THE

YOUTHS' MAGAZINE;

OR

Evangelical Miscellany.

NOVEMBER, 1843.

EGYPTIAN FEAST.

OUR engraving for the present month represents a subject frequently occurring upon the monuments of Egypt, and usually described as "a prepared feast." As a work of art, it has little to recommend it beyond that minute accuracy of outline and color for which the ancient paintings of the country are so remarkable; but as an illustration of Scripture it is both curious and deeply interesting. A basket of pomegranates, and bunches of grapes, occupy the upper part of the picture; in the centre compartment, grapes in baskets again occur, whilst the lower part is filled up with flasks of wine, buds of the lotus, waterfowl, some in the feathers, and some of them plucked and trussed. Other items of the feast, are also represented in various parts of the tablet.

The occurrence of grapes, as forming part of an Egyptian feast in the days of the Pharaohs, is a point of great interest, because it has been denied that they were ever grown in that country—a statement at variance with the testimony of the Bible. This VOL. VI. 4th SERIES. I i

opinion, based upon the misinterpretation of a passage in Herodotus (ii. 77,) has been now abandoned, and, indeed, it ought never to have been maintained, since the historian limits his assertion to the inhabitants of a particular district. Grapes have been actually found in some of the ancient sepulchres of Egypt, and representations of the fruit abound in the sculptures and paintings of that land. Our readers will recollect the repeated allusions made in scripture to the vine as a product of Egypt. The chief butler of Pharaoh is represented as taking grapes and pressing them into the king's cup, (Gen. xl. 11;) and the Psalmist speaks of the destruction of the vines of Egypt with hail-stones, (Ps. lxxviii. 47.) The vine is associated with the pomegranate, another of the fruits shewn in the picture, in Numbers xx. 5. Wherefore," say the murmuring Israelites, have ye made us to come up out of Egypt to bring us into this evil place it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink." The baskets also, conspicuously shewn in the cut, may probably be of the exact kind referred to in the dream of the chief baker, described in our translation as white baskets; but more literally rendered in the margin, "baskets of open work," or "baskets full of holes." (see Gen. xl. 16.) It may also be worthy of remark, that particular stress appears to be laid upon the contents of the uppermost basket, in the sacred text-" bake-meats for Pharaoh," or "meat of Pharaoh, the work of a baker, or cook," the Egyptians having been accustomed to eat many kinds of fish and fowl, uncooked, and without other preparation than drying in the sun or salting. Ducks so prepared, from the ancient tombs of Egypt, have been brought to this country.

THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST.

"The joy set before Him."-St. Paul.

THE Lord Jesus having finished the work of redemption, ascended on high, as the head and representative of his people, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. In the spirit of prophecy, the psalmist declares his exaltation; "Thou hast ascended on high; thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men." (Ps. lxviii. 18.) His exaltation intimates

that his sufferings are ended; that he has entered into rest-a rest permanent and secure; for having spoiled principalities and powers, he has no enemies to fear, no warfare to renew, but enjoys the reward set before him, at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

The exaltation of Christ embraces his resurrection from the dead, his ascension into heaven, and his sitting at the right hand of God. Having humbled himself and become obedient to death, even the shameful, lingering, painful death of the cross; having magnified the law and made it honorable; having made a complete atonement for sin, and wrought out and brought in an everlasting righteousness for the pardon and justification of all believers, God, according to covenant agreement, (Isa. liii. 10, 12,) highly exalted him, and gave him a name above every name. (Phil. ii. 9.)

"Name

The exaltation of Christ is inconceivably glorious; he is exalted in his titles; every tongue shall confess that he is Lord. Supreme dominion belongs eminently to him. "To this end Christ both died and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord of the dead and the living." (Rom. xiv. 9.) "All power is given unto him, both in heaven and on earth." (Matt. xxviii. 18.) "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow." (Phil. ii. 9.) denotes dignity, authority, and power. The Father, in reward of the work of his Son, highly or exceedingly exalted him; conferred on him the highest honor and authority, constituted him universal Lord and Judge. The Father's design in thus exalting him was, that every intelligent creature in heaven and earth, should submit to him, and honor him as the Almighty and only Saviour and Lord." Bowing at the name of Christ is put for subjection, for all must be subdued to him either as sons or captives.

Christ was exalted in his offices. "Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour." (Acts v. 31.) Moses was a temporal Saviour; but Christ a Saviour of souls-" the horn of salvation." (Luke i. 69.) "He saves from sin," (Matt. i. 24.) and "from wrath." (1 Thess. i. 10.) Salvation is in him alone. In heaven they sing hallelujah to Christ the Saviour.

Christ was exalted in his ascension. The Scriptures state that he was received, taken up, or carried into, heaven. He ascended by his own power, in the presence of his adoring disciples, from