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s
NEW COMPENDIUM
OF
SACRED HISTORY
niEPAllED FOR
THE USE OF SCHOOLS
BY
1113 Brclhors of the Christian Schools.
liUiory 19 tlie Gr^t master \V«t sno
thnt shouUl b© BiTCn to
MONTUEAL J
ZQ CpTTE STREET.
..1.11 'irtii^iT--^ ■^-'—
We hereby approve of tiie pubUcation of thia " Gom*
pendlum of Soored History. "
t^t C. F. Archuishop of Quebec.
Quebec, February 8th, 1869.
Entered accordi').? tc Act of tho Parliament of Canada
in the year ono thousnnl ei<;ht hundred and sixty-nine,
by B. !•:. (.1. io the Oilujo of tho Minister of Agriculture.
^^i<^
PREFACE.
A little compendium of Sacred History is,
unquestionably, one of the first books that
should be placed in the hands of children.
Therein they will learn not only an interest-
ing series of events, but, what is incompar-
ably of more moment, they will learn to love
and reverence their Creator whose all-wise
providence and omnipotent power, so strik-
ingly manifest in every episode of biblical
history, can not fail to elicit the adiiii ration
of their mind and the hc^^age of their heart.
If to this we add that the impressions of
early age linger in the memory, when the
reminiscences of many subse(}uent periods
have been long forgotten and thai tlioy
descend the stream of life a ythe [)re-
pious heirloom of primal years^ tlui ^leat
PREFACii.
huportanoo of a study so prcduotive of lifelong
results, will be at onvce apparent.
The little Compendium now offered to youth,
has been diligently compiled from authentio
sources, and is intended for the use of element-
ary classes. Care has been taken to render the
answers clear, simple, and concise, as also to in-
tersperse the narrative with reflections naturally
suggested by the incidents therein related.
In order to render this little text-book as
complete as possible, an epiloinizcd account of
the evangelical labors of the Apostles, has been
added to the history of the New Testament.
The Chronological Table with which it closes,
may be of some service to the young learner, who
will there find, arranged in the order of their
occurrence, a brief summary of the principal
events recorded in the Bible,
(^uebeo, Januai^« 199?,
COMPENDIUM
SACRED HISTORY
INTRODUCTION.
Question. What is History ?
Answer. History is a written account of past
events.
Q. How is History divided ?
A. With respect to time, History is divided
into Ancient and Modern ; and with respect to
the nature of its subjects, it is distinguished as
Sacred, ProAine, Ecclesiastical, and Civil.
Q. AVhat docs Ancient History comprise ?
A. Ancient History comprises the events that
occnrrcd from the Creation to the early days
of (^linstinnity. ^
Q. What docs Modern History comprise?
A. Modern History comprises all the events
6 8ACRCD BISTORT.
that havo occurred since the early dajs u'
Christianity to the present time.
Q. Of what docs Civil History treat ?
A, Civil History treats of the laws, customs,
and government of nations together with the
wars they have carried on, the revolutions they
have undergone, and the other remarkable
events that characterize the period of their
existence.
Q. What is Ecclesiastical History ?
A. Ecclesiastical History is the history of
the Christian Church.
Q. What is Profane History ?
A. Profane History is the history of the
ancient heathen nations.
Q. What is Sacred History ?
A. Sacred History is the narrative of events
contained in the Bible.
Sacrod History is the moet ancient, the most certain,
and the most useful of all. It is the most ancient, because
it was written at a much earlier period than any other ;
it is the most certain, because it was written by men in-
spired of God ; it is the most useful, because it teacbei^
the existence of God, proclaims His infinite fierfections,
and reveals the mtv^ necessary to attain eternal lift.
I It
riRdi fciui u.
t
Q. How ifl (ho Biblo divided ?
A. The Biblo is divided into tho Old and
the New Testament.
In biblical langunge, the term Testament is employed to
ezprosB the Covenant of (Jod with men. The old Covenant
made with Abraham and renewed on Sinai through the
ministry of MoBOdf respected especially the inheritance of
the promised laud as well as the temporal blessings con-
nected therewith, and was but a type or representation of
the great truths and b'essings which the new Covenaiit,
that iSf the Christian dispensation, unfolds and conTeya.
The Bible contains seventy -two books, forty -five of
which belong to the Old Testament ; and the remaining
twenty-seven, to the New.
Q. Who wore tho principal writers of tho
Old Testament ?
A. Moses, David^ and the prophets.
Q. Into how many epochs may the history
of the Old Testament be divided ?
A. Into eight principal epochs.
FIRST EPOCH,
From tho Creation, B. C. 4004, to the
Deluge, B. C. 2348.
Q. How did God create the world?
■K
I
• AACRID BISTOftT.
A. Ood crcntcd the world out of nothing by
an act of His all-powerful will.
Q. In how many days was the world created ?
A. The world was created in six days.
God, who exists from nil etornitj, wishing to makt
nimself known in course of time, commenced this mnn*
ifestation by creating, that is, forming from nothing tht
heaTens, the earth, and all that they contain.
The iiz ilays employed in creating the uniyerse, are
generally coi.sidcroil to be indefinite periods of time.
Q. What did God create the first day ?
A. The first day, God created light. lie
enid : " Let there be light, " and immediately
Jight was made.
Q. What did God make on the second day ?
A. On the second day, God made the fir-
mament.
The firmament Is ♦he incomj)«nFiiraMc space thaterery
where surroi.r.l<t iit it is co^;Qioriiy called the sky, or
the heavens.
Q. What did God on the third day ?
A. On the tlvAi day, God separated the dry
lan*^ n-om the waters, and endowed it with
fertility.
The earth, -whloh haa hitherto been covered with water*
rillHt KIM)CJI.
9
waa novf partially separated thorefrom ; t)ie watpn were
gathered together into one place, and wore called the
sea; God then coininandod the e trth to produce plant*
and fruit-trees of every kind.
Q. What did God m;iko the fourth day ?
A. The fourth day, God mado the sun,
moon, and stars.
A .-ingle act of divine will was 9utBcient not only to eall
into existence those houvenly bodies whose number, sixe,
and relative distances, are for us a subject of wonder and
aduiiratioD; but also to impart movement Lo them, and to
trace their circling paths through the fields of space.
Q. What did God create on the fifth day ?
A, On the fifth day, God created the birds
of the air and the fislies of the deep.
Q. What did God on the sixth day?
A. On the sixth day, after creating the
beasts of the earth, God completed His great
work by the creation of Adam, the first man.
While Gk>d displays His bountiful omnipotence in mak-
ing man the masterpiece of creation, the king and pontiff
of the universe, He exhibits the infinite resources of His
boundless power in the number and variety of the animal
creation, from the lion that makes the forest ring with his
mighty roar to the faithful dog that solicits for his afflicted
master the oompassion of the rich.
Q. What did God on the seventh day ?
B ^.- 1. I. -I ijm
f
iM
H
lAOBED HTStOftt.
A. On the seventh day, God rested, thai ir,
ceased the work of creation.
Q. When were the angels created ?
A. The Scriptures do not explicitly say when ;
but it is generally believed that they were
created at the beginning of time.
' The number of the angela is beyond computation. They
were created in a state of grace and sanctity ; but many, ut
the instigation of Lucifer, rebelled against their Creator
and were oast into hell.
Q. How did God create man ?
A. He formed his body out of the slime of
the earth, and infused therein a soul created to
His own image and likeness.
Q. How was Eve created ?
A. Her body vas formed out of one of
Adam*s ribs ; and her soul, like that of Adam,
was created to the imago and likeness of God.
Qod, wishing to give a companion to Adam, cast bira
into a profound sleep during which lie took out one of his
ribs and with it formed the body of the first womnn,
who is called Eve, that is, mother of the living. This
mysterious sleep prefigured the death of Jesus Christen
the cross, for then it was that the Church was formed by
our divine ^^avlor to be the mother of those who wish to
MTve God " in spirit and in trutlu"
nsST B^OOB.
II
Q. In what is man like nnto God ?
A. Man is like unto God in his soul, which
is an immortal spirit capable of knowing and
loving Him.
Q. In what state were Adam and Eve cre-
ated ?
A. They were created in a state of innocence
and happiness. %
Q. Where did €k)d place oar first parents ?
A. God placed our first parents in a delight-
ful garden, called the Terrestrial Paradise.
Q. Did they long remain there ?
A. No ; for they soon forfeited their right to
dwell therein.
Q. How did they forfeit their right to Par-
adise ?
A. They forfeited their right to Paradise by
eating the forbidden fruit.
Q. Who forbade them to eat of this fruit ?
A. God Himself made this prohibition, in
order to test their obedience.
Q. How did they come to disobey?
A. The devil, who had been oMt out of
! I
1 I
I !
i
12
SACRED BISTORT.
Heaven in punishment of his rebclliotis pride,
jealous of their happiness, resolved, if possible,
to destroy both them and their posterity.
Q. How did he effect his wicked purpose ?
A. Disguised in the form of a serpent, ho
addressed himself to Eve, and, by the most
alluring promises, incited her to eat of the fruit.
Q. Did Eve yield to the serpent*s crafty
Busrsestion?
•OJ?"
A. Yes ; seduced by the flattering promises
of the tempter, she eat of the fatal fruit and
persuaded Adam to eat of it also.
We might, perhaps, wonder that Ere \b neither afraid
nor surprised to hear the serpent speak; but we should
remember first, that before the fall, the animals were not
noxious to mnn; and ■••®D<Wy» that Eye being but newly
created, may have ignored that the serpent was not nat-
urally endowed with speech.
Q. How did God punish the disobedience of
Adam and Eve ?
A. He summoned them into His presence
and reproached them with their crime ; He then
cursed the serpent, and condemned man to
earn his bread by the sweat of his brow until
li!
FIRST EPOCH.
13
f{ pride,
possible,
rpose?
pent, he
he most
he fruit.
8 crafty
promises
ruit and
hor afraid
we should
Is were not
but newly
as not nat-
idience of
presence
; He then
man to
ho should return to dust whence he had been
taken.
Q. What thcnbo ell ;the unhappy pair ?
A. They were banished from the Terrestrial
Paradise, and an anjrcl with a flaming sword,
was placed at the entrance to prevent their
return.
Temble wore the effects of their prevarication : they
were condemned to drag out a painful existence until
death relieved thorn from all the miseries of life; their
soul was clouded with ignorance, and their will inclined
to evil ; Heaven was shut against them and their poster-
ity until full atonement should be made for their trans-
grcssioD.
Q. Did God leave our first parents without
hope ?
A, No ; He promised ttiat from the woman
should be born a Savior, who should crush the
serpent's head, that is to say, who should de-
stroy the empire of the devil and deliver man-
kind from the bondage of sin.
Thus from the beginning of the world, God announced
the Redeemer, who, in the )>lcnitude of tin)e, should be
born of the immaculate Virgin Mary. What goodness and
mercy 1
irow until I Q* Why did Qod pot sepd the Hedcemer
fcaMpaamwiawi
u
BACKED HISTOftV.
1 I
! »
fi
immediately after the transgression of our first
parents ?
A. That ('.uring a lonj* trial men might feel
their utter weakness, and their great need of a
Redeemer.
Q. Who were the first children of Adam ?
A. The first children of Adam were Cain
and Abel.
Q. What does the Scripture say of Cain ?
A. The Scripture says that Cain was the
first son of Adam, that he offered to God the
first-fruits of the earth, that his sacrifice was not
acceptable to God, and that, through jealousy,
he killed his brother Abel, B. C. 3875.
Q. What punishment did God inflict on
Cain?
A. Cain was cursed by God and made a
fugitive over the face of the earth.
Q. What does the Scripture say of Abel ?
A. The Scripture says that Abel was Adam's
second son, that he offered to God the first-born
of his flocks, that his sacrifice was agreeable to
^e Lord, that he was put to ^Qnth by hi^
riBST ■FOOH.
16
brother, and that his blood cried to Heaven for
vengeance. ^
Cain prefigured the wicked, who by perseoating the good
and faithful, draw down upon themsolves the wrath of
God. Abel was a liTely figure of Jesus Christ wHo was
ignominiously put to death by the Jews, and of all who
suffer persecution for the confession of their faith. The
bluod of Jesus Christ, howerer, instead of orying to Heaven,
like that of Abel for yengeanoe» incessantly oalls aloud
for pardon and mercy.
Q. What is said of Adam and Eve after their
expulsion from Paradise ?
A. They sincerely repented of their sin, and
appeased the justice of God by a rigorous and
lifelong penance.
Q. When did Adam die ?
A. Adam died three thousand and seventy-
four years before the coming of Christ, at the
a<j!;e of nine hundred and thirty years. Nothing
certain is known of the death of Eve.
Tradition tells us that the father of the human race waa
buried on Calvary, where, three thousand years later, the
cross of Christ was planted.
The unhappy fate of our first parents, is a terrible in-
stance of the rigor with which Qod punishes the traof-
grusBors of His commandments.
Q. Who was Seth ?
16
8ACRED HISTORY.
A. Seth was the third son of Adam, and the
father of a holy raoe.
Q. Who were the descendants of Seth hefore
the deluge ?
A. Enos, Cainan, Enoch, Mathusalem, and
Lamech.
Kno8 insUtuted sereral ooremonies of religions worship ;
Enoch " ple&sed God/' and was carried up to heaven,
whence he shall come towards the end of the world to
preach penance to the nations of the earth ; Mathusalotn
is remarkable for the longevity of hid life ; Lamech, spealc-
ing of the general corruption of mankind, announced that
Koe, hi» son, would bo instrumental in tb i hands of Qod
for the formation of a new people.
Q. What name do the descendants of Seth
receive in Scripture ?
A. The descendants of Seth are known in
Scripture as the children of God ; whereas the
descendants of Cain, walking in the footsteps of
their wicked progenitor, were called the chil-
dren of men.
Q. Did the descendants of Seth always re-
nfvain faithful to God ?
A. For a longtime th^ did; but finally
(bej formed alUa&oei with the raoe of Cain,
SECOND IPOCH.
17
and ih»
h before
lem, and
us vowhip ;
, to heaven,
the world to
^athusxlotD
lech, speak-
lounced that
lands of God
its of Seth
, known in
hereas the
botsteps of
d the chil-
B re-
»nd gradually becoming depraved, forgot the
fidelity they owed their Creator.
As is seen in this instance, bad company is a most per-
nicious evil ; it is a rock on which thousands of unfortunate
souls have been irreparably lost. All the bulwarks of
innocence are promptly subverted by evil company ; the
pious, simple, and innocent, gradually turn away from
virtue, stifle the cry of conscience, and plunge headlong
into vice. How dreadful are the efifeets of bad company 1
Q. How did God punish the general corrup-
tion of mankind f
A. By the deluge.
but finally
toe of Cain,
SECOND EPOCH,
From the Deluge, B. C. 234 8, to the Call
of Abraham, B. C. ifc)2i.
Q. What are the most remarkable events of
tlu* f-econd epoch?
A. The most remarkable events of this epoch
are the deluge, the preservation of Noe and
\m fniuily, the building of the Tower of Babel,
niid the dispersion of mankind.
Q. When did the deluge take plaoe ?
rp
BUP PW - i—
18
iiCBSD UI3TOUY.
!i:
8ii
A. The deluge occurred one thousand ah
hundred apd fifty-six years) after the croution
oi' the world.
Q. Ilud mankind been threatened with so
grcut a chastisement ?
A. Yes ; for nearly a hundred years previous,
God, by means of Noc, repeatedly called thciu
to repentance ; but, being wedded to their pas-
sions, they scorned his advertisements and con-
tinued in their evil ways.
Strange as tho ioBonsibility of theeo antediluyians may I
appear, the same indifference and supine neglect, mny
still be seen in the world. God threatens the impenitentl
sinner with everlasting death, and the sinner, enhardonc(i|
in his transgressions, disregards the menace of tho Al-
mighty ; he passionately seeks the empty and llectingl
pleasures of earth, and forgets the pure and never-endiogl
joys of Heaven. Strange and woful infatuation I
Q. What was the ark ?
A. Tho ark was a very spacioua vessel ^vhicbl
was built by Noe according to the dimensions hc|
received from God.
It was 300 eubita in length, 50 in breath, and 30 ii
height ; that ii, about 547 feet long, 92 feet broad, and
64 feet high.
Q. llow many persona were there in thel
trk?
8BC0VD KPOCB.
19
A. There wore eight persons in the ark, Noo
and his wife with his three sons and their wives.
Q. What else did God command Noe to taJLO
with him into the ark ?
A. God commanded him to take a certain
number of the different species of boasts and
fowls.
Q. What happened when Noe had shut him-
self up in the ark ?
A. The rain poured down in torrents during
forty days and forty nights ; the waters grad-
ually rose and covered the tops of the highest
mountains, so that every living creature perished
except those that were in the ark.
The ark is an admirable figure of the Church, which has
ever triumphantly risen above the furious storms that
pagan persecutors and impious potentates raised against
her. All the nation:; of tho earth have found a refuge
within her bosom, — that holy sanctuary outside of which no
salvation can be found.
Q. Where did the ark rest ?
A; The ark rested on Mount Ararat, in
Armenia. ^
Q. What was Noe*8 first act on quitting the
ark?
A. Noe's first net on quitting the ark, was
20
BACKED HI8T0RT.
I ' I
111':
¥•
to offer a sacrifice to God in thanksgiving for
the miraculous prcscrvatiou o^ himself and his
\mily.
Q. What did God then form with Noo ?
A. Pleased with his sacrifice, God promised
hat He would never again destroy the world
)y water, and assigned the rainhow as a mark
of the covenant which He then formed with
Noc and his posterity,
Q. What wa9 the conduct of Noe*8 sons after
the deluge ?
A. Sera and Japhet lived in the fear of God ;
but Cham, forgetful of the respect due to his
rather, drew down upon himself the displensurc
of the Almighty, and became *Jie father of an
unfortunate race.
Q. What great enterprise did the descendants
of Noe undertake before their dispersion ?
A. The descendants of Noe having rnpidly
increased, the country in which they dwelt soon
became too scanty for their numbers. Before
settling in other regions, they resolved to build
a lofty ^tower, which should serve both as a
!!■
8I00VD IPOOH.
21
rallying-point to the scattered families, /.nd as
a moouinent of their glory to posterity.
Q. How did God frustrate their extrt^vagant
desis^n ?
A. He so confused their speech, tli<«t, being
unable to understand one an other, i\ ey aban-
doned their undertakin'jr.
Q. What was this tower called ?
A. It was called Babel, that is, contusion
Q. Where was it erected ?
A. On the plains of Senaar wherf Babylon
was afterwards built.
Q. When did this event occur ?
A. Alttiost one hundred years after the
deluge, that is, two thousand two hundred and
forty-seven years before Christ.
Q. What remarkable change took place dur-
ing this age of the world ?
A. The great decrease in the duration of
human life.
Before the deluge, luea lived to a very advuneeii ago ;
thu9, Adam lived 930 years ; Jarod, 962; Alatliusaiom,
V69; and Noe, 950 ; but after that great cati:itropho the
Uf« of man wai so reduced that David, io the eighty •niuth
22
■AORBD niSTOIlT.
\i\
'I !
p«!alm, tayf : *' The d^ys of our yoars are three score
and ten."
Q. What other notable change took place ?
A. The change of food. Before the deluge,
men subsisted on the iruits of the earth ; but
after that catastrophe, God permitted them to
add the flesh of animals to their ordinary food.
Q. Did the descendants of Noo remain faith-
ful to God ?
A. Far from remaining faithful to the wor-
ship of the true God, they soon began to adore
the sun, moon, and stars, and even went so far
as to pay divine honors to animals, plants, and
statues.
Q. What did God to perpetuate true religion
on earth ?
A. He selected, amongst the most deserving,
a man, whom he destined to be the father of
a chosen race. ^-, '^
Q. Who was this extraordinary man ?
A. This extraordinary man was Abraham,
the tenth in lineal descent from Noe. /-
TniHD EPOrH.
33
iree soon
THIRD KPOCII,
From the calling of Abraham, B. C. 1021,
lo tho crossing of tho Rod Sea,
B. C. 1491.
Q. What command did God give to Abra-
A. God commanded Abraham to j];o forth
IVoin amoMMt his idolatrous kindred into the
l;uid of Canaan.
Q. Did Abraham cornplj with the diviae
behest ?
A. Yes; Abraham immediately departed ftrom
his native country, accompanied by his aged
father Tharo, Sara his wife, and Lot his nephew.
Thnrc hnvln.'; diod at Ilaran, Abraham, who was then
Eevccty-five years old, continued his journey towards
C;in:)an, xiiil thus fully accomplished the divine order
tint cotnmandod him to go forth from his "father'a
house. "
Q. AVhither was Abraham soon compelled
to L'O ?
A. Abraham was soon compelled to go into
l\L7pt, on account of a great famine that raged
in Canaan.
Q. What happened shortly after his retnra t
24
SiOBED BISTORT.
I!
W
!'i I
^
til'
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A. Lot, his nephew, separated from him ana
removed to Sodom, a wicked and corrupt city.
Q. What misfortune soon befell Lot and his
family ?
A. They were taken captive by four confed-
erate kinjrs, who invaded and plundered the
country of the Sodomites.
Q. What did Abraham on hearing of uoi »
misfortune ?
A. He armed all his servants and pursued
the invaders. Having come up with them, he
routed them in a pitched battle, and rescued
Lot and his family together with his flocks and
herds.
Q. By whom was Abraham met on his return ?
A. On his return, Abraham was met by
IV^elchisedech, king of Salem and priest of the
Most High, who blessed him and offered to
God a sacrifice of bread and wine in thanks-
giving for his victory.
This saorifioe of Melohisedeoh was a type of the Eu-
charistio sacrifioe, which was instituted by Jeaus Christ to
be offered in His Church until the end of agef .
Q. What befell Sodom in punishment of its
crimes?
THIRD EPOCH.
26
A. It was entirely consumed by fire.
Q. What circumstances preceded the de-
struction of Sodom ?
A. God, having apprised Abraham of His
intention to destroy Sodom, the holy patriarch
besought Him to spare the guilty city in case
fifty \n!&t persons should be found therein. The
Lc^Ji consented ; and, at the reiterated demand
of Abraham, promised that if even ten just per-
sons could be found, He would spare the in-
famous city.
Q. Were the ten just found in Sodom?
A. No, ten just persons could not be found
in all Sodom ; and, accordingly, the Lord sent
down fire from heaven that consumed it with
its guilty inhabitants.
If ten righteous persons would have appeased the wrath
of the Almighty and saved Sodom from destruotion, what
can not be effected in a city or in a family by personi who
are truly justj virtuous, and ploui 1
Q. Was Lot involved in the general ruin ?
A. No, for the Lord, not wishing to confound
the innocent with the guilty, had sent two
angels to warn him and his family to quit tht
city.
mmm
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ii
26
BAORBD HISTOST.
No sooner were tbey out of danger than a shower of
fire and brimstone consumed Sodom and three othor guilty
cities with their sinful inhabitants. Lot's «irifo having,
contrary to the injunction of the angels, looked back to
see the conflagration, was changed into a pillar of salt
This monumental pillar was stiU extant in the days of
Josephus, the Jewish historian, who flourished in the first
eenturj of the Christian era.
Q, In what year was Sodom destroyed ?
A. Sodom was destroyed one thousand eight
hundred and ninety-seven years before Christ.
Q. What promises did God make Abraham ?
A. God promised Abraham that his posterity
should be as numerous as the stars of heaven,
and that the Messiah should be born of his
race.
Q. How did God try Abraham's f lith ?
A. God tried Abraham's faith by command-
ing him to offer Isaac, the son of his affection
and the heir of the divine promises, in sacrifice
to Him.
Q. How did Abraham act on this trying
occasion ?
A. Ho placed his trust in the promises of God,
and obeyed without hesitation.
THIRD XPOCB.
27
Assisted by two of his servants, he made all the nec-
essary preparations, and set out on his melancholy journey.
On the third day he descried Mount Moria, the appointed
place ; and, informing his attendants that he and his son
would go some distance farther, to worship their God, he
proceeded to the spot. To the touching question of his
son respecting the victim to be offered, the holy patriarch
replied by expressing his faith that Ood Himself would
provide the saoriGco ; and, probably availed himself of
this opportunity, to acquaint him with the divine com-
mand. Isaac expressed his resignation to the will of GK>d,
and, with all the meekness of a lamb, allowed himself to
be bound and laid out as a victim on the alUa.
Q. What happened as Abraham uplifted his
ann to immolate his son ?
A. An angel called him by name, and told
him that God was satisfied with the readiness
of his obedience. On turning round, Abraham
saw, entangled in the bushes, a ram, which he
took and offered as a holocaust instead of his
son.
In this instance, Isaac waa an admirable figure of Jesui
Christ, who, loaded with His cross, ascended the steep of
Calvary, to be immolated for the salvation of the wor
The chain of Moria is composed of three hills. On one,
David built the fortress of Sion ; on a second, Solomon
erected the Temple ; and on the third, Jesus Christ con-
summated the work of our redentpti')n.
A Jewish tradition states that Adam, Abel, and Moe,
sacrificed on this mountain.
28
SACKED QISTOlir.
I
!iiii
Q. How was A.brahaui lewarded for hii
obedience ?
A. By a renewal of the promise, already
made, that the Savior of the world should be
born of his race.
Q. What was the mark of this covenant ?
A. The mark of this covenant was circumci-
sion, a rite ever afterwards observed by the Jews.
Q. In what year did Abraham die ?
A. Abraham died one thousand eight hun-
dred and twenty-one years before Christ, in the
hundred and seventy-fifth year of his age. He
was buried by his two sons iu the family sep-
ulchre, which ho had purchased of the inhab-
itants of Heth.
Q. Who was the wife of Isaac ?
A. licbecca, the grand-daughter of Nachor,
Abraham's brother.
Q. What children were born of this marriage ?
A. Two sons, Esau and Jacob.
Q. Did the two brothers always live together
in friendship ?
A. No ; Esau conceived a deadly hatred for
bis brother Jacob, who, by stratagem, robbed
i! 1
i!
THIRD EPOCH.
him of his fatlicr*s blessinj* after depriving him
of his birthri-ht, B. C. 1759.
Q. How did Jacob deprive Esau of his birth-
right?
A. Esau, who was impelled by his restless
disposition to become a hunter, returning one
day from the chase exhausted by want of food,
bosonght his brother Jacob to allow him to share
the mess of pottage which he was then prepar*
ins" ; Jacob consented on condition that Esau
would surrender his birthright, which at last he
agreed to do. ♦
Q. How did Jacob procure his father's bless-
ing?
A. Isaac, believing himself to be on the point
of death, called his son Esau and sent him out
in quest of some game, promising to give him
his blessing on his return. Meanwhile, Rebec-
ca prepared some venison according to Isaac's
liking, and told »)pcob to bring it to his father*
Isaac being blind was easily made believe that
Esau knelt before him, and was thus induced t4
give his blessing to Jacob.
Q. What did Esau on his return? ,
80
SAC USD HISTORY.
n ' \
I
''i I
A. Esaf^ learning what had taken plaoe
during his absence, conjured his father with
tears and supplications to retract what he had
done ; but the holy patriarch, knowing that
Rebecca had acted by inspiration, constantly
refused.
Q. What did Esau seeing himself deprived
for ever of his birthright ?
A. Seeing himself thus fraudulently deprived
of his birthright, Esau conceived so violent a
hatred against his brother, that he resolved to
kill him. '
Q. How was Jacob saved from his brother's
anger ?
A. By the prudent care of hi» mother Re-
becca, who, believing that time would cool
Esau's resentment, sent him to dwell with her
brother Laban, in Mesopotamia. >
V'hile joaraeying thither, he, one evening, eomposed
hinikself to sleep in Uio open oountry. During liiB .wpoae,
fee was favored with a vision which oonvinoed him that
tbo helpless and persecuted are under the immediate pro-
"'Qtion of Heaven. In his slumber, he saw a ladder
^^ Ymg from earth to heaven, and on which angels were
r>rv5>atly aaoending and descending; the Lord Himself
^;«vri^ I thereoDf and laid to him : «< I am the Lord Qod of
si
TUI UD EPOCH.
31
Abraham thy Tather, and the Ghxi of leaao ; thy seed
shall be as the dust of the earth and in theo all the tribes
f the earth shall be blessed." When Jacob awoke, h<
called the plaee Bethel that is, house of God.
Q. How was Jacob employed while in Meso
potamia ?
A. During tLc twenty-one years that Jncol
dwelt in Mesopotamia, he was eniployed in
tending the flocks of his uncle Laban, who gave
him in marriage, first his daughter Lia, and
afterwards his younger daughter Rachel.
Q. Whither did Jacob go after his long
Bojourn in Mesopotamia ?
A. He returned to his father's house in the
land of Canaan.
Jacob quitting Mesopotamia, an idolatrous countr](
teaches us to shun the companionship of those who migh\
induce as to evil, in order to attach ounselTes to thost
whose example may lead us to God and to the praoti
virtue.
Q. What did Jacob on coming near the ter
ritory inhabited by Esau ? >
A. He sent messengers to discover the dispo-
sition of his brother towards him.
Q. What answe** did they make ?
\ '■.
Hi
B3
8A0RBD RTST0R7.
m
I I
A. They told him that Esau was marching
thither at the head of four hundred men ; at
which, Jacob, who was unable to encounter such
a force, was greatly alarmed.
Q. What occurred to Jacob the night previous
to his interview with Esau ?
A. He had a vision in wliich he seemed to
wrestle with an angel, who, being nnablo to
overcome him, touched the sinew of his tigh which
immediately contracted. Jacob thus recognized the
supernatural quality of his adversary and entreated
him not to depart without blessing him
Q. What did the angel ask Jacob ?
A. The angel then asked him his name ; nnd
on being told, changed it from Jacob which
means supplanter to Israel which signifies strong
against God.
This mysterious wrestling with an aogol in human form
was directed to dispel Jacob's fears and to inspire him
with confidence, inasmuch as he might hope to orercome
his fellow-men since he was enabled to struggle with a
heavenly spirit.
Q. What did Jacob wben he saw his brother
approaching ?
n
THIRD KPOCH.
33
A. Wishing to propitiate him, he prostrated
himself seven times to the ground.
Jacob in this iDstanoe, is a perfect model of the charitj,
deference, and oondesoenaion, that we should pay erea
to those who persecute us.
Q. What did Esau on seeing his brother
Jacob ?
A. He ran into his arms, and embraced him
tenderly.
Q. Where did Jacob dwell after his return
from Mesopotamia ?
A. He dwelt near Salem, a city of the Si-
chemites.
Q. When did Isaac die ?
A. Isaac died at the age of one hundred and
eighty years, B. C. 1716, and was buried by
his two sons Jacob and Esau.
Q. How many sons had Jacob ?
A. Jacob had twelve sons, who are known
as the twelve patriarchs from whom descended
the tribes of Israel.
Q. Who were the most remarkable of thdse
twelve patriarchs ?
A» JH4i| wboif tribo gftvo kings to Um poi>
^
m
84
SACRED HISTORY.
M I r
nUl
terity of Jacob, and to the whole world the
long-expected Savior ; Levi, whose descendants
were set apart for the service of the altar ; and
Joseph, whose whole life was a tissue of extra-
ordinary events.
Q. For which of his twelve sons did Jacob
entertain a special predilection ?
A. For Joseph, the son of Rachel, bis be-
loved wife.
Q. What were the principal traits of Joseph's
character ?
A. Simplicity, piety, and wisdom.
Q. Why was Joseph hated by his brothers ?
A. Because he was their father's favorite ;
and also because of certain dreams, which
seemed to foretell his future superiority.
With candor and ingenuousness, he told his biotheiw
that he had had a dream in which he seemed to be with
them in the field binding up com, and that his sheaf
remained upright whilst the others standing round in
order, paid homage to it. On an other occasion, he told
them that he saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars paying
him a similar tribute of respect and homage. The relation
of these two dreams together with the disclosure he made
to Jacob of a crime which his brothers had committed,
kindled in their breasts a violent hatred for th9 opea«
beartod youth*
THIRD EPOCH.
36
Q. What happened to Joseph whea sixteen
years old ?
A. When Joseph was sixteen years old, his
father sent him to the plains of Sichem where his
brothers were tendin<:j their flocks. On seeing
the " dreamer," as they contemptuously called
Joseph, coming towards them, they resolved
to kill him.
Q. Did they accomplish their wicked design?
A. No, for Ruben, the eldest of the family,
having interposed in favor of his persecuted
brother, obtained that he might be cast into
a neighboring pit, hoping, at a favorable mo-
ment, to rescue him altogether from their hands.
Q. What followed ?
A. Shortly after, some Egyptian merchants
happening to pass that way, Joseph was sold
to them for twenty pieces of silver.
Q How did Josepli's brothers represent the
matter to their father ?
A They dipped Joseph's coat in the blood
of a kid Tnd sent it to their father, in order to
nnk'- him '^''^ie^'e that ^ wii4 b^wt bad devour*
dd hii fayorito soo»
36
SACKED HISTORY.
tfl I
J A^
Q. How did Jacob receive this sad news ?
A. He rent his garments, clothed himself
with snckcloth, and refused all alleviation to
his anguish.
Q. Plow did the Egyptian merchants dis'pose
of J oscph ?
A. They sold him to Putiphar, the prime
officer of king Pharao's guards.
Q. To what dignity was Joseph raised by
his new master ?
A. Putiphar, discovering Joseph's amiable
disposition and precocious wisdom, conceived a
great affection for him, and made him super-
intendent of all his household.
Q. What befell Joseph in Putiphar*s house?
A. He was falsely accused of a heinous crime
and cast into prison.
Q. What occurred to Joseph during his con-
finement ?
A. Two of Pharao's officers, his cup-bearef
and chief baker, having fallen into disgrace,
were cast into the prison in which Joseph wae
90P9no4» Qn tt^e mme oigbt they «iob M t^
THIRD EPOCH.
37
droam, which socmcd U) i»dlc?«U' their cominp;
fate. Joseph, whom they asked to explain
them, <^i\ve two very different interpretations,
declaring to the baker tliat before the expiration
of three days he would be han;z;ed on a pjibbet ;
and to the cupbearer that, within the same
period of time, he should be re-established in his
former functions.
Q. Did the cup-bearer when restored, re-
member Joseph ?
A. No, for in the hurry of prosperity, he
forgot the promise he had made to Joseph,
v^'lio, in consequence, remained two years longer
in confinement.
Q. TTow was the cup bearer put in mind of
Joseph ?
A. B" two remarkable dreams which king
Pharao had.
IIo scemcil to be standin.^ on the banks of the Nile
whence came forth seven fat o<)^v^ which were immediately
devoured by seven <ithers, excessivply lean ; again, he saw
seven cars of corn full and fair that were devoured bj
fovon others, wh'ch were thin and bliusted. As these t\v<
dreams seenn?d to portend something uncommon, Pharat
cnnsuUcd all the wise men of his capital ; but none wai
found able to interpret them. The cup-bearer then nuut
8ACSSD RI8TORT.
I
11*
^md what had oocnrred to him while in prison ; and, on
his recommendation, Joseph was introdneed into the pres-
ence of the king. Having listened with attention to the
narration of the dreams, he said that the seven fat kine
and the seven full ears of corn, predicted seven years of
great abundance ; but that the seven lean kine denoted
seven years of sterility, during which all Egypt would be
devastated by famine, if prudrLt measures were not taken
to avert so great a calamity.
Q. How did Pharao reward Joseph ?
A. Pharao was so well pleased with the
wisdom and foresight of Joseph, that he made
him governor over all Egypt, B. C. 1715.
Joseph, sold by his brothers for twenty pieces of silver,
earried into captivity, and persecirted anjii?-jy.. wai^ %
•triking figure of Jesus Christ, who was sold cy r •« of His
chosen twelve for thirty pieces of silvcgr, acd who died on
the cross for the salvation of the world. Joseph's elevation
admirably prefigured the triumph of Jesus Christ in His
resurrection and glorious ascension.
Q. How did Joseph provide against the
approaching famine ?
A. By storing up, during the seven years
of plenty, a great quantity of corn in the king's
granaries.
Q. Was the famine confined to Egypt ?
A. No ; it extended its devastations over all
the neighboring provinces.
'■m
THIRD EPOCH. 'm
Q. What did Jacob while the famine raged
in Canaan ?
A. He sent all his sons, except Benj^ixRii
into Ec^ypt, to buy corn.
Q How did Joseph treat his brothers ?
A. At first, he feij^ned not to know them and
treated them with seeming harshness, in order
to ascertain their dispositions. Having charged
them with being spies, they defended themselves
against this inculpation by assuring him that
nothing but an honest intention of buying corn,
had brought them into Egypt.
Q. What did they add ?
A. They added that thoy were twelve sons
of the sunie father, that one of them no longer
existed, and that the younjxest of all, called Ben-
jamin, was left behind with their aged father
in Canaan.
Q. Did Joseph give implicit credit to their
words ?
A. No; fxr from giving implicit credit to
what they said, he resolved to assure himself of
the truth of their story ; and, accordingly, told
them that one would have to go for Benjamin,
rr^
■ ?555 pS^^^^S
«■■
T '*''i I'll I
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I
I
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( •
1 1'
1 ,
4»
8ACBBD BISTORT.
wHile the rest should be kept as sureties for
his return.
Q. What did the brothers of Joseph say to
one an other on hearing this ?
A. Remembering what they had done to
Joseph, they said to one an other : " We deserve
to suffer these things, because we sinned against
our brother."
Q. What did Joseph on hearing these words ?
A. Having understood what his brothers
said, although they knew it not, he released
them all from prison, except Simeon whom he
retained as a hostage, until they should return
with Benjamin.
Q. Did Jacob consent to Benjamin's depart-
ure ?
A. At first, he refused ; but as the famine
still continued, he finally consented to let him
go after recommending him, in a particular
manner, to the care of Ms brothers.
Q. What did Joseph on seeing his brother
Benjamin ?
A. On seeing Benjamin, Joseph was unable
to restrain the emotion of his heart, and he
THIRD EPOCH.
41
withdrew to an adjoining apartment, to give
fall course to his tears.
Q. How did Joseph treat his brothers when
he returned into their presence ?
A. He treated them with marked distinction,
and invited them to partake of the meats of
his own table.
Q. What secret orders did Joseph give re-
specting them ?
A. Joseph secretly ordered that his owl
silver cup should be placed in Benjamin's sack f
Q. What followed ?
A. As they returned home, they were oveiv
taken by Joseph's steward, who charged them
with having stolen his master's silver cup.
Q. What did the sons of Jacob on hearing
this?
A. Conscious of their innocence, theyb^ged
to be searched on the spot, freely consenting
that he with whom the cup would be found,
should become the king's slave.
Q. What did they when the cup was found
in Benjamin's sack ?
A. They hastened to the governor, threw
Jrf
I):
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:>•;
T ■ ■
i
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;H
42
SACRED QlSTORr.
lliemselves atiii8fee&,and implored him, thronjrh
pity for their aged father, to detain them but to
let Beniamin return.
Q. What effect had their words on Joseyih ?
A. Melted into tenderness by the earn' st
pleadings of his brothers, Joseph could restrain
his sentiments no longer ; he raised his voice,
and said : ** I am Joseph, your brother; is my
father stiU living ? "
Q. What did Joseph say when he had recov
ered from his first em5tion ?
A. He told his brothers to return with sjjcod
and bring Jacob, their father, together with
their wives and children into Egypt, where he
would abundantly provide for their support.
The admirable charity of this holy patriarch is a figure
of the anparaileled goodness of Jesus Christ, who not only
pardoned His bretbraOf the Jews, for the barbarous treat-
ment they inflicted upjn Him, but also made the blood
He shed on the cross the price of their salvation and ibo
ransom of their souls.
Q. How did Jacob receive the glad intel-
figence that his son Joseph was still living ?
A. At first, he refused to believe it ; but,
seeing the rich presents sent him from Egypt,
THIRD EFOCH.
43
he was fully convinced and eagerly set out on
his journey.
Q. What was the number of Jacob's family
when they went into E^rypt ?
A. They numbered in all seventy persons.
When Joseph was apprised of Jacob's approach, he set
out with a becoming retinue to meet him. The moment
he descried the carriage of his aged father, he descomletl
from his chariot, and advanced on foot towards him ; as
soon as they met, they rushed into each other's arms and
clung together for a time without being able to utter a
single word. After this interview, Joseph conducted his
father and his brothers into the royal city, where Pharao
gave them a gracious reception, and allotted them the
fertile district of Qessen for the place of their residence,
B. C. 1706.
Q. How old was Jacob when he died ?
A. Jacob died seventeen years after his entry
into Egypt, in the one hundred and forty-
seventh year of his age, B. C. 1689. '
Q. What did J acob shortly before his death ?
A. He called his sons around him, recom-
mended them to serve God with fidelity, and
gave each of them his last blessing.
Q. What remarkable words did Jacob say
in blessinor Juda ?
w
u
SiCRBD HISTORY.
ii'
A. He said that the Messiah, the Expecta-
tion of nations, should he horn of his race.
Q. What became of Jacob's reaiains ?
A. Through the tender cares of his affectionate
son Joseph, his precious remains were embalmed
and laid with those of his fathers in the land
of Canaap
Q. How * \r 3 Joseph when he died ?
A. One hundred and ten years, daring eighty
of which he /lail -rov ed Egypt, B. C. 1635,
Q. How were the children of Israel treated
by the Egyptians after Joseph's death V
A. After the death of Joseph, the Egyptian
kings cruelly oppressed the Israelites, and even
undertook to exterminate their race by dooming
to death all their male children.
This barbarous oonduot of the Egyptian Pharaos, ought
to make us understand how ungrateful and unprofitable
* task it is to work solely for men.
Q. By whom were the Israelites delivered
from this bondage ?
A. By Moses, one of the descendants of Levi.
Q. How was Moses preserved from the de-
itruction to "^hich all the Hebrew male children
were doomed ?
THIRD KPOOH.
45
A. Daring three months, his mother suoi
ceeded in hiding the dear little infant ; hut as
sho could no longer safely conceal him, 8h«
cotitrived a hasket of hulrushes, carefully ce-
mented it so as to keep out the water, and, in
this cradle, exposed her little child on the banks
of the Nile. Providence permitted the basket
to be discovered by the king's daughter ; and,
through her tender compassion, the future law-
giver was saved, B. C. 1571.
Mary, the sister of the infant, who cautiously observed
all that had taken place, gradually i^proaohed the
princess, and ventured to ask if she desired a nurse; on
being told to procure one, she eagerly ran to call her mother.
Q. What became of Moses after his adoption
by Pharao's daughter ?
A. He was brought up at the king's court, and
instructed in all the learning of the Egyptians.
Moses was the only infant Pharao should have feared,
and yet he is the only child that escapes the barbarous
orders issued for his destruction ; instead of cutting hiia
off in the bud of life, like the other Hebrew children, the
Egyptian monarch had him brought up in a princely
manner in his own palace and under his own eyes,— little
expecting that in the person of his grandsoo he was fos-
tering tb« futuro deliverer of tht IsrMlitM.
In Uko ma&fi«r, orutl Harod lought to put tht Infant
fpp
■■■■■lllllli
.
i.' ft;
f '!, !
!■!' 'i
ItlS
46
SACRED HISTORl .
ner in which that snngninary order wns carried into
execution, the divine Infant nlono escaped the dreadful
massacre of tbe babos of i^ethlebem.
Q. What did Mosos at the age of forty ?
A. He quitted the royal palace and rejoined
his oppressed brethern. Shortly after, having
killed an Egyptian whom he saw ill-treating a
Hebrew, he fled for safety to the land of Ma-
dian, B. C. 1531.
Q. With whom did he dwell in Madian ?
A. With Jethro, prince of the country, who
gave him in marriage oae of his daughters,
named Sephora, in order to reward the zeal
<vitb which he defended them against the in-
soiencc of some neighboring shepherds.
Q. How long did Moses dwell in Madian ?
A. Forty years, at the end of which the
Lord appeared to him in a burning bush, and
commanded him to i^arn to Egypt and solicit
Phurao's consent to the departure of the Is-
raelites.
Q. Did Pharao grant the request ?
A. No ; though Moses performed several
woaders in his presence, \^ pbi^tioutely refuied
to let the people go,
THIRD BPOOH.
47
Q. How did God compel Pharao to let the
Israelites depart ?
A. By a series of extraordiaary eveats, called
the ten plagues of Egypt.
Q. Which were the most remarkable of the
ten plagues ?
A. The first by which the waters of Egypt
w^re changed iuto blood ; the ninth which was
an impenetrable darkness that covered, during
three days, all the country not inhabited by the
IsiMclites ; and the tenth which was the passage
of the destroying angel, who slew the first-bora
oi' the Egyptians.
Q. What did God command the Israelites
to do before the List plague ?
A. God commanded them to eat in each
family a lamb, which on account of the cir-
cumstances in which it was eaten, was called
the paschal lamb.
This lamb was a figure of Jesus Christ, the true Lamb
of God who was immolated on the cross, and whose blood
has preserved us iVom everlasting death; He is our true
und should therefore be our spiritual food during
li^te. ax»w' our viaiioum for the great poseago from timo to
t»urQit;/«'<from time represented by £g^pt to •tmiQ
profiguna by th« promiMd land*
'it,
48
8A0RED BISTORT.
111
Q. What effect had the last plague on Pha-
rao?
A. It so softened the obduracy of his heart,
that he immediately sent for Moses and bade
him depart with the children of Israel, B. G.
1491.
Q. What did Pharao when he had recovered
from his fears ?
A. He assembled a formidable host, and
pursued the Israelites whom he overtook near
the shores of the Red Sea.
Josephus says that Pharao had 600 chariots, 200,000
infantry, and 50,000 horsemen, all fully equipped. The
approach of so terrible an army, threw the defenceless
Israelites into a deadly consternation. Closely pressed
on one side by an infuriated tyrant, and hemmed in on
the other by the sea, nothing less than a miracle could
have saved them from destruction.
Q. How did Moses act in this emergency ?
A. He stretched forth his hand as God had
commanded him, and the waters, immediately
dividing, afforded the Israelites a dry passage
to the opposite shore.
Q. Did Pharao pursue the Israelites?
A. Yoa; blinded hj fur^, 1^9 ordered hui
bolt to preu on.
i!:i..
THIBD ■POOH.
Pha-
heart,
I bade
B. C.
jvered
:, and
k near
2U0,000
d. The
ifenoelesB
^ed in on
lie could
mcy?
tod bad
tdiately
)assage
red bii
Q. Wbat did Moses on reaching the opposite
shore? ^ ^ :>
A. He stretched forth his hand again, and
the waters, rushing to their natural state, en-
gulfed Pharao with all his mighty host, B. C.
1491.
Q. What was the first act of the Israelites
on seeing themselves thus delivered ?
A. On seeing themselves thus miraculously
delivered, they burst forth into a canticle of
praise and thanksgiving.
Q. What was the number of the Israelites
when they went forth out of Egypt ?
A. They numbered six hundred thousand,
besides women and children.
The whole number of the Hebrews is variously es-
timatea from 1,500,000 to 3,000,000.
Q. What did the Israelites bear with them ?
A. The bones of the patriarch Joseph, which ^
in compliance with his dying injunction, they
brought into Canaan, in order to bury them
with those of his father Jacob and his mother
Rachel.
^ How long had the Hebrews sojourned in
Egypt 7
50
Bacrki) niRT« RY,
^l»:'-
I'ltJ;
i: 1:
li .'
A. About two Imri'li'ccl yc;ir>, rock'ninr.'. IVmii
the time when Jacob went thithor wi-ii nil lii>
faiuilv.
Q. Was tlic knowlcdire of tlie true (jnl i'\-
clusively confined to the children of Israel /
A. No; for there were several worshijicrs of
the true God anionLi' the Gentiles, that is, aiiKMrj
the nations unconnected witli the fainilics of
the patriarchs. The Scripture makes particular
mention of Job and his friends.
Q. Who was Job I
A. Job was an Idumean pr^-^f^e of eminrnt
y and piety, who lived a^^'^^At fifteen ctn
before Christ.
V
The devil, jealous to see a mortal man practise such
virtues and enjoy such happiness, obtained peruiist;ion of
God to put his virtue to the test. With liendish mtiliee,
ho poured out aiHictions on the holy patriarch like a
torrent. Four difl'arent messengers came one alter iho
other to info»"m him of his accumulated aust'orLune : ihat
his herds were driven away hy the enemy ; his (locks,
killed by lightn'iig; bis servants, slain j and bis children,
crushed to death. When Job heard these melancholy
tidings, he fell prostrate (m the ground, and, with bumble
resignation, said unto God : *• The Lord hath given and
the Lord hath taken away, let His name be for ever
blessed." Satan then smote bis bodj with a hideous lep-
! !
FOURTH EPOCH.
61
I'l-n'.li
11 h
i^
• 1 y'
!\-
l?
■r.
of
uuo
\\1
ie?:
of
ticuiar
miinrnt
;u cun
ISO 8vich
malict,
h liUo a
arter iho
no : lliii^
13 lU)cks,
chilui-en,
jlaucjholy
h bum bio
|vveu an^i
for ever
etiu8 lep-
rony, so that tl>o holy man loft hift hoono and (loatod htm-
gcW upon a dunghiti.
J those great trials, which Job boro with oxoroplaiy
paticuoo, (iod blcsi^cd him with a numerous family^
doubled hi:! former wealth, arid granted him a happj
old ago.
FOUllTIT EPOC FT,
From the Exodus, B. C. 1491, to the
establishinont of tho monarchy,
B. C. 1095.
< Yhat was tho conduct of the Israclitea
after their departure from Kgyj)t ?
A. They no sooner begun to feel tlie incon-
veniences arising Irom want of provision?? than
they murmured against God, tlireatened Mo>:e3
with death, and chimorod for their return into
Eirypt.
In this the children of Israel represent the sinner, who,
after participating in the Sacraments and sharing the
choicest gifts of Heaven, becomes discouraged at the veriost
trial and relapses into his evil ways.
Q. Did God abandon His people in their
distress ?
A. No ; He sent into the camp a prodigioia
IS
8A0RID BISTORT.
I . I '
' t;
Ml<l
flight of quails, caused water to flow from a
rock, and, during the forty years they wandered
through the desert, supplied thorn with a deli-
cious food, called manna.
The manna was a figure of the blessed EaohArist, the
ferae Broad desoendedfrom Heaven to be the food, etrength,
and comfort of our souls in their earthly pilgrimaged
Miracles and wonders everj where accompanied God's
privileged people : the manna, which melted away before
a ray of the rising sun, withstood the heat that baked it ;
the cloud, which during day screened them from the
scorching rays of the sun, became luminous at night, to
guide them in their peregrinations ; and the arid desert
itself seemed to be changed into a luxuriant oasis. Not-
withstanding a power so miraculously and so constaDtly
displayed in their favor, they were almost always un-
grateful and rebellious, — thus being but too faithful a
prototype of our conduct towards God.
Q. By whom were the Israelites attacked in
the desert ?
A. By the Amalekites, a warlike people
descending from Esau.
Q. How were the Amalekites defeated ?
A. Josue placed himself at the head of the
combatants of Israel and went forth to meet
the Amalekites, whilst Moses ascended a neigh-
boring hill and prayed with his arms extended
if, "
FOURTH BPOOH.
53
in the form of a cross, until the enemy were
completely overthrown.
Q. When did God give His law to the Is-
raelites ?
A. In the third month after their departure
from Egypt, God gave them His law from the
top of Mount Sinai amidst peals of thunder
and flashes of lightning.
Q. How many commandments did God give
the Israelites ?
A. Ten, which on that account were called
the Decalogue.
Q. Say the ten commandments.
A. 1. I am the Lord thy God, who brought
thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house
of bondage ; thou shalt not have strange gods
before Me.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord
thy God in vain.
3. Remember that thou keep holy the Sab-
bath day.
4. Honor thy father and thy mother,
5. Thou shalt not kill.
6. Thou shalt not commit aaultery,.
^m
04
8ACREB HISTORY.
I IS -SI
m
II':
1 it 1*1
'«ll|
'iil.j
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbor.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ser-
vant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor
his ass, nor anything that is his.
Tho people, terri&ed attho dreadful scon.os that crowned
the mount, beisought Moses to speak aluno with God,
promising faithfully to observe the commandments trans-
mitted through him. God hearkened to tho supplications
which fear wrung from His people, and orderoa Aloses to
asoond the mountain. There he remained communing
with the Lord during forty days and forty nights, after
which he received the law written on two tablo;j of atone.
Before ascending the mountain, Moses appointed his
brother Aaron, to govern the people during his absence.
Q. What did the people, seeing that Moses
delayed to return ?
A. They tumultuously assembled round
Aaron, and compelled him to set up for their
worship a golden calf, similar to that adored
by the Egyptians.
Q. What did M oses on seeing this prevar-
ication of the people ?
FODBTH CPOCH.
56
A. Filled with indignation at so shameful a
sight, he threw down the tables of the law,
ordered the tribe of Levi to unsheath their
swords, and exterminate the prevaricators.
Tho number of idolatrous Hebrews that perished on this
roumorable occasion, is generally set down at 23,000,
though many learned commentators reduce that number
to 3,000.
Q. What did Moses with the golden calf?
A. He reduced it to powder and dissolved it
so as to render it drinkable.
The object which Moses proposed to himself, was to
show the vanity of worshiping, what, in a pulverized state,
might be rendered potable.
Q. Did God pardon His people this prevar-
ication ?
A. Yes, God pardoned their prevarication
at the intercession of Moses.
Q. What did God afterwards command
Moses to do ?
A. God commanded him to hew out two
new tables and ascend the mountain again.
The Lord then wrote the ten commandments
anew, regulated the manner in which He wished
to be worshiped, determined all that related
m
m
66
dA.O&KD HllTORY.
I"
m
<w ■
m .
Ill
If
4
1 lili;,i
Ifi
lit
it. i
to the tabernacle and the ark of the coveuaac,
and ordained that Aaron and his sons should
be set apart for the service of the altar.
Q. What was the tabernacle ?
A. A portable tent, which was made of the
richest materials. It was divided into iwo
parts, the inner of which, called the holy of
holiesj contained the ark of the covenant.
Q. What was the ark of the covenant ?
A. The ark of the covenant was an oblong
chest made of incorruptible wood, and plated
within and without with the purest gold. It
contained three of the most precious objects of
the Jewish religion ; namely, the tables of the
law, a vase of manna, and the rod of Aaron.
Q. Who were Nadab and Abihu, and what
was there oflfence ?
A. Nadab and Abihu were the sons of Aaron.
On a certain occasion, they filled their censers
with unhallowed fire, and in punishment of
their offence, were instantly struck dead by fire
from heaven.
Q. What other examples of severity did Ghd
give His people ?
FOUBTK IPOCH.
51
A. A man for having blasphemed His holy
name, was led outside the camp and stoned to
death ; an other for having gathered some fire-
wood on the Sabbath, underwent the same
punishment.
Q. What did Moses on coming near the prom-
ised land ?
A. He chose twelve men, one from each
tribe, and sent them to view the country.
Q. What account did they give on their
return ?
A. They gave a most flattering account of
its beauty and fertility ; and, to confirm what
they had said, produced a huge branch of
grapes and other rich fruits.
Q. What did they add ?
A. With the exception of Josue and Caleb,
they all agreed among themselves to exaggerate
the difficulties to be overcome, in order to obtain
possession of the country; they gave such a
frightful description of its fortified towns and
gigantic inhabitants that their hearers, struck
with a sudden panic, openly revolted against
their leaders and began to deliberate upon the
as
■▲OKKD filSTORT.
5*
choice of some other chief to lead them back
into Egypt.
Q. How did God punish this new sedition ?
A. He declared that in punishment of this
new sedition, they should wander up and down
the wilderness during forty years, and that none
of those who had attained the age of twenty,
except Josue and Caleb, should enter the prem-
ised land.
Q. Did this declaration render them more
faithful ?
A. No ; for shortly after, having grown tired
of the manna, they lamented the onions and
flesh-pots of Egypt, and openly revolted against
their leaders.
Q. How did God punish this new rebellion ?
A. He sent among them venemous serpents,
whose bite caused a burning pain like fire.
Q. How were they delivered from this ca-
lamity ?
A. When by a sincere repentance they had
appeased the divine justice, God commanded
Moses to erect a brazen serpent in the camp
!'' f'y
FOUilTH KPOCH.
59
that by looking at it, they who were bitten
might be healed.
This serpent was a figure of Jesus Christ, who, in the
sight of a whole nation, was nailed to a cross and sus-
pended between heaven and earth, in order to obtain tor
us the grace of eternal life.
Q. Did the Israelites meet with any opposi-
tion from the inhabitants of the promised land ?
A. Yes ; they were successively attacked by
the Edomites and other heathen nations ; but,
with the divine assistance, they overcame all
their enemies.
Balak, king of the Moabites, terrified at seeing so
mighty a multitude invade his territories, sent for lia-
laam, a well-known prophet and soothsayer, to come and
curse these hosts, bC that, peradventure, he might smite
and expol them from the land. Balaam, who had been
warned by God, refused to go with the messengers and
dismisi-ed them. The king persisted and sent others.
The false prophet, at first, refused to comply with their
reiterated request; but, won by their alluring promises,
he finally consented and set out with them. As be rode
forward the ass on which he was mounted, suddenly
turned aside, to avoid an angel that stood in the way with
a drawn sword. Balaam repeatedly smote the beast till,
at last, the Lord permitted the ill-treated animnl to open
her mouth and rebuke her cruel master. At this sing'^lar
phenomenon, the eyes of the false prophet were 0| ened ;
seeing the angel, he threw himself on the ground, ac-
knowleged his fault, and declared his readiness to
60
8AGIUU> HI8T0BT.
return. The angel permitted him to continue his jonmej,
with the strict injunction to speak only what Uie Lord
should tell him.
Being brought by Balak to an eminence that com-
manded a view of the camp of Israel, Balaam far from
uttering maledictions against the Israelites, blessed them
and made magnificent prophecies concerning their future,
in the course of which he foretold that a miraculous star
should announce the coming of the Messiah.
Balaam, however, unwilling to loose the proffered gold,
gave Balak the most perfidious counsels against the
people of God ; but in the battle that ensued, this wicked
prince was defeated, and Balaam himself was found
among the slain, B. G. 1451.
Q, Did Moses enter the promised land ?
A. No, he was not permitted to enter the
promised land in punishment of the doubt which
he manifested when he twice struck the rock,
ia order to obtain water.
Q. When and where did Moses die ?
A. He died on Mount Nebo in the hundred
and twentieth year of his age, B. C. 1451.
A multitude of wicked, ungrateful, nnd rebellious men,
enter the land of pruuiiiie vihWc Moses, so humble, so
faithful, and so holy, is excludni for a fault apparently
trivial I Thus was accomplished by anticipation the wordb
of our Lord : ** Unto whomsoever much is given, of him
much shall be required."
It
FOURTH IPOOB.
61
sjonrnej,
the Lord
hat oom-
far from
ised them
lit future,
alous star
Bred gold,
ainst the
lis wicked
as found
ater the
bt which
the rock,
?
hundred
451.
lious men,
lumbie, 80
Apparently
1 the wordb
en, of him
Q. Whom did God appoint to succeed Moses ?
A. Josue, a faithful Levite and one of the
twelve who, forty years before, had been sent
to reconnoitre the promised land.
Q. How did the Israelites cross the Jordan ?
A. In the same miraculous manner they had
previously crossed the Red Sea. The priests,
who carried the ark, had no sooner reached
the stream than it stopped its course; the
waters below ran off as usual into the Dead Sea,
while those above collected together like a high
swelling mountain in one place. A dry passage
was thus opened for the Israelites across the bed
of the river, B.C. 1451.
Q. What was the first place taken by the
Israelites ?
A. The city of Jericho.
Q. What circumstances accompanied the
taking of this city ?
A. Josue instructed the Israelites to march
in procession once a day for six days around
the city ; and on the seventh to go seven times
around when, at a given signal, they should raise
general shout. All these prescriptions being
J-™' ;
12
SACRED HISTORY.
;i' ".
r
ISU !
punctually fulfilled, as the trumpets sounded and
the multitude shouted the walls of Jericho fel
to the ground, apd thus opened to the Israelites
an easy entrance into the city, B, C. 1451 .
Q. What was the next phico the Israelites
attacked ?
A. The city of Hai.
Q. Were they successful in their attack ?
A. At first, they were repulsed ; but finally
they took the city and exterminated its inhab-
itants.
Q. To what was the failure of the first at-
tempt owing ?
A. To the sin of Achan, who, in violation
of God's express command, had secretly reserved
for himself some of the spoils of Jericho.
Q. How was Achan punished for his disobe-
dience ?
A. He was taken outside the camp, and
stoned to death.
Q. What nation shortly afterwards submitted
to Josue ?
A. The Gabaonites, one of the most valiant
aations of Canaan.
FOURTH KPOCH.
63
Q. How did the other nations view the sub-
mission of the Gabaonites ?
A. Alarmed at their desertion, they combined
their forces together and resolved to exter-
minate them.
Q. What did Josue on this occasion ?
A. Faithful to the alliance he had made with
the Gabaonites, he marched to their assistance,
met the five confederate kings of Canaan, and
defeated them with great slaughter.
Q« What great miracle occurred during the
battle ?
A. As the day was fast upon the decline,
Josue prayed unto the Lord, and, full of con-
fidence in His omnipotent power, commanded
the sun to stand still in the heavens until ho
had completed the overthrow of the enemy.
Q. Did the sun obey Josue's command ?
A. Yes, and the Scripture says that " there
was not before nor after so long a day. **
Q. What is said of Josue's subsequent sue-
cess ?
A. Josue was so successful in his warfare
against the Canaanites that in five years after
w
1
!
ill
. i
1 ' ;
:'r
m''^\
!«,:
€4
BAORIO MIBTORr:
.'it I]
■nil
the crossing of the Jordan, he had conquered
almost all the hostile nations of Oanaan.
Q. What did Josue after having conquered
the promised land ?
A. He divided it among the nine remaining
tribes and the half-tribe of Ephraim.
Q. Where had the other tribes settled ?
A. The tribes of Ruben and Gad and the
half-tribe of Manasses had already settled be-
yond the Jordan.
Q. Where was the ark deposited ?
A. In Silo, the first capital of the Israelites
after they had settled in the promised land.
Q. What did Josue a short time before his
death ?
A. He called the Israelites together, reminded
them of the wonders God had wrought in their
favor, and urgently recommended them to re-
main faithful to the Lord.
Q. How old was Josue when he died ?
A. One hundred and ten years, during twent
five of which he had governed the people o>
God. B. C. 1426.
of
FOURTH EPOCH.
6ft
Q. What took plaoo shortly after the death
of Josue ?
A. Caleh assembled all the combatatits of Juda
and gave battle to Adonibesck, the cruel tyrant
of Jerusalem, whom ho defeated and took pris-
oner.
This wioked prince, who, in the days of bis prosperity,
bad taken prisoners seventy of the neighboring king^, and
ordered the extremities of their hands and feet to be ont
off, now received the same treatment from bis captors.
Q. How did the Israelites act after the death
of Josue ?
A. They remained faithful to the Lord as
long as the ancients, who had seen the wonders
of God, lived; but after the death of those
virtuous men, they fell into idolatry.
Q. How did God punish them for this pre-
varication ?
A. He permitted the Canaanites to reduce
them to a state of servitude, till ttie smart of
p ;i 'on roused them to a sense of duty and
:jed them to repentance.
Q. W iiom did God raise up to deliver them
f iiu tho oppreiiioo of their enewiei ?
\i ^t r!)l)i9cl ^p HTiral •itriordtMrj p•^
W^'^
m.i:
il''?
«6
SACRKD BISTORT.
Bonages, who, from the authority they exerci&e«l
over the people, were called judges,
Q. Who was the first judge of Israel ?
A. Othniel, brother of Caleb, who delivered
tiio Israelites from the Mesopotamian yoke and
governed them during forty years, B. C. 1405,
Q. Who was Debbora ?
A. Debbora was a prophetess whom God
raised up to deliver the Israelites from the tyr-
anny of Jabin, king of Canaan, B. C. 1285.
Q. How did she effect the deliverance of the
people ?
A. She levied an army of 10,000 men and
invested Barak with the chief command. He
immediately took the field against the enemy
whose force was by far superior, and rendered
the more formidable by 900 chariots of iron.
Notwithstanding the great inequality of num-
bers, Barak defeated the Canaanites. Siscra
their general, being hotly pursued, alighted
from his chariot and escaped on foot to the tent
of a powerful man, named Heber, by whQSC
rife he was slain, B. C. 1285f
FOURTH EPOCH.
«7
Q. How long did Debbora judge Israel ?
A. Forty years.
Q. Did the Israelites remain faithful to God
after the death of Debbora ?
A. No ; being no longer restrained by au-
thority, they committed such disorders that
God, in punishment, abandoned them for seven
years to the power of the Madianites.
Q. What deliverer did God send them at
the expiration of that time ?
A. Gideon, a valiant and prudent man of
the tribe of Manasses.
Q. What sign did Gideon ask as a proof
that God would deliver Israel by his hands ?
A. He asked that the fleece which he should
extend on the ground, might be wet with dew
whilst the adjoining soil remained dry. In the
morning, he found that his prayer had been
heard ; and, desiring an other sign from Heaven,
he humbly begged of God that on the following
morning the fleece might be dry and the ground
wet, which request the Lord also granted.
Q. What did Gideon^ ^nooura^ed b^ tbeif
68
SACRED HISTORY.
'\0"
W'
it
ill
wm^l
iM
t
A. He mastered an army of 32,000 men,
and commenced his march towards the camp
of the Madianites.
Q. Did the Lord allow Gideon to attack the
enemy with so powerful a force ?
A.. No ; his army was too numerous to answer
the designs of Providence ; and, accordingly,
God commanded him to proclaim throughout
the camp that those who were not disposed to
undergo the ffitigues of war, might return to
their homes.
Q. How many availed themselves of this
indulgence?
^A. Twenty- two thousand.
*Q. What did God then order Gideon to do ?
A. As the number that still remained was
too great, God commanded him to take his
men to a neighboring brook, where He would
make known those that should be retained tor
the enterprise.
Q. What was the sign by which Gideon
should know the chosen men ?
Ai Aooordiog to the orddr of God, thoso
eal;r wto Upp^d water (hfm tbeir bandi m
\
KOPRTH EPOCH.
61*
men in haste, should be retained, whilst those
who lay down leisurely to drink, were to be
dismissed.
Q. Qow many were there that drank the
water from their hands ?
A. There were but 300 ; and it was with this
little force that Gideon undertook to overthrow
the formidable host of the Madianites.
Q. How did Gideon arm his little band ?
A. He gave each a trumpet and an earthen
pitcher with a burning lamp concealed within.
Towards midnight, he advanced to the camp of
the enemy whom he routed without striking a
blow.
Lie charged his little troop to observe a profound silenoa
till the signal for the attack should ba given; then they
should sound their trumpets, break their pitchers, and
[produce their lumps, shouting at the same time, "To the
Lord and Gideon." The glittering of the lamps, the cUth
of the pitchers, and the clangor of the trumpets, mixed with
vS hi Kits of war from every quarter, struck the Madianites
with so great a panic that they fled with precipitation,
in the confusion of the flight, they turned their swords
against one an other, and slew 120,000 of their fellow-
warriors.
The grateful Israelites offered the regal crown to their
liberator ; but be magnanimously refuiied it, saying : " Tb«
Lord ^hall be your rulrr."
mvrr
70
SACRBD HIBTORT.
Q, Who was Abimelech ?
A. Abimeloch was one of the seventy sons
of Gideon.
Q. What atrocious act did he commit after
the death of his father ?
A. He slew all his brothers except the
youngest, who saved himself by flight.
Q. What did Abimelech after perpetrating
this bloody deed ?
A. He caused himself to be proclaimed king
by the inhabitants of Sichem.
Q. How did he die ?
A. Having cruelly oppressed his newly ac-
quired subjects, they revolted against him and
deprived him both of his crown and life.
As he was besieging one of the revolted cities, he was
struck down by a stone that had been oast by a woman
frooi the top of the battlements. Confounded and chagrin-
ed at the thought of dying by the hand of a woman, he
ordered his armor-bearer to pierce him with bis sword.
A tragical death thus put an end to the wretched man,
who had imbrued his hands in the blood of his brothers,
B. C. 1233. '^'■
Q. Did the Israelites faithfully serve God
after ^e death of Gideon ?
A. No ; they sooo fell into idolatry.
FOTRTH EPOCH.
71
Q. How did God punish their apostasy ?
A. He delivered them over for ftightoen
years to the power of the Ammonites.
Q. By whom were they delivered from the
tyranny of the Ammonites ?
A. By Jephte, the eighth judge of I»fnel,
B.C. 1187
Q. What vow did Jephte make to God ?
A. When called by God to lead the army of
Israel, he vowed that if he obtained the vic-
tory, he would offer to the Lord whoever should
first come forth from his house to meet him.
Q. What was the result?
A. He gained a complete victory over the
enemy ; and, on approaching his house^ was met
by his only daughter, who had cojj^^ forth to
greet him.
Q. How did Jephte act on this.c icasion ?
A. He acquainted his daughter with the
vow he had made, and told her the grief its
i'ulfi'unent would bring to his heart; but phe,
with admirable resignation, consented to her
fate and even exhorted her father to aocomplish
his ~ow.
&
r^
72
SACRED BISTORT.
lis '
m \
•si I i!!
liyil il
Many emineot theologians maintain, even on Scriptural
grounds, tliat Jephte's row did not imply the obligation oi
immolating his daughter, but merely of oonseoratmg hei
to the Lord by a vow of perpetual virginity.
Q. Did the victory of Jephte render the Is-
raelites more faithful to God ?
A. For some time they faithfully observed His
divine law, but afterwards relapsed into idol-
atry. To punish them for this new apostasy,
God permitted the Philistines to make frequent
incursions on their territories.
Q. What extraordinary man did God raise
up to deliver them from the Philistine yoke ?
A. Samson, one of the most extraordinary
personages of all history, B. C. 1155.
Q. Did any thing remarkable attend the
birth of Samson ?
A. Yes ; an angel announced to his mothe**
that the child with whom she was pregnant,
should be consecrated to God from his birth,
and that he should deliver the people from the
inroads of the Philistines.
Q. What were the most famous exploits of
Samson ? \
A. On one occasion, he encountered a furious
KOU KTH EPOCH.
73
lioQ that was madly rushing forward to devour
him ; and» though wholly uaarmed, he tore him
to pieces and threw his carcass on the wayside.
Shortly after, having been ill treated by his
father-in-law, a Philistine, he caught three hun-
dred foxes; and, tying firebrands to their tails,
let them loose among the corn-fieldi of his
enemies. On a subsequent occasion, when sur-
rounded by an army of Philistines, he seized
the jaw-bone of an ass, slew one thousand of
them, and put the rest to flight.
So great was his oontompt for his restless enemies that
he openly entered Qaza, one of their fortlGed cities. His
prosenoe there being soon noised abroad, a considerable
Quinber of Philistines gathered round, and attempted to
detain him by closing the town-gates and making them
; but Samson, apprised of their machinations, rose
at iniduight, and, breaking the bolts and hinges, departed
carrying away the gates on his shoulders. Thus ao-
ouired, he intrepidly proceeded through the midst of his
astonished enemies to the top of a neighboring hill. After
til id feat of prowess, the Philistines sought to entrap him
by guile rather than by open force.
The princes of the Philistines, aware ofhisfondnes
fur a woman of their nation, made her most tempting
oilers, to induce her to wring from him the secret of hi
prodigious strength. She entreated and flattered, re
pruaohed and caressed, till, at last, worn down by im
portunity he disclosed to her the secret, faying that i
rrwfjr^
74
SACRED HISTOIIV.
\ti . M
HI
m
;.!:;;«,
lay in his hair, wliioh, if shorn, would leave him as pow.
erless as his fellow-men. The treacherous woman then
composed him to sleep, cut o£f his hair, and delivered
him to his cruel enemies, who deprived him of sight and
lent him to grind in a mill like a slave.
Thr extraordinary strength of Samson, was given him
In consequence of his consecration to God ; and as the
hadge of his consecration, the preservation of bis hair
unshorn, was now lost, he forfeited all the miraculous
physical powers with which he had hitherto been endowed.
Q. What occurred to Samson during his
confinement ?
A. His hair began to grow, and with it his
strength gradually returned.
Q. What occurred shortly afterwards ?
A. The princes of the Philistines having
assembled, in one of their temples, great numbers
of the people to celebrate the feast of their idol-
god, ordered Samson to be brought thither for
their diversion.
Q. What followed ?
A. As he proceeded to the temple where the
nultitude had gathered, he persuaded his
^uide to conduct him to a spot whence he could
reach the two pillars upon which &e building
rested. He then grasped the massy pillars and
FOURTH EPOCH.
15
shook tliem till the edifice tottered and fell,
burying the whole assembly numbering 3,000
persons beneath its ruins, B. C. 1117.
Q. How old was Samson when he died?
A. Thirty-eight years, during twenty of
which he had judged Israel.
In many oiroumstanoes of his life, Samson was a striking
ugii ro of Jesus Christ :^
.Samson was endowed with extraordinary strength, Jesus
Ciiri.st is the God whose power has no limits ;
Sauison oipouses a Philisline woman, Jesus Christ calls
uiuo lliiu all the nations of the earth ;
Sauisun routs the Philistine army with the simplest
weipons, Josus Christ destroys the empire of Saun by
♦Jie virtue of the cross j
Samson bears aloft on his shoulders the gates of the
city ill which ho had been shut up and passes through
tlie midst of his astonished enemies, Jesus Christ comes
forth from the tomb and triumphantly proceeds through
the midst of bis panic stricken guards ;
^?a!Usou voluntarily/ forf its his life to save his catioOf
Jesus Christ was led to death because He iot...cv4. u u.i^a
because His great work was accomplished ;
Samson destroyed more of his enemies in dying than
during his lifetime, Jesus Christ by His death cousum-
iuated the work of our redemption.
Q. Who ruled Israel contcm| ormicously with
Samson ?
Iff
%
\i ^'q
76
8A0RID HISTORY.
A. The high-priest Heli.
Q. For what was Heli remarkable ?
A. For his piety and virtue ; but his sons
Ophni and Phinees, by the too great indulgence
of their father, became very depraved and drew
down upon themselves and the whole nation
the wrath of Heaven.
Q. What misfortunes befell Heli and the
Jewish nation ?
A. Their army was utterly ^uted with the
loss of 30,000 men, among whom were the
sons of Heli ; and the ark itself fell into the
hands of the victorious Philistines.
Q. Did Heli survive this misfortune ?
A. No ; on hearing that the ark had fallen
into the hands of the enemy, he fell over from
his chair and died. He was ninety-eight yean
old, and had governed Israel during ihe space
of forty years.
Q. Did the Philistines retain the ark a|
long time?
A. No ; for the country being shortly after-
wards scourged with plagues, the princes of the I
FOURTH EPOCH. i.
Philistines resolved to send it back to the I»
raelitcs.
In order tu assure themselyes Jiat all their onlamitiei
were Cilll^*ell by their detention and profanation of the Hrk,
the IMiilistines laid it upon a now wain drawn by two kine
wh'v^o calves wore cnrefully retained. If, contrary to
their natural instinct, the kine proceeded towards the
ilebx-w territories, they then should conclude th it thoir
affliciions camo from God; if otherwise, that they were
kdventitious and the mere efToot of chance, in this in>
stance, Gud condescend :'d to the weakness of those idol
aters and, by a speciiU providence, directed the kioc
towards the confines of Israel.
Q. To what city did the kine proceed ?
A. To Bethsanics, the first town of the He"
brew dominions.
Q. How did the Bethsamites receive th«
ark?
A. They came in crowds from all parts of
the country to see it ; but as they were impelled
thereto more through curiosity than by zeal for
God's honor, they soon felt the same avenging
rod that had so severely chastised the Phi*
listines.
Q. How were Hlfiej pvpMpcl for ibiir pttripf
Ity?
TTItP
i
r!i;i
. J'
Mil :y
':: i' ;'!
78
baorbd history.
A. By the death of seventy of their chiefs
and upwards of fifty thousand of the people.
It was thus that God taught His people to respect what
was consecrated to His service. We should profit by so
terrible a chastisement, lest, receiving the Sacraments Id
unworthy dispositions, we draw down the wrath of God
and incur everlasting reprobation.
Q. Who was the last judge of Israel ?
A. The prophet Samuel, who, like Samson,
had been consecrated to God from his youth.
He governed Israel during the space of twenty
years with great ability and sagacity, B. C.
1095.
Q. Why did the people desiro to be governed
by kings instead of judges ?
A. Because of the corruption of the two sons
oQ Samuel on whom the government of the
nation devolved when the prophet, on account
of his advanced age, was unable to administer it.
Q. How many judges were there and how
long did their govern men t last ?
A. There were 14 judges, who governed Israel
during a space of about 300 years.
Q. What ren^arkable ^ojpan lived undef the
FOURTH IPOO
7»
A. Kuth, a Moabite, whose attaohmont to
her mother-in-law led her to identify herself
with the people of God, B. C. 1254.
As a great famine raged in Israel, Elimelech of Beth-
lehum, retired with his wife Noemi and his two sons into
the territory of the Moabites. Noemi married her sons
to two young women of the country, whose names were
Orpha and Ruth. On the death of her hunband and
children, Noemi having no consolation to expect in the
lard of Moab, resolved to return to her own country and
kindred. She communicated her detiign to Orpha and
Ruth, who entreated her to let them bear her company.
Uuth fondly clung to her, saying : ** Whithersoever thou
goest, I wUl go; and where thou dwoUest, I also will
dffoll. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my
God ; nothing but death shall ever part us."
Ilor tender and filial attachment was not long without
iu reward. She was espoused by Booz, a rich and virtu-
lous man, and from this alliance was born Obed, the father
I of Jesse and grandfather of David.
The generous conduct of Ruth is an admirable type of
the afifection and love that children should ever cherish
I for their parents ; like her, they should console them in
their affliction, succor them in their necessities^ and b^
faithful to them unto death.
I
I. 't^
80
SACRED HISTORY.
irw^^
®i w
FIFTH EPOCH,
From the establishment of the monarchy
1095, to the death of Solomon 975.
Q. Who was the first king of Israel ?
A. Saul, a young shepherd of the tribe of
Benjamin.
Q. What circumstances accompanied Saul's
election ?
A. His father having lost his asses, sent him
in quest of them. Being unsuccessful in his
search, he addressed himself to the prophet Sam-
uel, who then informed him of the choice the
Lord had made of him to govern His people,
privately anointed him king, and gave hiiu
various tokens to assure him that his desii'na-
tion was from God, B. C. 1005.
Q. What did Samuel on the following day ?
A. He assembled the people, and cast lots
for the sovereignty. The lot having fallen on
Saul, the people received him with great accla-
mations, shouting, ** Long live the king."
Q. By wb4t (Hid S^\\\ fil^nklm bU acoendon
to thf tHrono ?
ii
I
PIPTfl EPOCH.
81
A. By a glorious victory over the Ammonites.
IIo afterwards drew the sword against the
Philistines ; and, in the war that ensued, incur-
red the displeasure of the Lord.
Q. How did Saul incur the displeasure of
God?
A. By having presumed, though not of the
priestly race, to offer a holocaust to the Lord.
God, however, delayed the punishment due to
this sacrilegious intrusion until the measure of
his iniquity was filled up.
Q. ^y what great exploit did Jonathan, the
king's son, render himself conspicuous in this
war?
A. Tired of the slow proceedings of his father
and full of confidence in the God ol' battles, he
secretly went out of the camp with no other
attendant than his armor-bearer, threw hiinsc^lf
within the enemy's lines, and boldly attacked
all who dared oppose his progress. His armor-
bearer seconded his efforts, and both performed
buch prodigies of valor that they spread terror
and confusion throughout the whole camp of
the Philistines.
FT
82
SACRBD HISTORY.
mm
' <«
Q. What did Saul seeing the confusion of
the enemy ? i
A. Profiting of the confusion in which he
saw the Philistines, he hound himself and all
his army under penalty of death not to taste
any food until he had completely revenged him-
self on his enemies.
Q. What did Jonathan in the heat of the
pursuit ?
A. In the heat of the pursuit, Jonathan,
who had not heard of his father*s oath, spent
with hunger and fatigue, dipped the end of
his rod in a honeycomb and caught a*s]ight
refreshment as he passed.
Q. What was the consequence of this act ?
A. When this act became known to Saul,
he declared that his son should die ; but the
people with whom the young priace was a great
favorite, interposed and saved his life.
Q. How did Saul again incur the displeasure
of the Ahnighty ? ^'^
A. Having defeated the Amalekitea, he
spared, contrary to the order of God, both their
king and the finest of their flocks.
FIFTH EPOCH.
83
lathan,
, spent
end of
a •slight
act?
Saul,
but the
a great
)leasure
Q. How was he punished for this disobe-
dience ? 3
A. God sent Samuel to announce to him that
in consequence of his disobedience he was finally
rejected, and that the royal crown should be
transferr' ^ to an other family, B. C. 1070.
y. How did Saul receive this sentence ?
A. Struck 'vith remorse, he bitterly cried
out, *' I have sinned."
Q. What did Samuel in complianoe with an
order that he had received from God ?
A. He went to Bethlehem and anointed
David, the youngest of Jesse's sons, who was
then tending his flocks on the neighboring
plains.
Q. What affliction befell Saul after his final
rejection ? O
A. He was seized with an evil spirit that
tormented him in a very cruel manner. 'O
His offioera through compassion adrised him to look
out for some skilful musician, who, by the melody of his
art might lull the rage of his passions and soothe his soul to
peace. Dayid, being recommended as an excellent player
OQ the harp, was accordingly sent for ; and so well did k»
please the king by the sweet rariety of his strains that h«
In
■f-
84
SACRED HiaXOIiY.
i'll
■i"'i;
was made royal armor-bearer. David was then about fif-
teen jeara of age, B. C. 1070.
Q. What djiring exploit was achieved by
David when he had attained his twenty-third
year ?
A. A fresh war having broken out between
the Israelites and the Philistines^ the hos-
tile armies encamped in sight of each other
upon two neighboring hills. A Philistine of
gigantic stature, named Goliah, advanced be-
tween the two armies, &nd scornfully challenged
any man amongst the Israelites to meet him in
single combat and thus decide the contest.
This challenge he repeated for forty days, and,
as no one had courage to accept it, Saul prom-
ised his daughter in marriage to him who would
encounter the vain-glorious giant. Thereupon
David accepted the challenge, and prepared to
meet Goliah.
According to the ordinary calculation, Goliah was 9 fe«t
9 inches in stature; he was encased in a. coat of mailj
that weighed about 156 pounds ; the staff of his spear,
according to the Scripture phrase, was like '<aweaver'i|
beam."
Q. With what weapon* was David armed ?
A. Dstvid's only weapons were a sling and]
FIFTH EPOCH.
five smooth stones, which he had taken out of
a neighboring brook.
Q. How did David answer the insulting
taunts of Goliah ?
A. He said : *' Thou comest to me with a
sword, with a spear, and with a shield ; but I
come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts."
Q. Describe the conflict that ensued.
A. Putting a stone in his sling, David whirled
it round and struck the giant full in the
forehead. Goliah, stunned by the blow, fell to
the ground ; and the young victor, running up,
seized the giant's sword and severed his head
from his body, B. C. 1062.
Q. How was David greeted on his return ?
A. The people went out in multitudes to
meet him, singing : ^^ Saul slew his thousands,
and David his ten thousands."
Q. How did Saul requite David*s services ?
A. He requited them with the blackest in-
gratitude ; and grew so jealous of the fame David
had acquired, that he even sought to destroy
the champion to whom he W3ta indebted for the
preservation of his crown.
IPPT"
8b
aA(;Kei> history.
W^M
'i
Q, Were all the members of the royal family
actuated by the same feeling towards David ?
A. No ; Jonathan, the king's son, loved David
" as 'hia own soul ; " and they swore perpetual
fricn Iship to each other.
Jonathan is as noble a type of magnanimous generositj,
true nnd inviolable triondship as can be found within the
whole range of history. Though the heir apparent to
a crown, he knits friendship with the son of an humble
siiephord ; the glory of David outshines his own, and, far
from growing jealous, he unites with the jubilant Israelites
ii singing the feats of his bosom-friend; he is faithful
when prosperity smiles, and when adversity frowns j as
well when his friend is sumptuously entertained at the
court of his father, as when ho is compelled to become a
fugitive, in order to save his life.
Q. What did Saul seeing that David evaded
all his snares?
A. He feigned to repair his past ingratitude,
and promised to give hiiu his second daughter
in marriage, on condition that he would first
kill one hundred Philistines.
Q. What was the result ?
A. David led out his little troop to battle,
slew no less than two hundred of the enemy,
and thus compelled the wily king to fulfil hi?
promise.
PIITTH KPOCH.
87
Q. Did Saul then become reconciled to David ?
A. No ; far from being reconciled to his virt-
uous son-in-law, he again attempted to deprive
him of life.
Q. What did David, to escape the impending
danger ?
A. He withdrew to the house of Achimeleoh,
the high-priest.
Q. What did Saul on hearing this ?
A. He sent for Achimelech, who immediat/cly
repaired into his presence, accompanied by
eighty-five other priests all in their sacerdotal
robes.
Q. How was Achimelech received ?
A. The king in a violent fit of anger, accused
him of treason, as having conspired with David
against his life. The virtuous pontiff eloquently
defended himself against the accusation ; but,
notwithstanding his innocence and the sacred
character with which he and his attendants
were vested, they were all cruelly put to death,
B. C. 1060.
Q. Whither did David flee after the death
oi' AoLimelech ?
f^l^
88
SACRED mSTORY.
w
'IT!
■I
' A. At first, he sought refuge ia the depths
of a wilderness ; but, being closely pursued by
his enemies, he threw himself upon the gener-
osity of the king of Geth, in whose dominions
he dwelt until the death of Saul.
Q. How did Saul die?
A. Having been defeated by the Philistines
at the battle of Gilboa, and seeing his three
sons lying among the slain, he vainly solicited
death from the hand of his armor-bearer and
fell upon his own sword^ B. C. 1055.
Q. How did David receive the news of Saul's
death ?
A. Far from rejoicing at an event that put
him in possession of a kingdom, he deeply
lamented the death of the unhappy monarch
and the premature fall of his loving friend
Jonathan.
It was on this occasion that he pathetically exclaimed :
" The illustrious of Israel are slaiu upon the mountains.
Oh I tell it not in Goth j publish it not in Ascalon, lest the
Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircum-
cised triumph."
Q. Did the twelve tribes ununimously ac-
knowledge David as their king ?
FIFTH KPOOH.
89
A. No ; that of Juda alone proclaimed him
king, whilst all the others at the instigation
of Abner, general of Saul's army, acknowledged
Isboseth, the son of the late monarch, for their
sovereign.
Q. How long did this state of things last ?
A. For seven years, at the end of which,
Isboseth being slain, David was proclaimed
king over all Israel, B. C. 1048.
Q. What place did David select for his royal
residence ?
A. The fortress of Sion in Jerusalem, which,
after a desperate conflict, he took from the
Jebusites.
Q. What did David when peace was restored
to his kingdom ?
A. He transferred the ark from its tempo-
rary resting-place to a magnificent pavilion,
erected within the precincts of his own palace.
Tho procession was conducted with all the solemn show
uf religious pomp that became the piety of a great and
niiiniticent king. Kvery thing tended to augment the
public jubilee when an accident suddenly filled the minds
of all with consternation. Oza, who conducted the oxen,
eeeiug the ark lean to one side and fearing that it should
fall, rashly stretched out his hand to sustain it and wu4
a
1
T^
I.
SACRED HISTOUT.
fis ^< 15
ihfl
4ii.n'i
inatantlj itruok dead. David, terrified at so severe a
shastisement, durst not proceed any further in the exe-
cution of his project, but deposited the ark in the house of
A virtuous Invite, named Obededom. When his fears were
allayed, ho re-ossuuiod his design ; and, to prevent any
new accident, ordered that the ark should be carried by
the priests and Levitcs as ordained in the law. David
himself played upon his harp and danced betore the ark
as it was borne along, while skilful musiciaus made the
neighborhood rusound with strains of vocal and instru-
mental harmony.
Q. Was David always faithful to God ?
A. He always preserved a lively faith in
God; but, carried away by passion, he mo-
mentarily swerved from the path of virtue and
rendered himself guilty of the double crime of
adultery and murder.
Q. How was he punished for these crimes ?
A. By the revolt of his son Absalom.
Q. To what condition was David reduced ?
A. Having no more than six hundred guards
to oppose the rebel force and fearing to be
besieged in his own city, he resolved to save
himself by flight. Simei, one of Saul's kindred,
seeing the royal fugitive, reviled him in the
most abusive language and threw stones at him.
Those who acco\Dpanied David begged le&ve
»O0H.
•I
to panish the insolent man ; but the prince io
the true spirit of a penitent, prevented them.
Q. How was peace again restored to the
kingdom ?
A. Bv the death of Absalom.
Q. Relate how this toefk place.
A. David having organized a large force,
invested Joab with the chief command. This
hardy general soon marched agiiinst the rebels
and routed them in a terrible battle, wh'ch was
fought near the forest of Ephrairn. Absalom
himself hastily fled, mounted on a swift mule ;
but as he hurried on, his long and flowing hnir
became entangled in the branches of an oak-
tree ; and the mule, passing onwards, left the
unhappy prince suspended in the air. The
charge which David had given to spare his son,
prevented any one from laying violent hands
on him ; but when Joab heard of the accident,
he hastened to the spot and pierced him with
three darts, B. C. 1023.
Q. How did David receive the tidings of
Absolom's death ?
A. As 80on as ho heard that his son was
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«i«^mKD HISTORY.
sluin, ho withdrew to his chamber and gavo
vent to his anguish in bitter wailinp^s. " Mj
son Absalom," he would say, '* Absalom m^
son ; who would grant that T miirht die for
thoe, Absalom my son, my son Ab=<alo»n."
Thusperisliod Absalom, a Jreadful oxnmplo to chihlron.
who are so ungrateful as to f.iil in th3 respect and obe-
dience tlioy owe their parents.
Q. How did David again incur God's dis-
pleasure ?
A. By liaving, through a motive of vanity,
taken a census of his people.
Acoording to this census, there were 1,300,OUO persons
capable of bearing nrins.
Q. How was he punished for this fault?
A. The prophet Gad came to him on the
part of the Lord, and ordered him to choose
one of three punishments, — war, famine, or
pestilence.
Q. Which evil did David choose ?
A. Judging it more expedient to fall into
the hands of God than into the hands of men,
he chose pestilence. This awful plague raged
for three days, and canitd ot^" 70,000 of his
subjects.
Q. What did David when he saw tiie people
^hus punished for his sins ?
FIFTH EPOCH.
93
A. Clothed in snckoloth and aflhos, he pros-
trated himself before God and earnestly be-
sought Him to pour down His wratli upon him
who alone was guilty, but to spare his people
who were innocent.
Q. Did the Lord hear his prayer ?
A. Yes, the Lord whose eara are ever open
to the cries of the penitent, heard his supplica-
tions and commanded the exterminating angel
to stop the plague.
Q. Whom did David appoint to succeed him
on the throne ?
A. Solomon, his son by Bethsabee.
Q. How old was David when he died ?
A. Seventy years, during forty of which he
reigned over Israel, B. C. 1015.
Q. Wherein has David infused the tender
sentiments of his piety ?
A. In the numerous psalms which he com-
posed on different occasions.
The Book of Psalins is a beautiful epitome of '^olj
Writ. Every one of those 150 sacrod songs contains efifu-
sions into wb'ch the inspired author has breathed the
swecit, pathetic, and sublime aspirations of his soul.
" The psalm, " says St. Basil, " is a security for childrea*
an crnament for 7outh« and a consolation for the aged. "
WW
11
■I ' i 'III
' ■ ^ f»l
(
i.ii ;i.i -,, .
W 8A0BBD nSTORT.
Q. For what was Solomon remarkable ?
A. For his great magQificence and unpar-
alleled wisdom.
80 great was bis renown throughont the Bations that
the Queen of Saba oame from the furthest part of Ethio-
pia, to see if his wisdom and greatness bore any propor-
tion to what fame had noiiied abroad eoneeming him.
She returned to her dominions full of admiration for the
prinoe and of respect for the religion be professed.
Q. What was the greatest work of Solomon's
reign?
A. The building of the temple which 00-
erpied 260,000 men daring seven years.
Q. On what plan was the temple built ?
A. On the plan of the Tabernacle, and none
but the most costly materials were employed in
itfl construction.
Q. Where was the temple built ?
A. On Mount Moria where Abraham's obe-
dience was tested, and where the exterminating
angel was seen to sheathe his gaming sword.
Q. What were the dimensions of the temple ?
A. It was 100 feet long, 34 feet wide, and
10 feet high.
FIFTH IPOCB.
It was divided into two parts, the Sanctuary and the
holy of holiea. The floor was paved with precious marble,
while the walls and ceiling were plated with the purest
gold and richly embellished with gilded carvings.
Q. What is said of the prosperity of Solo-
mon's reign ?
A. His reign was so tranquil and prosperous
that the people reposed in peace under the
shade of their vine and fig-tree ; gold was as
common in Jerusalem as the stones ; the royal
fleets regularly sailed to the most distant coun-
tries and returned laden with precious woods,
spices, perfumes, ivory, and gold.
Q. Did Solomon always remain faithful to
God?
A. No, becoming elated with prosperity and
corrupted by pleasure, he abandoned the God
of his fathers, worshiped idols, and even built
them altars and temples.
What a terrible example I Solomon, a prince so wise,
so religious, and so favored of Qod, allows himself to be
governed by pride, basely panders to the most ignoble of ■
piissions, and, to orown hts misfortune, abandons the God
whose praises he had sung in 1,005 canticles, to prostrate
himself before helpless idols,
Q. How old was Solomon when he died, and
how long did he reign ?
:'\'i
h>\
n
7\ ■ .r
I-
f 'f-
t fi . ■■'■
.■r-
1
96
BAORBD HISTOST.
A. Solomon died in the fifty-eighth year of
his age after a reign of forty years, B. C. 975.
It is believed by some of the holy fathere that i:^louion
repented of his sinfol wanderings, and that the Book of
ficolesiastes is an embodiment of his sentiments of sorrow
and ropentanoe.
SIXTH EPOCH,
From the death of Solomon, B. C. 075, to
the captivity of Babylon, B. C. 606.
Q. By whom was Solomon succeeded ?
A. By his son Roboam, a harsh and tyran-
nical prince.
Q. What did the people present to him
shortly after his accession to the throne ?
A, They presented him a petition, soliciting
a diminution of the taxes and other imposts
that weighed heavily upon them.
Q. How did Roboam receivb their petition ?
A. Having adopted the advice of his young
and arrogant courtiers, he rejected their petition,
saying : " If my father beat you with whips, I
shall beat you with scorpions. "
SIXTH IPOOB.
19
year of
0. 975.
, i^lomoD
Book of
Df sorrow
976, to
906.
I?
1 tyran-
to him
?
)liciting
imposts
itition ?
8 young
)etition,
rhips, I
Q. What was the consequence of this con-
temptuous answer ?
A. Ten of the tribes openly revolted, and
chose Jeroboam for their king, B. C. 975.
Q. Who was Jeroboam ?
A. Jeroboam was or 9 of Solomon's superin-
tendents, who, having several times conspired
ni^ainst his royal master's life, fled into exile in
order to escape the punishment due to his crimes.
On hearing that Solomon was dead, he returned
to Jerusalem and fomented the discontent of
the people.
Q. What did Roboam in this emergency T
A. He raised a powerful army and waa pro-
ceeding to make war on the revolted tribes
when, being admonished by a holy man named
Simeias that what had taken place was in
punishment of Solomon's apostasy, he desisted
from his enterprise and submitted to the divine
decree.
Q. By what names are the two kingdoms
known ?
A. The tribes of Juda and Benjamin, faith-
ful to j^# lio^ae of Dmif were 0(iUe4 tl^e kiii|*
98
BAORID ristort.
t^
I
I
f I rail!
dorn of Juda ; whilst the other ten trihes that
adhered to Jeroboam, were styled the kingdom
of Israel.
Q. How did the Levites act on this occasion ?
A. At first, they joined the seceding tribes;
but finding that Jeroboam would not permit
them to exercise their fuactions, they returned
to the kingdom of Juda.
KINGDOM OF ISRAEL
Q. Where did Jeroboam establish the capital
of his kingdom ?
A. At Sichem, a town situated among the
mountains of Ephiaim, thirty-four miles from
Jerusalem.
Q. Did Jeroboam persevere in the worship
•f the true God ?
A. No ; fearing that his subjects would
return to the allegiance of their former sot-
ereign should he let them continue to sacrifice
in the temple of Jerusalem, he set up two
golden calves and ordered divine honors to b«
paid to them,
SIXTH KPOCH.
99
}es that
[ingdom
loasion ?
f tribes;
; permit
returned
le capital
nong the
iles from
worship
ja
would
mer sot-
» sacrifice
up two
ors to h«
Q. How was Jeroboam punished for his im-
piety ?
A. By the speedy extinction of the dynasty,
which he had taken so much pains and incur-
red 80 much guilt to establish on firm foun-
dations.
Q. When did Jeroboam die ?
A. He died after a reign of twenty-two years,
B. 0. 954.
Q. How did his successors live ?
A. Almost all of them lived in the most
degrading idolatry, and ended their life by a
violent death.
Nadab, son and sueoessor of Jeroboam, was treaoher*
•asly killed by Baasa, general of the army, who njnrped
the throne and exterminated the race of Jeroboam, B. 0.
964.
Bla, son and successor of Baasa, was assassinated in the
midst of a sumptuous feast by Zamri, a captain of the
army. B. C. 928.
Zamri usurped the erown and was blocked up in his
lapital by Amri, who pressed the siege with such rigoi
that at the end of seven day?, the usurper, in order to avoid
falling into the enemy's hands, set fire to his palace
and perished in the flames with all his family, B. 0. 92S.
Amri then carried on for four years an active warfare
100
BAOnED BISTORT.
U, ■
I
.'ii ^ ^
of the latter, Amri became sole master of the kingdon,
built the oity of Samaria whioh he made his capital, and
died a wretched death after a miserable reign of ten
years, B. G. 918.
Q. Who was Achab ?
A. Achab was the son and successor of Amri ;
he surpassed all his predecessors in impiety and
cruelty.
Q. By whom was he encouraged in his im-
pious undertakings ?
A. By his queen Jezabel, who strove to exti^
pate the true religion and re-establish the wor-
ship of Baal.
Q. What great prophet flourished during
this reign ?
A. Elias, who was cruelly persecuted by
Achab and Jezabel for the liberty with which
he reproved them for their crimes.
Q. What did Elias announce to Achab as
a punishment of his impiety ?
A. He announced that neither rain nor dew
should fall upon the earth for the space of three
years and a half.
Q, Wbat was th9 resuH of tbU brought ?
fllZTH KPOCR.
101
A. A dreadful famine that desolated the
whole country.
Q. Whither did Elias retire while the famine
raced?
A. He retired to a desert place near the
borders of a little torrent, and was there fed
by ravens that brought him food both morning
aad evening. When the torrent had dried up,
he sought the hospitality of a poor widow of
Sarepta, whose charity he rewarded by mul-
tiplying her oil and restoring her son to life.
Q. What did Achab in the meantime ?
A. He caused diligent search to be made
for the holy prophet, whom he regarded ds the
eole cause of the heavy disasters that distressed
the kingdom.
Q. What was the result ?
A. Elias, impelled by the spirit of God,
came forth to meet the haughty king, and told
him that the idolatrous practices which every
where prevailed, were the principal cause of all
the disasters that befell his kingdom.
EUaa then proposed to the king to assemble all the priests
of Baal on Mount GarmeU where he would offer a saoritioe
to the Qod whom he worshiped, whilst thoy offered on« tc
102
8A0RBD BI8T0ET.
{■''m
■■•■ %: -*!
m - ^' - ■ i i
their idol. It wm agreed that the God of him whote
•aorij^AMOiild be oonsumed by fire, should be reoognii^e'l
M thii mie true Ood. The priestii of Uaal invoked their
god from momiDg till noon, but in vain ; no answer was
given, DO fire descended. Elias then ironically rebuked
them, laying : ** Cry in a lou Jer voice, perhaps your god
is talking, or is at an inn, or on a journey, or perhaps is
asleep and must be awaked."
£lia8, on the contrary, had no sooner prayed than fire
descended flom heaven on the holocaust and consumed it.
When the people saw this prodigy, they prostrated them-
selves, crying out : « It is the Lord, the Ood of Elias, who
is the true God." They then fell upon the priests of Baal,
and slew them all to the number of 460. Elias afterwards
prayed God to put an end to the drought Scarcely had
be finished his prayer when the heavens, which were clear
and serene became dark with clouds; and there fell a
copious shower, which refreshed the earth and restored
feriility.
Q. What Dew crime did Aohab commit ?
A.. In union with the perfidious Jezabel, he
caused an inoffensive Israelite, named Naboth,
to be put to death, in order to take possession
of his vineyard.
Q. What was the consequence of this crime ?
A. While Achab was yet congratulating
himself on the success of his perfidy^ Elias an-
nounced to him on the part of God that in
punishment of his criuids he should soon b«
itlXrU KFUCU.
103
lim whoM
reoognine'l
»ked their
Dswer WM
ly rebuked
IS your god
perhaps ii
{ than fire
Dsumed it.
ated them-
Eliai, who
its of fiaal,
afterwardi
uroely had
were clear
here fell i
id restored
imit?
zabel, he
Naboth,
possession
is orime ?
atulating
Elias an-
that in
soon be
carried out of life by a violent death^ and that
ull his race should be speedily exterminated.
Q. When was this prediction fulfilled ?
A. Two years afterwards in a terrible battle,
fought between the troops of Aohab and those
of Benadad, king of Syria.
Q. What particular oircumstanoes attended
Achab'H death ?
A. Hearing that the king of Syria had or-
dered the officers of his army to direct all their
efforts against his person, he divested himself
of the royal insignia and thus cowardly exposed
Josaphat, his ally, to the aim of the enemy ;
but God, who knows where to find the guilty
when the hour of His vengeance has come
caused an arrow, shot at random, to pierce the
impious Achab, B. C. 897. .
Q. By whom was Achab succeeded ?
A. By his son Ochosias.
Q. What accident happened this prince in
the beginning of his reign ?
A. He fell from a window of his palace and
was dangerously wounded. Wishing to know
whether he should recover from his illness, he
\h
''*'i
t
ill
Sii
104
HACKED UitsTOLY.
sent to consult Beelzebub the idol-god of Ao-
caron, Elias met the messengers, and told
them that they might return and tell their
royal master that he would not long survive.
Q. What did Ochosias, irritated by this
answer of the prophet ?
A. He despatched one of his officers with a
company of fifty men to apprehend him. The
officer having spoken with arrogance to the
man of God, he and his company were con-
sumed by fire from heaven. A second band,
despatched on a similar message, shared the
same fate.
. Q. What did the captain of the third ?
A. Profiting by the example of his predeces-
sors, he respectfully saluted the prophet and
besought him to return with him to his royal
master. Elias complied with this respectfully
tendered request, and, being introduced into
the king^B presence, feared not to repeat the
fatal sentence which he had already pronounced
against him.
Q. What afterwards became of Elias ?
A. As he was one day walking with his dis*
til"
SIXTH Ki'oon.
105
of Ac-
rid told
ill their
•vive.
by this
; with a
L The
to the
3re con-
d band,
ired the
d?
)rcdece8-
het and
lis royal
)ectfully
3ed into
eat the
uounced
i?
his diB-
ciplc Eliscus, they were parted asunder
fiery horses and a fiery chariot into which the
prophet having entered, he was carried up to
heaven, B. C. 895.
Q. On whom did his prophetic spirit descend?
A. On Eliseus, his disciple, whose fame sooa
spread throughout Israel and Syria.
Q. What remarkable person sought to avail
himself of the miraculous power of the prophet ?
A. Naaman, commander of the armies of
Syria, who was afflicted with leprosy.
Q. How did he obtain his cure ?
A. He came with a numerous train of attend-
anis to the dwelling of Eliseus, who sent a
servant to inform him that to be healed he
nmst go and wash himself seven times in the
Jordan.
Q. How did Naaman receive this prescrip-
tion ?
A. He was so offended at the apparent inci-
vility of the prophet that he would have imme-
diately returned to Syria, had his attendants
not persuaded him to comply with the prophet^s
prescription. Accordingly, he went to the Jor-
If
I JO
i^AOKKD HISTORY.
ilik
daa, bent himself seven times beneath its waters,
and rose clear from the inveterate leprosy.
Q. Who succeeded Ochosias ?
A.. His brother Joram, who carried on a
successful waifare against Benadad, king of
Syria.
Q. To whom was his success owing ?
A. To the prophet Eliseus, who, by th^
supernatural knowledge he had of what was
passing in the Syrian camp, enabled Joram to
frustrate the plans of his enemy.
Q. What did Benadad when assured that
Eliseus was the man who defeated all his strat-
agems ?
A. He sent a detachment of his troops to
apprehend him ; but God, at the request of His
servant, struck them with blindness. Eliseus
then went out to meet them and told them that
they had lost their way, upon which he offered
to conduct them to the man whom they sought
and led them away to Samaria.
Q. What did the prophet when he arf'ived
in Samaria ?
A. He prayed the Lord to open their eyes
f ''?]
n4m
dlXTH KFOOH.
>7
that they might see the danger of the situation
which they were in. He afterwards entreated
the king of Israel in their behalf and obtained
their release.
Q. Was Benadad appeased by this act of
generosity ?
A. No; he immediately assembled all his
troops and laid siege to Samaria.
The inhabitants of the beleaguered city soon felt all the
horrors of a close and protracted siege. Joram, racked
with despair at the sight of the evils entailed on his king-
dom and believing Eliseus to be the principal cause, com-
manded one of his officers to go and strike ofif hie head ;
but a moment after, having repented of the rash order,
he himself hastened towards the dwelling of the prophet,
in order to prevent its execution. Eliseus then told him
that on the following day the city would be abundantly
supplied with provisions. On hearing this, one of the
king's courtiers expressed his disbelief, upon which the
prophet answered : " Yet thou shalt see it with thine own
eyes, but shalt not taste thereof."
Q. How was the city delivered ?
A. During the night an alarm was spread in
the Syrian camp that an enemy was in full
march upon them. On hearing this startling
rumor, the Syrians took to flight, leaving an
immense quantity of provisions in their desert-
ed camp.
Hi
108
SAORBD HI0TOET.
h:;
Q. How was the second pare of the predic-
tion fulfilled ?
A. The people, having poured out in crowds
to plunder the abandoned camp, the incredulous
oo'irtier, who was stationed at the town-gate,
as crushed to death by the throng.
Q. What, did Joram afterwards undertake ?
A. He undertook to capture the fortress of
Ramoth Gilead, which had fallen into the hands
of the Syrians. Having received a wound in
a combat with the enemy, he invested Jehu
with the chief command of the army and
returned to Jezrael.
Q. What followed ?
A. Jehu, who had been previously anointed
king, marched without delay to Jezrael. The
wounded monarch went out to meet him ; and,
perceiving that his intentions were nostile, im-
mediately took to flight, whereupon Jehu bent
his bow and shot the royal fugitive through the
heart, B. C. 884.
Q. What was the fate of Jezabel ?
A. Wishing to propitiate the victor, she dress-
ed herself in gaudy apparel and appeared at one
UZTB ■POCH.
109
of the windows of herpalaoe as Jehu passed.
Little touched by outward demonstrations, Jehu
bade his eunuchs throw her headlong down •,
her body was trampled on by the hoofs of the
horses, and afterwards devoured by dogs, ac-
cording to the prediction of Elias.
Unfortunately for himaelf and hit tubjeots, Jeha did
not display a similar leai for the ezUrpatioa of idolatry^
he oarriod his forgetfulneas of Qod so far as to wombip
the golden calyes, ereoted.by Jeroboam at Dan and BeiheL
lie died after a reign of twenty-eight years, B. C. 85d.
Q. Who were the next three kings of Israel ?
A. Joachaz, Joas, and Jeroboam II., whose
reign lasted fif]^>one years and was remarkable
for its great prosperity.
Q. What prophet flourished during the reign
of this prince ?
A. The prophet Jonas, whom the lord isent
to preach penance to the Ninivites.
Q. How did Jonas fulfil his mission ?
A. Believing himself unequal to the impor-
tance of the undertaking, he thought to avoif
the arduous task by flight ; and, accordingly
embarked on board a ship that was bound tui
^iMMniif ft iMrjfQif\ gn ^^'^9019,9% of Am ^i»o|
110
8A0RXD HISTORY.
■fill
1
Q. What happened as they had put to sea ?
A. A '^lent storm arose ; and the trembling
mariners, believing their distress to be an effect
of the wrath of God on some one of the crew,
called Jonas who had composed himself to sloop,
and bade him pray for their safety. As the
storm did not abate, they resolved to oast lots,
to find out the criminal ; and the lot falling on
Jonas, heboid them that to save themselves
fton aUpwreok they must throw him into the
Q. Did Jonas perish ?
A. No ^ he was immediately swallowed by
a sea-moDsier, in whoso belly he remained three
days and Aree n^hts, during which time he
ceased not to bewail his disobedience and im-
pk>re the merey of God, who, graciously hear-
ing his prayer, caused tiie fish to cast him on
the shore.
Q. Bid Jonas then obey the Lord's com-
kiand?
A. Yea, he proceeded to Ninive and preached
to effioaoiously to the people that they covcr-
jid themnelyea with sackcloth m^ s^es, wh^rc*
Bixm IPOOH.
Ill
upon the Lord forgave them their offence and
spared their city.
Q. Who were the last kings of Israel ?
A. Zacharias, Sellum, Manahem, Phaceia,
Phacee, and Osee.
Q. What took place during the reign of Osee ?
A. Samaria, his capital-city, was invested
by the army of Salmanasar and taken after a
protracted siege of three years, B. 0. 721.
Q. What became of the inhabitants ?
A. They were dispersed throughout the prov-
inces of the Assyrian empire.
Q. How long had the kingdom of Israel
lasted?
A. About 250 years, during which its scep-
tre had been swayed by 19 sovereigns.
Q. What distinguished person was among
the captives ?
A. Tobias, a holy man of the tribe of Neph-
thali, whose history is recorded in Holy Writ
for the instruction of after-ages.
This holjr man, by his superior wisdom and the ujr
rightness of his conduct, gained the esteem and cooli-
denoe of gaimanasar, who i^ppointe4 him ponreyor of hit
mW
112
BAORVD BISTORT.
•■ii I
^ i -1}
kingdom. He lost this position under Senaaoherib, who,
ezadperatod at the destruction of an army that he had
sent agaiust Jerusalem, poured out his yengeauce upon
the captive Israelites. He caused great numbers of tHem
to be massacred eyery day, and suffered no one to giye
them burial. Tobias, who feared God more than the
wrath of the king, buried by night those of his compatriots
who had fallen victims to the cruelty of the tyranL He
thus drew down upon himself the ire of the monarch, who
oontiscated his property and would have put him to death
had he not saved himself by timely flight. The haughty
Assyrian was shortly afterwards slain by his own sons,
while worshiping in the temple of one of his gods. Tobias
then reoSvered his liberty and his goods.
When Tobias thought the hour of his dissolution to be
at hand, he called his son, the young Tobias, and gave
him his last advices. ** Hear, my son," said he, ** the
words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy
heart. — When Glod shall take my soul, thou shalt bury
my body ; and thou shalt honor thy mother all the days
of her life, and when she also shall have ended the time
of her life, bury her by me. — All the days of thy life,
have God in thy mind and take heed thou never consent
to any sin. — According to thy abUity, be merciful; if
thou hast much, give abundantly ; if thou hast little,
take care even so to bestow willingly a little. — Never suffer
pride in thy mind or in thy word, for from it all perdition
took its beginning. — ^If any man hath done any work for
thee, pay hiin bis hire immediately. — Never do to an
other what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee. — Eat
thy bread with the hungry and tho needy, and cover the
ui^^ with (by gftrmonti.<--S9o]f oouni ol i^wap of ^ win
%m
SIXTH BPOOH.
113
lb, who,
he had
se upon
of them
) to give
haa the
ipatriota
nL He
roh, who
to death
laughty
vn sons,
Tobias
on to be
ad gave
le, '* the
nin thy
alt bury
he days
;he time
thy life,
consent
-cifulj if
st little,
er suffer
)erdilion
work for
lo to an
BO. — Eat
over th«
man.— Bless God at all times, and beseech Him to direot
thy ways."
After these instructions, bo fraught with wisdom, Tobias
informed his son that he had lent ten talents (;|^IO,OtfO) to
an Israelite, named Q-abelus, who lived at JtUges, a town
of Media; and that he should now go to reclaim that
sum. The obedient son immediately went forth in quest
oi some faithful person to guide him on his long and
perilous journey ; and, meeting a comely young m.an in
the equipage of a traveler, civilly saluted him, — little
thinking that under such a garb was concealed a heavenly
messenger, whom God had appoiutod for his guidance
and protection. He asked the stranger who he was,
whence he came, and if he knew the way that led inti
the country of the Modes. The angel replied that he had
been at Ragoe and dwelt with an Israelite by the name
of Gabelus. Overjoyed at his good fortune, young Tobias
introduced the traveler to his father, who was equally
well pleased with the candor and friendly promises of the
comely youth. After bidding his father and mother an
affectionate farewell, Tobias set off with his guide for
Rages. On the very first day of the journey, the angel
delivered him from an enormous fish that advanced to
devour him while he was washing his feet in tae Tigris.
Tobias seized the monster, and, according to the direction
of the angel, took out the gall, which he preserved for
future use.
On arriving at Ecbatana, the chief city of the Modes,
Tobias was received with great joy by his relative Raguel,
whose daughter, according to the advice of his heavenly
guide, he asked in marriage. The angel then proceeded
to Rages at the request of Tobias, who remained witk
III m
lit I «i,|
i 1^
.T J
lU
ttl.0RiCO HISTOBT.
:.■(!■ i
Kagael to oelebrate big nuptials, after whioh ha retimad
to li(iiiiTe.
The parents of Tobias were all this while in great anxi-
ety about their son, whom the/ fondly oalled the staff of
their old age, and the oomfort of their ^ife. His mother
went every day to the top of a neighboring hillock, to
watch his coming. At last^ she perceived him, and, with
great haste, ran to impart the joyful tidings to her hus-
band.
When the first emotions had subsided, Tobias took the
gall which he bad preserved and applied it to the eyes of
his aged father, who had been aooidently blinded, and he
gradually recovered his sight.
He then recounted to his parents all that his guide had
done fur him during the journey ; and, in the warmth of
their gratitude, they offered the angel half of all they
possessed ; but ho declined their generous offer, saying :
** 1 am the angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand be-
fore the Lord." Struck with religious awe at these words,
they fell prostrate to the ground. " Fear not," said the
augel, ** ii ii I that offered to the Lord your prayers when
you buried the dead : the Lord sent me towards you, to
cure you ; render Uim thanks for all that you owe Him."
The angel then disappef>x)d, leaving them full of joy
and admiration.
The venerable Tobias lived 40 years after this event,
and died attheageof 102 years. He left behind him a
faithful imitator of his piety and virtue in the young To-
bias, who presents to all succeeding ages an accomplished
model of the respect and obedience that children owe
to their parents.
■IXTH IPOCH.
116
KINGDOM OF JUDA.
Q. Did Roboam always remain faithful to
God?
A. No ; tbousrh humbled for a time by the
8ohism which his rash conduct had occasioned,
he soon after abandoned the God* of his fathers
and fell into idolatry.
Q. How was he punished for his crimes ?
A. By the invasion of Sesac, king of Egypt,
who took Jerusalem and carried away the
treasures of the temple and those of the royal
palace, B. C. 971.
Q. How long did Roboam reign ?
4.. Seventeen years.
Q. Who was his successor ?
A. His son Abia, who distinguished himself
Dy the victory he gained over Jeroboam.
Q. Give the particulars of this victory.
A. Jeroboam marched against him at the
head of 800,000 men, full of resolution and
courage ; and, having but 400,000 to oppose
to Buoh a formidable host, he humbly besought
f'-t
m
i\
W:
\m
I
I
lie
■AORBD HI8T0ST.
the Lord to come to his aid. His prayer was
heard, and the king of Israel was defeated with
the loss of 500,000 of his troops.
Tbii li the greatest namber on record of slain and
wounded in any battle, whether of ancient or modern
biBtory.
Q. Who was the successor of Abia ?
A. Asa, his son, who reigned 41 yearfi.
Q. By whom was the country invaded shortly
after the accession of Asa ?
A. By Zara, king of Ethiopia, who advanced
at the head of 1,000,000 of men. Asa, placing
his trust in God, marched out against him and
routed his vast army with great slaughter.
Q, Who succeeded Asa ?
A. His son Josaphat, a prince equally dis-
tinguished for his religious virtues and royal
qualities, B. C. 914. '^
With an ardont leal for the duties of religion he combin-
ed an unwearied application to promote the welfare of
his people. He gained several brilliant factories over the
enemies of his country, and«awed the neighboring princes
into respect His character would be blameless had he
not espoused his son to the famous Athalia, the worthy
daughter of the impious Aohab and the cruel Jeiabel.
Q By whom wm Josaphat saooeeded ?
tlXTI irooH.
117
^er was
id with
ain and
modern
ITS,
shortly
Ivanced
placing
iim and
>er.
lly dia^
royal
oombin-
elfare of
over the
g princes
I had he
d worthy
label.
I?
A. By his son Joram, who, following the
counsels of the perfidious Athalia, involved in
one general massacre his six brothers and some
of the most eminent men of the kingdom.
Q. Who succeeded Joram ?
A. His son Ochosias, who inherited all the
vices of his father.
Q. How did Ochosias die ?
A. He was slain by Jehu while on a visit to
his kinsman, the idolatrous Joram, king of
Israel.
Q. Who seized the reins of government after
the death of this prince ?
A. His mother, the impious Athalia.
Q. How did she treat the sons of Ochosias,
her grandchildren ?
A. She gave orders for them all to be put to
death. Joas, however, then but one year old, was
saved from her cruel vengeance and concealed
I n the temple by Josabeth, the sister of Ocho>
sias and wife of the high-priest Joiada.
Q. How did Joas obtain possession of the
throne of his father ?
A. When he had attained his seventh jeta^
118
SAORKD HT8TORT.
ii ^-'1
ill f w.
the high-priest, on a solemn festival-day, told
the people, who had assembled in the temple,
how the young prince had been saved from
the savage fury of Athalia, his grandmother.
On hearing this, the multitude burst forth into
acclamations of joy, and acknowledged him for
their king.
Q. What did Athalia on hearing the accla-
mations of the people ?
A. She immediately proceeded to the temple,
but was thrust out by the soldiers and slain on
the spot, B. C. 878.
Q. How did Joas govern the nation ?
A. As long as Joiada lived, he governed
with moderation and sagacity ; but after the
death of that virtuous pontiff, he re-established
the worship of idols and caused Zacharias, the
son and successor of Joiada, to be stoned to
death for having reproached him with his
crimes.
What blnck ingratitude 1 Joiada a thousand times ex-
posed his own live, to save this Inst ?cion of the house of
David: he brought him up within the precinct-' 'f the
temple with all the fond .solicitude of a tarhor; lie ins mot-
ed him in the duties of roligion, and ai:<tju<t.ud 'ojii^ q ,yQ
gOTernment of his kingdotn, — and in roturrj for so many
SIXTH EPOCH.
Ill
favors, Joas, the ungrateful Joas, dooms to death Zaoha-
rifls, the son of his benefactor, the friend and oompsnion
of bis youth, notwithstanding the sanctity and sablimity
of the character with which he was inyested,
Q. How did Joas end his life ?
A. He was slain in his bed by his own
servants after a long and disastrous reign of
40 years, B. C. 839.
Q. Who succeeded Joas ?
A. His son Amasias, who, puffed up with 9,
great victory that he had gained over an army
of Idumeans 300,000 strong, undertook to re-
duce the ten tribes to his dominion.
Q. How did he succeed in this enterprise ?
A. He was defeated by the king of Israel
who advanced to Jerusalem, demolished part
of the walls, and plundered the public treasureti.
Q. How did Amasias die ?
A. After a reign of 29 years, he perished
in a conspiracy which had been occasioned by
the numerous disasters that he entailed upon
his kingdom during the latter years of his lite,
B. C. 810.
Q. Who was the successor of Amasias 7
A. His son Osias, who in the 52nd year of
120
8A0BED RI3T0BT.
\ ; t, *jS
his reign having presumed to offer up incenim m
the temple, was struck with a hideous leprosy in
consequence of which he was obliged to abdi-
cate in favor of his son Joathan.
Q. What was the character of Joathan ?
A. He was a wise and faithful prince, who
rendered himself agreeable to God by his piety,
and useful to the people by the wisdom of his
government.
Q. Who succeeded Joathan ?
A. Achaz, his son, who surpassed all his
predecessors in impiety. He closed the temple,
abolished the sacrifices, and erected altars to
the gods of the Syrians.
Q. How was Achaz punished for his impiety ?
A. By the frequent incursions of the kings
of Israel and Syria, who ravaged his kingdom
and carried away 200,000 of his subjects to
Samaria.
Q. What did Achaz, to topose the incursions
of his enemies ?
A. He purchased a shameful alliance with
Theglath-Phalasar, king of Assyria, who, incon-
ecquence, invaded the kingdom of Israel and
SIXTH ■POOB4
121
snipe !■
•osy in
► abdi-
n?
5, who
piety,
of his
all his
emple,
;ars to
piety ?
kings
igdorn
ects to
irsions
J with
inoon-
al and
carried away a great number of its inhabitants
whom he dispersed throughout his empire.
Q. Did Achaz long survive this event ?
A. No ; the Lord whose wrath was inflamed
by his impiety, snatched him out of life in the
36th year of his age and the 16th of his reign,
B. C. 726.
Q. Who ascended the throne after Achaz ?
A. His son Ezechias, a prince of extraordi-
nary piety, who made religion ancf virtue flour^
ish anew throughout his kingdom.
Q. Did Ezechias pay tribute to the king of
Assyria as his father had done ?
A. No ; roused with a laudable indignation,
he refused to pay the odious tribute and resolved
to shake oflF the Assyiian yoke.
Q. What was the rcbult ?
A. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded
his territories at the head of a powerful army,
took many of the fortified cities, and compelled
Ezechias to purchase peace at an enormous price.
Q. Was the peace thus purchased of long
duration ?
A. No ; for Sennacherib, unfaithful to his
^li;
i- \>-
122
8A0RBD EIST^AT*
plighted faith, shortly afterwards laid siege to
Jerusalem.
Q. What did Ezechias in this emergency ?
A. He went to the temple, and implored the
Lord to save his people from the sword of the
Assyrians. God heard his earnest prayer, and
sent an exterminating angel who slew 185,000
of the enemy.
It was during thio war and while Jerusalem was.threat-
•ned by the AssyriaDS that Ezeobias fell sick of the plague.
The loTe of life, the sad oonditioo of his country, and the
throne of David being left without an heir, caused him to
grieve at his fate and to pray earnestly for his recovery.
The Lord condescended to his supplications and sentlsaiaa
to tell him that in three days he should ba able to go to
the temple, and that fifteen years more wt^ie added to his
life. In confirmation of these extraordinary promises, the
prophet made the shadow cast by the index on the dial
of Achas, to retrograde ten degrees.
Q. Did this save Jerusalem ?
A. Yes ; Sennacherib immediately fled with
the remnant of his army, and was soon after-
wards slain by his own sons in the temple of his
idol-god at Ninive.
Q. How long did Ezechias reign ?
Twenty
nine years.
ii ■*
BIXTH BPOCH.
113
Q. By whom was he succeeded ? *^
A. By his son Manasses, during whose reign
idolatry was publicly professed, the most abom-
inable practices prevailed, and Jerusalem was
filled with the blood of innocent victims.
Q. Who was the most eminent victim of his
cruelty ?
A. The prophet Isaias, who, according to a
Jewish tradition, was sawed in two by orders
of the tyrant for having reproached him with
his enormous crimes, B. C. 681.
Isaias is the first of the four great prophets. He was
the nephew of Osias, under whose reign he oommenoed to
prophesy. He predicted the invasion of Juda by the
combined forces of Israel and Syria, consoled Ezechias in
his illness, and foretold the miraculous defeat of Senna-
cherib's host. With respect to the birth, life, and sufferings
of Jesus Christ, he enters into such minute details that
he seems more like a historian narrating past occurrences,
than a prophet announcing events seven hundred years
before they come to pass.
Q. What evils befell Manasses in punishment
of his crimes ?
A. His kingdom was invar'ed by the armies
of Asarhaddon, king of Ass3/ria, and he himself
was taken prisoner, loaded with chains, ani
earried off to Babylon.
'5 ^ <;-
■-if-
;ill
III
d
■m
124
MAOBXD HI8T0BT.
if " ;- '
i) -ii"'
•(,;<
Q. What effect had these chastisements on
Manasses?
A. They wrung from him tears of repentance ;
he deplored the evils of his reign, and begged
that he might be enabled to evince the sincerity
of his sorrow by being restored to a positioa
for undoing all that he had previously done.
His prayers were heard, and he was, accordingly,
reinstated in his kingdom.
Q. What did Manasses on reascending the
throne ?
A. He strenuously endeavored to extirpate
idolatry and establish the worship of God in
all its former purity and splendor.
Q. What remarkable event took place about
the 41st year of his reign ?
A. The raising of the siege of BetLulia by
a holy woman, named Judith. Ii
NabuohodoQOsor I., son and successor of Asarhaddoo,
haying undertaken to conquer all the kingdoms bordering
on his en.pire, despatched Holophernes with a powerful
army to subjugate the oountries lying west of Niuive, b'
capital. This proud general swept like a torrent over the
nrovirros that fell to his share. The inhabitants of the
m ' t 'ii'striots, struck with the terror of his arms, hastily
^Dif i ui their submission; the Jews alone stood alooti
SIXTH EPOCH.
125
ments od
}eQtance ;
i begged
I sincerity
positioQ
i\j done,
jordingly,
ding the
extirpate
^ God in
ice about
Lulia by
sarhaddoD,
8 bordering
a powerful
Niuive, b'
3Dt over the
ants of the
rms, hastily
stood aloofi
H'l'
and prepared to resist. Astonished at their audacity,
Uulophernes inquired of the Ammoaites and Moabites who
these people were. Achior, the leader of the Ammonites,
acquainted him with their history, and added that as
long as they would remain faithful to their Qod, no
human force could vanquish them. This informatioa
roused the wrath of the Assyrian, who immediately
marched into Israel and laid siege to Bethulia. At the
end of thirty-four days, the inhabitants were reduced to
Buch distress that they determined to surrender if not
relieved in five days. It was in this emergency that
Judith, inspired from on high, formed the design of deliver-
ing both the city and the nation from the tyranny of th«
haughty Assyrian, B. C. 656.
Q. How did she execute her design ?
A. Having arrayed herself in rich attire, she
proceeded to the camp of the Assyrian general,
who, won by her graces, allotted her a separate
tent, gave orders that she should be plentifully
supplied with all that she might want, and
granted her the liberty of going in and out the
camp as often as she pleased.
Q. How did she avail herself of this liberty ?
A. Every night she went out into the vale
of Bethulia, and prayed the Lord to give her
strength for the execution of her design.
Q. What occurred on the evening of the
fourth day ?
126
BACRKD OIRTOST.
A. IloIopUenics gave io honor of J uiilh a
SQuiptuous entertainment to all the offioers of
his army. When it was grown late, theoifioers
retired and Holophernes, oppressed with sleep
and wine, threw himself on his bed.
Q. What did Judith at that moment ?
A. With tears in her eyes, she besought the
Lord to strengthen her feeble arm and to seoon d
ker endeavors. She then advanced to the bed,
unsheathed the sword of the proud Assyriao,
and with two strokes severed his head from bis
body.
Q. What did Judith then do ?
A. She gave the head of Holopherncs to her
maid, who was outside the tent door ; and, leav-
ing the oamp as usual, returned to the city
where she was received with great demonstra-
tions of joy by all the inhabitants.
Q. What did the Bethulians as soon as day
dawned ?
A. They rushed upon the Assyrians, who,
hearing that their general was slain, fled with
precipitation, leaving an immense booty to the
yiotors.
RIXTI EPOOB.
127
Juiith t
officers ()['
lieoifioens
ritb sleep
It?
)ught the
to seooD d
the bed,
Assyrian,
f Voiii bifl
les to her
md, leuv-
the city
luonstra-
ti as duy
Qs, who,
led with
ty to tiie
After this brilliant aohieTvnient, Judith hait«ned baok
within the wallij of hor prirate oratory, as though sh*
were a stranger to her own merit; and humbly retreatvd
from the fa(M of her fellow-oitizens, as though she had
dune nothing to deserve their praise.
Q. How long did Man asses reign ?
A. Fifty-five years ; this is the longest reign in
Jewish history.
Q. By whom was he succeeded ?
A. By hi» son Amon, who, imitating the im-
piety but not the repentance of his father, died
by the hands of his own servants after a mis>
arable reign of two years.
Q. Who succeeded Amon ?
A. His son, the celebrated Josias, one of the
wisest and most virtuous of the kings of J u da.
Q. What was the principal object of his cares ?
A. To extirpate idolatry, and make the true
religion flourish throughout his kingdom.
Q. By whom was the country invaded during
his reign ?
A. By Nechao, king of Egypt, who defeated
the Jews in a desperate battle fought at the
foot of Mount Carmel, and in which Josias
was mortally wounded, B. C. GIO.
iill,,
n 1"
128
SAORED HT8T0RT.
if
U t
•4
If'. .
f-'
i.
iiBini.'
I
1
Q. Who succeeded Josias ?
A. His son, Joachaz, whom Nechao dethroned
after a reipjn of three months and replaced by
Joakirn, his brother.
Q. What great prophet flourished in the reign
of Joakirn ?
A. Jeremias, who threatened both king and
people with the heaviest chastisements if they
did not abandon their evil ways and appease
the wrath of God by a sincere repentance.
Q. What eflfect had these denunciations on
the king ?
A. They roused his displeasure to fiuch a
degree that he seized the volume in which they
were written, and cut it into little scraps which
he threw into the fire.
Q, What did Jeremias on hearing this ?
A. By the command of God, he penned down
the same prophecies in an other volume, and
added new threats to the former.
Q. When were these prophecies fulfilled ?
A. Shortly afterwards, when Nabuchodono-
80r Il.y surnamed the Groat, laid siege to Je-
rusalem. He took the city, made Joakini his
mh
SIXTH EPOCH.
129
vassal, and carried to Babjloa seyeral princes
and other noble youths, amons; whom was the
prophet Daniel, B. C. 606.
Q. Did Joakiin long submit to this state of
vassalage ?
A. No ; three years had hardly elapsed before
he rebelled against the king of Assyria ; but his
forces were overthrown, and he himself fell into
the hands of the Chaldeans from whom he re-
ceived the just punishment of his crimes.
Q. By whom was Joakim succeeded ?
A. By his wicked son Jechonias, who, after
a short reign of three months, was carried awaj
with 10,000 of his subjects to Babylon.
Q. Whom did Nabuchodonosor place on the
throne ?
A. Sedecias, the uncle of the late king, who
rendered himself odious to the people by his
licentiousness and impiety.
Q. What did Sedecias in the ninth year of
his reign ?
A. He revolted against the king of Babylon,
y^ho thereupon marched a powerful army into
Jvirjori, fiTifi blocked him up in Jcrasalom.
kH
^1'^
^
m
n
■ t
i ■
I. so
.SAOIttID HISTOKV.
Q. What was the issue of the siege ?
A. The city was crarried by storm after a
brave resistance of three ycirs, B. C. 588.
Q. What was the fate of Sedccias ?
A. After having his oyes plucked out, he
was loaded with chains and carried to Bibylon.
Q. What befell the city and its inhabitants ?
A. The walls were demolished, the temple
was burned, and all the inhabitants, except
those poor husbandmen who were necessary to
till the land, were transplanted to Babylon.
Q. WhiJt became of the ark of the covenant ?
A. It was hidden by the prophet Jeremias
in a cavern of Mount Nebo.
Q. How long had the kingdom of Juda lasted ?
A. It had lasted 387 years, during which it
was governed by 20 sovereigns.
Thus was the sceptre of Juda broken, and the country
reduced to a lonely desert. The people wound no tnoro
through the valleys, to go up and worship in the temple ;
the hymn of praise no more awoke the echoes of Moria ;
Jerusalem ia a vast solitude ; " her way's mourn because
none oome to the solemn feast ; all her gates are brokf^o
down; her priests sigh, her rirging are in affliction, and
ihe ii oppreiiod with bittemesi," wl^U^ )^fr oi)U4rei| "lob
orid cisrh by tho ri?9ri of Babylon,"
ererai-'is
•ITKNTI r.POCH.
131
SEVENTH EPOCH,
From the destruction of Jerv ilom,
B. C. 538, to the reign of t'ol -cus.
B- C. 187.
Q. Whom did Nabuchodonosor appoint to
govern Judea ? *
A. Godolias, one of his officers, who wm
jtiurdered in the midst of a banquet by a tur-
^uUnt man of the tribe of Juda, named Ismael.
Q. What did the people, fearing the ven-
geance of Nabuchodonosor ?
A. Thy fled into Egypt notwithstanding the
entreaties of Jeremias, who assured them that
if they remained in the country no harm would
befall them ; but that if they went into Egypt,
they all should perish.
Jeremias, either williDgly or by compulsion, accom*
panied them ; j,nd it is believed that he was stoned to
death at Taphnis by the ungrateful refugees, who had
grown tired of his plaints and admonitions, B. C. 486,
lj(j. How was this prediction fulfilled ? ^
A. Nabuohodonosor having sooa after dot
olared war against the king of Egypt, iDvaded
^
I
.. !
i\-v
132
SACRBD HISTORY.
Mr
I;
after which he issued orders for the extennina-
tion of the Jews who were in the country.
Q. How were the Jews treated, who were
carried into captivity ?
Q. They were treated with great lenity hy
the B ilylonian monarch, who permitted them
to live according to their law, and gave them
governors of their own nation.
Q. Who were the most remarkable of the
captive? ?
A, The most remarkable of the captives were
Daniel, Ananias, Azarias, Misael, Susanna,
Ezechiel, Zorobabel, Esther, and Mardochai.
Q. How were Daniel and his three compan-
ions treated ?
A. By the king's order, Daniel and his thi-co
companions, Ananias, Azarias, and Misael,
were chosen from among their fellow-captives
to be instructed in the language and manners
of the Chaldeans.
Q. How did God reward them for their fi-
delity to his service ?
A. He endowed them with such extraordi-
nary wisdom that the king confided to them
^jpf^p 9f ^b^ most important Q^m of his empire,
ftBVRNTH EPOCH.
I.'IS
Q. How was tbcir fidelity tested ?
A. Tlie B:iby Ionian nobles, becoming ex-
tremely jejlous of the confidence which the
king placed in the young strangers, resolved
upon their destruction. To effect their wicked
purpose, they counseled Nabuchodonosor to
condemn to the flimes all who would not pay
divine honors to his statue, knowing full well
t'.iat the virtuous youths would never stoop to
such an act of impiety.
Q. What was the result ?
A. The king, incensed at their refusal, ordered
ilicm to be bound and cast into a fiery furnace ;
but the Lord, ever mindful of his faithful serv-
ants, sent at that moment an angel, who struck
off their bonds and fanned thorn with a refresh-
ing breeze as he walked to and fro with them
amidst the surroundiijg flames.
Q. How was Daniel's fidelity put to the test ?
A. Having constantly refused to participate
in the idolatrous worship of the Babylonians,
he was cast into a lion's den. The king hear-
ing that no harm had befallen the holy prophet,
caused his enemies to be cast in to the wild
beasts which iostautly devoured them.
'%^H
:i4
ill
'I
i;
ill!
M
ji •':'"!■■■
>34
SCORED HISTORY.
f /f «
,ii
Q. What greatly contributed to increase
DanieFs fame at court ?
A. The interpretation of a dream which
Nabuchodonosor had, and by which God made
known to the vain-glorious monarch that, in
punishment of his pride, ho would be driven
from the society of men and compelled to hold
companionship with the beasts of the field for
seven years.
Q. What other famous interpretation did
Daniel give ?
A. He interpreted to Baltassar the meaning
of the three mysterious words, that had been
written by a miraculous hand on the wall during
a banquet which that prince gave to all his
courtiers.
These three words were : Mane, that is number ; Throbl,
weight; Phases, division. They signiOed, according to
Daniel's interpretation, that the Babylonian monarchy was
at an end, having now completed the number of its days,
being weighed in the scale of divine justice, and divided
between the Medes and Persians. This alarming propbee
was fulfilled that very night. Two detachments of Cyrus's
troops entered the city, and surprised the king whom they
put to the sword with all his attendants.
The sudden stroke that carried off Baltassar at the hour
h« Itast txp«et«d, ought to be a warning to all thoit
m§
BvmrrB ifooh.
135
increase
OkrutiMis whose einfal ezoesees and impenitent liree ex-
pose them to the daily risk of being sarprised by an an-
timelf death, and hurried before the bar of divine justice.
Q. What remarkable woman was among the
captives ?
A. SusaDna, a Jewess of uncommon beauty,
who had been brought up by her parents in
the fear oi God and in the love of virtue.
Two^ infamous old men who dispensed justice at the
hooeeof Jeakim, Susanna's husband, coneeiving aorim-
iaal passioaibr her* printed of a moment when she was
aloae to^eo&kst her eoneent, threftteoang her at the same
time with an ignomimous death in oaee of refusal. Su-
sanna, stroek with hornw^ cried oat with aU the heroism
that virtue alone ean insjure : " I see evils on every side ;
if I do that whioh yeut wi^, I kill my soul ; if I refuse,
you will make me perish; btU I prefer falling innoeemt
into your hanek to rendering n^yeelf guiUj/ before God «oAe
sees me," As she was led ont to execution, Daniel, an-
imated by the spirit of God, convicted of foul calumny her
two accusers who instantly received the puniirtiment of
their odious crime by being condemned to suffer the death'
to which they had doomed the chaste Susanna, B. G. 603.
Q. Who was Ezechiel ?
A. Gzechiel was the third of the four greal
prophets ; he prophesied during twenty years,
and was slain by a prince of his own nation
whom he had reproved for his idolatry.
Q. How long did the captivity last ?
f
v"^.
'■i '
:■ M
■ 1 1
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i !.
IM
8A0BBD HISTORY.
A. Seventy years, at the end of which CyruSy
K/ho had then ascended the throne oi' Persia,
published an edict permitting the Jews to return
to their country and rebuild the temple.
Q. Did all the Jews avail themselves of
tbis permission ?
A. No ; a great number permanently estab-
lished themselves in the different provinces of
the Persian empire.
Q. Who conducted the captives back to
Judea?
A. Zorobabel, a prince of the family of David.
Q. What was the number of the captives
that returned?
A. About forty-two thousand.
Q. What was the first undertaking of the
Jews after their return ?
A. The rebuilding of the temple, which they
carried on notwithstanding the continued opposi-
tion of their enemies. It was finally completed,
and dedicated with great solemnity, B. C. 515.
Q. How did the Jews act after their return ?
A. Reltased from the captivity of Babylon,
SEVENTH EPOCH.
137
they renonnced for ever the idolatry that had
drawn down upon them so terrible a chas-
tisement.
Q. What befell the Jews that remained in
the Persian provinces ? ^
A. They were grievously persecuted by a
wicked courtier, named Aman.
Aman, inflated with pride on account of the unbounded
confidence that his royal master placed in him, under-
took to haye himself worshiped ; but Mardochai who was
a Jew, refused lo him — a mortal man — that honor which
was due to God alone. Irritated at his refusal, Aman
frauduleotly obtained from the king an edict which con-
demned to death not only Mardochai but all the Jews
dispersed throughout the provinces of the Persia* anpirc.
Q. By whom were the Jews delivered from
the tyranny of Aman ?
A. By Esther, the niece of Mardochai, whom
the king had espoused on account of her beauty
and great accomplishments.
Q. What was the fate of Aman ?
A. He was hanged on the same gibbe*, that
he had prepared for Mardochai.
Q, Who was Nehemias ?
A. Nehemias was a virtuous Israelite, wht
rU
t'
nil
II il
ii\
m
lit ,'
■i*-
m
i
T38
SACRBD HISTORY.
obtained from Artaxorxcs nn edict authorizing
him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
The Samaritans and other enemies of the Jewish nation,
viewing this undertaking with jealousy, combined together
to stop its progress. Nehemias, in order to repel their at.
tacks, armed one-half of the young men with spears,
shields, and bows; while the other half, holding their swords
in one hand, carried on their work with the other. By their
perseverance and industry on which the Almighty be-
stowed a blessing, the wi.lls were rebuilt in the space of
fifty -two days, an ' *ii . ?m was again girded round
with ramparts, B. C. -li.
Q. What great conqueror made his entry
into Jerusalem, B. C. r32 V
A. Alexander the Great, son and successor
of Philip, king of Maoedon.
Q. For what purpose did he proceed to
Jerusalem ?
A. He marched thither with the design of
delivering it up to be plundered by his soldiers,
because the inhabitants had refused to supply his
army with provisions during the siege of Tyre.
Q. Did Alexander execute his design ?
A. No; at the sight of Jaddus, who, dressed
in his pontifical robes, advanced to meet him, the
heart of the mighty conqueror was so changed
■ i
fti!^
horizlnsj
ish nation,
d together
1 their at-
:h spears,
leir swords
. By their
lighty be-
) space of
led round
is entry
uccessor
)ceed to
esign of
soldiers,
ipplyhis
of Tyre.
n?
dressed
him, the
changed
EIOHT^ EPOCH.
139
that he becfged the high-priest to accompany him
to the temple, in order to oflTer up a sacrifice for
the success of his arras.
The high'priest showed his royal ^est the prophecies
of Daniel, which declared that the Persian empire would be
overthrown by a king of Greece. Alexander, filled with
joy and admiration, granted the Jews all the favors that
they asked, and from that time nerer oeaged to protect
them.
Q. How was the empire of Alexander divided
after his death ?
A. It was divided among four royal gov-
ernors. In this partition, Syria and Judea fell
to the lot of Seleucus.
EIGHTH EPOCH,
Prom the reign of Seleucus Philopator
B. C. 187, to the birth of
Jesus Christ.
Q. Did Judea enjoy peace under the kings
of Syria?
A. It enjoyed comparative tranquillity until
the reign of Seleucus Philopator, who, having
been informed by a wicked man, ni^med Simon,
1,
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III
140
flACRRP HIBTORY.
B'i*
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m.
that immense sums of money were deposfted in
the treasury of the temple, despatched Holio-
dorus, his commissary, to seize them.
Q. Did Heliodorus succeed in obtaining the
treasure ?
A. No ; as he entered the temple, he was
checked by a superbly dressed horseman who
trampled on him, whilst two angels in the form
of comely youths scourired him with rods.
Q. How were the Jews treated by Antiochus
Epiphanes ?
A. In a very cruel manner. This odious
prince, on mere suspicion, marched an aruiy to
Jerusalem, and, after capturing the city, butch-
ered 80,000 of its inhabitants without distinc-
tion of age or mx, took 40,000 prisoners, and
sold as many more as slaves to the neighboring
nations, B. C. 168.
Q. Who were the most illustrious victims of
his cruelty ?
A. The saintly old man Eleazar, who pre-
ferred to forfeit his life rather than feisjn to
eat forbidden meats; and the seven brothers
Machiibecs, who displayed an admirable forti-
tude in the midst of their cruel torments.
EICmrH E/OCH.
141
The friends of Eleazar, haviDg substituted perortitted
riauds, pressed him to partake thereof that he might save
bi> life by seeming to comply with the king's orders ; but
the saintly old man courageously replied : ** Such dissim^
Illation becomes not these grey hairs. God forbid that 1
pbould ever sully the purity of my former life by such a
Btaiii, and thereby give occasion for young men to imagine
that Kleazar, at the age of four score and ton, has re-
nounced the religion of his forefathers, and consented to
\he superstition of the pagans. Miserable, indeed, should I
Ijo if the poor remains of declining life could tempt me to
prevaricate in so shameful a manner ; for though I were
to escape the judgments of men for the present, yet neither
alive nor dead bhail I escape the hand of the Almighty."
Having thus spoken, he was led to execution, and, by a
glorious death, has left to all succeeding ages an example
of the most heroic fortitude and constancy, B. C. 167.
A much severer conflict awaited the young Machabee*.
Antiochus himself presided at their martyrdom ; and,
enraged to see such constancy in an age so tender, he
strained every nerve to terrify and torture them into
compliance with his impious demands. Their tongues
wore cut out, and the extremities of their hands and feet
amputated; the skin of their heads was torn off, and
they were broiled in a caldron, — but all in vain. Animated
by the exhortations of their virtuous mother, who soon
followed them in their victorious career they remained
faithful to the last, B. C. 167.
Q. How were the Jews delivered from the
t^anny of Antiochus ?
,\, By tho vii?]\}ey^menU of MathathiM a^cl
m
-I
m
m
mM
Vl
142
8A0RED HISTORY.
4
his five heroic sons, who resolved to vindicate
the honor of their religion and the cause of
their country by an appeal to arms, B. C. 167
Q. What is said of the success of Judas
Machabeus ?
A. Thouo^h he had under his command but a
very small force, he boldly attacked the armies
that the king of Syria successively sent against
hira,and vanquished them in many engagements.
fn one encounter, with 10,000 troops, he routed Lysiae,
the Syrian general, who had 60,000 foot and 6,000 hone.
Ly^ias soon returned to the contest with an overwhelming
force of i 00,000 men. The Jews, struck with fear, earnestly
invoked the divine assistance. Their prayer was heard.
As they marched out to meet the enemy, they saw a horse-
man going before them, in white clothing, with golden
armor, and shaking a spear. Encouraged by this vision,
they rushed upon the Syrians with such lion-like courage
that they slew 12,600, wounded a great many others, and
cumpcUcd Lysias to betake himself to a shameful flight.
One of the most astonishing campaigns of this valiant
general was th U against Timotheug, who had under his
standard 120,000 infantry and 2,j500 cavalry. With only
6,000 warriors, Judas t^^arlessly attacked him, put 30,000
of his tToo\)» to the sword, dispersed the rest, and, returning
without loss of time, besieged and stormed two fortreiiei
tt)4t wore still In the budi of the e&emy ipd \^ wM^ Ml
f^daUional foron of 60)000 WM 4iilrQ7«4«
wm\
EIGHTH EFOOH.
I4S
Q. How did Judas Machabeus terminate his
eventful career ?
A. He was slain in a desperate battle, fought
against an overwhelming Syrian force com-
manded by Bacchides.
His little troop consisted of 800 men while the enomy
were 22,400 strong. Notwithstanding the great disparity
of numbers, he obstinately disputed the battle from
morning till night, when, at last, he succeeded in break-
ing the enemy's right wing. Following up his success,
he vigorously pursued the fugitives j but the other wing,
by a prompt manoeuvre, hemmed him in and thus over-
powered by numbers, he fell a martyr to the glorious cause
he had so long and so valiantly defended, B. C. 161.
Q. Who succeeded Judas Machabeus in the
command of the Jewish army ?
A. His brother Jonathan, who avenged his
untimely fall and compelled the Syrians tq
evacuate the country.
Q. By whom was Jonathan succeeded?
A. By Simon, the fifth and last of the heroic
sons of Mathathias. ''
Q. Who were the most distinguished oi
Simon's successors ?
A, John Hyrounus, who exorcised the lu*
pr«m9 authority during thirty yean ; ant]
n
■#
144
SAORKD BISTORT.
AristobuluB IT., who dethroned his brother and
implored the aid of the Romans against him.
Having afterwards refused to submit to the
decision of Pompey, the Roman general, he
was taken prisoner and brought to Pome, to
grace the triumph of his conqueror.
Q. Who was the first foreigner that swayed
the sceptre cf Judea ?
A. Herod, an Idumean by birth who
obtained from the Roman senate a decree con-
ferring on him the title of king of Judea^B. C. 40.
Q. What great event occurred during Herod^s
reign ?
A. The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which took place on the 25th of Becemberi
4004 years i^ter the creation of the woicld.
rother and
inst him.
it to the
meral^ he
Pome, to
th who
cree con-
jB.C.40.
g Herod's
s Christ,
^ecemhefi
oaekL
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
— u~
Q. LD what state was the world at the coming
f the Messiah ?
A. The world enjoyed a universal peace
under its Roman masters ; and all the nations
of the earth, except the Jews, were buried in
the darkest idolatry.
Q. Was there not at that time a general
expectation of the coming of some great per-
sonage '^
A. T ; pagan writers state that a report
was then current among the nations that a
sovereign would come forth from the east, who
should subject the world to his sway.
Q. Who was this great sovereign ?
A. The Messiah, who had been promised
to the patriarchs and foretold by the prophets.
Q. Who was chosen to be the Mother of the
Messiah ?
A. A holy virgin of the tribe of Juda, named
Hary.
^4
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1%'
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r4C
SACRED HISTORr.
m
m
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Q. Who announced to tha Blessed Virgiw
this ineffable aoystcry ?
A. The h/igel Gabriel, who, five hundred
years before, had foretold to Daniel the precise
time for the coming of the Messiah.
Q. How did the angel salute the Blessed
Virgin ?
A. He said : ** Hail, full of grace the Lord i?
with thee, blessed ait thou among women."
Q. In what words did the Blessed Virgin
xpress her consent ?
A. She expressed her consent to the great
mystery of the incarnation in these simple
words : " Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be
it (lone unto me, according to thy word."
Q' What took place at that moment ?
A. The Son of God, the second person of the
Most Holy Trinity, descended .f!T\3rn Heaven
and became incarnate in her virginal womb.
The angel at the «ame time informed th^ Blessed Virgin
that her cousin, St. Eiijsaheth, then far Klviuiccd in year,",
was miraculously pregnant. On hearing this, she went with
h.i8to across the mountainous dlsuicts of Judea, to con-
gratulate her upon this happy event. He sooner bad Eliz*
beth heard the Yir^»n*M Yoioe than her unborn infvi
HE NEW TBSTAMBNT.
the futnre Bnptiflt, leaped for joy within her w
and she, inspired by the [ioly Ghost, exclaimed : " Bleb,
art thou among women, and blessed is the Irnit of thy
womb Mary responded by the sublime words of the
Magnijico', which may Justly be styled the eulogy of the
humble and the ooofusion of the proud. She remained
with her cousin about three monthly till the Baptist was
born and circumcised, after which she returned to her
own modest dwelling.
Q. Where did the Blessed Virgin reside ?
A. At Nazareth, a town of Galilee.
Q. Where was the Savior of the world bom ?
A. At Bethlehem, a small town of the tribe
of Juda.
Q. How did it happen that the Blessed
Virgin and St. Joseph were then at Bethlehem ?
A. They repaired thither in obedience to an
edict of the emperor Augustus, which com-
manded every one to be enrolled in the city of
his anc3stors. As Mary and Joseph were lin-
eal descendants of David, they, accordingly,
went to Bethlehem.
Q. To what place did they retire on arriving
hi Bethlehem ? •*
A. As all the inns were full, they withdrew
a stable situated on the outskirts of th
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1
148
SACRED BISTORT.
v' ;?£
town. Tbere they sought a shelter from the in-
clemency of the season, and there on the twenty-
fifth of December when the night was in the
middle of its courpe, the Immaculate Virgin
brought forth her divine Son, wrapped Him up
in swaddling-clothes, and laid Him in a manger.
Q. To whom was the birth of the Messiah
first made known ?
A. To some shepherds, who were tending
their flocks on the plains of Bethlehem.
Q. What did they hear at the same time ?
A. They heard a choir of angels, singing :
" Glory to God on high, and peace on earth to
men of good-will."
Q. What did they on hearing this ?
A. They passed over to Bethlehem ; and,
having found the divine Infant, knelt down and
adored Him.
Q. When was the divine Child circumcised ?
A. On the eighth day after His birth. It
was then that He received the adorable name
of Jesus.
Q. By whom was our Lord adored twelve
days after His birth ?
TBI NEW TESTAKBVT.
Mi
A. By three wise men, called Magi, who,
guided by a miraculons star, came irom the
east to worship the new-born king of the Jews.
According to tradition, the Magi were kings and three
in number. Their names are; Melchior, Qaspar* and
Baltassar.
Q. What happened when the Magi reached
Jerusalem ?
A. The star disappeared ; and thej, thinking
their journey at an end, inquired about the
new-born king, saying: "Where is He that
is born king of the Jews, for we have seen His
star in the east, and are come to adore Him/*
Q. What did Herod on hearing this startling
news?
A. He assembled the doctors of the nation,
and inquired of them where the Christ was to
be born. They answered, '' In Bethlehem of
Juda."
Q. What did Herod on receiving this answer?
A. He dismissed the wise men after urgently
recommending them to return as soon as they
had found the Child, that he too might go aad
adore Him.
■. *
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II
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ifl
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160
8A0BBD HI8TOBT.
■II'
m
■I .1
•1 *:
Q. What happened as the Magi went o«tef
Jerusalem ?
A. The miraculous star rfeappeared, and
went before them till it stood over the place
where the divine Infant lay.
Having found Him whose star they had seen in the
east, they prostrated themselves and adored Him, after
which they opened their treasures and offered Him gold
as to a king, frankincense as to a God> and myrrh as to a
mortal man.
The gold of the Christian, is charity ; hia frankincense,
prayer ; and his myrrh, mortification.
Q. Did the Magi return to Herod ?
A. No; having been admonished by an
angel not to return to Jerusalem, they proceeded
to their own country by an other way.
Q. What did Herod, seeing that they did
not return ?
A. He ordered a general massacre of all the
male children in and around Bethlehem of two
years and under, hoping thus to ensure the
destruction of the infant King. 01
Q. How did the divine Child escape ?
A. An angel appeared to St. Joseph in his
sleep and bade him rise, take the Infant and
Hifi Mother, and flee into EgypW
^wm
THB NEW TESTAMENT.
161
t 9«tof
dy and
le place
in in the
im, after
lim gold
A as to a
IdDceuge,
by an
ceeded
ev did
all
the
of two
re
the
»
in
his
It
and
Af'er a painful journey of about 420 miles, principally
through an arid desert, the holy fugitires reached llcilio-
polis, which was now truly to be tJie city of the ntn. As
they entered the gates of the time-honored city, tradition
says that an old majestic tree which had been the object
of a superstitious worship, bowed down its shady branches,
while all the idols of a neighboring temple fell from their
bases and were broken into fragments.
Q. How long did the holy family dwell in
Egypt ?
A. About seven years, after whioh they
returned to Nazareth.
Q. What did our Lord when twelve years old ?
A. He went up to Jerusalem, to celebrate
the feast of the Pasch. When the festival was
over, He remained behind in the city whilst His
parents, believing Him to be with their kin^olks,
quietly proceeded homewa.'ds.
Q. What did the Blessed Virgin and St.
Joseph when they perceived that Jesus was
not in their company ?
A. Greatly alEicted at their loss, they re-
turned to Jerusalem and diligently sought their
diviue Son. On the third day, they found
Him in the temple conversing with the doctors
whom He greatly abtonished by the wisdom of
His words.
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SAOMED BISTORT.
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The k>B8 (^ Jesus was the third and greatest of ta« a
dolors of the Most Blessed Virgin.
Q. What did our Lord when He left the
temple ?
A. He returned with His parents to Naz-
areth, and was subject to them,
Q. What did He when thirty years of age ?
A. He came to the river Jordan, and was
baptized by St. John the Baptirt.
St. Joseph is supposed to have died shortly before our
Lord's baptism, at the age of about sixty years.
Q. What happened at the moment of His
baptism ?
A. The Holy Ghost descended on Him in
the form of a dove, and a voice from Heaven
was heard, saying : ** This is My beloved kSon
in whom I am well pleased."
Q. Whither did our Lord go after His
baptism ?
A. He retired into the wilderness, and there
spt^nt in prayer and fasting forty days and forty
nights, after which He was tempted by the devil.
The devil craftily addressed hiniscli toour Lord, saying :
** If Thou art the Son ot Ood, command that these stones
na^ be made bread." " Mot by bread alone doth man
\ I.
'tfio
OOVlMi
left the
to Naz-
of age ?
md was
)efore our
of His
lim in
Heaven
ed Son
er His
d there
d forty
e devil.
saying :
?e stODcs
oth luao
TBB VBW TMTAmnfT.
las
liye," answered our Lord, " b«t by vnrj word that pro-
ceedeth from the mouth of God." The deril then con'-
veyed Him up to one of the pinnftoles of the temple, mod
said to Him : « If Thou art the Son of Qod, oast Thyself
down ; for it is written, < He hath giren HiB aageLi eharge
over Thee, and in their hands they shall bear Thee up,
lest Thou hurt Thy foot against a stone.' " Jeeue answer-
ed : *' It is written again, * Thou shalt not tempt the Lord
thy God.'" The tempter, undismayed by this double
failure, then transported our Lord to the sammit of a
high mountain,* e^iiled Quarentana, whence he showed
Him all the kfngdoms of the earth, adding: « All these
will I give Thee if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. "
Our Savior repelled this third and last temptation by an
other passage from Scripture : " Begone Satan, for it is
written, < The Lord thy God shalt thou worship, and Hbn
only shalt thou serve.' " Satan, who ignored that He whom
he was tempting was the Son of God, departed at that
instant, and angels came and ministered unto our Lord.
Q. What did our Lord after leaving the
wilderness ?
A. He returned to the Jordan, and chose
His first disciples : Andrew, Peter, James,
and John.
Q. Whither did our Lord go with His dis-
ciples ?
A. To Cana in Galilee, where, at the request
ol His blessed Mothefj, He changed water into
wine-
;:i;i'
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•AOBED HIBTORT.
mi.
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Q. How may the public life of our Lord Vo
divided ?
A. Into three parts : the first of miracles,
to prove His divine mission ; the second ol
parables, to inculcate virtue ; and the third oi
suffering, to atone for sin.
' Q. What was our Lord's principal place of
residence during His public life ?
A. Caphamaum, a city situated on the
western borders of Lake Genesareth.
Q. What miracles did our Lord perform at
Oaphamaum ?
A. He delivered St. Peter's mother-in-law
of a violent fever, and healed a centurion's
servant.
Q. What did the centurion say when he saw
our Lord coming towards his house ?
A. He exclaimed : " Lord, I am not worthy
that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; only
say the word, and my servant shall be healed."
Q. What remarkable person of Capharnaum
became a follower of our Lord ?
A. A publican, named Levi, who afterwards
became the apostle and evangelist St. Matthew.
«f V
THE WW TBSi'AMEirr.
156
r Lord Vo
* miracle?^,
second ol
e third ol
place of
d on the
erform at
her-in-law
enturion's
en he saw
lot worthy
oof; only
e healed."
pharnaum
ifterwards
Matthew.
Q. How mnny apostles did our Lord choose ?
A. lie chose twelve ; namely, Simon siir-
nnnicd Peter, Andrew his brother, James the
Tiroatcr, John his brother, Philip, Bartholomew,
Thonins, Matthew, James the Less, Jude his
brother, Simon surnamed Zolotes, and Judas
Iscaiiot.
St. Jamos, the son of Zebedeo, is called the Greater to
distinguish him from the ot!ier apostle of the same name,
who was suruamed the Less, because he was lower in
stature or, more probably, because he was younger.
Judas received his surname from lecariot, a small town
of the tribe of Ephraim.
Q. Who was the chief of the apostles ?
A. Simon, who received from our Lord the
surname of Peter.
The Scripture aflfords several other instances of a change
of names, when the recipient was invested with some new
function or character. Thus, the name of " the father of
the faithful " was changed from Abram to Abraham ; that
of the father of the twelve patriarchs, from Jacob to Isroel j
and that ol'the first evangelist, from Levi to Matthew.
In like manner, since the ninth century, the Popes
have changed their names on ascending the pontifical
throne, — none, however, have assumed that of Peter,
through respect for the sainted founder of the Holy See.
Q. What remarkable words did our Lord
Ray to him at the same time ?
^H
<-r
Xa
FT^
156
8A0R1D RTSTORT.
1^
\ i^h
■i'H
A. Thou art Peter and upon this rock I
shall build My Churdi, and the gates of hell
shall not prevail t^Inst it. And T shall give
thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, what-
soever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound
in Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in Heaven.
Q. What injunction did our Lord make to
St. Peter on a subsequent occasion ?
A. Our Lord charged him to govern the
pastors and faithful of His Church, by these
words^*, " Feed my lambs, feed my sheep."
Q. What other remarkable words did our
Lord address to Simon Peter ?
A. '* Simon, Simon," said our Lord, " behold
Satan hath desired to have thee that he may
sift thee as wheat ; but I have prayed for thee
that thy faith fail not, and thou being once
converted confirm thy brethren."
Thus we are assured by the very words of our divine
Lord of not only the incrrability of the aggregate body of
the pastors of the Church, but also of the infallibility of
its supreme head, the Roman PontiGf. Hence, the decisions
emanating from thut perenoial source of truth, are to be
Moeptsd with docility and believed with undoubting faith.
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
167
Q. What mission did our Lord give His
apostles ?
A. He bade them go and preach " to the
lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Q. Did not our Lord select others among
His followers besides the apostles ?
A. Yes; He chose seventy-two disciples,
whom He sent " two by two into every place
whither He Himself was to come."
Q. How did our Lord give His disciples a
lesson of humility ?
A. He took a little child, and said to them :
" Unless ye become as little children, ye shall
Dot enter into the kingdom of Heaven."
It is believed that this child was Ignatius, the sainted
Bishop of Antioch, who afterwards suffered so glorious a
martyrdom under the emperor Trajan, A. D. 107.
Q. What did our Lord after having chosen
His apostles ?
A. He addressed to them and to a vast
umltitude that had gathered round, the admi-
rable discourse, called the Sermon on the mount,
Q. What may be considered as the abridge
ment of ihiB disoourse ?
;.'^ili
m
i«;|!i ;
m
158
8A0RID BTSTORT.
\ 'AW
ai!
If
A. The eijrht beatitudes.
Q. Say the eight beatitudes.
A. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
tlioirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
2. Blessed are the meek for they shall possess
the land.
.3. BlcFScd are they trho mourn, for they
shall be comforted.
4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst
aCtcr justice, for they shall be filled.
5. Blessed arc the merciful for they shall
obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they
shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
shall be called children of God.
8. Blessed are they who snftor persecution
for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
Heaven.
Q. By whom was our Lord met as He de-
scended the mountain ?
A. By a leper, who adored Him, sayinc::
** Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make lue
clean." Moved by the simplicity of the prayer
4
THE MEW TISTAMBNT.
159
ipirit, for
ill possess
for they
nd thirst
ley shall
for they
for they
rsecution
gdom of
He dc-
sayinjr ^
lake lue
le prayer
and the fdith of the suppliant, our Lord
stretched forth His hand and touched the leper,
sjiying, '* Be thou made clean."
Q. How many persons did our Lord raise to
life?
A. Three ; namely, the daughter of Jairus ;
the son of a widow of Nairn ; and Lazarus, a
wealthy inhabitant of Bethany.
Q. What circumstances accompanied the
resurrection of the daughter of Jairus ?
A. Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, having
entreated our Lord to come and lay His hands
upon his deceased daughter, He repaired thith-
er, bade the multitude of mourners r ire, and,
taking the maiden by the hand, rr^sstored her
to life.
Q. What circumstances accompanied the
resurrection of the widow's son ?
A. Near the city of Nairn, our Lord met a
concourse of people bearing to the grave the
only son of a poor disconsolate widow. Touched
with compassion at her distress, our Lord ap-
pr< ached the bier, and said : " Young man, I
iy totho', arise." Awakened as it were by
fi|
r
|y|
•ij't
''■^' n
h\
a
■yifm
160
8A0BKD ElflTORY.
this powerful call, the youDg man instantly
arose, and began to speak.
Q. How was Lazarus raised to life ?
A. Having come to Bethany, our Lord re-
paired to the grave in which Lazarus had been
buried since four days. He then addressed a
short but fervent prayer to His heavenly Father,
and cried aloud, " Lazarus, come forth."
Ijb is believed that Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary
Magdalen and Martha, quitted Judea after the death of
llieir divine Master, and kindled the light of faith in the
ioathem part of France, and that Lazarus became the
first bishop of Marseilles.
Q. What effect ha^ these miracles ?
A. They excited the jealousy of the Pharisees
and the hatred of the synagogue.
Q. Whither did our Lord retire from the
violence of His enemies ?
A. He retired into the desert, where He fed
five thousand persons with five barley loaves
and two little fishes.
After this miraculous multiplication, the grateful people
sought to make Jesus their king ; but our blessed Savior,
who came to teach His followers not to seek, much less to
Intrude themselves into worldly dignities and honors, oon-
•Mled fiimfeif on a B«ighboring mountain. When it wal
THk NEW TESTAMENT.
16;
nstantly
Lord re-
lad been
ressed a
Father,
i." •'
)rs, Mary
i death of
1th in the
oame the
liarisees
'om the
He fed
loaves
ful people
3d Savior,
loh less to
norSyCon-
len itwal
gprown dark, the multitude dispersed and the disciples
descended to the sea-shore, in order to sail over to Bcth-
saida. As soon as they had put to sea, a furious storm
rose, and the little bark was violently tossed by the foam-
ing waves. About day-break, Jesus advanced on the
sui-face of the deep towards His helpless apostles. Terri-
^ed at the spectacle, they screamed aloud with fright,
whilst Jesus, to allay their fears, mildly said : ** Fear
not, it is I." Peter immediately recognised his Master's
voice, and confidently answered: *' Lord, if it is Thou, bid
me come to Thee upon the waters.'' To the great aston-
ishment of his follow -apostles, Peter walked on the billowy
deep as steadily as on firm ground ; but, growing appalled
by the dangers that surrounded him, he lost courage and
began to sink, whereupon he cried out, ** Lord, save me."
Jesus stretched forth His hand to him, saying, ** Thou
man of little faith, why dost thou doubt ? " Then enter-
ing tL) bark, the wind fell and the boatmen rowed ashore.
Q. How did our Lord convey His instruc-
tions to the people ?
A. Chiefly by parables.
Q. Which are the principal parables?
A. They are the parables of the prodigal
Bon, the good Samaritan, the rich glutton, the
talents, the ten virgins, the workmen of the
vineyard, and the good shepherd.
Q. What effect had the instructioqg and
miraoldi of our Lord on thd people 7
Af W p^opU fori i^v9k wit)^ i4i«ir^tioit i
1. -M
1 4
J^-'i
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i ■■,'
162
SACKED HISTOBT.
I
'i
some thouirht that He was John the Bapcif^t,
risen from the dead ; others, that He wusEJias;
and others aii;ain, that He was Jeremias or one
of the prophets.
Q. What was the reply of St. Peter when
our Lord asked His apostles who they thought
He was ?
A. He replied with unhesitating: faith, " Thou
art the Christ, the Son of the living God.**
Q. What did our Lord then say to St. Peter ?
A. He said to him : " Blessed art thou
Simon, because flesh and blood have not reveal-
ed it to thee, but My Father, who is in Heaven.*'
It was on this oooasion that our Lord said to him
« Thou art Peter, aad on this rock I shall build My
Church," &c>.
Q. By what great event did our Lord confirm
the faith of His apostles ?
A. By His transfiguration.
Q. How did this take place ?
A. Taking with Him three of His apostles,
Peter, James, and John, He ascended a high
and isolated mount, called Tabor. Havinsr
reached the summit, He prostrated Himself
and oommoaodd to pray ; and ai He prayed.
THK NEW TESTAMENT.
163
Bapdst,
isEliiis;
s or one
r when
thought
" Thou
Peter ?
rt thou
. reveal-
eaven."
to him
uild My
confirm
postleg,
a high
Livinsr
liiuself
)rayed|
His face ehone with resplendent brightness and
His garments became white as snow. iMoses
and Elias appeared at the same time, discoursing
with Him on His approaching passion and
death in Jerusalem.
Three apostles were particularly dear to tlie Heart of
our Lord : St. Peter, the ^'^undation-stone of the Church ;
St James, the first member of the apostolic college to
seal his faith by martyrdom; and St. John, the virgin
apostle, the beloved disciple to whose pioui care the dying
Savior confided His blessed Mother.
Q. What did St. Peter say in a transport of
joy?
A. Transported with joy, he cried out :
** Lord, it is good for us lo be here ; if Thou
wilt, let us make here three tents, one for Thee,
one for Moses, and one for Elias."
Q. What happened while St. Peter was yet
speaking ?
A. A bright cloud overshadowed our Lord
and His two heavenly companions, and a voice
v.as Ticard, sayinir : *' This la My beloved SoOi
iu whom I am well pleased; hear ye Hid."
Q. What did the apostles 00 bearing tbif
iiiirac'uJuub voice?
r H
11
m
I
,11
164
SACRED HISTORY.
^. i'i
A. They fell prostrate on the grouna, and
remained in that attitude till Jesus bade them
rise and dispel their fears.
Q. What did our Lord shortly after His
transfiguration ?
A. He set out with His apostles for Jeru-
salem, to celebrate the feast of the Tabernacles.
Q. What miraculous cure did He perform
on the way ?
A. He healed ten lepers, who, seeing Him
pass by, stood far off and cried out : " Jesus,
Master, have mercy on us.'* Our Lord pitying
their condition, bade them go and show them-
selves to the priests, and as they went they
were suddenly delivered from their leprosy.
Q. Were they all grateful for their cure ?
A. No ; only one of them returned to thank
his Benefactor.
The nine ungrateful lepers, undoubtedly, admired the
goodDess of Jesus Christ and rejoiced at their cure ; but
they returned no public thanks, they showed no exterior
signs of a grateful heart. Their memory is, therefore,
justly branded with infamyi that Christians may thence
l( nOilYt ft Juit horror of logratitudo wbiob rendori tl^it^
(HipliiiiBI to 004 u4 ^\m to tbiir (f llow-mii^t
^^^im}
THE NEW TESfAniENT.
16«
^S
Q. How did our Lord enter Jerusalem a few,
days before the Pasch ?
A. He entered riding on an ass, and was met
by a great multitude who went out to greet Him ;
some strew the way with their garments, others
cut down green branches from the trees, and
all with one voice cried out: ** Hosanna to the
Son of David, blessed is He that comcth in the
name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest."
Q. Whither did our Lord proceed after
entering Jerusalem ?
A. He proceeded to the temple, which He
found crowded with the tables of money-changers
and the stalls of dove-sellers.
Q. What did our Lord seeing this profana-
tion ?
A. Moved with zeal for His Father's honor,
He made a scourge of little cords, overtu^'ned
the tables, and drove the buyers and sellers
away, telling them that *' the house of God is
a house of prayer and not a den of thieves."
St. Jerome considers this as one of the greatest mira<;Ies
performed by our blessed Lord.
Q. Were not the enemies of our Lord irri-
tated by His triumphant entry into Jerusalem ?
*:
fill
l!
\m
I
f'
166
SACRED nrSTOUT.
in- ' :ii
II
! I
'■■^ ri
A. Yes, tlicir jealous hatred was so increased
by this manifestation of popular feeling towards
our Lord that they resolved to put Hira to
death.
Q. By what means did they succeed in their
wicked design ?
A. By the treason of Judas Iscariot, one of
the twelve apostles, who offeredtodeliver up His
divine Master for thirty pieces of silver.
Tbi6 was tho price of a slave, and is estimated at
eighteen dullars.
Q. What did our Lord in the meantime?
A. He sent two of n is disciples to prepare
the Paschal supper in a large dining-room.
Q. What act of humility did our Lord per-
form at His last supper ?
A. He rose from table, and after girding
Himself with a towel and pouring water into a
basin, began to wash the feet of His apostles.
Q. By what was this followed ?
A. The washing of the feet was followed by
the institution of the Blessed Eucharist,
Q. How did ourliord institute the Blessed
Euchfirist ?
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
167
A. He took bread and blessed it, alter which
He gavi it to His apostles, saying : *' Take ye
and eat for this is My body." Taking the
wine, He blessed it and gave it them, saying ;
*' Drink ye all of this for this is My blood of
the New Te.stament, which shall be shed for
many unto the remission of sina.'*
The seven riacrtMnentfl ot* the ^ew Law, were all insti-
tuted by our blessed Lord Himself. Thus, the Hoty Eu-
chiV'Ut was instituted at His last supper j Baptimn, when
lie charged His apostles to *< Go and teach all nations, bap-
tizing them in the name of the Father and of the iSon and
ot the Holy Ghost ; " and Pennnce, when He said to them,
«' Whose sins ye shall forgive they are forgiven and whose
sins ye shall retain they are retained." As the Gospel
does not make explicit mention of the institution of the
other four Sacraments, it is believed that they were
established during the forty days our Lord spent on earth
after His resurrection.
Q. What did our Lord after instituting the
Blessed Eucharist 'i
A. He exhorted His apostles to love one an
other as He Himself had loved them ; He also
told them that His hour was now come, and
t.iat before the night had passed away they
would all have forsaken Him.
Q. How did St. Peter protest his fidelity ?
I
ill
r ■ ■: I
M
I
M.
iliiiL
-■■'»
I
168
SACRED BISTORT.
I. %■
A. With his usual ardor and confidence, he
affirmed that he would never abandon Hiiu,
and that he was ready to accompany Him to
prison and even to death itsell'.
Q. What answer did our Lord make to this
protestation of St. Peter ?
A. He said : ^* Truly, I say to thee that
before the cock crows thou wilt deny Me thrice."
Q. Whither did our Lord go after leaving
the supper-room?
A. He went with His eleven apostles to the
Mount of Olives.
Q. What did He when He had come to
tke garden of Gethsemani ?
A. He took with Him Peter, James, and
John and proceeded a little further ; then rec-
ommending them to watch and pray, He retired
to a lonely grotto.
Q. What occurred as He prayed ?
A. He entered into so great an agony that
drops of blood gushed through the pores of His
sacred body, and trickled down to the ground.
Q. How did He pray to His Father ?
A. He said : *^ My Father, if it be possible,
Iff
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
169
let this cup pass away from Me ; nevertheless,
not as I will, but as Thou wilt."
Q. What did He say to His apostles, when
He returned after His three hours' prayer ?
A. He said : " Rise, let us go j behold, he
that will, betray Me is at hand."
Q. How did Judas come to apprehend his
divine Master ?
A. He came at the head of a vile rabble,
armed with clubs and swords.
Q. What did St. Peter, seeing them advance
to seize His divine Master ?
A. He drew his sword, and cut off the right
ear of a servant of the high-priest; but our
Lord, unwilling to give any cause of complaint
to His enemies, healed the servant's ear and
said to St. Peter : " Put up again thy sword
into its place, for all they that take the sword
shall perish by the sword."
Q. Whither was our Lord then led ?
A. To the house of Caiphas, the high-priest,
where the scribes and the ancients were assem-
bled to pass judgment on Him.
^i
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^1
'KM
N',,'
,y ^»
i'-^
1 'r
170
8A0RIB HlBTOaT.
seeing
their
Q. What did the apostles,
Master apprehended ?
A. They all took to flight with the exception
of St. Peter, who followed Him afar off. Having
entered the court-yard, to await the issue of
the judgment, he stood amongst the officers
and servants who were warming themselves by
the fire.
Q. What occurred as St Peter stood at the
fire?
A. A seryant-maid came up to him, and
accused him of having been with Jesus the Gal-
ilean.
Q. What answer did St. Peter make ?
A. Feeling no longer the zeal he had dis-
played for the defence of his Master, he replied,
**I know not what thou gayest." The charge
being repeated by an other, he reiterated his
denial ; and the third time, he solemnly protested
that he knew not the man of whom they spoke.
Q. What happened at that moment?
A. The cock crowed and our Lord, turning
round, looked at His pusiilunimous apostle, who,
remembering the words of his divine Master,
went forth and wept bitterly.
1^''
THE NEW TEgTAMlMT,
ITl
This model of penitents set no bounds to his sorrow. It
is said that as often as he hoard the cook cxow, be wept bit-
terly in remembrance of hid denial; and tradition adds
that his cheeks were furrowed with the tears that he shed.
Q. On what did C alphas question our Lord ?
i* He questioned Him about His disciples
and His doctrine. Our divine Lord answered
that He had always delivered His doctrine in
the synagogue and in the temple, and had
taught nothing; that was not publicly known.
Q. What accusation was then brought
against Him ?
A. Two suborned witnesses declared they
had heard Hitn say that He could destroy the
temple of God and in three days rebuild it.
Our blessed Lurd had said that if His enemies would
destroy the teiuplc of His body, He would raise it up in
three days; but tlio witnesses were suborned to say that
He had asserted His power to overthrow the Jewish temple,
and to rebuild it in that short spaoti of time.
Q. Did cur Lord defend Himself against
this accusation ?
A. No J He remained silent, whereupon C'^
phus rose up and adjured Him by the li'
God to tell whether He was the Christ c
Q. What did our Lord answer ?
HI
a,
■ ' ffS
m
im
UM
W.
172
BAORKT) HISTORY.
A. He answered, " Thou hast said it : " and
added, " Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man
sitting at the right hand of the power of God,
and coming in the clouds of heaven."
Q. What did the high-priest on hearing this ?
A. He rent his garments, saying : " He hath
blasphemed, what further need have we of
witnesses ? "
Q. Whither was our Lord then led ?
A. He was bound with chains and led to
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, by whom
He was sent to Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee.
Q. How was our Lord treated by Herod ?
A. As our Lord would not gratity his curi-
osity by performing a miracle, he caused Him
to be clothed in a white garment by way of
derision and sent back to Pilate. .
The white garment was one of honor ; bat our divine
Lord was clothed with it in mockery of His claims.
Q. What did Pilate when our Lord was
again brought before his tribunal ?
A. Hoping to move the people to compassion,
he condemned our blessed Lord to be scourged
publicly as a malefactor.
THE NEW TESTAMBNT.
i7a
Q. Did the Jews relent when thej saw our
Lord in that sad condition ?
A. No, they clamored still louder for His
death ; ar/i as the governor hesitated on account
of His innocence, they cried out, ** His blood
be on us and on our children."
Q. Did Pilate yield to the clamors of the
people ?
A. Yes; heyielded to their iniquitous demand,
and gave up our divine Lord to be crucified.
Judaa hoaring that sentence of death was passed on hit
divine Master, carried back the thirty pieces of silver to
the chief priests and ancients, saying : **I have sinned in
betraying innocent blood;" but they replied, « What is
that to us ? Loolc thou to it." On hearing this the wretch-
ed man threw down the money, went away, and hanged
himself in despair.
A few years later, Pilate himself .was disgraced and
exiled to Vienne in France. Racked with remorse, he
ascended a steep rock — known as Pilate's peak — whence
he threw himself headlong into the Rhone.
Caiphas, bein^ shortly afterwards deposed from the
high-pri^sthoud, killed himself in despair.
Herod and his cruel wife liorodias, to gratify whom the
tetrarcU had caused the head of St, John the Jiuptist to be
out oOfr wore baniibed to Lyuni , and there terminated i|
M '
^
H
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fi
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1
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H
m
m
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174
SACRED HISTORY.
It *■
Mi
Q. What piace was appointed for our Lord's
orucifixion ?
A. A little hill, called Calvary, which served
as a place of public execution.
The word Calvary signitios akiUly and the hill was so
called either because that was its shape, or because the
skulls of the criminals were strewed there.
Q. What did the Jews, fearing that our Lord
would expire on the way ?
A. They compelled Simon of Cyrene to carry
the cross up to Calvary.
The perpendicular beam of the croaa was fifteen feet
long } and the transverse, seven.
Q. What did the executioners when they
arrived at the summit of Calvary ?
A. They fastened our Lord to the cross with
three nails wherewith they pierced His hands
and feet.
Q. Who were crucified with our Lord ?
A. Two thieves, one on each side of Him,
as if He were the most notorious of malefactors.
Q. What inscription was placed on the cross ?
A, The following, which was written in He-
brew, Greek, uad Latin, &o thut all who puiised
44^}
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
175
that way might be enabled to read it : " Jesus
of Nazareth, Kins: of the Jews.'*
Q. For whom did our Lord pray on the cross?
A. He prayed for those who crucified Him.
Q. What did He say to His Father on their
behalf?
A. He said : " Father, forgive them for they
know not what they do."
Q. To whom did He recommend His blessed
Mother *^
A. To St. John, the beloved disciple.
Q. What were the last words our Lord said ?
A. Bowing down His head, He said with a
loud voice : " All is consummated ; Father, into
Thy hands I commend My spirit." t
Our blessed Lord was condemned at about seven o'clock
in the morning, was crucified at nine, — the hoar of the
morning sacrifice in the temple, and expired at three la
the afternoon, — the hour of the evening sacrifice. He wap
lhvi<» six hours 3usperi«lc(l on the cross.
Q. What extraordinary phenomena oco'
at the death of our Savior ?
A. The veil of the temple was rent i
tiie earth quaked, and was covered wit^
uess for three hours ; the roob split
: i
}
V
176
SACRED HISTORY.
and the graves of many of the just of the old^
law, were thrown open.
The veil was sixty feet long, and extremely thick.
Though the graves opened at the death of our Savior,
the saints, however, did not arise until after His resurreo-
tion, as He " is the first-born of the dead." The holy
tatbers, in general, teach that those who arose died again
when they had accomplished the work for which God had
rocalled them to life, and which was to testify to the reality
of the resurrection of our blessed Savior.
Q. How were the people affected by these
prodigies ?
A. At the sight of these prodigies, the cen-
turion exclaimed : " Truly, this was a just
man ; " and the multitude returned striking
their breasts with compunction.
Q. What did the soldiers who were sent to
despatch those that had been crucified ?
A. They broke the legs of the two thieves ;
but on coming to our divine Lord and perceiv-
ing that He was dead, they thrust a spear
through His Sacred Heart, whence issued water
and blood.
According to an ancient tradition, the soldier who thug
pierced the Sacred Heart of our divine Lord, booarae con-
verted and preached the faith iu Cappadocia, wber« h9
lufteied m(ityr(iu(D. ilo i» i^u^^orefi Ip i^9 ChuroH uadsf
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
177
Q. By whom was our Lord taken down
from the cross ?
A. By Joseph of Arithmuthea and Nicode-
mus, who embalmed His sacred body and laid
it in a tomb wherein no person had yet been
interred.
Q. Wl : request did the chief priests and
Phaii^oes present to Pilate ?
A. They bo^r^* d him to set guards round
the tomb until tne third day, lest the disciples
should steal away the body and give out thnt
their Master bad risen as He had foretold.
Q. What iiuppened early on the morning of
the third day ?
A. Our divine Lord rose gloriously from tlie
tomb to the great terror of the guards, who were
stricken with fear and became as dead men.
Q. What did the guards when they recov-
ered from their fright ?
A. They hastened to the city and related all
that had occurred to the chief priests, who
gave them a great sum of money, to make them
say that His disciples had stolen His body
away while they were asleep.
.: I
I
"i
■l]
178
BAORJCD BISTORT.
ksi
Q. Who were the first to come to the sep-
ulchre after the resurrection ?
A. Several holy women, among whom was
Mary Magdalen, who came to embalm the body
of her Lord.
Q. What did they see on approaching the
sepulchre ?
A. To their great astonishment, they saw the
Btone that closed its entrance, rolled away, and
an angel, whose countenance was as lightning
and raiment as snow, sitting thereon.
Q. What did the angel say to them ?
A. He said : " Fear not, for I know that ye
seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here ;
He is risen, as He said. Come ye and see
the place where the Lord was laid ; and, going
quickly, tell His disciples that He is risen, and
will go before you into Galilee ; there ye will
see Him,"
Q. What did St. Peter and St. John on
hearing what had occurred ?
A. They hastened to the sepulchre j and on
entering, found the linen cloths lying together,
and the headkerchief wrapt up apart.
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
179
the sep-
lom was
the body
iliing the
J saw the
way, and
lightning
1?
w that ye
not here ;
and see
nd, going
•isen, and
e ye will
John on
J and on
togetber,
Q. To whom did our Lord first appear ?
A. To Mary Magdalen, who had remained
weeping at the sepulchre after St. Peter and
St. John had departed thence.
Eager to find Him whom she loved, she looked into the
flepulohre and peroeired two angels in white apparel,
who said to her, <*Why weepest thou ?" because they
have taken away my Lord," said she, " and I know not
where they have laid Him." Then turning round, she
saw a man standing nigh, and, taking Him to be the gar-
dener, said : ** Sir, if thou hast taken Him hence, tell me
where thou hast laid Him." Jesus said to her " Mary,"
at which the pious Magdalen recognised her divine Lord,
and, in a transport of joy, prostrated herself at His feet.
Q. What did our Lord say to Mary Magdalen ?
A. " Go to my brethren and say to them, I
ascend to My Father and your Father, to My
Grod and your God."
It is a pious belief that the Most Blessed Virgin was
the first to whooi our divine Lord manifested Himself
after His resurrection.
Q. Did our Lord again manifest Himself on
the day of His resurrection ? %
A. Yes, our divine Lord appeared : first, to
St. Peter, in order to distinguish him from the
rest of the apostles because of his primacy ;
secondly;, to the two disciples who were going to
r.\'A
1^4
180
RACRED HTBTORT.
11
1?
Ijl
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Em mans, a little village about seven miles from
Jerusalejii ; and thirdly, to the apostles as they
were at table. The absence of St. Thomas on
this occasion, was the cause of his incredulity.
Q. What did our Lord say to His apostles
the first time He appeared to them ?
A. He said : " Peace be to you. As My
Father sent Me^I also eend you ; " then breath-
ing on them, He added: " Receive ye the
Holy Ghost, whose sins ye shall forgive they
are forgiven them ; and whose sins ye shall re-
tain, they are retained."
Q. When did our Lord again manifest Him-
self to His apostles ?
A. On the eighth day after His resurrection.
St. Thomas was present, and, seeing the wound
in the side of our Lord and the prints of tlio
nails in His hands, he exclaimed: " My Lord,
and mj ^.^od."
Q. Ho V long did our Lord remain on earth
after His resurrection ?
A. Fo> ty days, during which He instructed
His apost les in what they still required to know
for the establishment and government of Hia
Cliurch,
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
181
les from
I as they
Lomas on
redulity.
apostles
As My
n breath-
3 ye the
ive they
; shall re-
fest Hini-
irrcction .
le wound
of the
^ly Lord,
on
earth
nstructed
d to know
it of ilia
Q. From what mount did our Lord ascend
into Heaven ?
A. From Mount Olivet where His blessed
Mother, His apostles, and disciples had assem-
bled to meet Him.
Q. What did our Lord say to His apostles
before ascending into Heaven ?
A. He commissioned them to "Go and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."
Q. Whither did the apostles retire after our
Lord's ascension ?
A. They returned to Jerusalem and with-
drew to an upper-room, where they prepared
themselves for the reception of the Holy Ghost
by fervent and continuous prayer.
Q. What did they in the meantime?
A. They elected St. Matthias to fill the
place of Judas, the traitor.
Q. When did the Holy Ghost descend on the
apostles ?
A. On the tenth day after our Lord's as-
cension, and the fiftieth after His resurrection.
i'
I;! : ^'
- : I
il
i,VJ.
182
SiORED BISTORT.
hi'
w
Wn
'Tt
Q. How did this take place ?
A. About nine o'clock in the morning, a
sudden noise, like that of a mighty wind, was
heard, and parted tongues as of fire were seen
descending on the heads of the apostles, who
were filled with the Holy GhoMt and began to
publish the wonderf^il works of God in divers
languages.
Q. What did St. Peter on this occasion ?
A. He addressed the multitude that the
extraordinary noise had gathered round the
house ; and, by the unclior* of his discourse,
converted 3,000 persons who wore baptized in
the name of Christ Jesus.
Q What miracle did St. Peter perform as
he and St. John went up to the temple to pray ?
A. He cured a poor helpless cripple, who was
begging alms at the gate.
As tho poor man imploringly fixed his eyes on the two
apostles, St. Pctor said to him : ** Silver and gold I have
nut; but what I have, I give thee. In the name of
Jesiiis of Nazaieth. arise and walk." At that instant, the
cripple leajicJ up, walked joyfully with the apostles into
the (uiup.e, uud letumcd thauks to God for his miraculous
Qure.
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
)8."H
ming, a
nd, was
ere seen
les, who
egan to
1 divers
ision ?
that the
lund the
iseourse,
)tizcd in
form as
|to pray ?
ho wa8
)n the two
)ld I have
name of
itant, the
lostlcii into
Liraculous
Q. Whom did the apostles choose to assist
them in their ministry ?
A.. Seven holy men, called deacons, whose
principal occupation was the distribution of
alms and the administration of Baia^sm..
Q. Who was the first martyr ?
A. St. Stephen, the first of the seven deacons,
who was stored to death by order of the San-
hedrim.
Q. What remarkable person was present at
the lapidation of St. Stephen ?
A. A young man, aamed Saul, who held the
garments of those who stoned the holy deacon .
Though the Scripture oalls Saul a young man, he is
thought, nevertheless, to have been thirty years of age,
or more.
Q. By what did Saul signalize himself ?
A. By his fiery zeal in persecuting the infant
Church.
Q. What happened as he was on the road to
Damascus, to seize the Christians who had es-
caped thither ?
A. As he drew nigh to the city, he was
•uddenly surrounded by a dazzling light. Struck
I'
%
k\
184
8A0RED HISTORY.
m
[If ^i^fi.,
*.* ■ ^ ■ ■■
(
with terror, he fell to the ground, and hearci h
voice, saying : " Saul, Saul, why persecutest
thou Me ? " Full of amazement, he asked,
*' Who art Thou, Lord ? " and the miraculous
voice responded, " I am Jesus of Nazareth
whom thou persecutest."
Q. What did Saul say on hearing this ?
A. He cried out, " Lord, what wilt Thou
have me do ? " " Arise, go into the city," was
the answer, " and there it will bo told thee
what thou must do."
Q. What followed ?
A. Being unable to see, he was led by his
attendants into the city, where he remained in
prayer for three days aii4 three nights, after
which he recovered his sight and was baptized
by a disuple, named Ananias.
It is commonly supposed that it was on this occasion
tho Apostle of nations changed his name to that of Paul,
though from the Acts of the Apostles it would seem that
this change took place on the cuu version of the proconsul
of Cyprus, Sergius Paulus, which event was so dear to the
Apostle that he wished to preserve a perpetual remem-
brance of it even in his name,— something like the ancient
Eomau generals, who assumed the name of the provinces
they conquered.
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
186
heara a
secutest
asked,
•aculous
azuretli
is?
t Thou
^," was
d thee
by his
ined in
, after
iptized
oooaaioQ
of Paul,
)in that
rooonsul
ir to the
remem-
> ancient
royinoes
Q. How did St. Paul act after his conversion ?
A. He became a zealous defender of the
infant Church, and an indefatigable propagator
of her holy doctrine.
Q. VViio was tlie first among the Gentiles to
embrace the faith?
A. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, who was
received into the Church by St. Peter.
It may horo be remarked that St. Peter was the first of
lie apostles to conlirtii his docl^rine by miraoles, the first
to preach in the tuiuple, the first to convert the Jews, and
the first to receive ^.hu Goatilej into the Churo'i.
Q. What bet'ell St. Peter during the perse-
cution which Herod raised against the iSithful ?
A. He was apprehended and cast into prison.
Q. How was he delivered from prison ?
A. On the very night that preceded the day
appointed for his execution, an angel appeared
to him and bade him rise, tie on his sandals,
and follow. Guided by his heavenly deliverer,
he arose and left the prison ; at his approach,
the iron gate leading into the city, flew open of
itself, and the angel conducted him to the end
of the street after which he disappeared.
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■AOBID BISTORT.
Q. What did St. Paul duriDg this peraeon-
iion.
A. Being obliged to fly from Jerusalem, ho
aud St. Barnabas went to Antioch, where thej
made so many proselytes that the followers of
the new religion were distinguished by the name
of Chribtiabs.
Q. Why did St Paul ai^d St. Barnabaa
proceed to Jerusalem V
A. To confer with St Peter and the other
apostles on a point of discipline, which some
converts proposed as a matter of precept ; name-
ly, that the Gentiles who became Christians
should submit to the law of circumcision if they
hoped to be saved.
Q. What did the council decide ?
A. The council decided that no superfluous
obligation of the old law should be imposed on
the Gentiles.
Thii was the firat eounoil held in the Church. It is not
however, reckoned among those called oecumenical. Of
these, the first was that of Nice in 325; and the twentieth
and last— called from the palace in which it was held the
Council of the rafcan.— was opened at Rome on the 8th
Dee., 1869. It was interrupted in August 1870: and hns
BOt since resumed Its labors, owing to the troubled state
•f affain in Italj.
m
TBI VBW TBSTiailVT.
18?
peraeon-
Eilem, he
lere thej
jwers of
;he name
]taniabaa
ie other
ich some
b; name-
pristians
1 if they
^rfluoua
osed on
It is not
nical. Of
wentieth
held the
n the 8th
and bHS
led state
Q. Where did St. Peter estabiish hb epia-
eopal see?
A. At Antiochy the capital of the East, and
at Kome, the capital of the West. In the for-
mer city, he resided seven years; and in the
latter, twenty-five.
St. Peter was thus the first bishop of Rome, the first
pastor of the universal Church, the first Pope. The pres-
ent venerable supreme Pontiff is his 250th suooessor, and
hence the 257th link in that unbroken chain which connects
the presABt with the ^ast, earth with Heaven, time with
ttemity.
Q. To what countries did St. Paul extend
his apostolical labors ?
A. To Greece, to all the provinces of Asia
Minor, and to some of the inlands of the arch-
ipelago.
Q. How did St. Peter and St. Paul end
their life?
A. After a long confinement in the prisons of
Rome, they were led out to execution by order
of the sanguinary Nero. St. Peter was cruci-
fied; and 8t. Paul, decapitated, A.D. 67.
Q. How many epistles did St. Peter write ?
A. Two : iu the firsti he urges the faithful
188
8A0KKD RTBTOBT.
to the practice of the virtues that become the
professors of the Gospel; and in the second,
he warns theui against lalse prophets and false
teachers.
Q. How many epistles have we of St. Paul ?
A. Fourteen, all of which furnish us with
most important instructions on the doctrines
of faith and on the practical duties of the Chris-
tian.
Q. What other canonical epistles are there ?
A. There are three of St. John, one of St.
James the Less, and one of St. Jude.
Q. How many evangelists are there ?
A. Four : namely, St. Matthew, one of the
twelve apostles ; St. Mark, the favorite disci-
ple of St. Peter ; St. Luke, the traveling com-
paniou of St. Paul ; and St, John, the beloved
apostle of our Lord.
St. Luke it) the evangelist of the saored Infaooy ; St.
John, uf the Woru'b Diviuity ; St. Matthew and St. Mark,
of the active iifo uf our blessed Lord.
The holy fathers lind an eiiiblem of the e? aogeiists ia
the four living creatures (ueuiiuued iu Ezaohitl and in
the ApocalyjK^o; luMi, ihe man is the emblem of St. Mat-
thew, who t)0^iu^ his gospel by the temporal birth of
Cfarisi ; the Hon is that of St. Mark, who oomm«noe0 by th«
THE NEW TESTAMENT.
189
lome the
I second,
lad false
t. Paul ?
us with
loctriQes
le Chris-
there ?
le of St.
of the
;e disoi-
ig ooin-
beloved
aoy; St.
It. Mark,
^lists in
and in
St. Mat-
birth of
«b7th«
Toice of St. John crying in the desert; the ox, which was
the principal victim of ancient saciitice, h thatof .-jt. Jiuko,
who begins by representing Zucharias performing the
priestly functions in the temple; and the eagle ia tbut uf
tit. John, wbo soar.^ into the bottom of the divinity, to cun-
template the etorual generation of the Word.
Q. What else did St. Luke write ?
A. The Acts of the Apostles, which con t tins a
brief sketch of the apostolic labors of S.S. I'd or
and Paul, together with some of theleadiiJu I* cts
connected with the establishment of the ( 'ii neii.
Q. What book closes the sacred voir. me ?
A. The Apocalypss, or Book of llevclatir^ns,
which is a record of vi.<iuns and siipcniat.nMi
communications thai the upostie St. Joim .e-
ceived whilst in banishmeut id the i>l iiid of
Patmos.
Q. Whither did tlie Most Blessed Virjrin so
after the death of her divine ;:^on.
A. She followed the apostle St. John to
whose tender care she had been confided by
our blessed Lord.
Q.* Where did our blessed Lady (lie ?
A. It is believed that she died at Jerusalem
in the sixty-third year of her age, and that her
190
SJkCRXP BISTORT.
pnre body, too pare for the corruption of the
tomb, was carried up to Heaven.
Q. What did the apostles compose before
their separation ?
A. They composed the Creed, or profession
of faith that bears their name.
Q. What did they afterwards ?
A. They set out to announce the Gk)spel to
all the nations of the earth ; and so great was
the success that attended their evangelical labors
that St. Paul applies to them the words of the
Psalmist : ** Their sound k'ith gone forth into
the earth, and their words ante the end of the
world."
Q. In what countries did they respectively
preach?
A. St. Peter preached in Syria and in Italy
St. Andrew, in Scythia and Greece ; St. James
the Greater, in Spain ; St. John, in Asia Minor ;
St. Philip, in Phrygia ; and St. Bartholomew,
in Armenia.
Q. What countries did the other apostles
ertngelise ?
A. Sit. Thomas evangelised India; St Mat*
THE NEW TEST All BVT.
191
thew, Persia and Ethiopia; St. James the
IiL;^>, Judea ; St. Jude, Arabia ; St. Simon,
Egypt and Mesopotamia; and St Matthias,
t)appadocia and the countries situated on the
shores of the Caspian Soa.
Q. Sad the apostles any difficulties to en-
counter ?
A. Yes ; they were often dragged before pagan
judges, publicly scourged, and oast into prison.
Q. How did they bear these persecutions ?
A. They rejoiced at being accounted worthy
to suffer for the name of Christ.
Q. How did they end their life ?
A. Almost all of them terminated their apos-
tolical career by martyrdom.
St. Peter, St. Andrew, and St. Simon, were omoified;
St. James the Greater was beheaded ; St. James the Leu
was flung from the battlements of the temple ; St. Thomaf
was transpierced with lances ; St Bartholomew was flay-
ed alive ; St. Jude was shot with arrows ; St. Matthew wm
put to death by the Ethiopians, and St. Matthias by the
inhabitants of Colchis. St. John the Evangelist was oast
into a caldron of boiling oil ; but, like the children in the
fiery furnace, he was miraculously preserved. Of the
twelve members of the apostolic college, St. Philip seemi
to be the only one who was not oalled upon to laoriflo*
his life for the oanie of hii divine Maeter.
, I
192
KAi'RKD FtlSTORT.
Q. Did these pf'«^f "Aliens impcdo
ress of the church /
A. Far from impeduig Us proirress, these per-
secutions caused great numbers of the pagans
to learn and embrace the faith of Christ.
Ten sangainary tyrants during the space of about three
hundred years bared the sword of {xirsooution against the
infant Church, and made her little cradle float on a sea of
blood ; they sought to submerge her beneath the reddened
ware, but in Tain. The blood of the 11,000,000 of her
children, who gladly went forth to meet the executionert
was like the chosen seed which perishes only to produce
a hundred-fold.
.^. What do you infer from iMs ?
A. That the Church will ever triumph over
persecution, and that she shall subsist until the
eonsammation of ages.
^rX3^:C5^rX>^::C??HS§
hese per-
e pagans
LSt.
ibout three
igaioBt. the
on a sea of
8 reddened
,000 of her
Kecuttoner,
to produce
nph ovor
ntil the
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OP SACRED HISTORY.
B. r.
Creation of the world 4004
Birth of Cain 400*^
Birth of Abel 4002
Death of Abel oH7.>
Adam died 3ll74
6eth died 2m'2
EnoB died 2864
Mathuealciu died 'loAii
The Deluge 2.S4.S
Tower of Babel 2247
Death of JJoe ly.is
Birth of Abraham 19yri
Birth of Sara 198<$
Calling of Abraham Iii21
Abranam rescues Lot 1912
Destruction of Sodom i8'.'7
Binb of Isaac IhliH
Abraham's eacrifice Ih/il*
Death of Sara IHL'J
Death of Sem 1S4«
Author Esau and Jacob 18.^6
.^ath of Abraham 1821
#aeob goes to Mesopctauia 1701^
\H
rFWoyoT.ooTrAT, tabu.
liiith of Rulen 175fl
Birth of Levi Mhf\
Birth of Juda 175.')
Birth of Jofcph \7tf>
Jacob wrcistloH with an angel , 17oV'
Birth of Benjamin IT.",!
Joseph Fold by hi« brothers 1729
Death of Isaac 171fi
Joseph, governor of E^ypt 1716
Beginnin/^ yf the fmnine 1708
Jacob goes to E^ypt 170fi
D'jath of Jncob IfiHl*
Death of Joseph \fu*th
Birth of Aaron »v. 167-1
Birth of Mo5>es« 1671
Deliverance of the Jews from Egyptian bondage 1.491
Comniandnienti» given on Mount t^inai 1491
Death of Aaron 1452
Balaam, the Soothsayer 1452
The manna ceases to fnll r «>.-.. 1452
Death of Moses 1451
Jericho captured 1451
Death of Jos te 1426
Othniel, first judge 1405
Gideon appointed judge 1245
Jephte " " 1187
Heli " ** 1166
Death of Samson ]117
Death of Heli 1116
Samuel, judge 1116
8aul, anointed king 1095
^irthof David 1C86
iXftvid conqueni Goliah 1062
rMUON'OT,f>nirAi, tari.k
195
.... VbP
.... 176ft
.... 1756
17'».^
i7::v>
17.".!
1729
171H
1716
1708
, 1706
168t>
ir,:>,6
1671
1671
hm
1401
1462
. 1462
....... 1462
1461
1451
1426
1405
.... 1246
.... 1187
.... 1166
.... ni7
.... 1116
.... 1116
.... 1096
.... 1C86
.... 1062
Hoath of Smnucl 1067
J'cjifh of i>aiil
1066
iJirth of Solomon 1033
Al>Fal(ini i.s flnin l*y Joab 1023
I>iivi(l tnk<!t« n ceii.'Us ot tho proplo 1017
J>o:ith of DuvitI 1016
l-^o'.oiiion suc?(«(hIs to the throne 1015
I'OJii-ation of iho K'n)]ile « 10U4
Drath ofS.lojuc.n 975
lloljo.Jin MM ri-cds til the throne 976
Ituvolt of the Ten Trib. ? 976
tti'Jtt o
/■ Jud
(I .
Kinyg of Jura el.
itoboi
Ahia.
irn
»•••••••• •••••••••
i<i>
••••••••••••a
.Jen hoam.
<if.
tMia.
•J6y
tt65
962
928 Zamri.
025 Amri.
918 Aohab.
Nad;ib.
.Ijaa^a,
.Ela.
Jo?ai»hnt ^M
8'<'7 Ochopias.
8i)G loram.
I
<iriim "
OchoKiat'
IJueon AtlialiH.
Joas,
.Ivh
u.
AmxinaF.
UMiat.
885
884
878
86r,
8:)9 '" ■^.
823 Icroboam XL
810
Ion
f^hnx.
li
i^^
(IlKONOLCXnCAl TAKI K.
771: /lubiiilrs.
771 ^(•lIllIn.
771 Mtiiwibi'tn.
7ft'.J riuuciu,
Jonthnii 7i)b IMiacuo.
Achaz 74Ji
K/j.'chias 72(»
7l!l Sninaria captured
rml (ifthcUiii^'ilo'o'^'lIi'rHul 721
Tt>l»i}i.- Hi liiilniDj) 721
lv/<;cl.iiis tiills .'■ick of the ])ln;.nic 712
S»iin.K'li<.iil»V sirmy < 'uiosi fMcirriiijiitcd 710
Miiim.'.-tf' ii.-<.'« nU> the uuoi.u of Ju<l}i f)i)8
Miiuiit^M's ciiiifil uir i<i Haliylun r)77
Judith ^l^l;y■K IJolnjdioriies Tiofi
Atiion aM'ciid:^ tho throuc (i i3
J(.si!lH " «« »' «11
Joacliaz *» «« " r.lO
Joiikini *• •« " C'liy
Comincncetncnt ol' the Captivity OdO
The tl.rce yoniij: men in tho l;<;ry furnace €()t)
Jorciuins cuininoiicos to ^vrito his |tro[)hctii;c CU5
JSuMUiDu's chastity vinuicateil t')03
Jechoniag a.^-ccndc: the throne 6^)9
Sedcciiif ** ** 698
Sedeoias revolft" n}:iiinfrt Nnbtichoikmofor 6ii0
fcedcciavS taken cajltiv<^ to lJabyh)ii 688
Km! (if the kin;^d(ini of Juda 688
JeicMiias ^oe8 into Egy]>t 687
Death of Jeroinias 6&4
fHnoNOI OfJICAI. TABl.K.
ll>7
712
710
f)l»8
tn »
(ill
C. I
r.oy
coo
005
t'.oa
698
6ii0
688
, 688
. 687
. 6S«
Death of liiiltiiK«ar 6.SJi
LUict of Cyrus |.eMiultiii^ thu Jcwj? to roturii 6.'!fi
Hiul of the CujiUvity 6;i0
I'C'Jiciilion of the iccoiui tcmjilo i'li
K^the^ hiivo." hrr nntiun 6tiy
KfbMiltl;ii;r of lliy walls of Jerusalem 464
l)eatli of lSfln;;iiias 4«4
Alexaiiiicr at .leiuttalcu *>'-y^
The .^optun^iiil versiuu of the i^ciijituies 277
AiilioctiUB the (ii'cat cdiH^uei'h Judoa '202
llv.WinUnixs att<MiH(t}< to rol» the temple 110
Aiiiiochiis l']])!|iliiiiie>' |>luii<ler8 Jerusalem 1<'>8
MiUtyrJoin of I^lcazar and ibo *Maehaboe.s 107
Math.'ithhis takei^ ii{> urms 167
JiuJas MiK'haboi!8 ouiinnands the Jewish aruiy 100
(jilonuux (ieiith of JudflJii Mai'habeiv.^ 101
Jonathan coninuinds the Jewiah uruiy 161
>iui()n •* ** •« - " , 14-1
Juhn llyrcauus •• " ** " 135
Ari.-'tobiilus I.arf.iumes the title of kin^ 1U7
AK'xander Janneus, king 105
Alexandra, queen <'f late kiU;^, governs the cation 78
Ilyrcanus 11., king 68
Ari^tobulub ][., usurps the crown ^ 06
ilyreanus 1 1., re.stored 04
lli-'iod receives from Rome the title of kirg 40
Birth (.four Louu JkiSUS Chkist, after the Creation. 4004*
A. U.
Flight into Egypt 1
Return to Judea ^ 8
Jot»ui< goeti up to the temple 12
• b«« pag« 199.
198
OHRONOLOOICAL TABLK.
w
A. I).
Filato govern* iV of Jud©A 26
John commenut'H to preach ^ 2'.'
l)oatk of St. Joseph li '
Our Lord is baptized ^ «'0
Our Lord at Cauji ^ ">()
Election of tho twelve npostlos •>)
St. John the Baptist is beheaded .'U
The Sermon oo the Mount ''l
i'liii da I filler of Jairus ia raised to li To 31
The Kon of the widow of Nairn " " " ol
The storm at sea appoaBed - ol
Cli«/ico of the seventy-two disciples 31
Multiplication of the loaves 3li
The transliguratioa 33
Lazarus raised to lifb ,...,, 33
'IJjo last supper 33
Our Lord triumphantly enteie Joru.'^al.'iii 33
Crucitixion nnd resi*rrection of out Lord 33
Ascension of our Lord 33
St. Stephen is stoned to death 33
Coiiveision ofSt. Paul ,. lA
rajttism of Corueliud 39
&'t.Matthew writes his go.spel 41
'Ihi' ibllowers of our Lord lirst <Mllia Cliri.-;!.;!.- 4l
Sr, M.irk writes his gospel 43
M. J.imcs the Greater la beheaded. 44
St. IV'ter delivered from prison 44
Council of Jerusalem ^ 61
Death of the Most Blessed Virgin. 48
St. I*i4ui writes his lirbt epiotlo .02
ht. Luke \^ritei his gospel , 52
&t. Barnabas ia •tonedrto death in Cyprus 6i
CHRONOT-OOICAI, TABT.m.
^i. ,}r',vc^ ilic Lt;.-i« ihrcwn tiom |<iHn«cle of teuiple
AijiiL^ii.loto nl ;it. iMaUliiiii? 6
Death of fei. Ai uk 64
tirt^t jicisL't'utiou uuuci .\ei\' 64
Fir^•l oj.i>tlo ol t^t. IVtcr 6o
Aiart}Ml<.ui ol t:>. Vvlvv and Puul 67
CiuciiiMun oi iSt. Andrew 6U
Jerusalem mkcn and dotmycu by Titus 70
bt. iiiirtlR.iuii.cn' i.« l!:iyod alive 73
»SL Thunuis is I'icuMjd with l;u;re.-' TA
Death ot'bt. Phili|. 87
Martyrdom vi' i:l. Aiaitln .v SH)
Death ot^t. Luke 'JO
Crueinxion ot'M. .^iru'ui 'JU
^l. Jude i.-> sliut will) iirrcwy 10
^cc()tld |.or!<tei tiou I'Uuer D(;iiiitian io
t^i. John is barji.-hed lo the i.'-hind oi' I'alino.s '. t'>
8t. John writes tl\c Apoiuilypje and his g(,;:pcJ Vi\
De.ith of tic. Jehii the Evjni^elitr Mic
01UO^(lLiiliV OF TiiE (:iu:ATl;^^
From the Creation to the birth uf Chii.-t, I'liji' .
According to the Hebrew U:m, oJUl.'
« •* " ^ama^itan " -iliv:;
«« ♦' " ^<Jj tiiil^Uii. " O'JL'h
«« " Lehei 4i'Ai-i
•• " I'er.j.vius :ii.h j
•« ** fcculi^'.r.... oVI6u
200
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
ThK PA'rKIAJtCUS.
Adam born
, 4004...
...died
, 3074
aged
930 yeanu
beth "
3874...
«4
...
2962
it
912
Knus •'
376y...
3079...
«
.. .
• ••
2864
2769
u
u
905
910
Cainiiu ♦*
Malalcel... "
3009...
u
• ••
2714
**
895
Jured «•
3644...
... "
2682
«
962
Knuch "
ti<.>jM....(( ..
3017
«
S65(l)«
Alathusalom"
3317...
...
2348
u
969
M
Lamech •«
3130....
2363
t*
777
«
Noe «*
2948 "
2440 "
2343 «'
19v8
1846
2008
it
950
600
338
U
iScm "
It
Arpliaxitd.. "
it
llcber '*
2281...
... '*
1817
4(
464
u
Tharo "
2126...
H
■ «.
1921
4<
205
«
Abraham... •«
1990...
1821
*t
176
«•
liaac ♦'
Ib9rt...
»• •
1716
n
180
K
Jacob «•
1836 «'
1689
«4
147
tt
Kuben ••
1768...
... •'
1634
U
124
It
Sinicun *♦ .
1767....
<<
*
• i
«
It
Ltvi '•
1766...
(1
...
1619
<(
137
tt
Juda "
1766...
• . •
1636
*i
119
Im
i>an ♦«
1765...
1764 ..
...
• • •
1628
1622
127
132
II
A'eiihthtili... "
II
(iiul "
1764...
1746...
... "
if
• ••
... «
#
*
1635
126
110
11
A^er •*
11
Joi't'iih «•
tt
Lciijamin.. "
1731...
• • >
*
4«
*
II
(1) In the 3f)5ih year
of his
ige, Enoch
was taken fron*
aiJ.ung ujcu and trans
)orled
to n plac
Li oi
r'jpose
and
ha] jtii^css.
-* The dates omitted are not known
ged 930 yeara.
n2 >*
SK)5 »
9Hi »
895 »
9d2 "
S65(l)<«i
9t)9 »
777 •«
950 «'
eoo «
464 '(
206 "
176 *•
1«0 «
147 "
124 "
137 "
119 '.
127 "
132 "
* tt
126 «*
110 '<
* u
taken from
r'3|>ose and
eVKOKOLOOIOAL TABLB.
Thc Peophbtb.
201
«(
<«
4<
«<
«
u
4
<
<
(
(
t
[
2 JeremiM
M
«<
•
tt
629
tt
tt
tt
3 £iechiel
M
U
tt
695
tt
it
tt
4 Daniel
M
U
tt
606
tt
tt
tt
6 Jonaa
M
«<
tt
800
tt
tt
tt
Joel
. «
<•
tt
790
tt
t*
tt
7 Amot
M
<«
tt
788
tt
tt
ir
8 Osee
«
M
tt
780
tt
tt
II
» Micheas
«<
M
tt
754
It
tt
II
10 Nahum
M
<«
tt
750
tt
t*
II
11 Sophonias
<«
«<
tt
625
tt
»<
tt
12 Habaouo
«<
«<
tt
585
tt
II
tt
13 Abdias
«
It
II
582
tt
tt
tt
14 Aggeus
«
tt
«
627
tt
tt
tt
15 Zacharias
M
t*
tt
626
tt
f«
tt
16 Malaohi
M
tt
•
tt
436
tt tt
It
SIGNIFICATION OP 80MJS SCEIPTIIBAL JiAMES.
Aaron ....^...« a mountaineer,
Ab«l weakneet, vanityi
Abraham yfaiher of many.
Absalom ^..,./atker of peace,
Adam rtd earth,
Andrew cowageoue.
202
SIGNIFICATION OF SOME
Anna, Anne graeio%u, kind.
Babel confusion,
Benjamin son of my right-hand, i. e. tfgood
Beihlehetn house of bread, [/ort«fM.j
Cain acquisition,
Caleb a dog.
Calvary a skull,
Christ t, anointed,
Cyrus the sun,
Daniel ^^'udge of God,
David beloved.
Pebbora. a bee,
Eliwbeth worshiper of Ood,
Emmanuel ,,,Uod with us,
Eisther i star, good fortune.
Eve mother of the living,
Ezechicl God-strengthened,
Gabriel the mighty one of Got
(jethsemani oil-press^
Gideon destroyer.
Gospel glad tidings,
Isauo laughter,
Isaias help of Jehova,
Israel strong against God, prince wOh AM*
T '^^^ > a supplanter,
James ^ ^'^
Jeremias ,~ raised up by God,
Jerusalem „ habitatioi* of peace,
Jesse „ firm,
Je8U8 Savior,
Jezabel not inhabited,
Joas God-given,
e. of good
[/ortKfM.]
UhCM.
SCRIPTURAL NAMES.
\^^' ■■ 'P^»«cuted, ajfflietod,
^"^^^ grace, favor,
»'"°a« «...a dovt,
-•onathan God-given,
^^^^V^ addition,
•'"da celebrated.
J"*^'th ^praiaed,
^«^» a joining. '
'^'* wearied,
'^"l avoU,
J'»cifer brilliani,
^'"•^ ahammer.
l\''[l""': miirtreae, queen, Har oftho
Mathusjilam man of (he duet.
^^^^^^^y^ gift ofJehova,
^'essiah anointed.
^^^<^^^e^ who i, like to Oodf
^^^^"^ drawn out of water,
N .thanael given of God,
Achemias comforted of Jehova.
^^ oonaolation, reei,
^i>oini.- beautiful.
^'">' little, email.
"^^^r a rook.
^'^•'^rao king, eun.
^^'•'P o lover ofhoreet,
I^achel a ewe.
^'ap'^ael .phyeieian of O^a.
Rebecca ^ « nooae.
^^"ben behold, a eonf
'^"^^ a female friend.
damson eun-like,
^funixt\ heard of God,
203
204 SIGNIFICATION OF SCRIPTURAL NAMES.
Sara )
Sarah J a prtncew.
Solomon paeijie,
Saul desired.
Simon" ( favorable hearing,
Stephen a eroicn, a garland,
Susanna a lily,
Thomas a twin,
Timothy „ one who honore God.
Tobias pUaeing to Jehova.
Zaeharias..... whom Jehova remembere,
Sebedee Jehova*^ ^i/t.
E8.