham then dwelling within his dominions. Esther was apprised of this by her uncle, who urged her to lose no time in counteracting the sanguinary schemes of this pampered minion. She consequently prepared herself to appear before the king. After three days, she put on her royal apparel, and placed herself at the door of an inner chamber in which her royal lord was seated in state. "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre *." The issue of this interview was, that she obtained the revocation of the decree against her countrymen, the execution of the treacherous Haman, and the exaltation of her uncle Mordecai.