more broke in upon his mind: We have wandered away from our subject, Captain Ryan, and perhaps it is as well to wander away from it as to wander up and down in it. We never shall see these things in the same point of view. You will never become a Jew, nor shall I cease to be so.'

'Yet one word more, my friend, and I have done. Jew or Gentile, we are guilty men; be it the oral, the ceremonial, or the moral law, we stand guilty before God of innumerable transgressions: some way there must be of salvation, or what a doom of hopeless horror is before us! It is not by keeping the oral law that you can attain safety, for you know not the hundredth part of its minute requirements, and the sin of ignorance demands a sacrifice which you cannot offer. It is not by strict adherence to the ceremonial law, for you, standing here in Jerusalem itself, within sight of the appointed spot, must die by infidel hands if you but plant a footstep within its desecrated boundaries. It is not by the moral law, which might equally avail us both, for on what night could you or I say before the Lord, "This day I have broken no precept-this day I have loved the Lord my God and served him with all my heart, all my soul, all my faculties, and all my means. I have wronged no man-I have not coveted ought that was withheld from me-I am wholly guiltless towards God and towards man." No, we cannot look into the mirror of the two tables, and not hide our faces for shame.'

Da Costa appeared touched by this; his bright eye flashed and glared no longer; but with a downcast look he slightly moved his head, seemingly not in dissent, but in regretful acknowledgment of the

truth of what he heard. Captain Ryan resumed, with deep and solemn earnestness.

'It was commanded of God that in one place alone of all the earth should the mysterious expiatory offering be made daily by those whom alone he acknowledged as his people, the depositories of his holy will. Here, in Jerusalem, was the appointed place; and here, in Jerusalem was the mighty work accomplished. Here the Lamb of God was set apart and slain; from hence he went with the all-sufficient offering of his own blood into the holy of holies up yonder, to appear in the presence of God for us. In him, the substance, every shadow terminated; in him, the antitype, every type was realized; and let all the thunders of Sinai peal forth, denouncing God's righteous judgments on me, a polluted sinner, here I take my stand-Christ, the passover of Israel, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, is sacrificed for us, for me-yes, Lord,

My faith would lay her hand
On that dear head of thine,
While like a penitent I stand,
And there confess my sin.

My soul looks back to see
The burdens thou didst bear,
When hanging on the cursed tree,

And hopes her guilt was there!'

• And mine,' was the silent response of poor Alick's throbbing heart; but no word passed his lips. Captain Ryan's eyes were uplifted, and the expression of his countenance was, like his voice, at once fervent, humble, trusting, rejoicing. For a moment Da Costa fixed on him a look of intense inquiry-for a moment it seemed as though he almost wished

indeed to understand his feelings, if not to share them then abruptly as if from an idle reverie he said, 'We have talked a good deal, and must leave off just where we started. It pains me truly to have been made, in my own despite, the instrument of thus putting you completely out of your way, and now of leaving you with that dear sick boy.' Captain Ryan interrupted him: 'You have not in the least deranged my plans, my dear fellow: Charley is so happy in being within the walls of Jerusalem, that I cannot be thankful enough for having reached them: and we are most comfortably situated. Excepting the pain of this abrupt separation, we shall feel no way disturbed by the turn matters have taken; and if we can soften it to poor Charley, I am able even to bless the overruling Providence that has so ordered all things, contrary indeed to our plans, but for the ultimate advantage of us all.'

And will you write to my father?' asked Alick: 'and will you assure him of your forgiveness? I know it must have pained him bitterly to act as he felt compelled to do.'

'It did indeed,' said Da Costa; and a few kind words from you would be invaluable.'

'Never fear; I'll write him as cordially as I feel towards him, and that is not a little. Now, Cohen, will you pay another visit to your poor infant friend, and Da Costa also?'

'Let him go first, and have a good talk with him,' said Da Costa; I will make some arrangements, and then join you.'

They parted with mutual cordiality; Captain Ryan summoned his wife, to hear what had occurred, and Alick, with a swelling heart, repaired to the sick

room. Entering, he heard the happy tones of that little voice reciting the sixtieth chapter of Isaiah: Charley was at the twelfth verse, and most energetically did he repeat, "The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine-tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious." The boy lifted his head, looking towards the Mount of Olives, and almost shouted, Glorious, glorious; he will make the place of his feet glorious. Yon beautiful hill! you shall be glorious then; for you shall be the place of his feet, I know; and Jerusalem shall be the place of his feet. Oh, mamma, when may I go out? Am not I one of the little boys that shall play in the streets of Jerusalem, when they shall be full of boys and girls playing?' He looked round, supposing his mother was there, and saw Alick, vainly striving to hide his tears. 'Ah, you darling, is it you? You are crying now, because Jerusalem is taken away from you; but how glad you will be when He makes the place of His feet glorious!'

Alick sat down beside him, and asked him if he felt really better.

'Sure and I do! I shall get quite well in no time now; and all I want is for us to buy a house, and live always here in Jerusalem.'

'What, and never see Ireland, poor Ireland, again?'

I love poor dear Ireland, so I do, you can't think how much; but you see I'd rather be here, and wait for the Lord's coming.'

'But some say there will be great fighting, and killing; you would not like that?'

Papa says there will be fighting and killing everywhere; but God's people won't fight.'

'I think we shall,' said Alick. You know he says to the Jews, "Thou art my battle-axe, and weapons of war; for with thee will I break in pieces the nations and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider," and so it goes on.'

Ay, but, Mr. Alick, the Jews won't break me in pieces, because I love them so.'

You dear little fellow!'

'I say, will you take me on your knee, and let me get an uncommon good look at the Mount of Olives? do.'

Alick complied; he wrapped a light dressing gown round him, and lifting him in his arms, sat with him opposite the little window; Charley delighted to find himself again nestled on the bosom of his friend, and little dreaming, how much sorrow was struggling in that bosom at the prospect of leaving him, prattled away; pouring out the fulness of his believing, loving heart, as he went over the various scenes so well noted in his memory, of the Lord's history connected with that mountain. He talked of Gethsemane till his voice faltered, and tears fell on his still pale cheek; he spoke of the ascension till his thoughts seemed to take wing and mount with the angelic squadrons who heralded the King of glory to the everlasting doors. He dwelt on His return, the cleaving asunder of the hill, and the fearful confusion that should overtake His baffled foes; and then fondly stroking the cheek of his entranced listener, he told him how Jesus wept over Jerusalem, looking down on the spot where they then were, and how