we reach the Tower of Hananeel (v. 1.), and going further West we come to the Fish Gate (v. 3.), and further still we arrive at the Old Gate (v. 6.). These are all the Gates built by Nehemiah on the North side of the City, but there are three others mentioned, viz. the Gate of Benjamin, the Gute of Ephraim, and the Corner Gate. On turning the North West corner and going along the West wall, our faces to the South, we come to the Tower of Furnaces (Neh. iii. 11.), then to the Valley Gate (v. 13.), 1000 cubits beyond which stood the Dung Gate (v. 13.), and still further South, the Gate of the Fountain (v. 15.). On turning the South East corner to travel along the East side of the City, we pass the Pool of Siloam, by the king's gardens, and the king's pool which lay at some distance from the city, on the right hand; and the wall opposite to the stairs that led to the City of David or Zion (Neh. iii. 15, 16.). Hence these are said to be at the turning of the Wall (v. 19.). Further to the North was another turning where stood the King's Tower (v. 24, 25.), near which was the "Prison Gate" (ch. xii. 39.), and beyond that were the Water Gate (ch. iii. 26.), the House Gate (v. 28.) where Athaliah the Queen was slain (2 Chron. xxiii., 15.); and the Gate Mikphat (v. 31.) on the other side of the Water Gate not far from the Sheep Gate where we set out. But the crowning glory of Jerusalem was the Temple, which reared its stately walls upon Mount Zion. The first intimation of God dwelling in places made with hands, was the command to erect the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The Tabernacle being moveable, fitly set forth the condition of the Israelites as wanderers in the Desert, but when they became established in the promised Land, a fixed and permanent abode for the name of the Lord became desirable, and David was the first to propose the erection of a temple; an interesting account of which will be found in our next chapter, where we shall proceed to notice the various objects and events of interest connected with this most ancient, royal, and important city, once the favoured city of God, the joy of the whole earth, in whose 'palaces' God delighted to be "known as a sure refuge;" over which our Lord, in the days of his flesh, wept because of their hardness of heart; he would have gathered her children together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but they would not. THE FOX AND THE ASS. A LION was old, and fell sick, and had no strength to go out hunting, which was a bad job for the Fox, who waited upon him, and used to live upon the remains of his prey. One day, when the pains of hunger had overcome his dread of the king of beasts, he began to complain of his sufferings, and boldly asked the Lion, why he never stirred from home. The Lion frankly confessed that his strength was consumed by illness, and that the physicians had told him that there was no cure for his disorder but the ears and the heart of a donkey; and then, with a heavy groan, he added, "But those rebels are all entered into the service of my greatest enemy-man, and I have no longer the power to go so far in pursuit of them, nor the activity to attack them when protected by their owners." To which the Fox replied, "Let that give your majesty no uneasiness; I will undertake to bring an Ass within your reach, if you will only promise to bestow the rest of the carcase upon your starving attendants." The Lion gave his royal word, and the Fox set off for a pond, where he had often seen a washerman at work, and his Donkey grazing by the side. As soon as he came near, he put on a look of condolence, and said, "Why do you hang down your ears and look so dismal? and why do you turn your tail to everybody, as if you were ashamed to look them in the face?" The poor Ass, astonished to hear himself addressed in so kind a tone, dropped a thistle that he was munching, and said, "I am weary of this life of hardship; day after day it is the same eternal round of burdens and blows; they give me neither rest nor food; if I bear it, I am despised for a stupid beast; if I resent it, I am kicked for my obstinacy; this is the only comfortable hour that I know out of the whole four-and-twenty; and that is frequently disturbed by the mischievous children, who will have a ride." The Fox said, "I wonder you put up with it: why don't you run away?" To which the Ass sorrowfully replied, " And where can I go to? My whole race are in the same slavery; we are known all over the world for being the most steady, patient, and laborious beasts upon the face of the earth; so that, wherever I go, they will lay hold of me, and set me to work. If labour and sorrow must needs be my lot, I may as well make up my mind to my present condition; I may change for the worse." "As you please," said the Fox, "but I do not see why you should go near the men ; you may go off to the wilderness, and enjoy perfect liberty, and plenty of food. I could show you a place, where several of your tribe have taken refuge, and now live unmolested." In short, the Fox said so many fine things about liberty, and joys of a woodland life, that the poor Ass was quite deluded with the idea; so begging the Fox to lead the way, he kicked up his heels in contempt of all tyranny, and went off at full speed. When they reached the wood, the Fox contrived an excuse for leaving him alone, while he went to prepare the Lion, and then fetched him suddenly into the presence of the sick monarch. As soon as the Lion saw him, he sprang upon him; but his strength failed him, and the blow fell without effect. The Ass was quite satisfied with this sample of the freedom of the woods, and returning without delay to the service of the washerman, resolved to complain no more of the hardships of his condition. A few days after, the Fox met him again: and with plausible excuses for the awkward accident, renewed his praises of freedom, and his railing against oppression. "All this is very fine," said the Ass," and may do for those who know no better; but to my mind, the cudgel of the washerman is better than the claws of the Lion." We are never content, but always looking for some change, to get rid of our ills; and when the change comes, we find it but a change of ills. Patience makes the burden light. LIFE. SAD is our life, for it is ever going, Sad are our joys, for they were sweet in blowing And still, O still their dying breath is sweet. And sweet is youth, although it hath bereft us A newer Good to cure an older Ill; And sweet are all things when we learn to prize them, Not for their sakes, but His who grants them or denies them. Aubrey de Vere. QUESTIONS ON HOLY SCRIPTURE. The History of Joseph.-Gen. xxxvii.-xliii. WHICH was Jacob's favourite son? What effects had Jacob's partiality upon his other children? Joseph had a dream which offended his brethren; describe it. How did his brethren answer him when he told them his dream? Relate the second dream. What was his father's reply? Whither did his brethren go to feed their flocks? (xxxvii. 12.) For what purpose was Joseph sent to them? When his brethren saw him coming what did they design to do to him? Who interceded for him? What is intercession ? Who is our great Intercessor? What does St. Paul say of his incessory office? (Heb. vii. 25.) How did Joseph's brethren deal with him at last? Who proposed to sell him? To whom did they sell him? For how much? How did they account to Jacob for Joseph's absence? What proof did they offer of his having been killed by wild beasts? (xxxvii. 31.) What effect had this upon Jacob? What became of Joseph when he was carried into Egypt? (Gen. xxxix. 1.) How did God shew favour to him? What was the consequence? (xxxix. 3.) To what office was he appointed by Potiphar? What was his answer when tempted to sin by Potiphar's wife? (xxxix. 9.) How does St. James tell us to overcome temptation? (St. Jas. iv. 7.) What does St. Paul say of those who will live Godly? (2 Tim. iii. 12.) In what two ways was Joseph persecuted? * Which of the Ten Commandments forbids slander? What does St. Peter say of God's power to succour the tempted? (2 Peter ii. 9.) How did God succour Joseph ? (xxxix. 21-23.) What persons were afterwards committed to Joseph's keeping? Relate the Baker's dream? How did Joseph interpret it? Relate the Butler's. What became of the Butler ? What request did Joseph make to him? (Gen. xl. 15, 16.) How long was it before he remembered this request? (xli. 1.) What re-called it to his memory ?+ Describe Pharaoh's Dream? How did Joseph interpret it? What advice did he offer to the King? (xli. 33.) Who was the discreet man chosen? How old was Joseph at this time? (xli. 56.) What were the names of his two sons? What followed the seven years of plenty? Was this famine general, or confined to Egypt? How were Joseph and his brethren brought together again? How many times did they visit Egypt? By slander and imprisonment + Pharaoh's Dream. HOLY DAYS IN JUNE. ST. BARNABAS, JUNE 11th.-This Apostle was born at Cyprus, and is thought to have been one of the seventy disciples. His name was Joses, but he was surnamed Barnabas (which means the son of consolation) from his extraordinary charity in selling his whole estate for the relief of the poor christians (Acts. iv. 37). He, like St. Paul, was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel; being sent forth by the Apostles to Antioch, he laboured with St. Paul for a whole year in establishing the Church there. Leaving Antioch, they travelled through lesser Asia, but after three years, a dispute arising respecting his nephew Mark, he left St. Paul and sailed to Cyprus. He suffered martyrdom by being stoned to death. NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, JUNE 24.-Our Church celebrates the Nativity of St. John, the Baptist, on account of his wonderful conception, and of it having been then foretold that he should be forerunner of our Lord and Savionr. He is called the Baptist, because he baptized his followers, and preached through Baptism the remission of sins. He was called by our Lord, Elias, because of the holiness and austerity of his life. He offended Herod, by reproving him for living with his brother's wife, and was afterwards beheaded in Prison. ST. PETER, THE APOSTLE, JUNE 29. Simon Peter was a native of Bethsaida, and was called Peter by our Lord, because of the constancy of his faith. He, with Sts. James and John, was admitted to closer intimacy with our blessed Lord than the other Apostles, as at His Transfiguration, His agony in the Garden, and the raising of Jairus' daughter. Through trusting too much to himself, he became a great example of human frailty in thrice denying our Lord. Yet he afterwards repented, and became a most laborious apostle. He first opened the gate of eternal life to the Gentiles, in the person of Cornelius. He was crucified with his head downwards, at Rome, A.D. 69. "THE GLORIOUS COMPANY OF THE APOSTLES, |