joyful in My house of prayer: for Mine house shall be
called an house of prayer for all people_" (Isa. lvi. 6, 7).

"Oh, blessed promise!" exclaimed Zarah. "Israel has been, like Joseph,
the chosen amongst many brethren, to wear the many-coloured robe
prepared by his Father, and to go first, through bondage and
tribulation, to dignity and honour. But his brethren are not
forgotten: he shall yet be a blessing to them all, even to them who
have hated and sold him. Through Israel shall light spread throughout
the dark world, and with the bread of life shall the hungry nations be
fed."

Zarah was interrupted in her musings by the entrance of Nubian slaves,
who silently replenished the vases, lighted silver lamps as the day was
closing, placed rich garments upon the divan, and then retired from her
presence. Their coming had caused a flutter in the timid heart of the
captive; and it was a relief when they had left her again to that
solitude which scarcely seemed to be loneliness, so sweet were the
thoughts which had been her companions. Zarah went up to the divan,
and looked admiringly on the silken robes and richly-embroidered veil.

"These are meant for my wear," said the maiden; "but I will not touch
them. The Gentiles would allure me, as the serpent allured Eve our
mother, by the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Embroidered
robes are not for the prisoner, nor silver zone for the martyr. This
simple blue garment, spun and woven by my own hands, is good enough to
die in."

Zarah watched the sun as it sank beneath the western horizon, its last
beams lingering on the pinnacles of the Temple.

"Perhaps this will be my last evening on earth," thought the prisoner.
"Ere the sun set again, I may have entered into eternal rest." A deep
sense of holy peace stole into the maiden's heart, though the
expression of her beautiful countenance was pensive as she meditated on
the future. "I shall no more join in worship with my brethren below;
but perhaps, while they gather together in secret, with perils around
them, my eyes shall see the King in His beauty, shall behold the land
that is very far off. And will not He for whom I die hear now my
feeble prayers for those whom I leave behind? Never have I felt that I
could plead with such child-like confidence before Him as I do now;
praying not only for myself, but for those who are dearer than self.
Oh, may the Lord hear, and graciously answer, the supplications of