though his spirit never sank under toil
and hardship, his constitution soon gave way under their effects. The
patriarch felt that his days, nay, that his hours, were numbered, and
summoned his sons around him to hear his last wishes, and to receive
his parting blessing.

In a cave near the foot of a mountain, stretched upon a soft couch of
skins of animals slain in the chase, lay the venerable man. The pallor
of death was already on his face, but its expression was tranquil and
calm. The aged pilgrim looked like one who feels indeed that he has
God's rod and staff to lean on while he is passing through the valley
of the shadow of death. The full glare of noonday was glowing on the
world without, but softened and subdued was the light which struggled
into the cave, and fell on the form of the dying man, and the stalwart
figures of the Asmonean brothers bending in mute sorrow around their
honoured parent.

Mattathias bade his sons raise him a little, that he might speak to
them with more ease. Jonathan and Eleazar, kneeling, supported him in
their arms; while their three brothers, in the same attitude of
respect, listened silently at his side to the patriarch's farewell
address.

I shall not dare to add words of my own to those which the historian
has preserved as the dying utterances of this noble old man--a hero,
and the father of heroes. I give them as they fell upon the ears of
Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, who received them as Joseph received
the parting blessing of Israel.

"Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of
destruction, and the wrath of indignation. Now, therefore, my sons, be
ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your
fathers. Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time,
so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.

"Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto
him for righteousness. Elias, for being zealous and fervent for the
law, was taken up into heaven. Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by
believing, were saved out of the flame. Daniel, for his innocence, was
delivered from the mouth of the lion. And thus, consider ye,
throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in Him shall be
overcome. Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant, and show yourselves men
in behalf of the law; for by it ye shall obtain glory."

The old man paused, as if to gather strength, and then stretching forth
his