that is said of these people in
the Bible, is in connection with the Persians. Both seemed to have
become one nation; first the Medes gaining the ascendancy, and then the
Persians. But the darkness which rests upon the origin of the Asiatic
lands bewilders the most careful historian.

The conspicuous appearance of the Medes and Persians begins with Cyrus
the Great, the conqueror of Babylon, a remarkable monarch in power,
glory, and character.

The picture of the magi who journeyed from the east to find the infant
Messiah, presents a peculiar view of the Persians and Arabians. Among
these gentile nations were men of great attainments in whatever of
philosophy and astrology there was in the world. The Ethiopian race is
represented, and it may have been that dark faces were over the
wonderful child. Color was evidently then no honor or disgrace; the man
was the object of regard or scorn. More will be said of these wonderful
travellers in the more appropriate place in the annals of Palestine.
Cyrus the first, and noble Persian monarch, was kindly disposed toward
the captive Jews, and Daniel had great influence over him. In the very
year of his conquest he issued a decree, in which, after acknowledging
the supremacy of the Lord, and that to him he owed all kingdoms, he gave
full permission to the Jews in any part of his dominions, to return to
their own land and to rebuild the city and temple of Jerusalem. No
sooner were the favorable dispositions of the king thus made known, than
the members of the latter captivity--those of the tribes of Judah,
Benjamin, and Levi--repaired in large numbers to Babylon from their
different places of residence; some to make preparations for their
journey; and others, who had no intention to return themselves, to
assist those who had. Most of the existing race had been born in
Babylonia, and in the course of years families had established
themselves in the country, and formed connections, and gathered around
them comforts which were not easily abandoned. Only a minority availed
themselves of the decree in their favor; the most of the people choosing
to remain in the land of their exile; and it has always been the opinion
of the Jews that the more illustrious portion of their nation remained
in Babylonia.

The first return caravan was organized and directed by Zerubbabel, the
grandson of king Jehoiachim, and by Jeshua, a grandson of the last
high-priest Jozadak. The number of persons who joi