The reports which reach us of John, now called the Baptist, are of his gathering still more and more about him, and in a land already divided by sects of all kinds, of his forming yet another. By what he is to distinguish himself and his followers I know not, unless it be by the severity of his doctrine and manner of life. This, indeed, is constantly affirmed, that he announces the approach of a prophet greater than himself, whose servant even, he is not meet to be; but who that prophet is he declares not, whether Elijah, or he who shall precede Messiah, or Messiah himself. He has already drawn upon him the hatred of the Pharisees, for he spares not their vices in his harangues to the people; but he secures the regard of the populace, who ever love to hear their rulers involved in at least the same condemnation in which they are themselves included. Against Herod, however, as well as against the Rulers, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees, has he lifted up his voice, whose enmity as it will be easily excited, so he will find it more difficult to escape from or appease. Nay, as for that, there are none in the land, Greek, Roman, or Jew, Pharisee or Essene, Herodian or Sadducee, high or low, from the Chief Priests and the council at Jerusalem, to the Ruler of a Synagogue, whose enmity he will not rouse against both himself and his fol

lowers, if the same kind of speech continues to mark his preaching. On the coming Sabbath, in the chief Synagogue of Beth-Harem I shall trust to hear what his follower, the Tanner of Enon, who still lingers here, will have to say.

The Sabbath has come and passed, my mother, and I sit down to relate to you such of its incidents as may give you any satisfaction.

The household of Onias frequent chiefly a synagogue on the banks of the Jordan, not more remote in one direction, than is Beth-Harem in another. Often, however, they resort to that within the walls, of which Shammai and Zadok are rulers. Thither was I desirous to go for many reasons, but chiefly that I might learn somewhat more distinctly concerning John from his follower, if, perchance, he should be permitted to declare himself. The cool and balmy air of the morning invited me early abroad, that I might enjoy for a time the solitude which on this day I crave, and of late have been accustomed to, and might be among the first who should reach the synagogue. As I emerged from the shaded grounds of Onias upon the highway leading to the city, I found it already sprinkled with companies of those who, like myself, were going up to worship. The scene was beautiful to the eye, presented 25

VOL. I.

by the forms of young and old in every variety of gay clothing, moving along beneath the dark shadows of the trees, which here border and overhang the path. At the well, many stopped to quench their thirst with its cool waters, and others reposed a while on the rocks, or lay along upon the cool herbage. But this indulgence lasted not long, but was broken by the shrill echoes of the trumpets of the synagogue sounding the hour of the service.

As we approached and passed the gates of the city, and entered the streets, the thinly scattered groups of the highway thickened gradually into a numerous throng, pressing forward in one direction. The noise of those, who conversed with animation and energy, was heard on every side. Of some who were near me, I could not, without an effort, which I was not disposed to make, help but hear what were the topics of their discourse. One was loud in his complaints of Shammai. "He preaches not himself," he said, "and those who would preach he hinders. Verily he chiefly loveth the wine cup, and for companions, not those who go up to the house of the Lord, but such as tarry long at the feast."

"Nay," rejoined his companion, "but he is a good man; he talks not so loud as others, and prays not so loud nor so long, but

when he turns his back upon the synagogue, he doth not turn it on his prayers also, as is the custom with many.”

Ah, neighbor, thou ever findest an apology for Shammai. But he is just one of those who trust to what their mothers made them. There is not a precept of the law, nor a custom handed down, but he violateth it, as it shall be convenient. Lest he should be righteous overmuch is his fear; surely one without ground. The curse of the Lord will rest upon such. Zadok, truly, savoreth of the former days. He is one whom the Lord delighteth to honor."

"Verily," said the other, "if the heart is to be judged by the breadth of one's phylacteries, by washings, and fastings, and prayers, then is Zadok a son of God, and there is none like him, for he holdeth himself not washed, if he have not removed his ring, though it be slight as a girdle of hair, and on the Sabbath treadeth not on the dried grain, lest he unwittingly do the work of the thresher. Then, when the first day of the week dawneth, let him who standeth in his debt beware the gripe of Zadok. It is as that of death and the grave. No man can deliver."

"I never heard," replied the first, "that he claimed more than his own. Surely one hath a right to his own. The law is the law."

"I know not that," responded the other, "if it be that the law is without mercy. The heart was made before the law. The beasts, and even gentiles, feel pity."

"Justice before mercy," cried his companion, and they were lost to my hearing.

Others, as they walked slowly along, conversed of the hopes of Judea.

"It were truly a joy," said an old man, yet moving firm and upright by the help of his staff, from the head of which glittered jewels of no little value, "if one's days might be prolonged to behold it."

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"Who can doubt," said a younger companion upon whom he leaned, "who can doubt, that even your eyes shall see it. Many scoff, I know, and say that we hope in vain, and that we are better now than we could be under any change. But they are worthy not so much as of a word of rebuke. erwise and who can help believe, that it is God who moves in the heart of a whole people. If it be so, his kingdom is not far off."

The people judge oth

"The Lord grant it be so," replied the other. "I may not live to behold that day of glory, but, my son, what with thy virtue and the wealth I leave thee, the fruit of long days of toil, what seat of dignity can there be to which thou mayst not hope to rise?