pretation. But to return to the manna, the type of the Living Manna :—

"(27) For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away: (28) that it might be known that we must prevent the sun to give Thee thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto Thee. (29) For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water."

Chapter xvii. "(1) For great are Thy judgments and cannot be expressed: therefore unnurtured souls have erred. . . . (11) For wickedness condemned by her own witness is very timorous, and being pressed with conscience always forecasteth grievous things. (12) For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth. (13) And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment. (14) For they sleeping the same sleep that night (referring to the Egyptian darkness), which was indeed intolerable, and which came to them out of the bottoms of inevitable hell (15), were partly vexed with monstrous apparitions, and partly fainted, their heart failing them: for a sudden fear, and not looked for, came upon them. . . . (21) Over them only was spread an heavy night, an image of that darkness which should afterwards receive them; but yet were they unto themselves more grievous than the darkness."

Chapter xviii. "(4) For they were worthy to be deprived of light, and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept Thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt Light of the Law was to be given unto the world. . . . (15) Thine Almighty Word leaped down, from heaven out of Thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction (16), and brought Thy unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all

things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth. . . . (20) Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness; but the wrath endured not long. (21) For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was Thy servant. (22) So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued he him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers. (23) For when the dead were seen falling down by heaps one upon another, standing between he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living. (24) For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and Thy majesty upon the diadem of his head. (25) Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath."

With this catholic efficacy of prayer it may be well to bring to a close the perusal of parts of this much neglected book, and to take up the subject from the supplement to it recorded in the Book of Ecclesiasticus.

CHAPTER IV.

THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTICUS.

...

Chapter i. "(1) All Wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with Him for ever. (2) Who can number the sand of the earth, and the deep and Wisdom? (4) Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of Prudence from everlasting. (5) The Word of God Most High is the fountain of Wisdom and Her ways are everlasting commandments. . . . (8) There is One wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon His throne He created Her, and saw Her, and numbered Her, and poured Her out upon all His works. (10) She is with all flesh according to His gift, and He hath given Her to them that love Him. (11) The fear of the Lord is honour and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing. (12) The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life. (13) Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death. (14) To fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb. (15) She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and She shall continue with their seed. (16) To fear the Lord is fulness of Wisdom, and filleth men with Her fruits. (17) She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with Her increase. (18) The fear of the Lord is a crown of Wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish;

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both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love Him. (19) Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalted them to honour that hold Her fast. (20) The root of Wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life. (21) The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turned away wrath. (22) A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction. (23) A patient man will bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall spring up unto him. (24) He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his Wisdom. (25) The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of Wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner. (26) If thou desire Wisdom keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give Her unto thee. (27) For the fear of the Lord is Wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are His delight. (28) Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor and come not unto Him with a double heart. (29) Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest. (30) Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit."

Chapter ii. "(1) My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation. (2) Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble. (3) Cleave unto Him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end. (4) Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate. (5) For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. (6) Believe in Him, and He will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in Him. (7) Ye that

fear the Lord wait for His mercy.

(10) Look at the generations of old and see; did any ever trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in His fear, and was forsaken? or whom did He ever despise that called upon Him? (11) For the Lord is full of compassion, and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and loveth in time of affliction. (12) Woe be to timorous hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that goeth two ways! (13) Woe unto him that is faint-hearted! for he believeth not; therefore shall he not be defended. (14) Woe unto you that have lost patience! and what shall ye do when the Lord shall visit you? (15) They that fear the Lord will not disobey His Word; and they that love Him will keep His ways. (16) They that fear the Lord will seek that which is well-pleasing unto Him: and they that love Him shall be filled with the law. (17) They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in His sight. (18) Saying: We will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men: for as is His majesty, so is His mercy."

Chapter iii. "(1) Hear Me, your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe. (2) For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons. (3) Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins: (4) and he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure. (5) Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard. (6) He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother. (7) He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters. (8) Honour thy father and mother, both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them. (9) For the blessing of the