These great Egyptian rulers, in all their magnificence and power, had no Gospel in their day, and can preach no Gospel to those who gaze wonderingly upon their remains, so strangely brought to light. Much as we should like to hear the tale they could unfold of a civilization of which we seem to know so much, and yet in reality know so little, on all these questions they are for ever silent. But they utter a weighty message to all whose temptation now is to lose sight of the future in the present, of the eternal by reason of the temporal. They show how fleeting and unsubstantial are even the highest earthly rank and wealth and influence; and how true is the lesson taught by him who knew all that Egypt could teach, and much that God could reveal, and whose life is interpreted for us by the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward."[10] [Illustration] Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St. Martin's Lane, London. FOOTNOTES: [1] Prov. iv. 18. [2] Eph. ii. 13. [3] Acts xvii. 30, 31. [4] Rawlinson's "History of Ancient Egypt," Vol. II., pp. 240-243. [5] Rawlinson's "History of Ancient Egypt," Vol. II., p. 253. [6] Brugsch, "History of Egypt," Vol. II., p. 57, 1st ed. [7] Rawlinson's "Ancient Egypt," Vol. II., p. 318. [8] "History of Architecture," Vol. I., p. 113. [9] 1 Peter i. 24, 25. [10] Heb. xi. 24-26. BY-PATHS OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE. Under this general title THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY purposes publishing a Series of Books on subjects of interest connected with the Bible, not adequately dealt with in the ordinary Handbooks. The writers will, in all cases, be those who have special acquaintance with the subjects they take up, and who enjoy special facilities for acquiring the latest and most accurate information. Each Volume will be complete in itself, and, if possible, the price will be kept uniformly at _half-a-crown_. The Series is designed for general readers, who wish to get in a compact and interesting form the fresh knowledge that has been brought to light during the last few years in so many departments of Biblical study. Intelligent young readers of both sexes, Sunday-school teachers, and all Bible students will, it is hoped, find these Volumes both attractive and useful. The order of publication will probably be as follows, the titles in some cases being provisional: =I. CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE.= A History of the Obelisk on the Embankment, a Translation and Exposition of the Hieroglyphics, and a Sketch of the two kings, whose deeds it commemorates. By Rev. JAMES KING, M.A., Authorized Lecturer to the Palestine Exploration Fund. (_Now ready._)