as that journey closed. His memory too was honoured. It is said concerning him, that he slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David. And all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death."

MANASSEH;

OR, THE ROYAL PENITENT.

THE first part of a man's life and the last part are often very different. Some men, like Saul and Solomon, begin well, and end badly. And some, on the other hand, begin badly, and afterwards become changed and useful characters. Of this last sort was

King Manasseh.

His father, Hezekiah, died when his son was as yet but a child. We are sure that many a good and holy lesson was taught him from the very cradle. We cannot doubt that Hezekiah, who was a man of prayer, offered up many an earnest petition that his son might be a true servant of God, and a blessing to his country.

At twelve years old he was made King of Judah; and it was soon very clear that Hezekiah's hopes were likely to be disappointed. He seemed bent on upsetting all

the good that his father had done before him. Just read the account given of him in the Book of Chronicles. "He built again the high places, which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever." (2 Chron. xxxiii. 3, 4.)

Not only this; but he actually dared to insult God by setting up in His house a heathen idol.

Oh, what a falling off was this from the state of things in Hezekiah's day! Then the temple was filled with devout worshippers. God was honoured, and His blessing rested on the land of Judah.

I daresay many a one, who had known and loved good Hezekiah, and had rejoiced in his days to see true religion encouraged and prospering, now sighed mournfully over the altered state of things. And here and there one was bold enough to put before the young King the grievous sin that he was

committing. For his father's sake they grieved to observe the reckless course he was pursuing. For his country's sake they trembled. For his own sake they longed to see some change in him. And many a

prayer went up for him, that God might convert his heart, and make him a "new man."

But all was in vain. We are even told that "the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people; but they would not hear."

Still,

In those days God sometimes spoke to men face to face: and this He did perhaps to Manasseh. But it is not so now. however, he does speak to the sinner-by His Ministers, reasoning with him, warning him, calling him away from the path of sin -or by affliction-or by the voice of conscience, whispering to him secretly, but plainly.

Well, in whatever way God spoke to Manasseh, it was to no purpose. He would not hear. He still went on in his evil way. Did God then give him up? Men gave him up, no doubt.

for him, and tried

Those who cared most hardest to reclaim him,

For more than

must have given him up. twenty years he had run his wayward course. Their patience was fairly tired out, and most likely their hope could sustain itself no longer. There seemed to be less and less prospect of any saving change. He was now thirty-three; and sin had taken deep root in him; he had become a hardened and hopeless sinner.

But, oh, the mercy and long-suffering of God! How long does He stand at the door, and knock! How unwilling is He to go away from the door, though he has so often found it barred and closed! "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? Mine heart is turned within me; my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man."

In Manasseh's case God tries affliction. The voice of prosperity had spoken to him in vain. The voice of warning had been treated with contempt. And now the louder voice of affliction sounds in his ears. The Assyrian army enters the land of Judah.