“Only begin your discourse,” said Myron, “and I promise you to listen, as the Hellenic nation listened to Herodotus, when he recited his history at the Olympic games. A Greek of Athenian blood, a pupil as I boast myself to be of the Alexandrian philosophy, knows no greater pleasure than to acquire knowledge, wherever he may find it. Pythagoras travelled into the east, and Plato visited Egypt and Italy. Conversation is the life of life; and a discourse which is regularly renewed should have some fixed object, by which it may be resumed at each successive opportunity. Do us then this favour, and relate the history of your nation.” Helon had been sitting absorbed in thought on what he had heard from his uncle. “What a noble subject,” he now exclaimed, “for our conversation on our pilgrimage to the Passover! What an excellent preparation for the momentous times which are approaching! Truly, ‘days should speak and length of years give understanding.’ How profound is the discernment of those ‘whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditate upon it day and night!’ Begin then, dearest uncle, and speak of the glories of our forefathers.” “Youths,” said Elisama, “I will not refuse your request, though ye praise me too much. I call to mind the psalm of Asaph, which I will rehearse to thee, Myron: Give ear, O my people, to my teaching! Incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in parables; I will declare the histories of old, Which we have known and heard, Which our fathers have told us That we might not hide them from their children, Showing to the generation to come the praise of Jehovah, His strength, and the wonders he hath done. He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which he commanded our fathers That they should make known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the sons which should be born; That when grown up they might declare them to their children, That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, And keep his commandments.—Ps. lxxviii.