11. How much the king loved the fair Esther, and how generously she exerted herself in behalf of her countrymen, is told in the interesting book of her history, which all young persons will do well to read.

12. The king said unto Esther, at the banquet of wine, “What is thy petition, Queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom." The Queen's petition was favour and deliverance to her people: at her intercession, the king became their friend and protector, and "the Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour. And in every province and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment came, the Jews had a feast, and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews."

Illustrations.

1. "Nebuchadnezzar," says the queen of Belshazzar, "made Daniel master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and sooth sayers." This passage requires a little explanation. The Chaldeans and Babylonians had priests, philosophers, astronomers and soothsayers; there were among them good mathematicians, mechanics, and architects; they were ingenious in casting metals, and famous for their manufactures; for their rich embroideries, magnificent carpets, and fine linen.

2. Excellence in the arts, is the result of thought; of an acquaintance with the properties of bodies, and the laws of motion-it is science applied by experiment. The hand of the artisan executes; the mind of the philosopher explores nature, and appropriates her materials. The arts

of Babylon could not have existed, had there not been persons in that country, who employed their leisure in examining the uses to which animals, plants, and minerals may be applied; who first converted the skin of the goat, the fleece of the sheep, and the silken web of the worm, to the garments of men.

3. These persons must have invented machines to operate upon these materials; must have understood what are called the mechanic powers; must have studied the elements of fire, air, and water; have been well acquainted with the use of metals; and have employed the industry of many hands besides their own. To do all this they must have acquired authority over the minds of those who acted under their guidance, and who were made comfortable by their superior knowledge.

4. The ignorant of almost all countries have made gods of men, and have offered worship to the inventors of their useful arts. But the greatest ascendency over the minds of men which the cultivators of the sciences have obtained, has been by those who have made the heavenly bodies objects of their contemplation. Two sciences, Astiology and Astronomy, have arisen from the observation of the starry sky.

5. Astrology supposes that the events of men's lives are connected with the stars, and that by knowing the appearances of the stars at the hour

of an infant's birth, and aisu at other periods of man's life, what is to happen to him afterwards may be certainly predicted. The false art of doing this was laid down in books, and practised by many persons. Some deceived themselves, and others deceived those who consulted them. Astronomy is the true history of the laws which regulate the stars. Ignorant people believed that Astrologers, and many men who cultivated true science, were favourites of the gods and taught by them.

6. Those who believe their fellow creatures to be instructed from heaven, reverence and trust in those whom they believe to be thus favoured; and among all nations, there has been an order of men specially honoured for their knowledge, and their ability to interpret the divine will. The Hebrews had prophets, the Egyptians priests, the Greeks explainers of oracles, the Romans the Sapientes, the Gauls the Druids, the Indians of Asia the Gymnosophists and the Bramins, and the Chaldeans had the Magi. That many of all these were wise and good men cannot be doubted.

"Old experience doth attain

To something of prophetic strain."

7. The aged and the thoughtful, every where understand many things which are probable and future, better than the young and the busy. The soothsayers or prophets of different countries were very liberally paid for the attention they gave to the welfare of others; many of them were educated for their vocation, many believed it was not wrong to govern their fellow creatures by humour.

"

ing them in their follies, and many were the real friends and benefactors of their species.

8. The Chaldean Magi are among the most scientific and venerable of the philosophers of antiquity. They informed themselves of the languages of different countries, and acquired the learning of Egypt, and of Greece, besides the knowledge of the true God, which the Hebrew people, who were so long domesticated among them, carried into their country. The visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, is recorded by Saint Matthew. They must have been acquainted with the Hebrew prophecies, and they expected the coming of Christ. The relation is the following:

9. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea : for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

10. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may

come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him and, when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."

THE EPIPHANY.

Deep in Sabea's fragrant groves retired,
Long had the eastern sages studious dwelt,
By love sublime of sacred science fired: