*

of that glorious name are also of a larger size than the rest of the MS. In transcribing the "Oracles of God," the sephor or scribe must commence his task in the full enjoyment of health, and must rise from it before lassitude supervenes. For these interesting particulars we are indebted to an intelligent Hebrew. It is also worthy of notice that no fragments of the MS. sacred Records, are suffered to be improperly used or scattered about; they are carefully collected, and like Jeremiah's roll, cut to pieces, and consumed. This is also the practice in the east: "And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth."+

In Plate II. fig. 16, is a representation of a mazuza, in our cabinet, presented to us by a Hebrew, with a strict injunction, that it should on no account be used, but with the greatest care, nor on any occasion that might compromise a proper and religious use of it. The MS. is exquisitely written on vellum, by a sephor, under all the conditions prescribed for the transcription of the Pentateuch, of which it forms a part. It is really a manuscript gem; and as such was highly prized. The mazuza is so called from mazuzoth, the door-post, to which it is affixed, in literal obedience to the injunction,

*By the third commandment, the Hebrews were strictly enjoined not to use that mysterious name, which denotes the eternity of GOD, familiarly. It is, consequently, never found in any Hebrew writings, except in HOLY WRIT. The four letters which compose the word, which we translate JEHOVAH, are made to signify, He was- -He is-He will be. We have already stated that this name is never pronounced by the reader in the synagogue, much less in familiar conversation: ADONAI, Lord, is always substituted. It is interesting to remark, in connexion with this, that a Brahmin will not pronounce the name of the ALMIGHTY, without drawing down his sleeve, and placing it on his mouth with fear and trembling.

† Jer. xxxvi. 23.

"And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thine house, and upon thy gates."* Our mazuza is enclosed in a neat tin case; a square opening discovers the Hebrew word, TSADDAI, all-bountiful, which is written on the back of the mazuza. A slip of transparent horn, serving as a miniature window, discovers this word only; a moveable piece of tin, which serves as a kind of blind, conceals the opening. This is nailed to the door-post, where it remains a fixture; the pious Jew, morning and evening; and in his "going out and coming in," puts his finger on it, and repeats a short prayer. This is especially the case before he sets out on a journey, and on his return. The MS. in our mazuza, is from Deuteronomy vi. 4. "Hear, O Israel; The LORD our GOD is one LORD. And thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." The facts we have enumerated, are proofs of additional guarantees for the integrity of the Sacred Volume of the Jews-the "Old Testament" of the CHRISTIAN.

The Jews are the librarians of the Christian; and the latter appeals to the Book of the Jews, in proof that to JESUS CHRIST " gave all the prophets witness; " and that, in this MIGHTY PRINCE, all things are fulfilled. The Canon of Scripture is now closed. The Jewish Scriptures terminate with the last of all the prophets. The "New Testament" proclaims, with silver trump, "A GREATER THAN A PROPHET IS HERE.” In looking back on the remarkable events with which the Old Testament is fraught, we perceive one great object steadily kept in view: a legacy from heaven, preserved amidst the fluctuations of time, and the storms of contending nations and even that highly favoured people, to whom this sacred deposit was entrusted, often themselves plunged into idolatry. A little ark-"it is a little one!"-guided safely, by the Governor of the universe, through a whirlpool! with a Scylla on the right hand, and a Charybdis on the left. All the rays.

* Deut. xi. 20.

of the Old Testament point to some great event, as their focus and centre. The whole of the Mosaic ritual, with all its ceremonies, adumbrated "greater things than these." The sacred minstrels struck a note that had never been heard before; and the prophets saw, afar off, a wondrous sight, and proclaimed a jubilee of "peace and good will to man." Patriarchs shouted for

joy, to see, from the Pisgah of Revelation, the goodly vision; and their note of exultation was echoed by a noble host of prophets, priests, and kings, until it merged in that GLORIOUS BEING who embodied, in himself, the united names of Prophet, Priest, and King. Clouds and darkness were dissipated; the shadows which obscured the landscape, were rolled up like a scroll; AND ALL WAS LIGHT.

Augustus assumed the purple twenty-seven years before the Christian era. In his reign, the eventful period, looked and longed for, at length arrived. Throughout the range of the civilized world, the voice of war was mute. The gates of Janus, in the imperial city, were closed. Cæsar Augustus, wreathed with the laurels of victory, at length enjoyed the repose of peace. The world was in anxious, earnest expectation of some wonderful event; the oracles and sybils became instinct with prophetic mutterings of a new dawn in human affairs; and Virgil, in his Pollio, could awaken the echoes of the heathen world by seraphic notes, stolen from the sacred bard of the Hebrews:

"Jam nova progenies cœlo demittitur alto."
"nec magnos metuent armenta leones.
Ipsa tibi blandos fundent cunabula flores."

We present two fac similes of medals, struck in the reign of Augustus. One commemorates that universal peace which prevailed at this auspicious period-happy presage of the advent of the PRINCE OF PEACE. The other seems more than belongs to Paganism. "Peace over all the world," and "the salvation of the human race." The latter is interesting, as connected with a

statement, that Augustus actually reared an altar with this remarkable inscription:

"Ara primogeniti Dei."

The spot is still pointed out, at Ara Cæli, in Rome. This circumstance receives some countenance from the legend of one of these medals; nor is this inscription confined to one medal, since it is seen on several of those of Augustus.

CHAP. XI.

THE ADVENT OF THE MESSIAH-THE DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST-THE CRUCIFIXION.

THE Old Dispensation having completed its purpose, a new era arose ;-that era, which "prophets and kings desired to see, but were not able." The advent of the Messiah was announced to the world by John the Baptist's preaching repentance, in the wilderness of Judea. There had not arisen a greater prophet than John. He came "in the spirit and power of Elias;" with all the austerity of an anchorite; for " his raiment was of camel's hair; and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey." His incessant cry was, REPENTANCE. "Then went out to him, Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the region about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."* Such was the messenger which the last of the prophets of the Old Testament had announced; and such was the morning star, that ushered in the dawn of the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. John's career was, however, short. He pointed to JESUS of Nazareth, while he told his followers, "He must increase, but I must decrease." Soon after John had lifted up his voice, and said, "Behold the Lamb of GOD, that taketh away the sins of the world," this illustrious harbinger of the Messiah, was seized by Herod, who then occupied the throne of Judea, and beheaded in prison. It was not meet that JESUS CHRIST should sustain any rivalry. The lesser

*Matt. iii. 5, 6.