lippians, "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

But, Mamma, the second Adam has now three names. Had he as many names in the time of Abraham?

Yes, my child; but the Jews never mentioned it, except with the greatest reverence; in short, they never used it, but on the most solemn ceremonies. This name was Je-ho-vah, signifying the Lord Jesus Christ; that is, my child, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which, combined, signified salvation, or redemption, or the Saviour. But, my dear child, we must return to our account of the birth of Jesus.

The angel continued: "And behold thy cousin Elzabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this the sixth month with her who was called barren; for with God nothing shall be impossible." On which the angel departed from her.

What did Mary say in reply?

Her faith, my love, convinced her that all that was declared to her would be fulfilled; and she replied, in obedience to the will of God, "Behold," said she, "the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

What did Joseph say, Mamma?

Why, my dear child, Joseph was surprised at first, and thought that Mary was deceiving him ; but being a just man, and not wishing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately but while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins; which was done to fulfil the prophet's words: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

And shall bring forth a son:

And they shall call his name Immanuel,

Which, being interpreted, is, God with us."

On this, Joseph was raised from his sleep, and did according to the commandment. Shortly after this event, Mary arose, as was customary in those days, and went into a high country in haste, into a city of Judea, and entered into the house of her cousin, Zacharias and Elizabeth, and the latter she instantly saluted. It happened, however, that the moment Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; so that the Spirit spoke in her, and she exclaimed to her cousin Mary:

Blessed art thou among women,
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

And whence is this to me, that the mother

Of my Lord should come to me?

For as soon as the voice of thy salutation
Sounded in my ears,

The babe leaped in my womb for joy.
And blessed is she that believed:

For there shall be a performance

Of those things which were told her from the Lord." How did Elizabeth know, Mamma, that the Lord was in Mary's womb?

By the Spirit, my love; for when she spake, then it was by prophecy, which was by the Spirit of God, which filled Elizabeth. So that John, even as a babe, knew that the Lord, whose way into the world he was to prepare, was in Mary's womb, on which he leaped for joy; for after his birth he would have to communicate to the world glad tidings, which were called the gospel.

What did Mary say, Mamma?

She, as may be supposed, spake in the most sublime language ever uttered. She exclaimed:

"My soul doth magnify the Lord,

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden : For, behold, from henceforth all generations

Shall call me blessed;

For he that is mighty has done to me great things;

And holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him,

From generation to generation.

He hath shewed strength with his arm,

He hath scattered the proud,

In the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats,

And exalted them of low degree.

He hath filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath holpen his servant Israel,
In remembrance of his mercy;

As he spake to our fathers,

To Abraham, and to his seed for ever."

You observe, my dear child, how many references are made to the disappointment of the mighty and great, who expected that our Lord would be born of the royal daughters of Israel; and how beautifully she acknowledges, "He hath exalted them of low degree: He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away." He has given his Spirit to the poor, which the rich will now despise, and go empty away. But to return. Mary abode with her cousin about three months, when she returned. John in the mean time was born, and was taken on the eighth day to be circumcised, which was a custom among the Jews: and

they were about to call him after his father; but his mother answered Zacharias, and said: "Not so; but he shall be called John." On which the people observed, that there were none of her kindred that were called by that name. As Zacharias was still dumb, they made signs to him "how he would have him called." On which Zacharias asked for a writing table, when to their astonishment he wrote, saying, “His name is John:” and immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed ; and he spake, and praised God. On which all around him became alarmed, and this extraordinary miracle was soon spread throughout the hill country of Judea.

The Spirit of prophecy fell on Zacharias, and he thus sublimely broke forth:

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;

For he hath visited and redeemed bis people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation
For us in the house of his servant David ;
As he spake by the mouth of his prophets,
Which have been since the world began :
That we should be saved from our enemies,
And from the hand of all that hate us :

To perform the mercy promised to our fathers,

And to remember his holy covenant,

The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

That he would grant unto us,

That we being delivered

Out of the hand of our enemies,