Religious Zeal of Josiah. 87 I see not how the terror of the king can be accounted for except on one of the above hypotheses. Hence, too, Jeremiah perhaps being absent from his home in Anathoth, the king despatched a messenger to Huldah the prophetess to ask whether the threatened judgment would be executed. Her reply was that the sentence had gone forth and would soon be executed, but that because the youthful monarch had humbled himself before the Lord when he heard the words read out from the law by the venerable scribe, his eyes should not see the coming desolation: they did not, for he fell in battle, as hereafter to be noticed. (2 Kings xxii.) As soon as Josiah received Huldah's answer he sent and gathered unto him all the elders of Judea and Jerusalem, and with as many of the people as could crowd the sacred courts of the Lord he went thither and commanded the book to be read aloud for the instruction of the assembled throng. While this was done he stood in a conspicuous place by a pillar in the sacred structure, and when the last terrible words had fallen from the lips of the reader, Josiah made a covenant before the Lord to keep all his statutes with all his heart and soul, and all the people joined in the solemn vow. Strengthened by this pious act of public consecration, and encouraged by the sympathy and devotion of his subjects, the king went forth and commenced the reformation which has shed undying lustre on his name. The particulars of what was then effected are very minutely and impressively detailed in 2 Kings xxiii. By comparing this chapter with 2 Chron. xxiv. 3-8, it would seem that the conduct of Josiah after his vow had been in some measure anticipated in the earlier part of his reign-that the second reformation was more sweeping and thorough than the first. But it was now that he fulfilled the fearful prediction uttered by the ancient prophet in the ear of Jeroboam as he stood by his altar at Bethel three. hundred and fifty years before. In the royal progress for the destruction of idolatry, Josiah arrived at the chapel at Bethel. "And the altar there, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove." And the bones of the idolatrous priests resting in the neighbouring groves he also burned; but he spared the ashes of the man of God, who, centuries before, had predicted in no doubtful words the event now so resolutely accomplished. (2 Kings xxiii. 15-20.) Josiah's task, however, is not yet done: the worship of the Lord is not re-established until the appointed feasts are conscientiously observed; accordingly the Passover must be celebrated, which, in all probability, had been omitted since the days of Hezekiah. At the king's command. the ancient holy feast was kept with uncommon splendour. The temple being. now restored, the ark was brought back to its place, and the priests were sanctified and divided into orders or families, as Solomon had commanded. He who thus bade the people keep the feast, gave right royally from his own herds and stalls for its celebration three thousand bullocks, and thirty thousand lambs and kids. Inspired by the example of their royal master, the people gave willingly to the priests and Levites; Hilkiah, and Zechariah, and Jehiel gave unto the priests for passover offerings three hundred oxen and two thousand six hundred small cattle, and other distinguished subjects most liberally contributed to the same purpose. So to the whole order of the house of God was reconstituted: the porters were at the gates; the priests slew the sacrifices, and the singing Levites sweetly chanted again God's forgotten praises before the high altar; and the mighly multitude joyously worshipped as in ancient times. Yea, no Passover like that was kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet. This rapid glance at the life and virtues of this estimable youthful prince would prepare us to hope that a reign so splendid will end without shadow or eclipse; that Josiah's death will be as glorious as his life was honourable and useful. He had given happiness to his people; his dominions were never ravaged by the invader; a foreign foe never left his footprints on the soil of Judea; domestic discord never disturbed the heart of Josiah while he wore the crown. David's throne was never more worthily filled, and David's God was never more signally honoured than by king Josiah. But earthly excellence is neither changeless nor immortal. At the ripe age of thirty-nine, and thirteen years after the celebration of the Passover above mentioned, the illustrious Judean sovereign met with an untimely death. It arose in this wise. Pharaoh Necho sat on the throne of Egypt, and resolved if possible to arrest the conquering arms of the Medes and Babylonians, who had just destroyed Nineveh and were breaking up the Assyrian empire. Pharaoh gathered together the chivalry of Egypt to besiege Charchemish, on the banks of the distant Euphrates, and as his line of march lay through the heart of Josiah's dominions, he respectfully asked a free passage for himself and his troops. This request greatly embarrassed the king of Judea. Prideaux and Milman conjecture that as Josiah held the northern parts of the land of Palestine as a fief of Napobolassar, king of Babylon, he was bound by a spirit of loyalty to refuse the request of the Egyptian king. But neither the Bible nor Josephus ascribe such an honourable motive to Josiah. Still it is very probable that he was thus actuated, since at least it does not appear that there was no alliance between the kings of Babylon and Judea. Moreover, Josiah knew how dangerous to the stability of his own throne would be the admission of foreign troops into his territories, especially if inflamed with all the pride of conquest they should return from their distant expedition. Egypt was proverbial for treachery, and perhaps Josiah could not trust the honour of its king. Still Necho seemed sincerely desirous to avoid a collision with Josiah, and sent to remonstrate against the opposition offered to his passage, pleading a divine sanction to his cause. This plea Josiah could not acknowledge, since the name of "God" in Necho's mouth was not synonymous with "Jehovah;" it meant "the gods," and nothing more. The right course for the perplexed monarch was to act in this case as he did when the book of the law was found, viz., to consult Jeremiah, or Zephaniah, or Huldah the prophetess, or some of the members of the prophetic college. But the king did not ask the question, "Shall I go up to fight the king of Egypt?" but acting under the impulse of his own passions, Josiah marshalled his forces and led them forth to battle. That he had some misgiving in his mind as to the course he pursued appears from the fact that he disguised himself in order that he might escape the deadly arrows of the foe. In the valley of Esdraelon the armies met in the shock of battle, and an arrow from the bow of an Egyptian archer struck down Josiah, who was carried wounded from the field to Jerusalem, and there he died. The loss of such a prince might well evoke the deepest sorrow of his subjects, and the mourning they made for him in Hadad Rimmon, in the valley of Megiddo, became a proverb in after days. Singing men and singing women in bitter wailing and funereal dirges well expressed the national sorrow; but none lamented the untimely fate of this illustrious monarch more than Jeremiah, whose prophetic harp poured forth its saddest numbers over the grave of Josiah, whose crown descended to Jehoahaz, but whose career proved him to be a degenerate son of a most worthy and noble sire. Some practical reflections force themselves upon us in closing this short and rapid sketch of one of the most eminent servants of God during the economy that has passed away. 1. We have in Josiah a beautiful example of early piety, and that, too, amid circumstances eminently unfavourable to its culture and exercise. Amon his father walked in the steps of Manasseh's youth, and therefore the invaluable advantage of a pious home and parental example did not fall to Josiah's lot. At the time of his birth the law of the Lord had become almost forgotten, and when he was eight years old he attained the dangerous distinction of a throne, encircled, however, with experienced and judicious counsellors. As far as we know there was none in his palace to teach him to fear and love the God of his father David; yet at eight years of age he had his eyes and his heart open to seek after God, and his vigorous efforts as a reformer when he was but twelve years old shewed that he had found the God he sought. Thus we learn that the Spirit of the Lord is not straitened, but he Lessons to Men of this Day. 89 works when and where and how it pleases him. Bishop Hall has well said"What a difference doth grace make at the same age! Manasseh began his reign at twelve years,―Josiah at eight. Manasseh was religiously bred under Hezekiah, Josiah was misnurtured under Amon; and yet Manasseh runs into absurd idolatries,-Josiah is holy and devout. If we may not rather measure youth and age by government and disposition, than by years, surely then Josiah was older with smooth cheeks than Manasseh with grey hairs." May the youthful readers of this paper remember their far greater advantages, and so use them that Josiah condemn them not in the judgment day. 2. Hearty work for God, and especially early work, will most assuredly prosper. It will not be denied that the consecration of Josiah to God in his early days greatly favoured his onerous task as a reformer of the worship of Jehovah, for he brought to it all the new-born energy and ardour of a young disciple. With him to will was to do: nothing daunted his energetic spirit, or turned him from his chosen path. His heart was in all he did, and therefore it prospered. He abolished the idols, cut down the groves, repaired and purified God's house and restored its services. At eighteen years old he had done the work of a long life, and his people rested under his sceptre in peace and happiness. So work for God ever prospers, and the youthful worker is generally he who does most for God, and does it best too. 3. In Josiah's career the divine faithfulness was beautifully exhibited. While he occupied the throne peace smiled on all parts of his dominions, which foreign invasion never threatened to desolate or destroy. Yet the measure of Judea's iniquity had long been filling up, and the purposes of God were hastening to completion. He had, however, by Huldah the prophetess, said to Josiah, "Thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace, and thine eyes shall not see all the evil I will bring upon this place." Thirty-one years he reigned, and nineteen of them elapsed ere the words just quoted were fulfilled. Though he died in the full vigour of manhood, there was much mercy in his death. With him vanished the historic splendour of the Judean monarchy: for seventeen years after he fell on the blood-stained field of Megiddo, on the southern rim of the plain of Esdraelon, that monarchy was blotted out, and its fertile lands turned into a desert by the resistless arms of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. But God had promised that Josiah should be spared the sight of these terrible scenes; and ere they were realized the fatal arrow at Megiddo had dismissed him "to the mountains of myrrh and the hill of frankincense," where he was enjoying the untroubled rest of the house not made with hands when his earthly palace and capital were levelled with the dust. Jehovah thus kept the word he never breaks; therefore let us trust him who is faithful that has promised. 4. A long course of religious obedience is no guarantee against sin, even in later life. Josiah began to serve the Lord when eight years old, and for thirty-one years he was faithful to his early vows. And yet after receiving so many signal proofs of the divine favour, and attaining such a ripe experience in the things of God, Josiah showed himself to be but a mortal at the best. It was not an unjust war he waged with Necho, but it was a rash and unwise one; and by not inquiring of the Lord he shewed he acted on the impulses of passion, or at the dictates of mere state policy. Thus a long and honourable career ended in dishonour; thus a long bright day of life service had its evening speckled with clouds. So the best of men are but men at the best, and the mournful moral of Josiah's death is, that men should never be blindly led by impulse or worldly policy, nor imagine that long service for God can never be tarnished. Moses sinned in angrily smiting the rock in Kadesh in the last year of Israel's wanderings, and within sight of the sunny hills of the promised land; and Josiah's sun set in shadows after a life-long devotion to the service of God. Hence presumption becomes neither youth nor age; in grey hairs we should hear the warning voice, "Let him that thinketh he stand take heed lest he fall." To be ever watching and praying is our duty and our only safety, and so a life well spent in Christ's service shall end in honour and in joy. J. LEWITT. Family Miscellany. WORTH BETTER THAN SHOW. like the very breath of health and A YOUNG oriental prince was visiting at the castle of a duke in one of the finest counties in England. He looked from his window into a beautiful garden, and inhaled the fragrance which was wafted toward him by the gentle breath of June. "What exquisite perfume," he cried; "bring me, I pray you, the flower which so delights my sense. See you yon stately stalk, bearing on its shaft those gorgeous lilies, whose snowy petals are veined with blood-red lines, and with violet shade; that is undoubtedly the plant I seek." They brought him the curious lily of Africa. "Its odour is nauseating," he said; "but bring me that flower of a hue so much deeper and richer than even the beautiful roses of my own fair land. See how it glows like flame!-surely, a rich odour should distil from that plant." It was a peony, and its scent was even less agreeable than that of the lily. "Can it be, then, the large white blossoms clustered on yonder bush, or the blue cups on the neighbouring shrub?" he asked. No, the snowball and campanula proved alike scentless. Various plants yielded their odourless buds or broad spreading petals for his inspection. But he found not what he sought. Surely, it must be that golden ball," he said; "for so showy a bloom should at least charm the nostril as well as the eye." "Faugh!" it was a marigold. At length they placed in his hand a wee, brown blossom. "So unpretending a thing as this cannot surely be that for which I seek," exclaimed the prince, with a vexed air-"this appears to be nothing better than a weed." He cautiously lifted it to his face. "Is it possible?" he cried. "It is really this unobtrusive brown weed which gives forth so precious an odour? Why, it hangs over the whole garden, and comes fanning in at my window, purity. What is the name of this little darling ?" darling.' "Precisely that, your highness," answered his attendant-"this flower is called 'mignonette, the little "Wonderful! wonderful!" repeated the astonished prince, placing it in his bosom. "Thus your highness perceives," remarked his tutor, gravely, "that the humble and unpretending often exhale the most precious virtues." SLEEP. THERE is no fact more clearly established in the physiology of man than this, that the brain expends its energies and itself during the hours of wakefulness, and that these are restored during sleep; if the restoration does not equal the expenditure, the brain withers; this is insanity. Thus it is that, in early English history, persons who were condemned to death by being prevented from sleeping, always died raving maniacs; thus it is, also, that those who are starved to death become insane; the brain is not nourished and they cannot sleep. The practical inferences are these: First, those who think most, who do most brainwork, require most sleep. Second, that time saved from necessary sleep is infallibly destructive to mind, body, and estate. Third, give your children, your servants-give all that are under youthe fullest amount of sleep they will take, by compelling them to go to bed at some regular hour, and to rise in the morning the moment they awake; and within a fortnight, nature, with almost the regularity of the rising sun, will unloose the bonds of sleep the moment enough repose has been secured for the wants of the system. This is the only safe and sufficient rule-and as to the question how much sleep any one requires, each must be a rule to himself-great Nature will never fail to write it out to the observer under the regulations just given. He words he had heard from the blind man, however, rang their solemn music in his soul-" none other name!" retired to rest; those words like evening chimes from village towers nestling among the trees, were still heard"None other name-none other namenone other name." And when he awoke, in more joyful measure, like matin bells saluting the morn, the strain continued "None other name-none other name." The music entered his soul, and he awoke to a new life. "I see it all! "NONE OTHER NAME." A FEW persons were collected round a blind man who had taken his station on a bridge over a London canal, and was reading from an embossed Bible. A gentleman on his way home from the city, was led by curiosity to the outskirts of the crowd. Just then the poor man, who was reading in the 4th chapter of Acts, lost his place, and, while trying to find it with his fingers, kept repeating the last clause he had read-"none other name-none other name-none other name." Some of I see it all! I have been trying to be the people smiled at the blind man's embarrassment, but the gentleman went away deeply musing. He had lately become convinced that he was a sinner, and had been trying in many ways to obtain peace of mind. But religious exercises, good resolutions, altered habits, all were ineffectual to relieve his conscience of its load, and enable him to rejoice in God. The saved by my own works, my repentance, my prayers, my reformation. I see my mistake. It is Jesus who alone can save me. To him I will look. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is none other name-none other name-none other name given among men whereby they must be saved." Poetry. SPRING WILL BRING FORTH THE VIOLETS. SPRING will bring forth the violets, From their brown sepulchres, The daisy, from its dreary sleep, With life and gladness stirs, The sunshine on her wing, BY J. W. BARKER. The birds will fill the smiling groves And sing of liberty; Around the dreary northern shores A fairy fingered chorister Is laughing, romping Spring. But ah! the Spring can never wake But o'er the wintry hills of life Beyond death's sullen river, There beam sweet morning stars of light There comes the never-dying Spring, Soft showers will greet the laughing fields, To raise from out the dreary tomb The sunshine kiss the stream, And zephyrs breathe a tale of love, These treasures of the heart; It comes, sweet bloom and joy to bring, A never-fading glorious Spring. |