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CHAPTER XXIX.

Evelyn's Reflections
- Prophecy of Balaam Moab and Edom
Pilate Influence of Faith on our Conduct.

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THE visit to Ardescar House was a new chapter in Evelyn's life-and an useful one. She had perceived that it was not at Clonallen alone that good conversation and good breeding were to be found; and had observed that, while Lady Crowsdale preserved her own dignity as head of the family, she spoke with gentleness to all, even to her domestics. Evelyn recollected with a blush the proud and authoritative manner which she herself frequently assumed, imagining it necessary to her own self-importance; and a firm resolution better to discipline her mind was the immediate result of her selfconviction.

The beauty of the gardens and conservatory at Ardescar excited her emulation, and the morning after her return she began to form various plans for the improvement of her own. No longer treating Mrs. Manvers with proud reserve, she even asked for her aid in projecting the many alterations which she now imagined were essential, rapidly developing all her own little schemes, and consulting her with a freedom and affability which were very unlike the haughty self-sufficiency with which she had usually announced her "intentions." Her mild and sensible companion, however, succeeded in persuading her to make no further changes at present, for, the garden having been so lately altered, the plants could scarcely be expected to stand a second removal, even should they recover from the first; and, reminding Evelyn of the various works she had begun, proposed a walk to see what progress had been made in the schoolhouse. By a sloping path at one side of the garden, and then through the grove,

they soon reached the pretty little spot where Evelyn had placed the school that she so anxiously longed to see finished. The clink of the mason's trowel told them as they approached it that the work was going on with activity, and, to her great satisfaction, she saw that the walls would soon be completed.

As they slowly walked home, Evelyn said abruptly, after a silence of several minutes

"Mrs. Manvers, do not imagine that the visit to Ardescar House has made me idle by interrupting my regular occupations; far from it. I shall feel fresh pleasure in returning to them; and I do think it will be of use to me to have seen how cultivated people in this country think, and speak, and act."

"Yes, my dear young friend, I quite agree with you that it is both useful and interesting to observe the manners and understand the views of those amongst whom we live; but at the same time we must take care not to be too much influenced by the conduct and opinion of others."

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"I do not think I am much addicted to that," replied Evelyn; on the contrary, I fear that in general I am too much inclined to judge for myself, and to form my own plans without caring whether they meet with approbation or not, and therefore you cannot very well accuse me of being easily influenced by the opinion of others.".

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My dear Evelyn, I did not accuse you, as you seem to think, of being directly led by others; I meant only to hint that those who from a sort of energy of character form very decided opinions for themselves, and therefore reject, or at least feel little value for, advice or assistance, will often insensibly yield to the influence and example of those whom they admire."

"Perhaps that is the case," Evelyn replied. "But I do not know how we have got to that subject, for I was going to say that I have not been negligent of my Scripture studies, though I have not spoken of them for some time, and that now I want your assistance."

"And most willingly shall you have any in my power;

but I fear that we shall be interrupted here. Shall we defer the subject till we return to the house?"

"Oh, no, let us go on now. I want to tell you that, since my attention has been directed to the prophetic passages in the Old Testament, I find my mind awakening to much that I had before overlooked, and questions have occurred to me which you will, I hope, be so kind as to solve."

"As far as I am capable, my dear Evelyn, and if beyond me we must apply to those who are more learned."

"In the first place, then," said Evelyn, "I have been considering the prophecy of Balaam, and it appears surprising that such an unworthy man should have been selected to predict future events of such vast importance, and to have been favoured with such a share of inspired knowledge as to have overcome even his own wicked intentions."

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But," said Mrs. Manvers, you must consider that it was not out of favour to him that he was employed on that occasion to pronounce a blessing on the Israelites; on the contrary, he disclaims all power to bless or curse, and acknowledges that he must speak only as directed by the Almighty-a decided proof in itself that he was under holy but compulsory influence. He was aware that he should forfeit the promised reward from Balak, yet his prophecy seems to have been dictated by the same spirit as that of Jacob, of which it furnishes the continuation and development; and it evidently proves that the gift of prophecy was not at that time confined to the chosen people."

"that his pre

"I have somewhere read," said Evelyn, diction was not directed merely to the ultimate success of the Israelites over Balak and the Moabites; but perhaps you will be so good as to give me a fuller explanation of it in that point of view."

"There can be no doubt,” replied Mrs. Manvers," that it involved a far more important meaning, distinctly foretelling the future times of the Gospel, and describing the advent of the promised Messiah. The passage has always been interpreted to that effect, by Jewish as well as Christian writers, and contains internal evidence of its allusion to that glorious personage."

"But," Evelyn asked, "how do you mean that it was a continuation of Jacob's prediction?"

"According to the Septuagint," Mrs. Manvers replied, "as well as the Samaritan Pentateuch, Balaam's words should have been translated, 'And there shall come forth a man of his seed, and he shall govern many nations.' That Greek version called the Septuagint was made, you know, three hundred years before Christ, and therefore long before there could be any motive whatever to tamper with the prophecies respecting the Messiah. Its testimony as to this passage is supported by some of the best Jewish authorities and historians; and Cyprian, an early Christian bishop, also cites the prophecy as the Septuagint gives it. Thus you see, by a natural transition from the present to the future fortunes of Jacob's posterity, Balaam refers to the words of Jacob on his deathbed, the allusion of which to the Messiah is distinct; and when the prophet is overpowered by his vision, though still preserving his intellectual powers-all which is forcibly described by the expression, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open'-he shows the nature of the prophecy by those emphatic words-' I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh.''

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Why," said Evelyn, "did you dwell so particularly on the expression There shall come forth a man'?"

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"Because I wished to point out to you that the words of Pilate, Ecce Homo! Behold the Man! Behold your King!' whether uttered in contempt or commiseration, are thought by many commentators to bear a tacit reference to that me. morable prophecy of Balaam."

Evelyn asked, "Was it probable that Pilate, a Roman, had ever heard it?"

"The prevalence of this prophecy," replied Mrs. Manvers, "not only in Judea, but throughout the East, is mentioned by one of the Roman historians, and it is not unreasonable to conjecture that not only Pilate might have heard it, but that it was the cause of the alarm excited in Herod and all Jerusalem by the inquiry of the Eastern Magi, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?""

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"And of course," said Evelyr "the prophetic mention of

a star, passing from generation to generation of the eastern nations, disposed the Magi to follow the guidance of that star which led them to the infant Saviour."

"Assuredly; and well do Balaam's words apply to Him. A star for He shines by his own inherent splendour-serving as a guide to those who will follow Him, and may well be represented by that symbol; for where the heart and mind are enlightened by the knowledge which He inculcated, we may truly say with St. Peter, 'The day dawns, and the day-star arises in the heart.' Indeed, He represents Himself as such in the Revelations I am the bright and morning star.'

"And as a sceptre?" said Evelyn.

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"Yes; a sceptre, being an ensign of power, expresses metaphorically, but forcibly, the dominion claimed by our Saviour when he avowed himself a king to Pilate, although He declared at the same time that his kingdom was not of this world.' 'He that shall have dominion '-' He at whose name every knee shall bow '-can be applicable to no other than Christ, whether we consider Him in his own Divine nature, or as Divine Mediator, or as Lord of all, exercising universal dominion, and maintaining by his grace a peculiar kingdom in the hearts of those who have been subdued by his merciful goodness and power to faith and obedience. Throughout all parts of this prophecy you may observe a marked reference to some kingly personage, in common with the national prosperity of the Israelites. The adversaries of the church of Christ seem to be designated by Moab and Edom, and it is predicted in various passages of Scripture that he will smite and destroy them."

"Aud therefore," said Evelyn, "in our application of this prophecy we may I suppose extend our views beyond those particular nations, and understand that it comprehends all who wilfully oppose Him?"

"Undoubtedly," replied Mrs. Manvers. "There are also numerous passages in the Psalms, as well as in other parts of the Old Testament, prophetic of His universal dominion; for instance, Yea, all kings shall bow down before Him, all nations shall serve Him!' But I will not point them out; it will be more gratifying to you to find them for yourself.”

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