in Horeb a suitable retreat for the hunted prophet. But the word of the Lord came to him, demanding why he was hiding himself, and neglecting his active duties, when all Israel was wallowing in sin. At the command of the Lord, he went and stood before him on the mount. "And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." Upon hearing this, he hid his face in his mantle, and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. "And behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thy altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away." Bidding him return and anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, and Jehu king over Israel, and Elisha prophet in his stead, the Lord comforted him with the assurance that in Israel were seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal, nor worshipped him. Obedient to God's command, he returned, and had now performed part of the duty appointed, by anointing Elisha as his successor.

D. MATTHEWS.

ON EASTERN MODES OF CIVIL HOMAGE AND PROSTRATION.

"They shall bow down to thee with their faces toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet." Isaiah xlix. 23.

THESE words are part of a prophecy in reference to the spiritual conquest of the Messiah and the subjection of his enemies, but the figurative language employed is derived from the usual modes of homage and prostration rendered by subjects and conquered princes to their victorious masters. Dr. Clarke observesIt is well known that expressions of submission, homage, and reverence always have been, and are still carried to a great degree of extravagance, in the eastern countries. When Joseph's brethren were introduced to him they bowed down themselves before him to the earth."-Gen. xiii. 6.

The kings of Persia never admitted any one to their presence without exacting this act of adoration (for that was the proper term for it). A Persian courtier said to Čonon, "It is necessary, if thou shouldst come in sight, to venerate thee as king," which they call worshipping. Alexander, intoxicated with success, affected this piece of oriental pride. "The Macedonians, after the manners

of the Persians, saluted their monarch with the ceremony of prostration."-Curtius, lib. 8. The insolence of eastern monarchs to conquered princes, and the submission of the latter, is astonishing. Mr. Harmer gives the following instance of it from D'Herbelot: "This prince threw himself one day on the ground and kissed the prints that bis victorious enemy's horse had made there, reciting some verses in Persian which he had composed to this effect 'The mark that the foot of your horse has left upon the dust serves me now for a crown. The ring which I wear as the badge of my slavery is become my richest ornament. While I shall have the happiness to kiss the dust of your feet, I shall think that fortune favours me with its tenderest caresses and its sweetest kisses.""

Take another passage from Isaiah li. 23: "Which have said to the soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over." This is a very strong and most expressive description of the insolent pride of eastern conquerors. An example has already been given of it in the preceding passage. One or two more may be added: "Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war that went with him, Come near, put your feet

upon the necks of these kings."-Joshua x. 24. "Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so hath God requited me."-Judges i. 7. The emperor Valerius, being through treachery taken prisoner by Sapor, king of Persia, was treated by him as the basest and most abject slave. The Persian monarch commanded the unhappy Roman to bow himself down and offer him his back, on which he set his foot in order to mount his chariot or horse whenever he had occasion.* Mr. Bruce thus describes the ceremony now alluded to: he says, "The next remarkable ceremony in which these two nations of Persia and Abyssinia agreed, is that of adoration, invariably observed in Abyssinia to this day, as often as you enter the sovereign's presence. This is not only kneeling, but absolute prostration. You first fall upon your knees, then upon the palms of your hands, then incline your head and body till your forehead touches the ground; and, in case you have an answer to expect, you lie in that posture till the king, or somebody from him, desires you to rise."-Travels, vol. 3, p. 270.

OUR CHILDREN'S PORTION.

THE BIRTH DAY;

OR, THE LITTLE GIRL WHO WOULD HAVE HER OWN WAYTHE EFFECTS OF PRIDE AND VANITY.

"Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished."-Eccl. iv. 4.

[IN the July number of "The | Holy Spirit into all your little Juvenile Magazine" I gave a hearts, that pride and vanity, little story of a little boy who which he hates, may be taken lost his peace of mind, and I away, and that you may become mentioned that, most likely, meek and humble, grow in grace, some of my little readers would and, finally, obtain a seat in be little girls; I then promised heaven.] in a future number to write a little tale about a little girl; and, as a further inducement, our highly respected editor expressed a wish to see my name again in the pages of our Magazine. I, therefore, now fulfil my promise, trusting that Jesus will send his

as

"O Charlotte, Charlotte!" said little Emily (clapping her little hands she spoke, and at the same time going round and round like a teetotum), "to-morrow is Margaret's birthday, to-morrow is Marga

* Lactantius De Mort Persec., cap. 5. Aurel. Victor Epitome, cap. 32, L.

children of pious parents; the
temper of each was very differ-
ent: Emily possessed a temper
full of self-will, pride, vanity,
obstinacy, and passion; Clara
the reverse. She exhibited in
her walk and conversation that
meek and gentle spirit which,
in the sight of God, is of such
great price, and which shows
itself in those children whom
God in his wisdom intends to
take early to himself. Emily
possessed a robust constitution;
Clara was pale and thin; the
flush in her cheek was not
natural, but showed that disease
was making its inroads on her

frame;
in a word, God was
preparing her for heaven.

assure you, my little dears, I am as fond of cake, fruit, teacakes, and cherry and currant pie as any of you, so I heartily join in the "Yes, yes.”

Now, I dare say, you are curious to know how I became acquainted with what was provided for the feast. The fact was, Margaret could not keep a silent tongue, but told all her schoolfellows and her playfellows what she was going to have on her birthday. Have not you, my little dears, been placed in a similar state when you have been going to keep a birthday? Have you been able to see the cake, the fruit, the tea-cakes, and the cheerful fire provided without telling it to your play

Well, these little girls were invited to the birthday of one of fellows? What say, my little their schoolfellows-Margaret readers, guilty or not guilty? Raby. There were several I think you will all say, Guilty. young ladies invited to cele- Now, as I have said before, brate the day. A large plumcake had been made by Mrs. Raby, a bottle of red currant wine had been brought home by Mr. Raby, fruit of all kinds was provided, and tea-cakes had been made; and further, a nice large cherry and currant pie had been sent to the baker's for supper.

Emily and Clara were invited to the birthday, and Emily wanted to be dressed in her own way; her will must be gratified. She wanted to appear better dressed than any of her schoolfellows, her pride and her vanity must be fed; which, after the children had retired to rest, occupied the attention of her Now, my little readers, don't parents. The conversation they your mouths water for some of had, the resolution they came these nice things? I think I to; how Emily was dressed, her hear you all answer, Yes, yes. mortification; the account of I know mine does; for I can the little party, the play they