ANNE.

Josephus, who wrote the account of the Jewish war, says that the day of the year on which the temple was now burnt, was the very same on which it had been burnt in the time of Nebuchadnezzar. Six Thousand men, women and children, who had taken refuge in the temple, were destroyed by it. Among them were several false prophets, who had deceived the people, and prevented many from going over to the Romans.

HARRIETTE.

They deserved to be punished for deceiving the people. Six thousand! what a sad story. I wish it had not happened. No wonder our Saviour wept when he saw Jerusalem, as he knew what would come to pass!

ANNE.

Titus was now completely master of the place, and as soon as possible he put an end to the slaughter. John and Simon, having been taken prisoners, were carried afterwards by Titus to Rome, where they were put to death. It was supposed that one million one hundred and ten thousand people perished

in this siege, and ninety seven thousand were exposed to sale as slaves, but at length they could find no purchasers. On the birth-day of Titus's brother, Domitian, more than two thousand five hundred Jews were put to death, some by fire, some by wild beasts. Such was the dreadful end of this war, which occasioned the utter downfall of the Jews, from which they have never recovered to this day, but are scattered over the face of the earth, oppressed and scorned, however unjustly, by the rest of mankind, who have thus "visited the sins of the fathers upon their children." The desolation of their country itself went on increasing, till from being for its size, one of the most fertile and populous countries in the world, it is now the most barren and desolate; the number of its inhabitants being computed at a hundred thousand. So ends this sad tale!

ON THE SUPERINTENDANCE OF

DIVINE PROVIDENCE.

"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the ser,

And rides upon the storm."

NEWTON.

ELLEN.

ANNE, will you be so good as to come up stairs to Harriette? She is crying, because she is frightened at the thunder.

ANNE. (at Harriette's bedside.)

How is it that you are so much frightened, my dear Harriette? Come, dry your tears, and try to tell me what has befallen you in this nice little room.

HARRIETTE.

Why, I believe the thunder disturbed me, and when I was awake I was so very much frightened at the noise, that I sent Ellen to

call you.

ANNE.

I have heard it thunder several times to night, and from the feeling of awe with which it generally impresses me, I can easily believe it capable of inspiring dread in very young or ignorant persons; but I am sure you will be sorry when you reflect on the selfishness of your conduct, in having awakened your sister and sent her into a danger you feared to face yourself. That it was imaginary does not at all exculpate you, or render her kindness less.

HARRIETTE.

I did not think about sending Ellen into danger, but I thought she did not mind going down in the dark, and it was such a very loud noise.

ANNE.

I am glad to see you sorry for your unthinking conduct, and believe you will not act so again; nor is it likely the same cause will soon occur, for the storm has been unusually severe though short; and now kiss me and your sister Ellen, and go to sleep. Remember that your heavenly Father never slumbers, and that he is equally watchful over a helpless child, as over a king on his throne.

HARRIETTE.

Do you think, Anne, that part of the Testament is exactly true, that says our hairs are all numbered, and that not a sparrow falls to the ground without God's knowing it?

ANNE.

Perhaps not what you would understand me to mean, if I said I did believe it; yet I have not the smallest doubt of the constant superintendance of Providence. The language of Scripture is often highly figurative, and must on that account not always be understood literally, and it will generally be best, on reading any of those passages, to request of papa to explain them. I am sure, however, that he would agree with me in saying, God knows all our necessities, and that under his protection, we are as safe during the hours of darkness as in the brightest sunshine.

ELLEN.

I am not sleepy now, Anne; and if you are not tired, I should like you to tell us some stories about people that God took care of when there was nobody to help them.

ANNE.

I am not at all tired; and as you deserve a