These two sets quarrelled so much that they allowed a fierce strange nation to come in and make themselves their masters. These were the Romans, whose city was Rome, in Italy. They were fierce soldiers, and wanted to make the world all their own. [Illustration: THE ANGEL APPEARS UNTO ZACHARIAS.--Luke 1:12, 13.] [Illustration: THE ANGEL APPEARS UNTO MARY.--Luke 1:35.] One of their generals, whose name was Pompey, was so daring that he forced his way into the Holy of Holies, where no one was allowed to go but the High Priest once a-year. He was disappointed to find nothing there, only an empty chamber, without any image or likeness; and the Jews were much grieved and distressed. It was always said that nothing ever went well with Pompey afterwards. [Illustration: THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM] [Illustration: THE PROPHECY OF ELIZABETH AND OF MARY.--Luke 1:39-45.] QUESTIONS. 1. What sin had the Jews left off? 2. But were they grown good? 2. Who were the two parties? 4. What was amiss with the Pharisees? 5. What would not the Sadducees believe? 6. What came of their quarrels? 7. What sort of people were the Romans? 8. Where was their home? 9. What did they want to conquer? 10. Where did their general make his way? 11. What was the Holy of Holies? 12 What did he find there? 13. Why was there no image there? 14. What commandment forbids the worshipping any image? 15. Who alone was allowed to go into the holy place? 16. How often? 17. What was said of Pompey after he broke in? [Illustration] SECOND READING. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest.--_Luke 1:32._ THE Romans set up a strange king over the Jews. His name was Herod, and he was an Edomite--that is, a descendant of Jacob's brother Esau. He believed in the true God, and began to make the Temple much more beautiful than it had been since it had been built up after the Jews came back from Babylon. But he was a very wicked and cruel man, who killed his own wife, and made everybody afraid of him; and the Jews were very unhappy under him. [Illustration: THE BIRTH OF JOHN.--Luke 1:62-64.] They had one hope, and that was, that it was just about the time when God had promised to send a Holy One into the world to save them and set them free; and they thought He would be a great, mighty king, like David, who would conquer Herod, and drive away the Romans, and have a crown and throne brighter than Solomon's.