sians.

Alexander was highly satisfied, and inquired what favours the Jews would seek of him; the high priest desired that they might enjoy the laws of their forefathers, and might pay no tribute on the sabbath, or seventh year. Alexander granted all they desired; and when they besought him to grant like favours to the Jews which still remained in Babylon, he readily consented. Under these circumstances, many Jews entered his army, and took part in the remainder of his famous victories.

It is not our business in this place to trace the course of that triumphal career which has made famous the name of Alexander; but we may contemplate the brilliancy of his conquests, the extent of his dominion, the glory which filled his cup to overflowing, and reflect that all such glory is short-lived. Says the old proverb, "Soon ripe, soon rotten;" that which grows up in a day perishes in a day; enduring work is slow work. Throughout the history of the Jews there is one idea that of Theocracy; but it is slowly developed—nothing is hurried on— the Great Ruler has leisure, and He is patient.

Everything went well until after the death of Alexander, when his government was divided among his chief men, and troubles instantly began.

CHAPTER XV.

FROM THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT TO THE DEATH OF

JUDAS MACCABEUS. FROM E.C. 323 TO B.C. 153.

Ptolemy, the Son of Lagos, takes Jerusalem, and carries many Jews captive into Egypt-Ptolemy Philadelphus procures the Laws of the Jews to be translated into the Greek Tongue; sets many Captives free, and dedicates many Gifts to GodHow the Jews were honoured by the Kings of Asia-Antiochus makes a League with Ptolemy, and how all things were brought right by Joseph and his Son Hyrcanus-How Jerusalem was pillaged by Antiochus, and the Samaritans named their Temple after a Heathen God-The bold Protest of MattathiasJudas Maccabeus is a Prince in Israel; he overthrows the Forces of Apollonius and Seron; defeats Lysias and Gorgias, and purifies the Temple-Still further Victories-Death of Antiochus Epiphanes-Concerning the Expedition of Bacchides against Judea, and Death of Judas on the Battle-field.

WHEN Alexander was dead there was a quarrel over the spoil, and his generals each seized on that which he could the most easily appropriate the world's master was nobody's master when he lay in his coffin. A living dog, so they say, is better than a dead lion-a somewhat questionable statement; but at all events, "Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returned to dust: the dust is earth; of earth we make loam, and why of that loam whereto he was converted, might they not stop a beer barrel?" So passes away the glory of the world vanitas vanitatum.

Antigonus seized on Asia; Seleucus, Babylon; Lysimachus, the Hellespont; Cassandra, Macedonia; Ptolemy, Egypt: and they battled with one another, and were likely to knock all to pieces the splendid piece of mosaic work which Alexander had so lavishly and ingeniously put together. As for Ptolemy, who, although a soldier, had been regarded rather as a peace man, he marched into Jerusalem one sabbath day, when the good folks were at prayers, and he did exactly what he pleased with the people, making captives of most of them, and sending them into the land of Egypt, or the house of bondage. And there, as of old, the Jews lingered for many a long year, not making bricks with or without straw, nor subject to a driver's lash, but still slaves; that is to say, forced exiles, gazing,

every day of their lives, on the monuments of their forefathers' degradation-the pyramids-looking in vain for a Moses to call plagues on their masters, turning day to blackest night, and water into blood.

There was a king of Egypt called Ptolemy Philadelphus. He was a great book collector, and his librarians brought together some thousands more than he could either read or understand. Books were his passion, and Demetrius, his chief librarian, was indefatigable in his exertions to satisfy his master's taste. He set hundreds of pens to work, changing the languages of all Babeldom into Greek. Once when Ptolemy asked him how many books he had collected, he answered that he had about twenty times ten thousand, and soon hoped to have fifty times ten thousand. Then Demetrius mentioned that there were some Hebrew books he was anxious to procure, but he scarcely knew to whom to apply. Of course, Ptolemy suggested what no doubt was as plain to Demetrius as it was to his master, that he should write to the Jewish high priest-there is nothing like going to head quarters.

The king being interested in the holy books of the Jews, a friend of that people, Aristeus by name, took the opportunity of petitioning the king on their behalf, and Ptolemy being in the best of spirits, and naturally kindly disposed, set free his captives, and gave rich presents to the Temple-all he wanted was the sacred books done into Greek. So seventy learned men were sent to Ptolemy with the book of the Law, and supped with the king the night of their arrival-Eleazar, who was a priest, saying grace, the most ancient example to be met with of thanksgiving before meat. After some little time had elapsed since the arrival of the translators, they set to their work, rendering the Old Testament into Greek-a translation known as the Septuagint-the work of the seventy. The work was thoroughly well done, and well rewarded.

Ptolemy Philadelphus was engaged in a long war with Antiochus Theos, king of Syria, and when neither Mars nor Bellona could prevail, they called in Hymen, and by a marriage settled the matter. Antiochus, possibly having an objection to