Sadoc. A new written copy of the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.'

Sarah. My good young gentleman, what a present for a bride! Why you might almost as well give her a sword, or bow and arrows, or a horse. What will Gahar say to such a marriage present?'

Sadac. In truth, I care not much what he says. You tell me that my sister wants no clothes; that she has more ornaments than she knows how to use; and why need I give her more? The words of life may prove a blessing to her. She may have comfort in them in solitude, and in the hour of wo, and I fear that she may sometimes find Gahar's thoughtlessness a greater trouble to her than she expects. But all is now settled, and God prosper it!'

Sarah. There is so much truth in what you say, that I know not how to answer it. But you may as well send home your present after the marriage is over; I am sure it would cause a great laugh among the bride's maids, if they were to find it as one of her marriage-presents; you know that the day after to-morrow the marriage is to take place?'

Sadoc. This is another point which I wish to be informed about. What is done at our house on the first day?'

ther receive your friends and feast them; and Miriam's female friends come and condole with her on her departure from home. I suppose that there will not be much real condolence for so happy a marriage as this; but we always keep up a sort of form. After supper, you and all the men set off and find the bridegroom, who is to hide himself, and to give you all the trouble he can in discovering him; but this is no very difficult task in general; and you will bring him back to your house, when you have dressed him in his most sumptuous attire; for when you find him he will have his worst clothes on. Then, at midnight, the bridegroom and all his friends come to the women's apartments, where we shall have been feasting, and take the bride by force: and remember that they do you most honor who make the most noise in this storming of our chambers: but when we surrender, then the bride is taken home with music and dancing, and the company from Gahar's house come out and meet us with lamps and torches, and all go in together to the marriage-feast the men to theirs, the women to a separate one; and then the bride's friends, the virgins that bear her company, place her in the marriage-bed, and all the men leave the house with music and dancing; and during each of the days of the week there is a

feast at the house of the bridegroom, and the men are entertained by him, while the women are employed in looking over the presents; and during these days, I shall come in, I assure you, for my share, as the nurse of the bride; and I need to have something to keep up my spirits, for it is a sad thing to lose one's only child. You, with all your love for old Sarah, will never come over and listen to my tales, as Miriam did.'

Sadoc. Never trouble yourself about that; Miriam may come over sometimes; it is not very far: but what is to be done on the seventh day?'

Sarah. Nothing particular. Very much the same as the other days. But most of the presents are made on that day, and you may then offer her your musty old manuscript, if you please.'

Sadoc. 'Never vex yourself; I will not give But does no one of the priests or you one. Levites attend to bless the marriage?' Sarah. No; your father will give his blessing; but that is all.'

Sadoc. And have I nothing to do.'

Sarah. No, nothing, but to be as agreeable as you can to every one, and to be pleased with everything.'

Sadoc. Well, that is an easy lesson, at least.'

CHAPTER VII.

SOME time had now elapsed without much intercourse between Sadoc and the house of Darkon. The marriage of his sister had naturally occupied much of the attention of the former, and the consciousness of his own change of sentiments with regard to Jesus of Nazareth had created a misgiving in his mind, as to the honesty of not openly avowing his decided belief. He was happy in the knowledge that Hatipha had adopted his opinions on this important point; but when he considered that this fact had not been disclosed to her parents, his mind was filled with anxiety and care. It was during this period that the Passover had taken place, and Jesus had suffered, under the unjust accusation of the Jews, that sentence which the weakness of Pilate had passed upon him. But the agents in this stupendous act little thought of the blessed nature of what they had blindly accomplished, or looked up to that mercy, which through it was held out even to themselves. Darkon rejoiced in having excited the multitude, and persuaded Pilate; but he little imagined that the faith in Jesus had gained a sure place in the heart of his only child; when, therefore, Sadoc entered his house some days after the crucifixion, he exclaimed, in triumph,

'Well, Sadoc, what is now become of your Messiah? Is this he who was to deliver Israel? I told you that none of the doctors had believed on him; but you, as might be expected in one so young, and led away by enthusiasm, would hardly listen to the words of an elder, who was guided by reason and experience.'

Sadoc. Nay, speak not so harshly of me, for I have sincerely sought the truth. Appearances do indeed seem against me; but experience might teach you, if I might urge such an argument, experience might teach you, that God's ways are not our ways, and that even yet, they who trust in him shall not be deceived.' Darkon. Well, my good youth, I thought that this proof must have silenced you; but it seems that I was mistaken. I know that your mind is honest, and I would fain inquire of you what it is on which you now rely; how can you imagine that God would suffer the Deliverer who was to come into the world to undergo an ignominious death?'

Sadoc. Why, in truth, I did not expect it; I am disappointed: and even yet, I do not feel sure that I had not mistaken the prophecies; at least, that I had not applied some of them wrongly; but when I find this same Teacher, over whom the grave has no power; when I find him again alive, and appearing to his faithful followers, how can I longer doubt?'