intelligible by the Bible Dictionary; and when the whole lesson was
finished, the young people gave a summary of the religious truth, and
practical inferences to be deduced from it.

A quotation from the Book of Daniel led to some pleasant talk about that
prophet, his greatly diversified life, and the important changes in the
world's history which he witnessed. Mrs. Wyndham remarked that the Jews
have a tradition which in itself is very probable, that the venerable
man pointed out to Cyrus, after his conquest of Babylon, the verses in
Isaiah, wherein he is spoken of by name, as conquering by the power of
the Lord, and giving orders to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple: and
also that other passage, in which the destruction of the Babylonish
empire by the Medes is foretold, both prophecies being recorded more
than a hundred years before the birth of the mighty king by whom they
were accomplished.

"I never heard of that," said Cornelia. "But, of course, it would be the
most likely thing for Daniel to do. You can imagine the interest with
which Cyrus would listen to these predictions about himself--and from
the lips of such a noble, lovely, white-haired man as Daniel must have
been. I don't wonder at all that he gave the decree to rebuild
Jerusalem."

"This reminds me of another Jewish tradition, recorded in Josephus,"
rejoined Mrs. Wyndham. "This one, I think, is not at all probable; but
as it would interest you, I will narrate it. Alexander the Great, while
engaged in the siege of Tyre, sent orders to the high priest at
Jerusalem, to furnish his army with provisions, as they had been in the
habit of doing to Darius. But Jaddus, the high priest, gave answer that
they were still bound by their oath to the King of Persia, and that,
while he lived, they could not transfer their allegiance to another.
This noble response awakened the rage of Alexander, who, as soon as Tyre
was reduced, marched towards Jerusalem, determined to inflict signal
vengeance upon that city. The inhabitants, totally unable to withstand
the conqueror, were filled with consternation. Their town was, indeed,
admirably fortified; but since Tyre, the Queen of the Sea, had been
subdued, how could they hope to escape? Weeping and loud lamentations
were heard throughout the streets. The high priest knew that his only
hope was in help from on high: he ordered prayers and sacrifices to be
offered up, and awaited the result, confident that he had at least
dis