GOD, commanding them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father: telling them that John truly baptized with water, but that they should be baptized with the HOLY GHOST not many days hence, and should receive power after the HOLY GHOST came upon them, and should be witnesses of him to the uttermost parts of the earth,—when, behold, after he had said these things, the rising form ascends! Still more and more ascending,-clouds sublimely bright receive him-those clouds of heavenly texture infold the Majesty divine !-The disciples then saw their LORD no more, but still looking upward ardently, suddenly two figures appear in white apparel-they speak, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same JESUS which is taken up from you, shall come again in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven." Full of wonder and of joy, such joy as never upon earth could again be experienced by mortals, the disciples returned, as commanded, to Jerusalem, to wait as the LORD had enjoined them.

This to Zerah's mind was the strongest evidence of their faith, and must prove one of the most leading features of evidence to those who hereafter should believe in CHRIST from the testimony of his disciples; their return immediately to Jerusalem, implicitly relying upon his power to control all results. He had commanded them to wait for the HOLY GHOST in the very centre of danger, among men who had caused their LORD to be crucified, and among whom they would not have dared to announce his doc

4*

trines on the spot where ignominious death still stained with blood, and where avowed enemies threatened the destruction of any professing to be his disciples, had they not known in whom they trusted. Now they feared not what men could do unto them. They had seen the finished, glorious truth of the Redeemer; they felt that his was the kingdom of heaven, where they would be received by Him, whose omnipotence no force, nor trial, nor torture could henceforth prevail with them to deny, and for whom to die was gain.

Several days had passed since the parents of Zerah had seen him, and the affectionately anxious old father walked forth repeatedly with the hope of meeting him.

Loud was the outcry against the sect of the Nazarenes; their friends trembled. Rachel's father, the publican, strove to conceal his uneasiness, and in truth his own conversion; and Rachel, while soothing the weeping mother of her betrothed, felt equal apprehensions. It was very late when, after many deviations from a direct way home, to avoid being traced, the object of his father and mother's absorbing interest was again embraced by them. He detailed the reasons for his protracted but unavoidable absence, and finally, with glowing delight, related the astonishing ascension of JESUS. "But," added he, "more yet remains of vital importance to me. To me, do I say, who am but an atom in creation's vast expanse? to all mankind." "My son," said his father, "my beloved son, are you not a

young enthusiast? are you not under some delusion ?" "What dreams suggest," he emphatically replied, "or heated imagination while awake presents, it is possible might deceive age or youth; but what men saw, heard, experienced while in perfect mind, and bodily health, can they deny? Can facts so witnessed be other than facts? Will those disciples witnessing unquestionable truths and realities, in their progress with JESUS CHRIST's ministry upon earth-be ever, by any subsequent things, persuaded they were dreamers? What eyes, ears, senses attest, men must believe when themselves give testimony. Now or hereafter, should other men doubt the testimony of one witness, a body of colletcive evidence never may be disputed. Sceptics may cavil, but they cannot disprove."

"Your arguments are strong, Zerah."

"My father," resumed Zerah, "had you been among the five thousand who partook of the five barley loaves and the few fishes till hunger was appeased!--beheld that multitude all refreshed and satisfied even to the leaving of many baskets full of food by this astonishing miracle-could you doubt?— I was close to the young man, blind from his birth, who being told that JESUS of Nazareth passed by, full of faith called out, Have mercy on me.' The pressing crowd were commanding him to cease importuning. I feared that his cry could not, for the tumult around, reach the ear of the Merciful, and to aid the youth in approaching, sustained him with one arm, dividing the crowd with the other, till near

JESUS asked,

enough for the suppliant to be seen and heard--for What wouldest thou?" LORD, that I may receive my sight.' Could I doubt that divinity alone, can do such things?-Saw I not one of my young friends laid upon his bier ?--wept I not with his widowed mother tears of sorrow for the loss of so dear a companion, and a parent bereaved of her only child, her prop and solace? My head drooped mournfully as I assisted to carry his body through the gates of Nain. A voice said to his mother, Weep not.' We stood still. I looked, I gasped with hope,--for JESUS stood by. Again that voice, -Young man, I say unto thee, arise.' Azel lived again! He sat up-he looked round-he spoke→→ and he was delivered to his mother, whose joyful arms infolded him-her heart beat against her living son's reanimated bosom, while the people glorified Gon,--and GOD was indeed with them."

Zerah's mother had gradually drawn nearer: she now fell upon his neck and wept in silence. "Mother," he said, "can I be other than CHRIST's disciple, and "

A centurion, heading a band of soldiers, opened the door, and violently seizing the young man, called out that his orders were to take him before Pilate. Resistance was vain, but Zerah begged permission to speak a few words to his father in private, to which the centurion reluctantly consented-and more, it seemed, from the entreaties of the almost distracted mother, than any other motive. While she continued to plead, Zerah opened a door, and

drew his father within-the centurion holding the door so as to prevent its being quite closed. "Father," whispered Zerah, "fear not, I will fly to Rome." "But how, my child ?" eagerly asked the old man.

The centurion called to hasten,-but the mother besought for a few moments longer indulgence. Meantime, Zerah, without delay, pointed to a trap door-then to the window of the apartment; and carefully sinking within the former, his father, with some noise, cast a large wooden stool out of the window, which movement instantly caused the centurion to rush in; and concluding that the intended prisoner had fled that way, sharply rebuked the Jew, and with his men went off in pursuit.

After a sufficient time to reascend in safety, Zerah came forth from his concealment. He was met by the trembling mother, who embraced him as though born a second time.

Releasing this precious child from her arms, she looked long and earnestly in his face, and then exclaimed, "Surely the light of heaven hath shone upon thy countenance, my blessed boy-and must you leave us? Oh! yes, yes! or your life will be taken and He in whom you believe is no longer on earth, to touch the bier that carries your dear remains, and give the cold dead child new life, and warmth-back to his mother's bosom !" "My mother," replied Zerah, "He lives for ever!

not say, 'He that yet shall he live ?'

Did he

believeth in me, though he were dead, Be where I may, in Him is my