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new creature." Old things had passed away, and all things had become new. And, as he looked round upon his family and friends, still in their blindness and ignorance, and by their countenances seeming to inquire, "What meaneth this?" he could hardly refrain from bursting into tears. He felt, as Paul afterwards felt, that he "could wish himself accursed from Christ for his kinsman according to the flesh." And, taking from Selumiel the roll which he still held in his hand, he preached unto them Jesus, the Lamb of God, the substance of the types, the long-expected Messiah, and mightily convinced them from the Scriptures that he was the Christ. He recounted his miracles which he had witnessed, his discourses which he had heard, the affecting scenes of his crucifixion and death. "In the persecutions of Jesus and his followers," said he, "I bore a part. I was present at his mock-trial. I joined in the cry, crucify him, crucify him.' But I did it through ignorance, and have therefore found grace to be forgiven. That Jesus whom I once despised and rejected, and who now sits on the right hand of the majesty on high, exalted a Prince and a Sa

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viour, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins, I now declare unto you, my dear friends and kinsmen, to be both Lord and Christ. He it is of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write. Yes, and while our eyes have been holden that we should not know him and believe, he has revealed himself even to these children" (Jonathan and Simon, whom he took and clasped in his arms), as beloved for the Lord's sake. And to convince the company that what had been hidden from the wise and prudent, God had revealed unto babes, he asked Selumiel to examine the boys in those lessons which he had taught them. And Selumiel, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, questioned them concerning the proofs that Jesus was the Christ.

All admired the proficiency of the boys, and some were affected with the truths which they heard. Some said, "We will hear thee again of this matter;" and others, blind and hardened, mocked, and left the house in disgust. The wife of Helah, in particular, was very much affected with the artless and simple answers which the boys gave, and even requested of Selumiel that she might be per

mitted to converse with them alone, and learn from these young teachers the lessons of the gospel.

In the midst of this various talk, the evening was now far advanced, and the guests arose to depart to their private apartments. But before they departed, Helah requested Selumiel to read a portion from the roll which he still held in his hand, and then pray. Selumiel took the roll and read the eleventh chapter of Matthew's gospel, from the 20th verse to the end. Every word fell with power upon the ears of those who heard him. Then kneeling down, he prayed. The occasion, the scenes through which they had just passed, the interest of the company, all imparted peculiar fervour to his prayer. The hearts of many were melted, and when they rose from their knees, and Selumiel looked upon their faces, smiling brightly through their tears, he could but exclaim, "Surely, to-day is salvation come to this house."

Here Mr. Anderson paused. The usual time of the meeting was already past. But his little hearers were still eager to have him proceed. He reminded them of the lateness

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of the hour, and promised to resume his narrative the next week.

They then united in

singing the following hymn.

"Lord, visit thy forsaken race,

Back to thy fold the wanderers bring;
Teach them to seek thy slighted grace,
And hail in Christ their promised King.

That veil of darkness rend in twain,

Which hides their Shiloh's glorious light:
That severed olive branch again

Firm to its parent stock unite.

Hail! glorious day-expected long!

When Jew and Greek one prayer shall pour,

With eager feet one temple throng,

With grateful praise, one God adore."

CHAPTER V.

DAY AFTER THE PASSOVER.-VISIT

TO THE

TEMPLE AND TOWER OF ANTONIO.

"WELL, George, always on the spot, I see," said Mr. Anderson, very pleasantly, as he entered the usual place of meeting; "I am very happy to see you so much interested in our meetings."

"I was always fond of stories, Mr. Ander son," said George; "the Bible is a very pleasant book, indeed; I love to read it very much, there are so many of them in it.

"Stories are pleasant," replied Mr. Anderson; "and for this very reason I thought you would be much more pleased in studying the map which I gave you, if I related to you the story of Selumiel and his scholars."

William Appleton had now arrived, and as the boys were earnest that Mr. Anderson should proceed with the story, he continued as follows:

While the people were eating the paschal lamb at their houses, the priests in the temple were busy in cleaning it of the blood and filth that accumulated on these occasions. When this was done, they themselves partook of the lamb, and then illuminated the temple, and opened it soon after midnight for the admission of worshippers. As soon as the question had been put, "Watchman, what of the night?" and it had been answered, "The morning cometh," the temple was crowded with early worshippers. On no other morning

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