A Beautiful Extract

It was niiht. Jcrusalem sat cjuietly amid hor bilis as a chikl upon the breast of its mother. The noiseless sentinel stood liko a statue at bis post, and the philosupher's lamp burned dimly iu the reeeeees of his chambcr. But a mortal darkuess involved tlic nation in its unlightencd shadows. Rerieou ehed a faiot glimmcring over tho minds of men, like the cold aud icsufficient shiuing of a die tant star. The mmortality of a man's spiritual nature was unknowu, his rolations to llcaveu uudiscovered, and his future destiny obseured in a cloud of mystery. It was nt this period that the two forms of eihcrial rnould hovored about the land of God's chosen people. They caine like sister angels, sent to earth on somo embassy of lite. Tho one of niajos'ic statue nnd well frned linibs, which her snowy drapery hardly conoealed, and in her erect hearing and steady eye, exhibited the highcit degree ol streng:h and :oufiduncc-. Her right arm v::s extended in an impressivo ge6turo upwaid wbere nilit nppearrd to have place-d her darkesipavillion; while on her eft recliued lier delicate compnnion, in lorm and countenaueo the con trast of the other. Shu was drooping like a flower moistend by rcfreshing Ji'wí, and lier bright but troubled eyèa ssannud them with ardeut but varying glances. Fuddonly a light üko the sunfliished out from tiie heavens aid Ptith aud liope huiled with exciting song the aseonding of Bethlehem. Years rolled a-vay, and the Strangcr was seen at Jerusalem. lie was a mcek. unasfURiinf; naiin, w'nose hlppÍDeifl soemed to Mtniri in :icts of beiiovolenco to the bañan race. Thero were deep trai s c i'üorrow on hiscountpiinnce, though uo OB knew vl:y hu gi ieved, for he lived in the procticü of crery virtue, and was loved by all the good and wise. Uy and hy it was rumorcd tliat the st.ranger worked miraole, that the blind saw and iho duinb ppake, the d'nid arose, tho occan inoderütcd its clmfing tide, the very tbnoder articul.ited, he vras the 60n ot God. Envy nsiailodhim to death. Thickly pnrda he slnwly anccr.'lcd tho hill of Oalvary. 13ut Faith leaned on his arm, nnd lloie, dippÏDg its pinions iu hú blood, mountcd to the ekics.