Jeremiah. He saw in a vision two baskets, one full of very fine figs, the other of very bad ones." "Yes; and the Lord explained that the good fruit was to be an emblem of the obedient, pious Israelites, and the bad fruit of the rebellious people. You may read in connection with this Matthew vii. 16-20." "Here is a curious verse, mamma, in Revelation vi. 13: "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.' What does it mean? Will the stars really fall down?" "It is a figurative expression, like many others in this book. The vision is one of great troubles to come upon the earth, and 'the stars' are generally considered to mean powers and governments, and their 'falling,' great political revolutions and changes. Here is another passage of the same kind. "And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved...... and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig-tree' (Isa. xxxiv. 4). "And the prophet Nahum (iii. 12) makes the falling figs an emblem of the fate of Nineveh. All thy strongholds shall be like fig-trees with the first ripe figs; if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.' "Now we must stop; and what do you think has been our chief lesson from the fig-tree ?" "I think," said Bessie, "it will be from the barren tree in the parable." "Yes; taken along with the real tree which the Saviour condemned, and thus made it another parable for us." H. L. L. a mountain." MOUNT TABOR. HAT do you think of this picture, Kitty?" said Aunt Margaret. "What a number you have got, Aunt May, and all so different! This is only "How could the apostles fall asleep!" said Mary. "They were not, probably, expecting anything wonderful. Jesus often retired to the mountain solitudes for meditation and prayer, and they would suppose he only wished the same then. They did not feel the same spiritual longings for communion with God, and they were overcome by fatigue and drowsiness." "The light would waken them," said Kitty; "and how surprised they would be!" "But how delighted!" said Flora. "No wonder Peter wished to stay, and keep the beautiful spirits beside them. It was good to be there! Oh, Aunt May, if we could only see such visions now!" "God must know, my dear Flora, since he does not permit this, that it would not be really good for us, in our present state of being. But we have the. 'telescope of faith,' and those who keep that glass clear have often delightful visions through it still. Our great desire, however, should be to know more of our blessed Saviour; to realize more, by faith, of his love, and his unseen presence with us. He remained to the disciples after Moses and Elijah had returned to heaven; and he has said, for the comfort of all his people, 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' Yet I can quite understand your feelings. I have sometimes felt the same." "But, Aunt May," said Mary, "do tell us something now about the picture. Where is Mount Tabor, and is it a very high mountain?" "Here it is on the map, east from Nazareth. It rises on the north side of the great plain of Esdraelon, one of the 'battle-fields of the world.' Tabor is about 1300 feet above the plain, but 1800 above the level of the sea. The form is a cone with a flattened top, and as it stands alone, though with chains of mountains on all sides, it is a very fine and striking object from every quarter. Dr. Kitto says: "This remarkable mountain offers so "There is an oval-shaped plain, about a mile round, surrounded with the remains of a massive wall, and covered with ruins of many buildings. A fortified city stood there in Old Testament times; and churches and convents were built in the early Christian ages, and destroyed by the Saracens, and then partly rebuilt by the Crusaders. Nothing now remains but 'a confused mass of broken walls, towers, vaults, cisterns, and houses.' The Greek and Latin Churches have repaired some of the ruins so far as to be able to have a yearly service held there. The centre of the little plain has been re rare a combination of the bold and beautiful, that pilgrims of all ages have expatiated upon its glories with untiring wonder and delight. The trees of various species, and the bushes always green, with which it is invested, and the small groves with which it is crowned, contribute no less than its figure to its perfect beauty.' Dr. Thomson, in 'The Land and the Book,' writes: 'I have never seen a picture of it that was perfectly satisfactory, although every artist who comes in sight of it is sure to make a sketch. Their views differ widely, owing mainly to the points from which they are taken......If I hesitate to admit the claims of Tabor to the honour of the Trans-peatedly under cultivation, but is now a wilderness of figuration, it is not from anything in the mount itself. No more noble or appropriate theatre for such a glorious manifestation could be found or desired......Its remarkable shape and striking position would attract admiration in any country, and the magnificent prospect from the top will always draw pilgrims and tourists thither."" "Is it easy to get up?" "There is a sort of path on the north side, winding through the wood. Dr. Thomson, who climbed it many times, says that he always found it difficult, and in certain parts actually dangerous. Mr. Porter relates how he tired of the windings of the road, and leaving his horse with his servant, thought he could clamber straight up alone. "It was a rash act,' he writes. On my way I saw several jackals, and heard sundry barks and growls in the jungles as they scampered off, which made me feel somewhat uncomfortable......I entered a narrow opening (on the summit), and was proceeding along a beaten track, when I was startled by a loud snort, and a huge boar, with head down and mane erect, brushed past me, and was followed by a sow and a litter of young. I scarcely knew what to do. The place was quite dif- | ferent from what I had expected. As yet, I could see nothing but thickets of ilex and heaps of ruins. I was thirsty, and thirst compelled me to run the risk of more encounters with the denizens of the jungle. After some time and trouble, I discovered water at the bottom of a large dark vault or cistern. Holding by an overhanging branch, I began the descent, when suddenly a panther bounded out from an obscure corner, and turning round, growled at me from the opposite side. I could do nothing except look steadily at the beautiful but dangerous animal. Gradually it shrunk back, and at length disappeared in a thicket. I was a good deal relieved when I heard the voice of my servant, and still more so when he came up and handed me my gun.' After spending some time in further exploring, he adds: The sun went down, and deep purple shadows fell upon plain and valley. The wild, plaintive wail of jackals, mingled with the sharper howl of wolves, warned me to seek safer quarters. I mounted, and rode slowly down."" "Panthers, and wolves, and jackals!" exclaimed Kitty. “Oh, I would not like to go up Mount Tabor!" "But what is to be seen at the top?" asked Flora. "You said it was flat." brushwood and wild flowers." "What a curious place it must be! And is the view very fine?" The "Most splendid; more so than from many higher hills, because Tabor stands so much by itself. mountain ranges of Lebanon, Hermon, Gilboa, and Carmel, all within sight, with the beautiful Plain of Esdraelon below, and glimpses of the Valley of the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee. And then the associations are such as no other scenery can give. Each feature,' says Mr. Elliot, 'in this prospect is beautiful; the eye and mind are delighted; and by a combination of objects and associations unusual to fallen man, earthly scenes, which more than satisfy the external sense, elevate the soul to heavenly contemplation.' "Now, can you tell me what we are told of Mount Tabor in Old Testament history?" "It was the gathering-place," said Flora, "of Barak's army, led by the prophetess Deborah, before the great battle with the Canaanites. Surely the mountain must have been more easily climbed in those days!" "Probably the road, though capable of being well defended, was better than it is now. You must read the whole story at your leisure, in Judges iv. and v. Here is what Mr. Porter writes about it." "Was it he who met with the wild beasts?" said Kitty. "Yes; and after he was safe with his gun in his hand he says: "Standing on the summit, I was able to understand why Tabor was the gathering-place of the northern tribes.... Its steep sides were easily defended, and its broad top gave ample space for the organization of a little army of mountaineers. The plain below was the centre of attraction for all invaders......its firm flat surface attracted the chariots and horsemen of Philistia, Canaan, and Syria. From the top of Tabor the light infantry of Israel could watch all their movements, and take advantage of any fitting opportunity for attack. The graphic story of Barak and Deborah was here brought vividly before my mind-Barak eagerly watching the advance of Sisera across the plain; while Deborah, with the enthusiasm of a patriot and the inspiration of a prophetess, looked and prayed to Heaven for the signal to attack. At length her eye saw it, and she cried, "Up! for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand; is not the Lord gone out before thee?" "Now, Harry, I have not heard your voice this evening, and I am afraid of your falling asleep. Can you tell me what became of Sisera, the general of the Canaanites, when the battle was over, and his men were almost all drowned in the river, or killed by their enemies?" "He ran away, Aunt May, and Jael the wife of Heber took him into her tent when he was very wearied, and gave him a drink of milk; and then he lay down and fell fast asleep, and she killed him with a big nail." "She was a cruel, bad woman!" said Kitty, energetically. "Her conduct sounds very bad to us," said Aunt Margaret; "but yet the holy prophetess calls her a blessed woman. Remember that Sisera was a wicked man, an enemy of Israel and of God, and no doubt he and his men had behaved very cruelly to Jael and her people. We cannot know or judge of all the reasons that may have given her courage for the dreadful act." "I have always felt a kind of sorrow for Sisera," said Flora, "when I have read the story." "Did you ever think with compassion of his mother, the proud, stern lady, as described by Deborah, watching from the lattice for her hero, who was to return no more? "Go thy way, sad mother, Go from thy lattice now-The faithless winds in mockery Lift the hair from thy brow. The purple shades of evening creep Along the valleys chill, And War has sung her sons to sleep By thousands on the hill. "Went not thine heart with him As he turned his steeds from the fray, Lighted down off his chariot, And silently fled away? The wheels shall tarry longer yet; Those gallant coursers, once so fleet, "Hush, ye babbling breezes Steal not his parting sighs; Fast asleep, and weary, On the low tent for he lies; A woman watching by his head, The cold red nail in his temple pale He shall awake no more!"* "I do wish," said Flora, "that we could still believe Tabor to be the real Mount of Transfiguration!" “Well, it may have been so; the contrary cannot be proved. Yet, after all, the mere locality is not of much importance, for, as has been beautifully said,- Among all the incidents of Gospel history, none have less a local character than this. The scenery is of heaven rather than of earth. It is a fragment of the eternal light breaking in on the darkness of time; and whether the apostles had been rapt, like Paul, into the third heaven to behold it, or had seen it on this earth, would seem of comparatively little moment......The scenery was not Tabor or Hermon, or any sweep of earthly landscape, or snowy heights of mountain solitude; but night and an overshadowing cloud......The light, and the voice, and the persons were of heaven, not of earth.' + "But we must stop now. Flora, I should like you this week to make out a list of Scripture proofs of the Divinity of our Lord, that great truth on which all our hopes depend. 66 Mary, there is not much said of Tabor, but will you write a list of other remarkable mountains mentioned in the Bible, and the chief events connected with them? "Kitty, you may find out some sweet verses about Heaven; and Harry, here is a little hymn for you to learn: "We know there's a bright and glorious home, Where all the redeemed shall with Jesus dwell; "“From every kingdom of earth they come To join the triumphal cry, Of 'Worthy the Lamb that once was slain !' But will you be there, and I? "If we seek the loving Saviour now, And follow him faithfully, When he gathers his children in that bright home, * From "Hebrew Children." From "Wanderings over Bible Lands and Seas. " THE VICTORY OF THE VANQUISHED. A STORY OF THE FIRST CENTURY. BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE CHRONICLES OF THE SCHÖNBERG-COTTA FAMILY." CHAPTER XXXVIII. NCE more on the way to Rome-to the centre of the world, to the source of Law and Government, of wonderful order, and of disorders, crimes and corruptions unutterable-with the Sacred Wood, the Tree of Life, in their keeping, to cast into the bitter fountains! Not outwardly did the early Christians bear the symbol of the Cross, not even on their sepulchres. The power of it was on their hearts. The symbol was visibly before them too often, and too terribly complete; the symbol not of victory, but of the utmost humiliation and defeat a human life could reach, such as the guillotine and the gallows would but feebly represent to us. Not in bronze and marble, and the pathos of religious sculpture; in its own unmitigated horror and ignominy, it met the eyes of the little Christian company as they returned from Syria to Rome. Siward and his mother were once more slowly pacing, one spring evening, along the Appian Way, when once more, on the brow of an opposite hill, as before on their journey eastward with Germanicus, the terrible thing rose black against the golden sky. "And as the measure of the sacrifice which may be involved in ours for Him," he replied. He meant the words quite literally; yet he spoke them in a tone which made them sound like a song of triumph. The world, as far as it concerned itself with them at all, knew well that their Master had been crucified, and had been buried. His Cross had been visible enough. From morning till night it had stood close to one of the stateliest cities of the Empire, the Jerusalem of Herod the Great. The gospel the early disciples had to tell was that His sepulchre was empty that He had risen. Their message was the Resurrection. Their life was the Cross. A continual patience with all, a perpetual sacrifice of all, for His sake, a perpetual victory through apparent defeat, a triumphing through suffering. In her martyr-ages, while the cup of her Lord was continually in her hand, the raiment of the Church was the white, glistening robe of joy. The world provided her with the Cross, and the Crucified with the Crown. When the world provides the crowns, the Master can give the Cross. For in this world the Cross may not be absent, though the crowning very well may; and the true Once more their eyes met, and each became crowning must, throughout the ages. conscious that the other had seen it. They drew closer, and spoke of that evening long ago. "It was before me then," Siward said, "as the most terrible possibility of slavery." "It is before our hearts always now," Siguna said, "as the measure of His love for us." CHAPTER XXXIX. ONCE more in the Pomorium, in the desert in the midst of the City, the sacred waste. Once more Cloelia Diodora knelt on the ground at night by the Tomb of the Vestal. The memories of the lonely nights and days spent there were present with her again, the memory of all the restless searching hither and thither for some voice to tell her of her dead, for some channel into that dark under-world. What had changed to her since then? She remembered how, with a kind of triumph in the midst of her anguish, she had looked on palace and temple, and on all the pomp of life in the City, and had thought, "Not Tiberius Cæsar, but Death, is the Universal Lord! That which has triumphed over my beloved will lay low and triumph over all: beautiful women, strong men, soldiers, senators, emperors. Whatever seems, Death alone reigns." | written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness." But no perplexity had disturbed that loving heart with regard to her lost beloved. Christ the Lord had not begun to live at Bethlehem, nor to reign at Jerusalem. He had been living and reigning with the Father from the beginning. He was living and reigning now, over all things, visible and invisible. That was enough. All the heart's yearnings for justice and for pity were satisfied absolutely in the certainty that He was satisfied, and that He was Lord, everywhere, -from the beginning, world without end. All barriers were broken down in Him, the Atoning Sacrifice, the Mediating Lord; all bar What had changed since then, that everything riers between man and man, between man and was changed to her? God, between earth and heaven. To the senses, nothing. The sacred urn in that tomb still actually held what was dearest to her of all visible things. And it held only ashes. To her spirit, everything. Death, to the senses had conquered all; but Life, she knew, had conquered Death. No barriers of race could destroy the unity of the humanity He had deigned to take, not as a mutable vesture, but as another nature; no barriers of past sin could divide the most guilty who believed in Him from God and from purity; no impenetrable brazen gates of Hades could sepa Not Cæsar, not any dark power of the under-rate, really, the dead and the living; since the seen world, not Death, was Universal Lord, but Christ; Christ, seen in the quiet morning on the shores by the lake, known in the quiet evening by the table, blessing the bread. To Him all power was given in heaven and earth. Lord everywhere, and for ever. It was impossible to be exiled from His Dominion. Death only brought nearer Him, one stage nearer; from the Provinces to the Mother City, from the School to His Father's House. That was all she had learned of the unseen world. But it was enough. He was there, reigning there. There was no need of any other light to make that world bright but the light-awful, mystic, sweet, familiarof His Presence, divine and human. The words of the apostle to the Church at Rome had not yet been written. "Glory, and honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile for there is no respect of persons with God. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law and the unseen were alike His kingdom. Where any wall of partition had stood, He stood, and said,— "I am the Door." Where the gates of exclusion stood, she saw Him stand, with the compassionate countenance to welcome, and the irresistible pierced hands to bless and to unite. She knelt in the solitude, feeling something of the expansion and the comprehension, the light and the freedom of His presence, and wept soft, healing tears such as she had never wept there before. Across the waves, through the storm, the words had come to her, "It is I; be not afraid.” No more. But absolutely enough. "It is I," meant the assurance in His voicewho sees, and commands, in all ages and both worlds-that "All is well.” As she rose from the ground, a little way off she perceived old Laon leaning against an olive trunk. "You came to take care of me," she said. "You knew where to find me, best old friend!” |