EXERCISES ON CHAPTER XLI.

Who succeeded Hyrcanus I.? How long did Aristobulus reign? Who succeeded him? Of what sect was he?

Name the chief rival sects of the Jews? How long did Alexander Jannæus reign? Of what cruelties was he guilty? Who was Alexandra? How did she govern?

Who succeeded at her death?

What generals entered Jerusalem at this period?

Who robbed the treasury of the Temple? Why was Aristobulus taken to Rome? Who succeeded him as king?

Who was the minister of Hyrcanus ?

Who favoured Antipater? What was the result?

Who was Antigonus? How long did he reign

Who appointed Herod king? What became of Antigonus?

Of what race was Herod? Whom did he marry?

Name some cruel things which Herod did. What building did he restore? Why did the people call him Great? What great event occurred in his reign?

CHAPTER XLII.

FROM THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST TO HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY.

'The Birth of John.-There lived at Hebron, in the reign of Herod the Great, a just man, a priest of the tribe of Levi, named Zacharias, with Elizabeth, his wife. Both were advanced in age, and they had no children.

One day, while Zacharias offered incense upon the altar, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, and told him that his wife should have a son, to be called John, who should become great in the sight of the Lord, and be filled with the Spirit from his birth.

Zacharias having asked for a sign, in proof of this thing, the angel said that he should be dumb until after the birth of his promised son.

The Annunciation.-Six months after this, Gabriel, the angel of the Lord, appeared to Mary, a virgin of Nazareth, and the promised wife of a man of the house of David, named Joseph, and said unto her, “Hail, Virgin, blessed art thou above women, for thou hast found grace in the sight of the Lord, for the Holy Ghost shall descend on thee, and thou shalt have a son, who shall reign for ever over the house of Israel."

Birth of John.-Now John was born at the time appointed, and on the eighth day the neighbours came to rejoice with the parents, and to circumcise the child. And they called his name Zacharias, but his mother said, No, "He shall be called John," and Zacharias, who was still dumb, wrote on a tablet that he should be called John; and when he had done this, his speech was restored to him, and he rejoiced and was thankful.

And the child John grew, and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the time when his ministry began.

Birth of Jesus.-Now about this time there came a decree of Augustus Cæsar, who was then Emperor of Rome, that all the people should go to their own towns to be registered, that a tax might be imposed upon them. Joseph, who was then at Nazareth, in Galilee, belonged to Bethlehem of Judah, so he was obliged to go there.

And while there, in an inn, Mary brought forth her infant son, and they laid him in a manger, or stall of a stable, because there was no room in the house.

The voice of Angels.-And there were shepherds who were watching their flocks by night near Bethlehem. And suddenly there appeared to them a great light, and a voice from heaven, saying, "Behold, I bring you glad tidings, for unto you is born this day

66

shall find

a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord, and ye
him in a manger."
peace on earth, and good-will to man."

Glory to God in the highest,

And the shepherds found the infant Jesus in the manger, as the angels had said.

The Circumcision.-And on the eighth day, the child was circumcised, and they called his name Jesus, or Saviour, because, said the angel," He shall save his people from their sins."

The wise Men.-Then there came wise men from the east, who, having seen a star, or meteor, had come to worship the expected Messiah.

And Herod enquired of the scribes where the infant Jesus was to be born, and they said in Bethlehem of Judah, and he desired the wise men to come and tell him where they had found the child.

The Massacre of Infants. -Now the wise men, having found the child, and offered their worship and gifts, were warned not to return to Herod, and they went home another way. But Herod sent his soldiers, and to make sure of destroying the infant Jesus, commanded them to kill all the children in Bethlehem, from two years old and under.

But

Joseph, being warned of God in a dream, fled with the child and his mother into Egypt, and stayed there until the death of this wicked Herod, when he returned and dwelt in Nazareth.

The youth of Jesus. After the return from Egypt, Jesus remained at Nazareth of Galilee. At twelve years of age, according to the law, he went up to Jerusalem, at the feast of the Passover. He remained three days, and was found by his parents, who had turned back to seek him, asking questions, and arguing with the doctors of the law in the temple. From this time he remained at home, subject to his parents, growing in stature, and in favour with God and man.

John the Baptist.-Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate, being governor of Judea, Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, and Caiaphas, high priest, began John, the son of Zacharias, to preach in the wilderness of Judea, and to say, "Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' And multitudes came to hear him, and were baptised of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. And to those who said, "Is not this the Christ ?" he said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. I baptise you with water, but there cometh one after me, mightier than I, who shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost."

Baptism of Jesus.-Jesus also came to John to be baptised, but John said he was not worthy; Jesus said, "Let it be so now, for so it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." At that time the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descended as a dove, and rested on Jesus, and a voice was heard saying, "Thou art my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."

The Temptation.-After this, Jesus was conducted by an evil spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there. Like Moses and Elias, he remained there forty days without food. Then the devil came to him, and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread;" but Jesus said, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Then the devil taketh him up to the top of the temple, and said, "Cast thyself down from hence, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee;" but Jesus said, "It is also written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Then Satan showed him the kingdoms of the world, and said, "All these will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me;"

but Jesus replied, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." Then Satan left him, and angels strengthened him.

EXERCISES ON CHAPTER XLII.

Where was John the Baptist born? Who and what were his parents? How was his birth announced?

In what state did the angel leave Zacharias?
To whom did Gabriel afterwards appear? When?
Describe the naming of John the Baptist.

Who was Emperor of Rome at this time?

What decree was made by him? Where did Joseph live? Whither was he obliged to go? Where was our Saviour born?

What persons received notice of his birth?

What words were spoken by the angels?

What name was given to the young child? And why ?
By whom was the Saviour visited?

To whom were they summoned ?

Of whom did Herod enquire as to the birthplace of the Messiah? What directions did he give the wise men?

Why did they not return to him? What cruel thing did he? How did the infant escape? Whither was he taken ?

Did Joseph return to Bethlehem? Why not?

When did Jesus go up to Jerusalem?

Describe what happened

to him there. When did John begin to preach ?

Who was high priest? Who governor of Judea ?
What was the subject of John's preaching?

What did Jesus require of John? What sign was seen ?
What followed the baptism of Jesus?

How long was he without food? Like what other persons?
What was the first temptation? The second?

What reply did Jesus make to the third ?
How was He strengthened after his temptation ?

CHAPTER XLIII.'

THE PUBLIC MINISTRY OF JESUS.

The first Disciples.-Some time after the temptation, John was baptizing in Bethabara beyond Jordan,