nowledge they refused to impart to others, and the directors of
the Temple, fearing that the art might die with them, discharged them
from the service, and brought other parties from Alexandria, in Egypt,
to prepare the sweet perfume. These latter were unable to afford
satisfaction, however, and the directors were obliged to give the
service back into the hands of the family of Abtinoss, who on their part
refused to accept it again, unless the remuneration for their services
was doubled. When asked why they so persistently refused to impart their
skill to others, they replied that they feared they might teach some
unworthy persons, who would afterward use their knowledge in an
idolatrous worship. The members of this family were very particular not
to use perfume of any kind themselves, lest the people should imagine
that they put the sweet spices used in the manufacture of the incense to
a baser use.

An exactly similar case to the above occurred with the family of Garmah,
which had the monopoly of the knowledge of preparing the show-bread used
in the services of the Temple.

It was in reference to these cases that the son of Azai said, "In thy
name they shall call thee, and in thy city they shall cause thee to
live, and from thy own they will give thee," meaning that trustful
persons should not fear that others might steal their occupations; "for
in thy name they will call thee," as with the families of Abtinoss and
Garmah; "and from thy own they will give thee," meaning that what a man
earns is his own, and cannot be taken away.

* * * * *

Rabbi Jochanan, the son of Levi, fasted and prayed to the Lord that he
might be permitted to gaze on the angel Elijah, he who had ascended
alive to heaven. God granted his prayer, and in the semblance of a man
Elijah appeared before him.

"Let me journey with thee in thy travels through the world," prayed the
Rabbi to Elijah; "let me observe thy doings, and gain in wisdom and
understanding."

"Nay," answered Elijah; "my actions thou couldst not understand; my
doings would trouble thee, being beyond thy comprehension."

But still the Rabbi entreated:--

"I will neither trouble nor question thee," he said; "only let me
accompany thee on thy way."

"Come, then," said Elijah; "but let thy tongue be mute. With thy first
question, thy first expression of astonishment, we must part company."

So the two journeyed through the world together. They