Even so, replied Eber. Yet unhappy are they who thus bring sorrow into their houses, and darken with the shadows of their guilt the sunshine of innocent hearts. Jesus said, "It is necessary that offences come, but alas for him through whom they come !" We know not how the offender's lot may be changed hereafter, by the woes that his guilt shall surely bring upon him; but it is better to be afflicted in body, than diseased in soul; to find all dark in the light of noon, and all silent amidst the gushing of waters and the music of the forests,—than to be blind to the signs which God holds forth in the heavens, and deaf to his voice when he calls to us from on high.

All this is true, said Havilah. Yet would I fain know why this evil exists. Whether, as my friend believes, it is God himself who administers pain of every kind; or whether, as the Prophet taught, it is the Fallen One who is permitted to seduce man;—I look earnestly for the time when we shall know why these things are so.

Meanwhile, answered his friend, I had rather believe that the cloud which now overshadows the plain came unbidden by the Creator who formed it, than that there is any sorrow which is not administered by him who dwelleth in the heart. -I had rather know that yonder star which hastens to its setting, is unmarked in its course by him, than that any thought which he controuls not can pass through the soul. As surely as he refreshes the body of thy child with sleep, he sheds the repose of this hour into thy soul; and if it be he who stirs here among the winds and waters, it is he also who in regions where the sun is now shining moves the hearts of men to resolve, their tongues to speak, and their hands to do. He needs no messengers, though he fills the universe with those who do his will. He yields up his place to none, therefore no other should be feared; and through him alone should all others be loved.

Let us now lie down to sleep, said Havilah. Safety is around us, and peace within us, whether we are guarded by angels, or by Him alone whom the angels obey.

The day-spring was near, the sky grew pale, and the early fragrance came upon the breeze.-Eber and Havilah paused once more to listen to the waters, and to see how the watchfires became dim; and then withdrew, each to his couch.

IV. Of the Scriptures.

IN the household of Havilah was an old man who was looked upon with reverence by all who dwelt under the same roof. In his youth he had been rich, and in his manhood powerful. His home had been peaceful, and the children who grew up around him were his pride. But the troubles which are the lot of all men were appointed to him in greater number and with a deeper bitterness than his friends supposed that he could have borne. His fields had been spoiled by blight and by drought; his flocks had been carried away by enemies from afar; his sons were slain in war; and his wife died in sorrow, and left him alone. His friends had compassion on him, and strove to help and comfort him ;-but how could such grief as his be consoled? He withdrew himself from them, lest his mournful countenance should sadden their hearts; and, save that which was needful to preserve his life, he would receive nothing from them. After a while, how-ever, when his friend Havilah's wife was carried to the grave, Aza, the mourner (as men called him), entered the dwelling of Havilah to weep with him, and he left that dwelling no more. Havilah would have made him as his father, while Aza himself desired to serve with those who tended the flocks or tilled the gardens. Their friendly strife was soon ended, and Aza was permitted to spend his days as it pleased him. He went to and fro in the fields and gardens as he would; and no one spoke to him, unless he desired it, save only the child of Havilah. Aza loved this child. He taught him to know the plants of the field: he sat by to smile upon his sports. He took the boy also between his knees, and told him of the children

he had lost, and of the wonders which he had beheld, and of the wisdom which he had gathered. To few besides the child did he speak; though he loved Havilah, and bent his head before Eber as soon as he appeared. He carried the Book ever in his bosom or in his hand, and he read in it perpetually, as he sat in the porch or under the palms. One day, when Eber passed out of the dwelling, he saw Aza thus occupied; and when he returned, the old man was still reading, as if the hours had been moments.

Thou art among those, said Eber, who find in the Book the words of peace.

Here, and here only, said the old man.

Yet, replied Eber, there are other books in which the servants and prophets of God have written concerning him. Where is thy faith in Moses, and in Jonas, and in Barnabas *, that the study of their writings is not also precious to thee? And the Psalms of David too, do not they warm the heart and cheer the spirit?

Aza replied, David was the beloved of God, and the prophets have also written of him: but all Scripture has been corrupted, except the Book which was given by Gabriel, and shall be preserved pure for ever:—and while I hold that which is perfect, shall I turn to that which is corrupt?—while the Book which was written in heaven is in my hands, shall I prefer those which came through the hands of men?

Havilah drew near, and overheard what was said. He added,

Our friend Eber believes, not only that the writings of Barnabas came through the hands of men, but that they were invented by man. I fear also that he regards not the Book as wholly sacred.

It is true, said Eber.-That there is much in the Book that is faithful, I know. That there is much that is beautiful, I perceive but its truth is the same which other Scriptures had revealed before, and its beauty is that which a man's imagi

:

* Books in use among the Mohammedans.

nation can create.

It cannot offend you to hear of other Scriptures, since you believe that God has made many revelations.

So many, replied Havilah, that if they all remained, the wisdom of angels would scarcely be greater than that of men. But that which was known to Adam, was lost to Abraham; and that which Abraham received, was not given to Moses. What God doeth is right;-but would we had these many Scriptures!

At least, said Eber, we have many left. The Law given by Moses remains, and the Books of the Prophets, and the Psalms of David; and, blessed be God! the Gospel of Christ.

And the Book of Mohammed, said Aza, bending his head over the volume as he spoke. This is the seal of the Prophets; this shall not be changed or lost, as the others have been; and therefore this is the last of the revelations of God. He will speak no more to men till the judgement.

Do the followers of the Prophet suppose that all the sacred books are changed? asked Eber.

All but the Book of Mohammed, replied Havilah. The Jews have altered the Law, and the Christians the Gospel, as the Prophet said; and none remains entire except the writing which Gabriel gave, and which no man has power to change.

How then has it been changed? asked Eber. There are some among the Faithful who read differently from others, as I have heard from thyself:-though these differences be small, I see not how they can exist at all, if God really promised that no such change should be.

Surely there are more and greater differences in the Scriptures which the Christians hold sacred? replied Havilah.

There are, answered his friend: but to us God has not promised that no word of the sacred writings should be altered.. The truth which they contain shall never be changed, because it is truth; but it is given to us in a more lasting form than can be found in the number and order of words.

It is

the custom of the Jews, and also of those who call themselves the Faithful, to number the sentences, and the words, and even the very letters of their Scriptures, lest any should be lost or changed. We use other methods of preserving the truth.

The Jews, said Havilah, have corrupted the Law, even more than they who worship Mary have spoiled the Gospel. Not so, said Eber: but it is certain that unless the spirit of the Law is preserved in the heart, any care to guard the letter is of little avail. Both should be guarded: but the spirit may remain entire, even though the letter should be somewhat changed.

But, said Havilah, if a revelation be given by God, will it not be preserved by him?

Yes:-but what makes the revelation? Not the words, but the meaning which is in the words. Else no revelation could be of use to any but those whose language is the same as that of the Book given. There are many nations and many languages on the earth; and some of the revelations of God are intended for all these people: but the words of the revelations must be changed, before they can be understood by many. The Law of the Hebrews was a law for the Hebrews alone: yet I and many millions of Christians besides, though we adopt not the Law, find it necessary to learn what the Law is, in order that we may fully understand the Gospel; and not being Hebrews, we read the Law in our own tongue, and find that though the words are changed, the spirit of them may be perfectly understood. In the Gospel of Christ this is yet more clearly seen. This Gospel is not for one nation or one country. It is spreading, and shall spread, where the language of Hebrews and Greeks has never been heard of. On the coasts of distant oceans, in the midst of lands on the other side of the world, even in far islands of the sea shall the wisdom of Jesus be spoken, in tongues which are yet unknown. Even now, the same faith which was held by Paul, and John, and Peter, is cherished by those who never felt the heat of a