trial of the faith of Joseph and Mary. But their faith, being tried, was found firm, and they believe this is the Son of God, though they see no miracle wrought for his preservation, but they are put to the use of ordinary means; and now it appeared how well God had provided for the young child and his mother, in appointing Joseph to stand in so near a relation to them; now the gold which the wise men had brought would bear their charges. God intimates the continuance of his care and guidance. Thus God will keep his people still in dependence upon him. If we and our infants are at any time in difficulty, let us remember the danger Christ in his infancy was brought into.

Joseph immediately arose, and went away by night, the same night, as it should seem, that he received the orders. An abun

dance encumbers a necessary flight. If rich people have the advantage of the poor while they possess what they have, the poor have the advantage of the rich when called suddenly to part with it. In this exile they remained till the death of Herod. It is no new thing for God's people to be in Egypt, in a strange land, in a house of bondage; but they shall be brought out. They may be hid in Egypt, but they shall not be left there.

Egypt may serve to sojourn in, or take shelter in, for a while, but not to abide in. Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,—to them he must return "For thus saith the Lord GOD; I win both search my sheep, and seek them out; and I will bring them to their own land, and feed them in a good pasture upon the mountains of Israel." (Ezekiel xxxiv. 11, 14.)

Now cruel Herod had decreed

That all the infant race should bleed,
Which under two years old were found
In Bethlehem and country round.

HEROD SLAYETH THE CHILDREN.

Maternal shrieks, and dying groans
Of infants, Bethlehem now bemoans;
Herod sends forth each murderous band,
And havock lord's it o'er the land.

THE wise men had promised Herod to return and inform him of all the particulars relative to the new-born prince, as no doubt his birth caused him much anxiety and trouble, fearing that he would become a rival to him in the throne, it having been prophesied that the expected Messiah. should extinguish all other kingdoms. The jealousy and disappointment of Herod worked him up into rage, and he determined to make sure of the destruction of his fancied rival.

The inspired penman relates the following account of this most barbarous and cruel transaction. "Then Herod, when he