hymns are sung, whose sweet notes angels bend to hear, and which float up to heaven like incense from golden altars: where unions are formed not for this world only, but which shall be perpetuated in heaven forever-golden links, which even death's rude hand can sever but for a moment, to be reunited eternally in the home of the blest.

There are many husbands and wives who profess to serve the same God that Zachariah and Elizabeth did. Allow me to ask, can that be said of you, which is recorded of them? Are Are you 66 walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless ?" Have you religion in your families? Remember, that in your relations as husband and wife, you influence not only each others general but religious character. It is a difficult matter for a wife to serve God, if her husband, making the same profession with herself, does not join her in that service. It is equally difficult for a husband to grow in grace or maintain family religion, unless his wife coöperates with him. You know how impossible it is for a man to accumulate property unless his wife, by habits of industry and economy, aids him. It is an old Irish adage, “that a man must ask his wife's leave to be rich." You know how essential their mutual coëperation is in order to the promotion of every family good. And the same thing holds true in regard to religion. Christian woman, wouldst thou have thy husband walk in all ́

the ordinances of the Lord? O walk in them thyself. Christian man, wouldst thou have thy wife a devoted servant of thy God? O serve him thyself. Christian woman, be thou an Elizabeth, and thy husband will be far more likely to be a Zachariah. Christian man, be thou a Zachariah, and thy wife will be far more likely to be an Elizabeth.

III. The remaining record of her life presents her in other interesting domestic relations.

With this portion of her biography several beautiful historic scenes are connected. The first is

A Scene in the Temple.

In neither of the preceding lectures have we been introduced into the temple. We have beheld it from without. Now we pass its splendid threshold, its grand outer courts, and enter an inner one, called "The holy place," where stands the table of shew-bread and the altar of incense. It is the time of the evening sacrifice. The multitude are crowding the outer court. Elizabeth's husband, arrayed in his sacerdotal robes, stands alone before the altar of incense in the holy place, near to the veil which separates from "the most holy place." Reverently he attends to his official duties, while his pious soul goes out in prayer to the God of Israel. No noise breaks the solemn silence save the hum of the praying multitude, which sounds like the murmur of a distant sea. Now, bear in mind, that when the

prophetic ministry was withdrawn, that of angels ceased. We hear of no angelic appearance during four hundred years. Bear in mind, that only one thing has marred the joy of Zachariah and Elizabeth. They have no child. But while performing his sacerdotal duty he beholds, through the wreathing incense, a brilliancy whereat the gleam of the altar-fire seems to pale. He looks steadily at it, and lo, it is an angel form, whose countenance beams with celestial beauty. His apparel is white as the driven snow. Zachariah, overwhelmed by this sudden, mysterious, heavenly visitor, trembles with momentary alarm. But the angel acts worthy of a messenger from the spirit world. He does not rap on the table of shew-bread, or move the altar of incense, or make unintelligible sounds, but distinctly addresses him, so as to leave no doubt as to what he desires to communicate. And these are the blissful words, that, in tones of unearthly sweetness, fell on his ear—“Fear not, Zachariah: for thy prayer is heard: and thy wife Elizabeth 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. For 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 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.”

At this wonderful announcement Zachariah is reassured, but doubtingly asks—“Whereby shall I know this, for I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years ?" In a tone of reproach the angel replies "I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to show thee these glad tidings. And behold thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak until these things are fulfilled, because thou believest not my words-which shall be fulfilled in their season."

His mission accomplished, Gabriel disappears. The altar-flame dies out. The waiting multitude without have wondered at the Priest remaining so long in the temple, but now they see him coming forth out of the holy place. They wait to receive his benediction. As he approaches they perceive, from his appearance, that something wonderful has occurred, for, without uttering the customary blessing, he solemnly waves his hand, and then all rctire inquiringly to their homes, and he returns into the temple to fulfill the days of his ministration. The second is-

A Home Scene.

Elizabeth has waited anxiously the expiration of her husband's ministry, during his allotted week at

the temple. The hour has come for his return. Seating herself by a window, opening Jerusalemward, she watches and waits for his coming. At length her heart beats quickly with joy; her eyes beam forth glad glances, for in the distance the loved form is seen approaching. Arising, she goes forth like a loving wife to meet and bid her husband welcome home. But as she draws near him, she sees a new expression on his noble face. It is radiant with mingled wonder, hope and bliss; he looks tenderly upon her, and his lips move, but she hears no voice. Taking her outstretched hand, mutely they enter the dwelling, where, by means of writing, he communicates to his alarmed and wondering wife, the message of the angel. She has read it, and oh! I see them throw their arms around each others necks, and silently weep tears of gladness, and offer up unspoken thanks to Him who hath heard their prayer, pitied their loneliness, and promised them so distinguished an honor.

The third is a different scene in the same home. Half a year has passed away. A visitor hath come to the house of Elizabeth; it is a female, a relative, a cousin ; it is Mary, the future mother of the Messiah of God, the Saviour of men. Alone these two honored women sit and commune together. With rapture Mary tells of Gabriel's visit to her, and the announcement that she should have a son, who should be the long-promised and long-expected