The history of Christianity: consisting of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; the adventures of Paul and the apostles; and the most interesting events in the progress of Christianity, from the earliest period to the present time

Front matter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

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Preface

THE author of this volume has for many years, at intervals, been engaged in its preparation. It has long seemed to him very desirable that a brief, comprehensive, and readable narrative of the origin of Christianity, and of its struggles and triumphs, should bo prepared, adapted to the masses of the people. There are many ecclesiastical histories written by men of genius and erudition. They are, however, read by few, excepting professional theologians. The writer is not aware that there is any popular history of the extraordinary events involved in the progress of Christianity which can lure the attention of men, even of Christians, whose minds are engrossed by the agitations of busy life.

And yet there is no theme more full of sublime, exciting, and instructive interest. All the heroism which the annals of chivalry record pale into insignificance in presence of the heroism with which the battles of the cross have been fought, and with which Christians, in devotion to the interests of humanity, have met, undaunted, the most terrible doom.

The task is so difficult wisely to select and to compre*9 within a few hundred pages the momentous events connected with Christianity during nearly nineteen centuries, that mere than once the writer has been tempted to lay aride his pen in

6 PREP AC &

despair. Should this hook fail to accomplish the purpose which he prayerfully seeks to attain, he hopes that some one else may he incited to make the attempt who will he more successful.

In writing the life of Jesus, the author has accepted the narratives of the evangelists as authentic . and reliahle, and has endeavored to give a faithful, and, so far as possible, a chronological account of what Jesus said and did, as he would write of any other distinguished personage. The same principle has guided him in tracing out the career of Paul and the apostles.

It has not been the object of the writer to urge any new views, or to discuss controverted questions of church polity or theology. This is a history of facts, not a philosophical or theological discussion of the principles which these facts may involve. No one, however, can read this narrative without the conviction that the religion of Jesus, notwithstanding the occasional perversions of human depravity or credulity, has remained essentially one and the same during all the centuries. We need no additional revelation. The gospel of Christ is " the power of God and the wisdom of God." In its propagation lies the only hope of the world. Its universal acceptance will usher in such a day of glory as this world has never witnessed since the flowers of Eden wilted.

JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

Chapter I

inE BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, AND EARLY MINISTRY, OF JESUS. Tbe Roman Empire. — Moral Influence of Jesus. — John. — The Annunciat. on. — The Birth of Jesus. — Visit of the Magi— Wrath of Herod.— Flight to Egypt. —Return to Nazareth. —Jesus in the. Temple. — John the Baptist. — The Temptation. — The First. Disciples. — The First Miracle. — Visit to .Jerusalem. — Nicodemus. — The Woman of Samaria. — Healing of the Nobleman's Son. — Visit to Capernaum. — Peter and Andrew called. — James and John called. — The Demoniac healed. — Tour through Galilee 11

Chapter II. Tour Through Galilee

The Horns of Hattin. —The Sermon on the Mount. — Jesus goes to Capernaum. — The Miraculous Draught of Fishes. — Healing the Leper: the Paralytic. — Associates with Publicans and Sinners. — The Feast of the Passover. — The Cripple at the Pool. — The Equality of the Son with the Father. — Healing the Withered Hand. — Anger of the Pharisees. — The Twelve Apostles chosen. — Inquiry of John the Baptist. — Jesus dines with a Pharisee. — The Anointment. —Journey through Galilee. — Stilling the Tempest. — The Demoniacs and the Swine. — The Daughter of Jairus.

— Restores Sight to the Blind. —Address to his Disciples . . . .43

Chapter III. The Teachings Of Jesus, And Miracles Of Healing

Infamy of Herod. — Jesiu in the Desert. — Feeds the Five Thousand. — Walks on the Sea. —Preaches to the People. — Visits Tyre and Sidon. — The Syro-Phcenician Woman. — Cures all Manner of Diseases. — Feeds the Four Thousand.— Restores Sight to a Blind Man. — Conversation with Peter. — The Transfiguration. — Cure of the Lunatic. — Dispute of the Apostles. — Law of Forgiveness. — Visits Jerusalem. — Plot to seize Jesus. — The Adulteress. — Jesus the Son of God. — The Blind Man. — Parable of the Good Shepherd. — Raising of Lazarus 71

Chapter IV. Last Labors, And Farewell To His Disciples

Journey to Jerusalem. — Mission of the Seventy. — Jesus teaches his Disciples to pray. — Lament over Jerusalem. — Return to Galilee. — The Second Coming of Christ. — Dangers of the Rich. — Promise to his Disciples. — Foretells his Death. — Zacchams. — Mary anoints Jesus. — Enters Jerusalem. — Drives the Traffickers from the' Temple. —The Pharisees try to entrap him. — The Destruction of Jerusalem, and the Second Coming. — Judas agrees to betray Jesus. — The Last Supper. — The l*i aver of Jesus 96

Chapter V. Arrest, Trial, And Crucifixion

Anguish of Jesus. — His Prayers in the Garden. — The Arrest. — Peter's Recklessness. — Flight of the Apostles. — Jesus led to Annas; to Caiaphas. — Jesus affirms that he is the Messiah. — Frivolous Accusations. — Peter denies his Lord. — Jesus is conducted to Pilate. — The Examination.

— Scourging the Innocent. —Insults and Mockery. — Rage of the Chief Priests and Scribes. —Embarrassment of Pilate. — He surrenders Jesus

^ to his Enemies. — The Crucifixion. — The Resurrection. — Repeated Appearance to his Disciples 12S

8 CONTENTS.

Chapter VI. The Conversion And Ministry Of Saul Of Tarsus

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost.— Boldness of the Apostles. — Anger of the Kulers. — Martyrdom of Stephen. — Baptism of the Eunuch. — Saul's Journey to Damascus. — His Conversion. — The Disciples fear him. — His Escape from the City. — Saul in Jerusalem. — His Commission to the Gentiles. — The Conversion of Cornelius. — The Vision of Peter. — Persecution of the Disciples. — Imprisonment of Peter. — Saul and Barnabas in Antioch.

— Punishment of Elymas. — Missionary Tour. — Incidents and Results . 143

Chapter VII. Missionary Adventures

The First Controversy.— Views of the Two Parties. — Council at Jerusalem.

— Results of Council. —The Letter. — Vacillation of Peter. — Rebuked by Paul. — The Missionary Excursion of Paul and Barnabas. — They traverse the Island of Cyprus. — Land on the Coast of Asia Minor. — Mark returns to Syria. — Results of this Tour. — Paul and Silas set out on a Second Tour through Asia Minor. — Cross the Hellespont. — Introduction of Christianity to Europe. — Heroism of Paul at Philippi. — Tour through Macedonia and Greece. — Character of Paul's Preaching. — Peter's Description of the Final Conflagration. — False Charges. — Paul in Athens;

in Coriuth. — Return to Jerusalem 167

Chapter VIII. The Captive In Chains

The Third Missionary Tour. — Paul at Ephesus. — The Great Tumult. — The Voyage to Greece. — Return to Asia Minor and to Jerusalem. — ilia Reception at Jerusalem. — His Arrest, and the Riot. — Speech to the Mob. — Paul imprisoned. — Danger of Assassination. — Transferred to Ciesarea. — His Defence before Festus and Agrippa. — The Appeal to Cicsar. — The Voyage to Rome. — The Shipwreck. — Continued Captivity . . . . 185

Chapter IX

TnF. FIRST PERSECUTION.

The Population of Rome. — The Reign of Tiberius Cajsar. — Hfs Character and Death. — The Proposal to deify Jesus. — Caligula. — His Crimes, and the Earthly Retribution. — Nero and his Career.— His Crimes and Death.

— The Spirit of the Gospel. — Sufferings of the Christians. — Testimony of Tacitus. — Testimony of Chrysostom. — Panic in Home. — The sins and Sorrows of weary Centuries. — Noble Sentiments of the Bishop of Rome . 213

« CHAPTER X.

ROMAN EMPERORS, GOOD AND RAD.

Character of the Roman Army. — Conspiracy of Otho. — Death of Galba. —

Vitellius Emperor. — Revolt of the .lews, and Destruction of Jerusalem. —

• Reign of Vespasian. — Character of Titus; of Domitian. — Religion of Pa-

fan Rome. — Nerva. — Anecdotes of St. John. — Exploits of Trajan. — .etter of Pliny. — Letter of Trajan .231

Chapter XI. Martyrdom

The Martyrdom of Ignatius. — Death of Trajan. — Succession of Adrian.— Intidel Assaults. — Celsus. — The Apology of Quadrat. — The Martyrdom of Symphorose and her Sons. — Character and Death of Adrian. — Antoninus. — Conversion of Justin Martyr. — His Apology. — Marcus Aurelius. — Hostility of the Populace. — The Martyrdom of Polycarp . . s 219

Chapter XII. Pagan Romf

Infamy of Commodus. — His Death. — The Reign of Pertinax. — The Mob of Soldiers. — Death of Pertinax. — Julian purchases the Crown. — Rival Claimants. — Severus. — Persecutions. — Martyrdom of Perpetua and Kelicitas. — The Reign of Caracalla. — Kiendlike Atrocities. — Khigabalus, Priest of the Sun. — Death by the Mob. — Alexander and his Mother. — Contrast between Paganism and Christianity. — The Sin of Unbelief . . 263

CONTENTS.

Chapter XIII. Six And Misery

Maximin the Goth. — Brutal Assassination of Alexander. — Merciless Proscription. — Revolt of the Army on the Danube. — Rage of Maximin. — His March upon Home. — Consternation in the Capital. — Assassination of Maximin. — Successors to the- Throne. — Popular {suffrage unavailing.— Persecution under Decius. — Individual Cases. — Extent of the Roman Empire. — Extent of the Persecution. — Heroism of the Christians . . 280

Chapter XIV. Invasion, Civil War, And Unrelenting Persecution

JEruilianus and Valerian. — Barbaric Hordes. — Slaverv and its Retribution.

— A ivful Fate of Valerian. — Ruin of t lit: Roman Empire. — Zenobia and her Captivity. — The Slave Diocletian becomes Emperor. — His Reign, Abdication. Death. — Division of the Empire. — Terrible Persecution.— The Glory of Christianity. — Characteristics of the First Three Centuries.

— Abasement of Rome s ... 291

Chapter XV. Constantine. — Tiie Banner Of The Cross Unfurled

Helena, the Christian Empress. — Constantino, her Son, favors the Christians. — Crumbling of the Empire. — Constantino the Christian, and Maxentius the Pagan. — Vision of Constantino. — The Unfurled Cross. — Christianity favored by the Court. — Licinius defends the Christians. — Writings of Eusebius. — Apostasy of Licinius. — Cruel Persecution . . 303

Chapter XVI. The Conversion Of Constantine

The Arian Controversy. — Sanguinary Conflict between Paganism and Christianity. — Founding of Constantinople. — The Council of Nice.— lis Decision. — Duplicity of some of the Arians. — The Niceue Creed. — Tragic Scene in the Life of Constantine. — His Penitence and true Conversion. — His Baptism, and Reception into the Church. — Charles V. — The Emperor Napoleon 1 314

CHAPTER XVII. JULIAN THE ArOSTATE

The Devotion of Constantino to Christianity. — Constantius and the Barbarians. — Conspiracy of Magnentius. — The Decisive Battle. — Deeay. of Rome.— Fearful Retribution. — Xoble Sentiments of the Bishop of Alexandria. — Death of Constantius. — Gallus and Julian. — Julian enthroned.

— His Apostasy. — His Warfare against Christianity. — Unavailing Attempt to rebuild Jerusalem. — Persecution. — His Expedition to the East, and Painful Death . . . .325

CHAPTER XVIII. TnE IMMEDIATE SUCCESSORS OF JULIAN

Anecdote. - Accession of Jovian. — His Character. — Christianity reinstated. — Death of Jovian. — Recall ofAthanasius. — Wide Condemnation of Arianism. — Heroism of Jovian. — Valentinian and Valens. — Valentinian enthroned. — Valens in the East, — Barbarian Irruptions. — Reign of Theodosius. — Aspect of the Barbarians.— Rome captured by Alaric. — Character of Alaric. — His Death and Burial. — Remaikuble Statement of Adolplius. — Attila the Hun. — Valentinian 111. — A cadi us. — Eloqur.ice of Chrysostom. — His Banishment and Death. — Rise of Monasticism . 347

Chapter XIX. The Fifth Century

Christianity the only Possible Religion. — Adventures of Placidia. — Her Marriage with Adolplius the Goth. — Scenes of Violence and Crime. — Attila the Hun. — Nuptials of Idaho. — Eudoxia and her Fate. — Triumph of Odoacer the Goth. — Character of the Roman Nobles. —Conquests of Theodoric. — John Chrysostom. — The Origin of Monasticism. — Augustine. — His Dissipation. Conversion, and Christian Carppr .... Sfifl tine, — His Dissipation, Conversion, and Christian Career

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Chapter XX. Centuries Of War And Woe

Convulsions of the Sixth Century. — Corruption of the Church. — The Ri» of Monasteries. — Rivalry between Rome and Constantinople. — Mohammed and his Career. — His Personal Appearance. — His System of Religion.— His Death. — Military Expeditions of the Moslems. — The Threatened Conquest of Europe. — Capture of Alexandria. — Burning of the Library. — Rise of the Feudal System. — Charlemagne; — Barbarian Antagonism to Christianity 384

Chapter XXI. The Dark Ages

The Anticipated Second Coming of Christ. — State of the World in the Tenth Century. — Enduring Architecture. — Power of the Papacy. — "Vitality of the Christian Religion. — The Pope and the Patriarch. — Intolerance of Hildebrand. — Humiliation of the Emperor Henry IV. — Farewell Letter of Monomnqne. — The Crusades. — Vladimir of Russia. — His Introduction pf Christianity to hia Realms. — Marriage with the Christian Princess Anne. — Extirpation of Paganism. — The Baptism. — The Spiritual Conversion of Vladimir . . 402

Chapter XXII. The Reformation

Two Aspects of Catholicism. — Jubilee at Rome. — Infamy of Philip of France. — Banditti Bishops. — Sale of Indulgences. — Tetzel the Peddler.

— The Rise of Protestantism. — Luther and the Diet at Worms. — Intolerance of Charles V. — Civil War and its Reverses. — Perfidy of Charles V.

— Coalition against the Protestants. — Abdication and Death . . . 416

Chapter XXIII

THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW.

Principles of the two Parties. — Ferdinand's Appeal to the Pope.— The Celibacy of the Clergy. — Maximilian. — His Protection of the Protestants. — The Reformation in France.— Jeanne d'Albret, Queen of Navarre. — Proposed Marriage of Henry of Navarre and Marguerite of France. — Perfidy of Catharine de Medici. — The Nuptials. — The Massacre of St. Bartholomew. — Details of its Horrors. — Indignation of Protestant Europe. — Death of Charles IX .449

Chapter XXIV. The Church In Modern Times

Character of Henry III. — Assassination of the Duke of Guise. — Cruel Edicts of Louis XIV. — Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. — Sufferings of Protestants. — Important Question. — Thomas Chalmers. — Experiment at St. John. — His Labors and Death. — Jonathan Edwards. — His Resolutions. — His Marriage. — His Trials. — His Death. — John Wesley. — His Conversion. — George Whiten* eld. — First Methodist Conference. — Death of Wesley. — Robert Hall. — His Character and Death. — William Paley. — His Works and Death. — The Sabbath. — Power of tha Gospel. — Socrates.

— Scene on the Prairie. — The Bible 408

Chapter I. The Birth, Childhood, And Early Ministry, Of Jesus

The Roman Empire. — Moral Influence of Jesus. — John. — The Annunciation.— The Birth of Jesus. — Visit of the Magi. — Wrath of Herod. — Flight to Egypt. — Return to Nazareth. — Je.=us in the Temple.— John the Baptist. — The Temptation. — The First Disciples. — The First Miracle. — Visit to Jerusalem.— Nicodemus. — The Woman of Samaria. — Healing of the Nobleman's Son. -• Visit to Capernaum. — Peter and Andrew called. — James and John called.— The Demoniac healed. — Tour through Galilee.

one now takes much interest in the history of the world 'before the coming of Christ. The old dynasties of Babylon, Media, Assyria, are but dim spectres s lost in the remoteness of the longforgotten past. Though the Christian lingers with solemn pleasure over the famtly-reveakd scenes of patriarchal life, still he feels but little personal interest in the gorgeous empires which rise and disappear before him in those remote times, in spectral vision, like the genii of an Arabian tale.

Thebes, Palmyra, Nineveh, — palatial mansions once lined their streets, and pride and opulence thronged their dwellings : but their ruins have faded away, their rocky sepulchres are swept clean by the winds of centuries ; and none but a few antiquarians now care to know of their prosperity or adversity, of their pristine grandeur or their present decay.

All this is changed since the coming of Christ. Eighteen centuries ago a babe was bom in the stable of an inn, in the Roman province of Judaea. The life of that babe has stamped a new impress upon the history of the world. When the child Jesus was born, all the then known nations of the earth were in subjection to one government, — that of Rome.

The Atlantic Ocean was an unexplored sea, whose dept.Ls no mariner ever ventured to penetrate. The Indies had but a shadowy and almost fabulous existence. Rumor said, that over the wild, unexplored wastes of interior Asia, fierce tribes wandered, sweeping to and fro, like demons of darkness; and marvellous stories were told of their monstrous aspect and fiend] ike ferocity.

The Mediterranean Sea, then the largest body cf water really known upon the globe, was but a Roman lake. It was the central portion of the Roman Empire. Around its shores were clustered the thronged provinces and the majestic cities which gave Rome celebrity above all previous dynasties, and which invested the empire of the Caesars witli fame that no modern kingdom, empire, or republic, lias been able to eclipse.

A few years before the birth of Christ, Julius Caesar perished in the senate-chamber at Rome, pierced by the daggers of Brutus and other assassins. At the great victory of Rharsalia, Caesar had struck down his only rival Rompey, and had concentrated the power of the world in his single hand. His nephew Octavius, the second Caesar, surnamed Augustus, or the August, was, at the time Jesus was born, the monarch of the world. Notwithstanding a few nominal restraints, he was an absolute sovereign, without any constitutional checks. It is not too much to say, that his power was unlimited. He could do what he pleased with the property, the liberty, and the lives of every man, woman, and child of more than three hundred millions composing the Roman Empire. Such power no mortal had ever swayed before. Such power no mortal will ever sway again.

Fortunately for humanity, Octavius Caesar was, in the main, a good man. He merited tbe epithet of August. Though many of the vices of paganism soiled his character, still, in accordance with the dim light of those dark days, he endeavored to wield his immense power in promotion of the welfare of his people.

Little did this Roman emperor imagine, as he sat enthroned in his gorgeous palace upon the Capitoline Hill, that a babo slumbering in a manger at Bethlehem, an obscure hamlet in the remote province of Syria, and whose infant wailings perhaps blended with the bleating of the goat or the lowing of the kine, was to establish an empire, before which all the power of the Caesars was to dwindle into insignificance.

But so it was. Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, has become, beyond all others, whether philosophers, warriors, or kings, the most conspicuous being who ever trod this globe. Before the name of Jesus of Nazareth all others fade away. Uneducated, he has introduced principles which have overthrown the proudest systems of ancient philosophy. By the utterance of a few words, all of which can be written on half a dozen pages, he has demolished all the pagan systems which pride and passion and power had then enthroned. The Boman gods and goddesses — Jupiter, Juno, Venus, Bacchus, Diana — have fled before the approach of the religion of Jesus, as fabled spectres vanish before the dawn.

Jesus, the "Son of man" and the "Son of God," has introduced a system of religion so comprehensive, that ifc is adapted to every conceivable situation in life ; so simple, that the most unlearned, and even children, can comprehend it.

This babe of Bethlehem, whose words were so few, whose brief life was so soon ended, and whose sacrificial death !ipon the cross was so wonderful, though dead, still lives and reigns in this world, — a monarcn more influential than any other, or all other sovereigns upon the globe. His empire has advanced majestically, with ever-increasing power, down the path of eighteen centuries; and few will doubt that it is destined to take possession of the whole world.

The Caesars have perished, and their palaces are in ruins. The empire of Charlemagne has risen, like one of those gorgeous clouds we often admire, brilliant with the radiance of the setting sun ; and, like that cloud, it has vanished forever. Charles V. has marshalled the armies of Europe around his throne, and has almost rivalled the Caesars in the majesty of his sway ; and, like a dream, the vision of his universal empire has fled.

But the kingdom of Jesus has survived all these wrecks of empires. Without a palace or a court, without a bayonet or a sabre, without any emoluments of rank or wealth or power offered by Jesus to his subjects, his kingdom has advanced steadily, resistlessly, increasing in strength every hour, crushing all opposition, triumphing over all time's changes ; so that, at the present moment, the kingdom of Jesus is a stronger kingdom, more potent in all the elements of influence over the human heart, than all the other governments of the earth.

There is not a man upon this globe who would now lay down his life from love for any one of the numerous monarchs of E-ome; but there are millions who would go joyfully to the dungeon or the stake from love for that Jesus who commenced his earthly career in the manger of a country inn, whose whole life was but a scene of poverty and suffering, and who finally perished upon the cross in the endurance of a cruel death with malefactors.

As this child, from the period of whose birth time itself is now dated, was passing through the season of infancy and childhood, naval fleets swept the Mediterranean Sea, and Roman legions trampled bloodily over subjugated provinces. There were conflagrations of cities, ravages of fields, fierce battles, slaughter, misery, death. Nearly all these events aie now forgotten ; but the name of Jesus of Nazareth grows rnoio lustrous as the ages roll on.

The events which preceded the birth of Jesus cannot be better described than in the language of the inspired writers : —

"There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abiaj and liis wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because Elisabeth was barren j and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord; and the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And, when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias : for thy prayer is heard ; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. Eor he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink ; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just ; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

a And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

" And the angel, answering, said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. Arid, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

" And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And, when he came out, he could not speak unto them. And they perceived that he had

16 niSTORY OF CHRISTIANITY.

seen a vision in the temple ; for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And, after those days, his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, sajang, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me to take away my reproach among men.

" And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored; the Lord is with thee : blessed art thou among women. And, when she saw him, she was troubled at his sajang, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her,

" Fear not, Mary ; for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son ; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

" Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man ?

"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also, that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. A.td, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age ; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

" And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord : be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." 1

Elisabeth was at that time residing in what was called th6

CBlLDHOOb AND EARLY MINISTRY OF JESUS. 17

° liill-country " of Judsea, several miles south of Jerusalem. Mary was in Galilee, the extreme northern part of Palestine. " A nd Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill-country with haste, into a city of Juda ; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb ; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost ; and she spake out with a loud voice, and said,

" Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me ? for, lo ! as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed ; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden ; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things ; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arms; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down 'the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty awaj^. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy ; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever/ 7

" Now, the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise : When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But, while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thon son of David, fear not to take unto theG Mary thy wife ; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she

IS HISTORY OP CHRISTIANITY.

shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus : for ho shall save his people from their sins.