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by attempting to preserve the short remains of a corruptible life, he should disgrace his profession, encourage apostates, bring infamy upon his hoary hairs, and, what was worst of all, though he might avoid the punishment of men, he should expose himself to the just vengeance of God, from which there is no escape, either in this world or in that which is to come. Having finished his speech he was led to execution. When he was ready to expire with the torments inflicted on him, he fetched a deep sigh, and said, " O Lord, thou knowest that whereas I might have been delivered from death, I now suffer cruel agonies in my body; but in my soul I find joy in my suffering, because I fear Thee." Thus died this righteous man, leaving a glorious example to the whole nation.

About the same time, seven brethren with their mother were seized and brought before Antiochus, who caused them to be scourged in a most inhuman manner, to force them to eat swine's flesh contrary to their law. The eldest said unto the king, "We are ready to lay down our lives rather than violate the holy laws of our forefathers." The king, exasperated at these words, ordered brazen pans and cauldrons to be heated; and when they were red hot, he caused the tongue of him who had spoken to be cut out, and had the skin torn from his head, and the extremities of his hands and feet cut off before his mother and his brethren after this he was brought close to the fire, and fried in the pan. His mother and brethren being wonderfully supported of God, exhorted each other to die courageously, saying, The Lord will regard truth; he will have pity on us and comfort us, as Moses declares in his song" (Deut. xxxii. 36).

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The second was taken and tormented in the

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same manner as his brother had been. In his last moments he spake thus to the king: Wicked prince, thou bereavest us of this terrestrial life; but the King of heaven and earth, seeing we die for the defence of His laws, will raise us up to everlasting life.”

They now proceeded to the third. He was commanded to put forth his tongue, which he immediately did, and then, stretching forth his hands with the utmost tranquillity of mind, he bravely said, "I received these limbs from heaven, which I now resign in defence of the laws of God, in sure and certain hope that He will one day restore them to me." The king and courtiers were astonished at the intrepidity of this young man, who scorned the utmost efforts of their cruelty.

The fourth was tortured in the same manner, and thus addressed the monarch: " It is to our advantage to be killed by men, because we hope that God will restore us to life at the resurrection: but thou, O king, shalt never rise to life.”

The fifth, whilst they were tormenting him, said to Antiochus, "Thou actest according to thine own will, though thou art but a mortal man: but do not imagine that God hath forgotten our nation : stay but awhile and thou shalt see the wonderful effects of His power, and in what manner He will torment thee and thy race."

The sixth came next, who, a few moments before he expired, said, "Be not deceived, it is true, indeed, that our sins have drawn upon us these exquisite torments which we now suffer: but think not that thou shalt escape with impunity, after having made war against God Himself."

There yet remained the youngest, who from his tender years drew some pity even from the relenting Antiochus, who endeavoured to entice him by

the allurements of riches, power, and rank; all of which he offered him, if he would but forsake the law of God. But this noble youth disdained his proposals with a steadfastness that did him more honour than all the preferments of Antiochus could have done. The king then desired his mother to inspire him with salutary counsel. This she promised to do, and going up to her son with a pleasant countenance, she said to him in her native language: "Son, have pity on me, who have tenderly nursed thee, and fed thee with milk from my breast for three years, and brought thee up ever since. I conjure thee, my child, not to fear that cruel executioner, but show thyself worthy of thy brethren in the glory which awaits us." She had scarcely done speaking, when the child cried out, "I will not obey the king's command, but the law of Moses."

Then

turning to the king, he thus addressed him: "As for thee, from whom all the calamities of the Hebrews flow, thou shall not escape the hand of the Almighty; flatter not thyself with vain hopes, for there is no avoiding the judgment of the Creator, who is all-seeing and omnipotent. As to my brothers, after having suffered for a moment the most cruel torments, they taste eternal joy. In imitation of the example they have set me, I freely give up my body and life for the laws of my forefathers, and I beseech God to extend His mercy soon to our nation, and force thee, by torments and plagues, to confess that He is the only true God."

The king was now transported with fury, and in the excess of his rage caused this last youth to be more grievously tormented than any of the rest. Thus he died with the same fortitude and resignation as his brethren, commiting his soul into

the hands of God. Their mother, supported with the hope of immortality and eternal life, beheld with incredible resolution all her seven sons die thus inhumanly in one day, and afterwards suffered death herself.

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Those who had escaped into the deserts, of whom there were vast numbers, suffered much for want of food and other necessaries. The apostle Paul evidently alludes to these in his epistle to the Hebrews (chap. xi.), when exemplifying the power of faith, he says, They endured trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonments. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, wandering in deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, of whom the world was not worthy."

But what is now the state of those among them who were faithful unto death? They are sons and daughters of the King of kings, and Lord of lords, they are far from the reach of mortal, their associates are angels and the spirits of just men made perfect, their enjoyments are supernatural, and the duration of their bliss is eternal.

May it be the happy lot of those whose eyes rest upon these pages to be followers of them who through faith and patience now inherit the promises. We will conclude this chapter by quoting the word of the Lord by the prophet Isaiah, "Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings." But "Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him."

(To be continued.)

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RAPIDLY, RAPIDLY.*

Rapidly, rap-id-ly on-ward we go,

Bound to the regions of bliss or of woe;

Daily descen-ding or mount-ing a

bove,

Rapidly, rap-id-ly on-ward we move.

Soon will our pil - grim-age end here below,

Soon to the pre-sence of God we shall go;

Blest are the souls who're new-born from a- bove,

Rapidly, rapid-ly, on - ward we move. • Adapted from “Joyfully, Joyfully."

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