All present congratulated the venerable pair, and Iddo continued, “Why didst not thou, Selumiel, bring thy wife and Sulamith, who is lovelier than the fairest rose of Jericho? A prize for some fortunate youth, for as Solomon has said, ‘A virtuous wife is more precious than pearls.’” “What would Israel be,” said Elisama, as the sounds of festivity from the adjacent apartments penetrated into theirs, “what would Israel be without the festivals of Jehovah? Here we are all assembled before the Lord, to praise his faithfulness which is great, and his mercy which is renewed every morning. What compared with these are the Grecian games at Olympia and Nemea? Would that Myron were here! We children of Israel are _one_ people; we have _one_ God, and _one_ city of the Lord; and every Jew in Egypt, Asia, Syria, and Chaldea, always turns his eyes in his prayers towards this one place. Think, my friends, that while so many hundreds of thousands are assembled in Jerusalem, millions in the remotest countries, into which our people has been scattered, cast longing looks this evening towards us, envying us our joy, and desiring nothing more, than to to be in the Holy City and in the courts of Jehovah! I only regret that Gerizim and Leontopolis——” “Hush,” interposed Iddo, “to-day speak only of pleasing subjects. Our prince has subdued the rebellious daughter Gerizim. Jehovah ceases not to concern himself with the injuries of Joseph.” “The prophet,” replied Elisama, “has declared that all the nations of the earth shall be united in the valley of Jehoshaphat, and when the Messiah comes the sceptre of Judah shall be extended over the whole earth.” “Hyrcanus stands beside the altar,” said another of the company, “and the family of the Maccabees is flourishing. Who knows whether the Messiah will not speedily appear from among them?” “No,” said Elisama, “the Messiah must come from the family of David, and the Maccabees are Levites of the family of Jojarib. The Jewish people and the priests consented that Simon should be their prince and high-priest, till God raise up the true prophet unto them. The Messiah, therefore, will not be a Maccabee though Hyrcanus unites in himself the three offices to which he will be anointed. But would that he who is promised were come! His way is prepared; Israel is once more free, and a people. What would I give, if in my grey hairs I might yet be permitted to behold him! What a glorious passover will that be, when He keeps it with us, in Baris or on Zion, and his people accompany him with palm branches and Hosannas! I envy you, Helon, for you may live to see that day.” “It will be a happy day,” said Helon, “but not more happy than this.” The old men smiled at his enthusiasm, and rejoiced that among the youth of Israel there should be such joy in keeping the festivals of Jehovah.