THE PASSOVER. 213 



celebrate a sacred feast. A lamb roasted whole was 

 placed upon the table, and a cup of wine was filled. 

 Then the eldest son said, " Father, what is the meaning 

 of this feast ?" And the father replied that it was 

 held in memory of the sufferings of their ancestors, 

 and of the mercy of the Lord their God. For while 

 they were weeping and bleeding in the land of Egypt 

 there came his voice unto Moses and said that each 

 father of a family should select a lamb without blemish 

 from his flock, and should kill it on the tenth day of 

 the month Akib, at the time of the setting of the sun ; 

 and should put the blood in a basin, and should take a 

 sprig of hyssop and sprinkle the door-posts and lintel 

 with the blood ; and should then roast the lamb and 

 eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs : they 

 should eat it as if in haste, each one standing, with 

 his loins girt, his sandals on his feet, and his staff in 

 his hand. That night the angel of the Lord slew the 

 first born of the Egyptians ; and that night Israel was 

 delivered from her bonds. 



"When the father had thus spoken, the lamb was 

 eaten, and four cups of wine were drunk, and the 

 family sang a hymn. At this beautiful and solemn 

 festival all persons of the same kin endeavoured to 

 meet together ; and Hebrew pilgrims from aU parts of 

 the world journeyed to Jerusalem. When they came 

 within sight of the Holy City and saw the temple 

 shining in the distance like a mountain of snow, some 

 clamoured with cries of joy, some uttered low and painful 

 sobs. Drawing closer together, they advanced towards 

 the gates singing the Psalms of David and offering 

 up prayers for the restoration of Israel. 



At this time the subscriptions from the various 

 churches abroad were brought to Jerusalem, and were 



