out question. He fondly and repeatedly embraced his parents, and clasping an armlet upon his wrist, that had been his beloved Rachel's, again heard the blessing repeated over his bent head, and once more was folded to those affectionate bosoms, before he could leave their apartment.

CHAPTER V.

It was believed, from the known character of Philo, that a kinsman like Zerah would meet with the warmest reception. It was even So. Philo perceived his strength of mind, virtue, and uncommon talents, which gave signs of more than ordinary promise. He found the youth worthy of being made a cherished companion, and paid minute attention to all he related of Jewish affairs at Jerusalem, tracing a full confirmation of their determined opposition to what at that time as deeply agitated those of their nation at Alexandria, namely, refusing to honor the effigies of Caius Cæsar-in the manner he required, for in every instance they were cast down or mutilated by the Jews; and much confusion ensued from the persisted imposition of the Romans, and the compliances of the Greeks, who permitted the impious erecting of these statues. And now things had gone to the extremity either of open and warlike rebellion, or of absolute submission on the part of the Jews: so that a solemn convocation of the most influential men determined, after a long debate, to send an embassy to Casar upon this important matter; and Philo was appointed chief of the embassy. They accordingly departed for Rome, and Zerah accompanied Philo. At the same time three Greeks of eminence were

in like manner despatched, the most distinguished, as chief on the part of the Greeks.

Unfortunately, these were first received to an audience, and Caius listened to the severe animadversions on the point in question against the proceedings of the Jews, which made a deep impression, and assisted the virulent spirit already operating in every part of his dominions, most cruelly against his Jewish subjects and he would not even hear the defence of Philo, so great was his rage at his statues being refused honors, such as he appointed. In haughty scorn, the emperor bid him begone, and in terms too plainly denoting, that it was his determination to make his Jewish subjects feel the full force of his resentment. Philo, with manly dignity, withdrew from the royal presence-and the bright eyes of Zerah flashed indignantly upon it, for although he was in the strictest sense a Christian, his national feelings were warmly stirring at his heart, and spurned the base, the paltry vanity of a wicked tyrant, who permitted the meanest quality of his mind to be employed as an engine to work out the monstrous designs of the worst. When Philo went forth, he told his companions "to be of good courage-since although the language and deportment of Caius showed anger toward them-he had, in reality, set God against himself." With grief he saw and heard, how in every point his countrymen were generally suffering and likely to suffer. At this time King Agrippa was in great favor with Caius Caligula, at Rome. The emperor valued him for

his devotion to his cause, when under Tiberius, and for his many companionable qualities. Philo had a long and unreserved conversation with King Agrippa, relative to public affairs. Young Zerah was introduced with every advantageous recommendation to Agrippa's protection, and Philo left him at Rome, to do whatever his patriotism, good sense, humanity, and discretion might enable him to perform, while he returned to Alexandria.

The immediate act of the Emperor Caius, after the recent insubordination of the Jews, was to appoint Petronius President of Syria, and successor in the government of Vitellius, ordering him to invade Judea, and if the Jews would erect his statue in the temple of God, to see that it was done if not, to conquer them with an overwhelming army. Petronius took the government of Syria, and proceeded to obey the orders of Cæsar--who approved, and commended his activity at Ptolemais, where, with the Roman army, he was about to put in force the emperor's commands. He was met by very many thousands of Jews-but all unarmed, who petitioned that they might not be compelled to do what their religion utterly forbid. They implored, with the language of men who truly felt their inability to contend with the Roman legions, yet were resolved, whatever might be the result, not to defile the temple of the living GOD! "Petronius convinced them that his orders were irreversible, that he must of necessity conform to them-besought them to consider, to think of their own weakness, and the

Roman strength-and the emperor's peremptory orders. The Jews humbly denied any wish to make war against Cæsar-but that they would relinquish life sooner than break the law, and transgress so tremendously." They threw themselves prostrate in the dust, and stretching out their throats, bid the soldiers slay them. Petronius and his whole army beheld this affecting proof of devotion to God, in silent amazement and pity.

For forty days this continued. All attention to agricultural duties was entirely omitted, though at a season when highly important to attend to them assiduously. Serious and incalculably injurious this would inevitably prove in all respects, and Aristobulous, brother of King Agrippa, collected a body of principal men, and went to Petronius, who received them with grave yet commiserating solemnity. They, with eloquent feeling and energy, besought him to behold the despair of the Jews, and withhold his army still, from obeying the commands of Cæsar, and to write to him--stating the plain truth, "that they would rather die than yield in this matter; that the lands remaining unattended, his tributes could not be paid from inability; that robberies would ensue, and all imaginable bad results; hoping that he might perceive the disadvantage to himself, and pity his Jewish subjects. But, if continuing inflexible in his barbarous purpose, he might then set about destroying the nation himself."

Petronius consulted his manly heart, and confessed the shame of being the slave of Caius-to slay so many