202 RESTORATION. 



means complete : there had been many relapses and 

 backslidings, and they therefore readily believed that 

 the captivity was a judgment upon them for their 

 sins. By the waters of Babylon they repented with 

 bitter tears ; in a strange land they returned to the 

 god of their fathers, and never deserted him again. 

 Henceforth religion was their patriotism. Education 

 became general : divine worship was organised : schools 

 and synagogues were established wherever Jews were to 

 be found. 



And soon they were to be found in all the cities of 

 the Eastern world. They had no land, and therefore 

 adopted commerce as their pursuit ; they became a 

 trading and a travelling people ; and the financial 

 abilities which they displayed obtained them employ- 

 ment in the households and treasuries of kings. 



The dispersion of the Jews must be dated from this 

 period, and not from the second destruction of the city. 

 When Cyrus conquered Babylon he restored to the 

 Jews their golden candlesticks and holy vessels, and 

 allowed them to return home, and rendered them 

 assistance partly from religious sympathy, for the 

 Jews made him believe that his coming had been pre- 

 dicted by their prophets, and partly from motives of 

 policy. Palestine was the key to Egypt, against which 

 Cyrus had designs ; and it was wise to plant in Pales- 

 tine a people on whom he could rely. But not all the 

 Jews availed themselves of his decree. The merchants 

 and officials who were now making their fortunes by 

 the waters of Babylon were not inclined to return to 

 the modest farmer life of Judaea. Their piety was warm 

 and sincere ; but it was no longer combined with a 

 passion for the soiL They began to regard Jerusalem 

 as the Mahometans regard ILecca. The people who 



