At his death, the countries over which he had reigned were divided among his three sons, but they were not allowed to take the title of kings; they were called ethnarchs or tetrarchs. Archelaus one of Herod's sons, acting with great cruelty and injustice, was, by order of Augustus, banished to Vienne in Gaul, where he died. His dominions were then reduced to a Roman province, and from this time the Jews possessed but little civil authority. Justice was administered in the name and by the laws of Rome, and taxes were paid immediately to the emperor. Several of the Roman governors severely oppressed and persecuted the Jews, and at length, in the reign of Nero they openly revolted from the Romans. Then began the Jewish war, which was terminated after an obstinate defence and unparalleled suffering, on the part of the Jews, by the total destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem, by Titus son of Vespasian the Roman emperor. Since that time the Jews have no where subsisted as a nation. Though I have endeavoured, my dear, to give you as brief an account as possible of the Jewish history, yet the subject is so interesting, that I perceive it has already occupied a much longer time than I at first intended. The history of our Saviour's ministry and the Acts of the Apostles we must therefore defer to a future opportunity: though I hardly know if these subjects require any elucidation; the facts in the New Testament being recorded in so clear a manner by the Evangelists themselves, that I think they must be intelligible even to your apprehension. I hope you will perceive that I have mentioned but very slightly some of the most interesting and important events, purposely to induce you to seek a more detailed account of them in the sacred volume itself. This inestimable treasure will I am sure furnish the most agreeable topic of many of our future conversations. You, my dear, have never been taught to consider religion as a dry and difficult study, but rather as a means of adding to the cheerful enjoyment of the many blessings bestowed upon you by the almighty giver of all good, and I trust the gratitude and piety of your future life will prove you worthy of being called a disciple of the benevolent Jesus. _Anne._ Indeed, mamma, I feel the truth of what you say, and I will endeavour to act as you wish me.--I am sure I shall have much more pleasure in reading those parts of the Bible you think proper for me, now I have some connected idea of the whole. _Mrs. Harley._ I believe you will. But good bye, my love, for the present: when you go to bed you will find the prayers you asked for on my table; there are besides two hymns which I have selected from an admirable collection. _Anne._ Thank you, mamma, I will learn to repeat them. _A Morning Prayer for a Child._