in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country: and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and

drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him Thy brother is come: and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in : therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends : but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry and be glad ; for this thy brother was dead and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."

Thus we see that our gracious Redeemer had not only warned his disciples how to provide for their safety, when the time of calamity came, but had also shown them how they should behave to their erring brethren, when, in the hour of sorrow and distress, they learned to value that salvation which they had previously despised. The misery of the

Prodigal Son was not indeed equal to that which on this occasion began to overwhelm the whole nation of the Jews; but it is probable that the repentance of those who now joined the Christians was not less sincere, and their obtaining a refuge from the impending calamities was a source of greater joy than the slaying of the fatted calf.

Scarcely had the fugitives reached a place of safety when Vespasian, one of the most eminent Roman generals, entered Judæa, at the head of a numerous and well-appointed army. The open country was easily subdued, but Jotapa was defended with great bravery for forty-seven days. It was finally taken by storm, and the entire garrison put to the sword. Joppa and the other cities of Galilee underwent a like fight, but John, the Governor of Geschala, escaped with his garrison to Jerusalem, where he and his band of assassins proved more formidable oppressors to the citizens than the Romans had been in the worst of times. The Jews in Jerusalem were divided into several factions, animated by the most deadly hatred against each other: these fought in the streets, wasted in riot all the provisions, and, regardless of the approaching storm, made no preparations for the siege.