presence of the Messiah: yet how unmindful were they of the blessing!

A few short months, and these golden moments would be passed forever. Yet not lost,-in memory, they would live again. In scenes of darkest trial, of fearful persecution, of mental and bodily anguish, how would they be sustained and cheered by the recollection of scenes like this!

mingled, they must be, with many regrets at their blindness, their slowness to perceive and understand; yet the words of reproof and counsel, the patient forbearance, the faithful warnings, would be blended with other and happier associations! Hours of prayer and penitence, of exalted aspirations, and high communion with their Master and Redeemer, would shed over them a light that no tyrant could extinguish, that would linger with them through all their earthly course, and be rekindled in the paradise above.

It was at this time that John mentioned their having forbidden a man to perform miracles whom they saw casting out evil spirits in Jesus' name, while he was not a follower with them.

But Jesus said, "Forbid him not; for he that is not against us is for us."

Peter now made the inquiry how often he should forgive his brother when he sinned against him, and received the answer, "Until seventy times seven."'

And here, also, our Lord related the parable of a certain king, who took account of his servants, and finding one of them who owed him a large amount, ordered him to be sold, with his family and property, and the payment to be made.

He told them of the distress of the poor man, and the compassion and forgiveness of the king; but afterwards of

his indignation, when he was told that the servant whom he had forgiven had thrown his fellow-servant into prison, because he was in his debt, and could not pay, refusing to show mercy to another, when he had so earnestly desired it for himself. Then said Jesus, "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye, from your hearts, forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

The summer and the harvest were passed, and the Feast of Tabernacles, celebrated in October, drew near.

Still Jesus did not tell his disciples that he meant to attend it. The people at Jerusalem were looking for him; many were impatient that he should declare himself a king, that they might join the ranks of his followers; but he wished to avoid a tumult, and delayed his going.

At this time he appointed the Seventy, sending them forth, two and two, into every city and place whither he intended going. He gave them directions to salute every house they should enter with the words, "Peace be to this house;" and, having entered, they should abide there, and go from one to another.

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They were to salute no one by the way; for the Eastern salutation, consisting of grasping the hands, and kissing, alternately, occupied too long a time for them to spare. They were to eat what was placed before them, heal the sick, and say unto those who welcomed them, "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." But, in those cities where they were rejected, they were to go into the streets and say, "Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth to us, do we wipe off against you; notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

Some of the relatives of Jesus urged his going with them to the feast. They did not believe in him, yet they wished

him to declare himself openly to the world; for they were impatient to see him set up the kingdom, which they also understood to be a temporal one.

But they left him when he assured them his time was not yet come, and desired them to go without him.

Soon after, Jesus went from Galilee, to return to it no more before his death; and he sent messengers into the places through which he would pass, to prepare for his reception.

He had previously sent out seventy, selected from the many who had believed and been baptized. Now, however, he despatched his own immediate associates.

Entering a village in Samaria, the disciples wished to make arrangements for their master to lodge there; but the people, when they ascertained they were on their way to Jerusalem, refused to receive them. At this denial, James and John were so indignant, they asked Jesus to let them call down fire from heaven, and consume the inhabitants and their village.

In this instance these disciples proved the fitness of the name which had been given them by their Master, Boanerges, or Sons of Thunder.

But the spirit was not one in which the Saviour sympathized; and he promptly rebuked it, saying, "Ye know not what spirit ye are of." Then he assured them "he came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Afterwards they went on to another village. On the way, they saw at a distance a group of ten lepers, who stood and lifted up their voices, entreating Jesus to heal them.

Cut off from all connection with their kindred and fellowmen, they had gathered together, far from their homes, despairing of any cure, until they heard of the miracles per

formed by the new prophet. Word had reached them that he was coming there, and they hoped he would not pass them by.

As he drew near, walking slowly with his disciples, conversing by the way, the lepers cried out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" and in answer to them he said, "Go show yourselves unto the priests." At his command they set out, and as they walked they were healed.

One of them, who was a Samaritan, the rest were Jews, - when he saw that he was cured of the leprosy, went back, threw himself at the feet of Jesus, and uttered his heart-felt thanks. The others, regardless of their benefactor, caring only for the blessings he had bestowed, went on their way.

Observing their ingratitude, our Lord asked, "Were there not ten cleansed; but where are the nine? There are not found, that return to give glory to God, save this stranger." Then he said to the Samaritan, who was still at his feet, "Arise, go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole."

CHAPTER X.

The Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus teaches in the Temple. — The Pharisees send officers to take him. — The woman taken in adultery. — The Jews attempt to stone Jesus. —A lawyer instructed. — Parable of the good Samaritan. - Jesus in the house of Martha - Disciples taught to pray. -The man born blind healed.

PROCEEDING to Jerusalem, Jesus appeared suddenly in the midst of the people at the Temple, and preached unto them the word of life.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, each day water was borne from the sacred fountain of Siloa, beneath the citywalls, into the Temple, and poured upon the altar.

As the solemn procession moved along, the priests led the way, bearing the golden vessel filled with water; and the Levites followed, playing on instruments of music, and chanting portions of the Psalms of David.

Upon the last day, the great day of the feast, the people walked with a branch of citron in their left hand, and in their right branches of palm and willow and myrtle, singing Hosanna, Hosanna, seven times around the altar.

Afterward they brought water from the fountain, drank of it, and also poured it upon the evening sacrifice, while they all, in joyful transport, sang from the twelfth chapter of Isaiah, particularly the words "With joy shall ye draw water from the wells of salvation." This was to commemorate the miraculous supply of water in the desert. In the