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bands of robbers, who had sheltered themselves in rocks.

Q. How did Herod take Jerusalem ?

A.

Q.

By storm: after six months hard fighting.
What became of Antigonus?

A. He sent him to Antioch, and bribed Mark Antony to put him to death.

The Asmoneans or Maccabees, who held the government 120 years, at this time ended their reign. Antioch was one of the principal cities of Syria, it was the birthplace of St. Luke, and the place where Christ's disciples were first called christians.

NEW TESTAMENT.

Q. Who was Jesus Christ?

A. The son of God, and the Saviour of the world.

Jesus means Saviour; and Christ, and Messias, both mean anointed. Q. What was Zacharias?

A. A priest, who lived in the days of Herod : his wife's name was Elizabeth, and they had no child, though they were old.

Q. Did they continue without child?

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A.. No one day when Zacharias was offering incense in the temple, (as was the custom of the Jews) the angel Gabriel appeared to him, and told him he should have a son.

Q. And what did he say he should call him?

A. John: for he would be great in the sight of God, and prepare the people's minds to receive the Messiah.

Q. Did Zacharias believe this?

A. No and for his unbelief he was dumb till John was born.

Q. Did the angel Gabriel foretell any thing else? A. Yes, six months after he was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin who had promised to be the wife of a man named Joseph, of the house of David, to tell her she should have a son.

Q. And what did he say she should call him? A. Jesus.

Q. What was the virgin's name?

A. Mary; and the Angel first addressed her "Hail! thou that art highly favored, blessed art thou among women."

Q.
A.

When did Zacharias recover his speech?

When his son was born and they were about to circumcise him, he wrote JoHN, on a table, and immediately his tongue was loosed.

Q. What did he then prophecy?

A. That John should be the prophet of the highest, and go before the Lord to prepare his way, and give knowledge unto the people of salvation (by God's mercy,) through the remission of sins.

Q. In what country was John brought up?

A. The wilderness of Judea, where he began his ministry, when he was about thirty years old. Where was Jesus Christ born?

Q.

A. In Bethlehem of Judea, in the city of David, (where Joseph and Mary went to have their names set down in the books) according to the prophecy of Micah.

Q. Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem? A. Because Augustus Cæsar the Roman emperor had decreed to tax or register the world; and ordered all his subjects to go to the cities their families first belonged, for that purpose.

From the birth of Jesus Christ to the promulgation of the Gospel by the Apostles, &c.

Q. Where did Mary lie-in of the child Jesus? A. The town was full of people who came to have their names set down, and there was no room in the inn, therefore she was lodged in a stable, and brought forth her child.

Q. Where did she lay him?

She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; there being no better provision.

Q. Was Christ's birth announced in any special manner?

A. Yes: an angel appeared to some shepherds who were watching their flocks by night, and said "fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, for unto you is born in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Q. What sign did the angel give the shepherds? A. This sign; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Q. When the angel had said this, what joyful sounds did the shepherds hear?

A. They heard a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good-will towards men."

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Q. When the angel was gone, did the shepherds look for the child?

A. Yes they went to Bethlehem, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe, lying in a manger. Q. What did they do?

A. Made known what the angel had told them : and returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

Q. Who among the Jews bore witness to Jesus? A. These two ancient persons; Simeon, and Anna, a prophetess.

Q.

What kind of witness did Simeon bear? A. He took the child in his arms, and said "Now, Lord, let thy servant depart in for mine eyes have seen thy salvation:" for it was revealed to him he should see the Messiah before he died.

peace,

Q. What kind of witness did Anna bear?

A. She spake concerning him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem; and gave thanks to the Lord.

Q. Who among the Gentiles came to worship the child from the east?

A. Some wise men had seen a wonderful new star, and had received divine notice that, if they followed its course, it would lead them to the presence of Jesus.

Q. Did they follow its course?

A. Yes and when they arrived at Jerusalem, Herod the king was troubled, and enquired where Jesus should be born; and commanded them to go to Bethlehem, and when they found the child, return and inform him.

Q. How did they find where Jesus was?

A. The star moved before them till it stood over where the child lay.

Q. What did they do?

A. They went into the house where they found Mary and Jesus, and they worshipped him, and presented him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Frankincense and myrrh were both a kind of gum, the first was sweet scented, and the second a precious kind.

Q. Did they return and inform Herod ?

A. No God warned them in a dream, to return to their country another way.

Q. What did the angel of the Lord tell Joseph, the supposed father of Jesus?

A. To arise, and take the child Jesus and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there till he brought him word; for Herod would seek to destroy the child.

Q. Did Joseph do as the angel of the Lord had commanded him?

A. Yes he departed into Egypt.

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