the Old and New Testament Scriptures. Jehovah is represented as married to the Jews or his people. "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord, for I am married unto you." Jer. iii. 14. "Fear not, for thy Maker is thy husband." Isa. liv. 1-6. See also Jer. ii. 2; Ezek. xvi. 8-14; Isa. lxii. 4, 5; Hos. ii. 19, 20. In accordance with the same allegorical mode of speaking the transgressions, and especially the apostasies and idolatries of the Jewish people are represented under the figure of violation of the marriage vows, adultery, playing the harlot, &c. "And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery, she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks." Jer. iii. 1 14. "Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers." v. 1. See Ezek. xxiii ; Hos. ii. &c. After the same figure, the casting off or rejection of Israel is represented as a divorce. "I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce." Jer. iii. 8; Isa. l. 1.

12. In the New Testament the same language is employed, to set forth the union between Christ and his church. The holy Jerusalem is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife." Rev. xxi. 2, 9, 10; xxii. 17. So in chap. xix. 7; "The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready," and in verse 9 ; " Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." This is in harmony with the parable in Matt. xxii. 2-13, where the Gospel, or the gospel kingdom, is

represented as a marriage supper, of which the faithful followers of Christ partook, while the wicked Jews and false professors were cast out. See also, Eph. v. 22-33. Let us be faithful and devoted disciples of Christ, that we may be admitted to the marriage supper, the gospel feast, and partake of the hopes and joys therein provided for every true believer.

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER XII.

1.2. How was marriage regarded among the Jews? What of those who remained unmarried? What reason is mentioned for this feeling? What passage of Isaiah sets forth the strength of this feeling? In what way was a wife selected in early times? Give an example. How did Samson and Shechem proceed, when they saw the woman they loved?

3. 4. In what light did marriage seem to be regarded? What was the husband required to do? What was the language of Shechem to Jacob and his sons, when seeking Dinah for a wife? What other example is named. How much did Hosea pay for his wife? What was done when the man was unable to pay money?

How long did Jacob

Name examples.

serve for his wives? Where is this custom still continued? What is thought of a man who has many daughters ? What is said of polygamy? How was it in the time of Solomon? concubines used in the Scriptures? What is said of the children of concubines or inferior wives?

How is the word

5. 6. At what age were females generally married? What is said of the time between betrothment and actual

marriage? How was she regarded by law and custom during this interval? When the time of marriage arrived what took place? How long did the marriage festival continue? What instances are mentioned as proof of this? How were the parties disposed of during this time? What method of amusement was practised at Samson's wedding? Can you give the substance of the riddle?

7. 8. 9. What occurred on the last day or evening of the festival? In what parable is this scene well set forth? Can you give the substance of the extract illustrative of this parable? What took place after the procession reached the house? What is said respecting the dress of those who partook of this? By whom was this furnished? In what light was the conduct of those who entered without a wedding garment regarded? Will you explain the reason of the confusion of the man who had not on a wedding garment in the parable of the marriage supper? Why was he treated with such severity? What is meant by outer darkness? What is the meaning of the phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth"? Who are represented by the man without a wedding garment? Can you give a modern example of furnishing guests with dresses? Among what ancient nation beside the Jews was this common?

10. What is said of the expense of these festivals? What is said of a marriage at Constantinople in 1612? What is the substance of the extract touching marriages in India? What passage in Scripture seems to furnish an explanation of this? What custom among the Arabs is similar to this? What do the facts mentioned teach us respecting hospitality and charity?

11. 12. What of allegories and figures derived from marriage? Give an example. How does this seem to

explain the accusations brought by God against the Jews of breaking the marriage vows, playing the harlot, &c. Give the quotation from Jeremiah. What is the meaning of the passage from Jer. iii. 1? What is meant by Israel's being divorced? How is the marriage relation employed in the New Testament, in the way of figure? Give some passages. What does the marriage supper represent in Rev. xix. 9. Matt. xxii. 2-13? What should we learn from this?

CHAPTER XIII.

The Condition of Children and Slaves.

1. SOMETHING has already been said touching the reproach of being childless, and the sin of remaining unmarried. This feeling received strength also from the fact, that it was considered highly honorable to have one's name handed down, in a long succession of sons, from generation to generation. It became, therefore, a matter of great importance to every one, that the genealogy of the house or family should not stop in his person, and thus disappoint the hopes of his ancestors, and cut off the glory of their name. From this feeling, also, came in part the strange custom, which required a man to marry his brother's widow, if he died without children. Deut. xxv. 5-10: Matt. xxii. 23 - 27.

2. The ceremonies observed on the birth of a child, may be learned from Levit. xii. After a certain period, the mother was required to make an offering of a lamb, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove; or, if she were not able to offer a lamb, then two turtle-doves, or two pigeons. It was an evidence of the poverty of Joseph and Mary, that they brought as an offering, on the birth of the child Jesus, only "a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons." Luke ii. 22-24.