had frequent wars, being, at a very early period, the inhabitants of a large part of it. The name Judea, is derived from Judah, who possessed the most fertile part of it; and it was called the Promised Land, from its being promised to Abraham and his descendants. It is also styled the Holy Land, from the unspotted holiness of our Lord, who fixed his residence there during his abode on earth; and as being the place where our holy religion was first taught.

The mother of our Saviour resided at Nazareth, which was considered as his native town; but he was born in Bethlehem, according to the prediction of the Prophet, "And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, art not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come a governor, who shall rule my people Israel." This city was not considerable for its extent or riches, but derived its glory from being the place of our Lord's nativity. It is about six miles distant from Jerusalem.

Galilee, a fruitful province of Palestine, was most honoured with our Saviour's resi

dence; it was divided into upper and lower Galilee. In Nazareth, a small village in lower Galilee, he passed the early part of his life, from which he took the name Nazarene. It was a custom among the Jews, that when a child was twelve or thirteen years old, he should be examined by the rulers of the synagogue, concerning his proficiency in religion. When our Lord was presented for this purpose to the learned doctors, "all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

The Evangelists give no further account of our Saviour, until the time immediately preceding his public ministry, when he went to Bethabara, on the banks of Jordan, and was baptized by John. When our Lord returned to Nazareth, and began to preach in the synagogue, the people at first listened with admiration, and "wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." But when he reproved them for their unbelief, they were offended, and would have put him to death. But he confounded their sight in a miraculous manner, passed through the midst of them

without being perceived, and came to Caper

naum.

It appears from the gospel of St. John, ch. i. v. 46, that Nazareth was regarded by the Jews as a very contemptible place. According to Dr. Clarke, a modern traveller, it seems to have retained the same characteristic meanness; and when he visited the town, he found it in a wretched state of indigence and misery. Indeed it is evident from the accounts of the Evangelists, that the other Jews entertained a very contemptible opinion of their Galilean brethren. Of this, one reason was, that lower Galilee was surrounded by Gentile nations; and hence was called "Galilee of the Gentiles." When this province is mentioned in the New Testament, Lower Galilee is generally meant.

Cana of Galilee was so called to distinguish it from another town of the same name, near the city of Sidon. In this little village, our Saviour performed his first miracle, which manifested his glory, and confirmed the faith of his disciples. The remarkable fact which they had witnessed caused them to believe in

him with more stedfastness than they had previously done.

The city of Capernaum is celebrated in the Gospels as the place where our Lord usually resided during the time of his ministry. It stood northeast of the sea of Galilee, and was a convenient port, from whence vessels were continually passing from Galilee to places on the other side of the lake. This city is said, by our Saviour, to be "exalted unto heaven," but, because the inhabitants neglected to improve their distinguished privileges, he de-. clares "it shall be brought down to hell." This awful denunciation has been fully verified; for so far from being the metropolis of Galilee, as it once was, it consisted, a few years since, of only six poor fishermen's huts; and now, perhaps, is wholly uninhabited. The woe denounced upon Chorazin and Bethsaida, where our Lord performed his mighty works, has also been completely accomplished.

The Sea of Galilee is so named from that province. It is also called the lake of Genesareth, from a tract of country so styled, which bounded it for a considerable way on the

western side; and the sea of Tiberias, from a town of that name. This sea, or lake, is viewed with veneration by Christians, from its being frequented by Christ and his apostles; and from the account of our Saviour's walking upon its waves. Matt. xiv. 25.

the

Tabor, a very remarkable mountain in Galilee, is celebrated by travellers for its variety of delightful prospects. It is supposed by some to be the place on which Christ was transfigured, which is styled, by St. Peter, Holy Mount. Others are of opinion, that this wonderful transaction occurred on a mountain in the more northern parts of Galilee, near Cesarea Philippi.

Samaria, a province of Palestine, is situated between Judea and Galilee. Shechem, or Sichar, the capital of Samaria, lies in a narrow valley, between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. In the vicinity of this city, is Jacob's well, celebrated by our Saviour's conversation with a Samaritan woman. (See John iv. 6.) The town is now called Naplouse. The Samaritans, at present, are very few in number. As lately as 1808, we learn that they continu