called Crusaders, from their assuming the badge of the cross, engaged in what they styled the Holy War, for the recovery of Palestine from the hands of infidels. The conquest of the city, in the year 1099, appeared to have crowned their enterprize with success. Godfrey of Boulogne, their general, was chosen king, and the kingdom existed till the year 1187, when the Turkish Mussulmen regained their former dominion, and the Holy Land is still in their possession.

The emperor Adrian rebuilt Jerusalem, not exactly on its former site, but on the spot which it now occupies. He included Calvary within its walls. The gate of the Holy Sepulchre is strictly guarded by Turks without, and Greeks within. Admission, however, is granted to pilgrims of all nations and sects, upon paying a small tax. It is necessary to observe the difference between the church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the sepulchre itself; the first embracing all the apartments belonging to the different denominations of Christians; the latter, erected over the reputed tomb of our Saviour, at the foot of Calvary.

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The tomb is situated in the centre of the church of the Holy Sepulchre, near to which may be heard the prayers of Christians in ancient Greek, or Latin, Armenian, Arabic, and Syriac.

LETTER VII.

Of the moral Discourses of our Saviour, and of the Allusions contained in them to the Opinions and Habits of the Jews.

MY DEAR NIECES,

Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount contains the purest sentiments of religion and virtue which ever enlightened the world; and, considered in connexion with the opinions. and habits of the Jewish nation, its excellence appears with peculiar lustre. It was admirably adapted to rectify their mistaken ideas respecting the Messiah's character; to reprove their vices, to purify their hearts, and to prepare them to acknowledge him, whom to know aright is life eternal.

Previously to our Saviour's delivery of this excellent discourse, he ascended a mountain, as probably no building could contain the multitudes who flocked around him. John the Baptist had already pointed him out as

the Messiah; and his stupendous miracles had persuaded many, that he was the mighty King, whom the prophets had foretold should reign in righteousness. Many of those who were assembled at this time, probably expected that this wonderful personage, whom they had seen perform astonishing miracles, would soon proclaim himself the Messiah, and establish a temporal kingdom.

Our Lord introduces his discourse with several short sentences, in which he pronounces a blessing upon those who possessed certain virtues and pious dispositions. "Blessed (says he) are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." That is, those who are of an humble, teachable disposition. To be poor in spirit, may also mean to be free from an inordinate love and desire of riches; and patiently to bear a state of indigence, if it is allotted to us by Providence. It implies, too, that if we are rich, we should cheerfully resign our possessions, should Heaven require them of us. None des

titute of this disposition could become the disciples of our Lord, and "leave all to follow

him." Therefore it is repeatedly required and recommended by our divine Instructer.

This temper of mind is the very reverse of Ithat which actuated those of the Jewish nation, who, expecting that their Messiah would be a powerful temporal prince, entertained hopes of being elevated to posts of honour and opulence during his government. These notions were so deeply riveted, that the sons of Zebedee, even after they were the chosen disciples of our Lord, requested, “ that one might sit on his right hand, and the other on his left, in his kingdom." But our Saviour reproved them for their ambitious views, by his own example, and strongly recommended the virtue of humility to the imitation of his followers.

With the possession of universal dominion, affluence, and honour, under their Messiah, the Jews expected that a scene of festivity and rejoicing would prevail, during his triumphant reign. But our Lord, knowing their extreme depravity as a nation, and foreseeing the miseries they were about to suffer, taught

them a different lesson. "Blessed (says he)