1 I I Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [May, 



The following table of contents of the first Chapter will give a 

 good idea of the nature of J. Xavier's life of Christ. 



Chapter I. 

 The Childhood of Jesus. 



The birth of Ma r y. The good circumstances of her parents. An 

 angel appears to her father at Jerusalem, announcing Mary's birth. 

 The parents return to Nazareth. Anna, Mary's mother, con- 

 ceives, Thursday, 8th December, or 16th Dimdh of Akbar's Era. 

 Mary born, 8th September, or 15th Shahriwar of Akbar Era. 

 Meanings of the word Mary. The angels announce Mary's birth 

 to some inhabitants of Nazareth. Mysterious music heard from 

 heaven. The inhabitants of Nazareth resolve to keep the 8th Sep- 

 tember a holiday. Papal edict of A. D. 1250 regarding the celebra- 

 tion of the Day. Mary is consecrated to God in the temple, on 

 Friday, 21st November, or 29th Aban of Akbar's Era, and put under 

 the care of pious female teachers. An account of wonderful events 

 which took place on her going up the steps of the temple. Her daily 

 occupations in the temple, her virtues. She uses continually the 

 phrase Deo gracias. She remains in the temple up to the age of thir- 

 teen. Wonderful election of Joseph as her husband. Joseph is forty 

 years old, his virtues, his purity. How painters usually represent him. 

 Reasons why Mary was married to Joseph, the chief object being 

 to confound Satan, who knew from the prophetical books that the 

 Messiah would be born of a virgin — hence, though watchful, he 

 did not look for her among married women. Description of Mary, 

 her slender wrist, oval face, light brown complexion, large blue 

 eyes, golden hair, long hands, elegant fingers. 



Birth of Christ. Gabriel's announcement. Mary's age is 13 

 years, 6 months. Meaning of Nazareth. Interview of Mary and 

 Elizabeth. Inferences regarding the spiritual power of Mary. 

 Birth of John. Doubts of Joseph. He will not complain to the 

 Ruler of Nazareth, resolves to flee and leave Mary. God sends an 

 angel to him in a dream. Christ born, exactly at 12 o'clock, midnight. 

 Mary worships her son. Gospel events. No original sin. Events 

 which took place in other parts of the world at the time when the 

 Messiah was born. An olive oil spring appears in Rome, becomes 

 a large river, and flows into the sea. The temple of Janus closed, 



