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to sorrow as he gazes upon the vivid pictures; where scene after scene only brings into prominence some of the rampant evils of man's unregenerate heart; pride, luxury, covetousness, violence and cruelty; and all paraded as so many excellences, for the glorification of man. But he sees other things than these; objects that no true Israelite can look upon without horror and indignation :-he sees the senseless idols, the likeness of beast, and bird, and creeping thing, and other hideous forms, set on high, receiving the homage of incense-bearing priests and royal worshippers. He will look no more; but with stimulated zeal and freshened courage, he girds himself to his arduous work.

But what shall the feeble voice of a poor unknown stranger do here? Look at yonder broad gateway, where the lofty portals expand half-way up the wall, and where the colossal winged lions of yellow marble shine in the beams of the morning sun with a golden glow. See how the living tide of men comes pouring out, each intent on his own purpose, with no leisure to think of his neighbour! The begrimed artisan hurries along beside the well-dressed merchant, and jostles the pompous scribe, who gathers his garment around him, as if polluted. The light-hearted maiden, with her water-pitcher on her head, erect as an obelisk, trips past the sunken-eyed widow, wasted with sickness and poverty, who with a wailing babe at her back creeps out to seek a pittance in the corners of the fields. Nobles in scarlet and gold, priests in their long embroidered robes, ride out to enjoy the country air. Here a hunting party gallops forth, armed with bow and spear, followed by eager dogs,

well trained to find the panther in his lair, or to chase the antelope; their loud and merry laughter promises no sympathy with a sentence of woe. Here a proud and steel-clad warrior daslies by in his carved and inlaid chariot, the scales of his polished mail flinging sparkles of light upon the surrounding throng; the gorgeous caparisons of his high-mettled steeds, that prance, and arch their necks, and champ their bits, attract the admiration of the crowd, whom

ASSYRIAN HORSES.

he drives to either side, as he cleaves his swift course through them; he plays carelessly with his rubyhilted dagger, but bestows not a glance on the messenger of Jehovah.

How shall the voice of the prophet be heard amidst this tumultuous din? The rattling of the chariot

wheels over the brick-pavement, the neighing of the horses, the clashing of arms, and the blowing of horns and trumpets; the noises of dogs and other domestic animals; the cries of those who with hoarse lungs vaunt the excellences of their varied wares; the hum of thousands of human voices; the many sounds that come from shops and offices, the clang of the armourer's forge, the noise of the smith's anvil, of the carpenter's hammer and saw,-unite into a confused medley of noises, almost deafening.

To one who looked only at human probabilities, nothing could be more discouraging than the attempt to deliver such a message in such a place; but Jonah remembers who hath sent him thither, and that his business is not with consequences, but with the will of Jehovah. Strengthened, therefore, the prophet enters into the guilty city, and lifts up his voice like a trumpet. He commences his solemn message with these startling words: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" A crowd gathers around him, but none molest him, for a preternatural awe falls upon them as they listen to his denunciations of their speedy doom. Through their crowded and glittering streets he wends his way, continually pouring forth his words of terror, and denouncing the woe of the bloody city. He "drops the burden" of Jehovah upon their aggravated wickedness, bringing forth their crimes in all their hideous nakedness into the light, and pronouncing the righteous judgment of God, and his wrath revealed from heaven against them. The pride and haughtiness that said, "I am, and there is none beside me”—the carelessness that

regarded not the solemn retribution to come-the multiform idolatry that has robbed Jehovah of His rightful claim to homage and obedience-the deceitfulness and lying, the cheating and robbery that have filled the city, and the tyranny and oppression, the cruelty and bloodshed that have ground in pieces the nations, and filled the earth with mourning without pity or remorse-the prophet recounts in unsparing words; while every heart responds, and none dares deny that the accusations are true. In vain they listen for some offers of mercy; nothing but judgment falls on their ears; for the message which the seer has received to deliver, is only a message of woe.

Word is brought to the King of Assyria, as he reclines at ease in his luxurious banquet hall, that the days of his proud city are numbered, and that her doom is at hand. Conviction strikes through his heart, for conscience, long silenced, now loudly speaks, and tells him that it is a righteous doom. Traditions and reports he has from time to time heard of the power and truth of Jehovah, and of his irresistible vengeance; but he has heard, too, that Israel's God is merciful, and though no call to repentance nor offer of pardon is mingled with the prophetic burden, yet the respite of forty days seems to imply that the way is not closed against penitence, and that the doom is not yet irreversible. Without a moment's delay, therefore, he arises from his throne, puts off his sumptuous garments of state, and covers himself with sackcloth; and at the same time sends his servants into every part of the city to proclaim a solemn fast, while he retires into the recess of his

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chamber, to humble himself in dust and ashes, and to pray for mercy.

The sun at length declines; and Jonah prepares to seek the rest of night for his weary feet, which have borne him all the day through the interminable streets, though but a small part of the city has been traversed. But before he emerges from the gate, still pouring his heart-withering woe, he is met by the royal heralds, who thus proclaim the decree of the king and his nobles: "Let neither man nor beast, herd, nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water; but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God. Yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?"

In this is manifested the faith that honours God. Deep humiliation, confession of guilt, fervent prayer, repentance, and turning away from all known evil, are appointed ways in which those against whom the denunciations of God's word lie may flee from the wrath to come. But if there was present pardon, and an averting of denounced judgment for guilty Nineveh, on their imperfect and probably partial and transient penitence, how much more may poor repentant sinners now come and cast themselves upon the mercy of God, since free forgiveness is now offered, and the blood of Christ has been shed for sin? And will not the faith and conduct of the Ninevites, who repented at the preaching of Jonah, unsupported by any miraculous signs, rise up in the judgment to condemn the apathy and unbelief of the