not the brother of John, but the son of Cleopas, a near relative, and hence called, according to Jewish practice, the brother of our Lord, became, after the martyrdom of Stephen, president, or bishop of the Church in Jerusalem, and suffered martyrdom there, A. D. 62. His epistle, or letter, which is addressed to converted Jews in all parts of the world, seems to have been written in the

year 61.

Peter, the author of the two epistles which come next in order, was a native of Bethsaida, on the coast of the sea of Galilee, and, with his brother Andrew, became one of the first and most faithful followers of Jesus. His letters, though dated from Babylon, are generally understood to have been written at Rome, to which city both he and the apostle John gave, because of its size, its wickedness, and, as they believed, its approaching ruin, the name of Babylon. Both letters are addressed to the strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, &c., by which is meant the Jews who had settled in these different provinces, and of whom multitudes had been present at Jerusalem, at the Feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost was given to the twelve. The first epistle was written in the year of our Lord, 63; the second in 65,- the same year in which St. Peter suffered martyrdom.

The same John, whom the Evangelists describe as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," wrote the three next epistles, all of which bear his name. The first hardly deserves to be called an epistle. It is not addressed to any church, or to any person or persons in particular. It is rather a treatise, from the study of which, believers all over the world might derive edification; and there is no controversy in it, in the proper meaning of that term. The second, inscribed to "the elect lady,"

THE EPISTLES, ETC.

259

or "to the Lady Electa," goes over the same ground as the first, only in fewer words. The third was written to a person called Gaius, to caution him against the designs of one Diotrephes, and to commend Demetrius to his friendship. We are not able to say in what city these persons lived, or of what church they were members.

All St. John's epistles seem to have been written about the same time; namely, between the year 68, and the close of the first century. But the exact date of each cannot now be fixed.

Jude, or Judas, the author of the concluding epistle, was the same disciple who, at the last supper, put to our Lord the memorable question, "How is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not unto the world?" He appears to have survived all his fellowlabourers, except John; and wrote his epistle, which is a general one, about the year 70.

Of the Book of Revelation it is unnecessary to say more, than that it seems to have been compiled in the year 96, or 97, from visions granted to the Apostle while he worked in the mines at Patmos, whither the Emperor Domitian banished him nine years previously. It describes the Church as having already suffered persecution, and as destined to be tried again and again in various ways; and while it praises societies which had remained faithful, it threatens the weak and the wavering with total loss of Divine light. It is in many of its passages darkened still by the mists of the future.

I subjoin a list of terms which occur in the New Testament, with an explanation of each.

The day of twelve hours always begins at six in the evening: "the evening and the morning were the day."

A Pharisee.

PERSONS.

A separatist, who claimed to be peculiarly holy, and held the traditions to be of equal value with the written Scriptures.

A Sadducee.

One who rejected the traditions, and denied the existence of angels and spirits, and the possibility of a resurrection.

Essenes. Fanatics, who abjured marriage, dwelt in communities by themselves, had all their goods in common, and reared and brought up orphan children. Herodians. Persons who made their religion conform to the times, and flattered Herod.

Priests, Chief Priests. The descendants of Aaron, who ministered about holy things.

Samaritans. A race made up of many tribes, who accepted the five Books of Moses, and worshipped Jehovah on Mount Gerizim, where they once had a temple.

Zelots. Persons who under pretence of zeal for the Law, were ready to commit murder, or any

other crime.
Elders.
of seventy.
Officers.

Members of the Sanhedrim or council

Sheriffs, bailiffs, executioners.

Israelites, such as Nicodemus. lineal descent from Jacob.

A Gentile circum

Hebrew of Hebrews. · The same. Proselyte of the Covenant. cised and admitted into the Church of the Temple, Proselyte of the Gate.-A Gentile who worshipped Jehovah, but had not been circumcised. Libertines. - Freed men of Rome, who, whether circumcised or not, worshipped Jehovah in their own synagogues.

Nazarenes. Jews who professed Christianity. Apostles. Men sent by the Lord to preach his gospel. Twelve were called by himself: St. Paul was afterwards added to their number,

Deacons. Officers ordained by the Apostles to attend to the poor. They also preached and baptized.

Angels of Churches. The Bishops or Chief Pastors.

Presbyters or Elders. Pastors of Churches. Procurators. Presidents or governors of provinces, sent from Rome.

-

Tetrarchs. Persons who governed four provinces each.

Proconsuls. Deputies of Provinces.

Chief-Captain.

The governor of a post, or com

mander of a division or small army.

Centurion. A military commander of a hundred

men.

AA 3

Publicans. Tax-gatherers, appointed by the

Roman government.

CHAP. XLIII.

THE GOSPELS ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW, ST. MARK, ST. LUKE, AND ST. JOHN.

BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AND OF CHRIST.

B. C. 1.-IT was in the year from the creation of the world 4004, from the building of Rome 753, when Augustus Cæsar swayed the imperial sceptre, and Herod, surnamed the Great, filled the tributary throne of Judah, that a priest named Zacharias, while attending to his course of duty in the temple, was favoured by an extraordinary visitation. An angel of God stood before him and said that his wife, Elizabeth, should have a son that the child so born should go before the face of the Lord to prepare his way, and that the name of John should be conferred upon him. Now Zacharias was an old man, and his wife Elizabeth, who had never borne a child, had likewise advanced far into years. Like his great ancestor Abraham, under similar circumstances, he lacked faith to accept the assurance, and was told that he should continue dumb till the promise received its fulfilment. The former part of this announcement was accomplished on the instant: the tongue of Zacharias became tied, and so continued till the days were numbered, and his son John came into the world.

Meanwhile the same heavenly messenger who had warned the priest of God's purposes, was sent,