break in pieces all other kingdoms, and last itself for ever and ever. I suppose then the Roman empire did not last much longer?

M. No; like the great empires that had gone before it, its glory has long since vanished away; whilst the kingdom of Christ, then so mean and obscure, has increased day by day, and is still continually spreading on every side and subduing all things to itself: nor will it end, like other kingdoms, but endure, not only through the ages of this world, but through all eternity. Of this kingdom the apostles were now to assist their divine Master in laying the foundation : such was the great work on which they were sent forth.

E. I wonder whether they could work miracles?

M. Of themselves they had no such power; but our Lord was pleased to bestow it on them. They "all received," as St. John says, " out of his fulness;" and thus they were enabled, not in their own name, as our Saviour did, but in that name which is above every name, even the name of Jesus, to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out devils. Thus they were to be introduced to their future labours when their Divine Master should be taken away; and not only to their labours, but to their sufferings and persecutions also. For great was the opposition, and many the trials, with which they had to contend. Preeminent indeed was their rank as apostles of the Son of God, and distinguished the honour conferred upon them as His chief ambassadors to the world; but it was not like worldly distinction; it would not lead them to earthly riches or human honours. On the contrary, they were to be persecuted and reviled

for no other reason whatever, but because they were Apostles of Christ.

E. That was very strange.

M. Strange indeed, in one sense; and yet the world, you know, is an evil world, and is not worthy of those holy men, whom God is pleased to raise up in it to testify against its sins, and to teach men the way of righteousness and life. I do not mean to say that no good men have ever lived in prosperity and honour in the world; for there are many instances to the contrary, as I am sure you can recollect.

E. Yes; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were all rich and great; and so were Noah, Job, and Daniel.

M. Nor must we forget Joseph, and David, and Hezekiah, though all these were at times sorely tried. But what I would observe to you is, that some of the most distinguished servants of God have been proverbial for their sufferings, and even for the shame and reproach, which during their lives were cast upon their names. Such was the case with most of the prophets, and also with the apostles of Christ. Nor would they be astonished when they found it so. Our Lord plainly told them beforehand of all these things; told them that He sent them forth as sheep among wolves; assured them that as men treated Him, they would also treat them; and that they should indeed be hated of all men for His name's sake.

E. I almost wonder that they were not afraid to go.

M. The blessed promises, which our Lord added, no doubt sustained them. He had said that they must suffer many things, but He had said also, "He that endureth to the end shall be saved: whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my [Second Series.]

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Father which is in heaven." He had prepared them for bitter persecutions and cruel deaths, but at the same time He had said, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered; fear not them which kill the body and are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it; and he that taketh not up his cross and followeth after me is not ort hy of me."

Their hopes and desires, you see, were directed by the Lord Jesus to a far greater and better reward, than any which the world can afford; and this sustained them under all their sufferings, and enabled them, though fully forewarned of all that should happen to them, to go forth with joy upon their sacred mission; taking with them neither provisions nor money, nor even a change of raiment. For such was our Lord's will; that His power might appear no less in providing for their wants, than in working miracles by them. Never was there a meaner embassy in appearance sent forth than this; never one in reality more powerful. Twelve simple men (unlearned for the most part, as well as poor,) setting out on foot, two and two, without any attendants; nay in a state of the greatest poverty, destitute of all things; yet going forth to begin the great work of persuading the world to submit to the reign of Jesus of Nazareth, and to proclaim that His kingdom was at hand. When we look at the success which in due time followed their labours, we then see, in the weakness of the instruments made use of, the exceeding greatness of that power, which, through them, caused the religion of Christ to prevail throughout the world. We acknow

ledge that they were ambassadors from the King of kings.

When He had sent forth the twelve, our Lord continued still to preach Himself in the cities of Galilee ; and thus the knowledge of His name was spreading more and more in every direction, till at last it reached even to the court of Herod.

That wicked man trembled on his throne as he heard of Jesus; not that he knew who Jesus was, but that his guilty conscience disturbed him with the fear that it was John the Baptist, risen from the dead.

E. I did not know that John was dead?

M. You heard that Herod had cast him into prison; and I must now tell you how that crime was shortly followed by another more dreadful. This faithful servant of God had offended Herod very much by telling him plainly of his sins. For Herod had committed a very grievous crime; he had taken away his brother Philip's wife, and married her himself; and John was too holy and too sincere a servant of God, to see this and keep silence. He spoke plainly to Herod about it, and in consequence was cast into prison; though Herod respected him, and in many things listened gladly to his instructions. But John had a most bitter and revengeful enemy in Herodias, the wicked woman who had left her husband, and who could not forgive the servant of God for having endeavoured to persuade Herod to put her away. She bore in her heart a deadly hatred against John; she was not satisfied with his punishment; the miseries of a prison were not enough for her; she was determined to be still further revenged upon him, and watched narrowly for an

opportunity of putting him to death. For some time, however, she was disappointed in her malicious intentions, for Herod had still a great respect for John. At length an occasion occurred, which she thought would suit her purpose. Herod's birthday was come, and he gave a great banquet to "his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee." Now it happened that Salome, a daughter of Herodias, came in and danced, and pleased Herod so much, that he promised, with a solemn oath, to give her any thing she might ask, even to the half of his kingdom.

E. How strange that was, Mamma, merely for dancing before him! I wonder what Salome asked.

M. It was, undoubtedly, a foolish and rash promise, such as a wise king would not have made at all, and which Herod perhaps would not have made in his more sober moments. Little did he dream of the consequences of his folly; little did he foresee what a snare he was laying for himself. On receiving so extraordinary a promise, Salome, it should seem, could not tell what to choose, and she went to consult her mother, saying, "What shall I ask?" Many were the favours which Salome might innocently have requested at the king's hands; and many good and valuable things might a wise and affectionate mother have placed before her daughter's thoughts: but none of these occurred to the bloody heart of Herodias. Her mind, bent upon revenge, and ever watchful to accomplish its dreadful purposes, thinks only of one object—the death of the Baptist—the murder of the holy man who had dared to censure her marriage with Herod. In this rash promise she beheld the