JESUS CHRIST.
[The following sketch of the events of the Life of our Saviour, as derived from the New Testament, avoids all reference to matters of controversy, either as to facts or opinions. The plainest narrative in a work like this best expresses the reverence with which we approach the subject.] Jesus Christ was born at Bethlehem, a city of Judzea, in the days of King Herod. The first chapter of St. Matthew contains the genealogy of Jesus deduced from Abraham through David to his reputed father Joseph : the third chapter of St. Luke contains his pedigree from Joseph to Adam. From Joseph to David, the two genealogies arc entirely differeut ; but this discrepancy is satisfactorily explained by the commentators. The birth of Jesus was miraculous; " when his mother Mary " (according to the words of St. Matthew) "was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghosts" Joseph, who intended to put her away privately, being warned in a dream by the Angel of the Lord, that what was "conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost, took unto him his wife and knew her not till she had brought forth her first born son : and he called his name Jesus." (Matt. I.) Herod was much troubled at the miraculous circumstances which attended the birth of Jesus, and at the coincidence of the place of his birth with the prophecies. In order therefore that the infant might with cer tainty bo destroyed, ho gave orders that all the male children in Bethlehem and the neighbourhood under two yours of age should be put to death ; but Jcaua was saved by his parents, who were warned by an angel in a dream to take the child into Egypt. This part of the sacred history is recorded by St. Matthew only. According to St, Luke, when the days of the purification of Mary were accomplished his parents took him from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to present him in the Temple, after which they returned to their own city Nazareth in Galilee. At twelve years of age Jesus disputed with the Jewish doctors in the Temple at Jerusalem, whom he astonished by his answers and his understanding. Towards his parents his conduct was an example of filial obedience. Ho was not above following tho busi ness of his reputed father, which was that of a carpenter; and until about his thirtieth year he fulfilled the common duties of life in an humble and obscure station. His public ministry was preceded by the warnings and admonitions of John the Baptist, the son of a Jewish priest, who called upon the people to repent and believe, for the time was fulfilled, and the kingdom of God was at hand. Jesus was baptised by John in the river Jordan, and shortly after com menced his ministry, being about thirty years of age. For about the space of three years he was engaged in the work of promulgating his doctrines, and confirming his divine mission by numerous miracles. In order to diffuse that religion which he came to make known, he selected a certain number of persons to be his constant companions, to learn his doctrines, to witness their influence, to testify to the miracles by which their truth was demonstrated, and to be prepared to propagate after his death the truths which be bad thus made known. The twelve persons whom ho chose are called the Twelve
Apostles. They were ignorant persons, who possessed neither wealth, rank, nor education, and yet they wero called to root out opinions which were deeply implanted in men's minds, and to over turn systems strengthened by all the influence which ancient and venerable authorities exert over the mind. He next appointed from among his followers seventy disciples, whom he sent by twos to every place which he himself intended to visit. (Luke x. I.) This appointment of the seventy disciples is not mentioned by the other evangelists. 31any of the Jews being convinced by the preaching of Jesup, and the miracles which he wrought among them, of his divine mission, the Jewish priesthood were alarmed, and sought some means of accomplishing his death. Being betrayed by Judea, one of the twelve whom he had chosen, he was taken before the Jewish court of the Sanhedrim, which had the cognisance of offences against religion, and from thence to the tribunal of Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator or administrator of the revenues of the province. Before tho former be use accused of blasphemy, a charge which was supported by two false witnesses ; and before Pilate as a seditious person, and a stirrer up of disaffection, a charge which was also totally without foundation. But the Jews clamoured for his death; and though Pilate saw nothing in the accusations brought against him worthy of capital punishment, ho was sentenced to death in com pliance with the clamour of the people, and apparently also from fear of some disturbance. In the midst of their scoffing and jeers he was lird to the place of execution, and crucified, with eircumatances of the greatest cruelty, between two criminals. On the third day Christ rose from the grave, according to his own prediction (Mark x. 34), and during forty days previous to his ascension into heaven he apiesred among his disciples, whom he instructed more fully concerning the nature of his mission, which he now left in their hands. Fifty days after his ascension, the disciples, being assembled in Jerusalem at the feast of Pentecost (Acts IL), were suddenly "all filled with the Holy Ghost," and endowed with the gift of speaking all languages. On this occasion three thousand persona were converted and received baptism. Being thus fitted for disseminating in every part of the world the principles of the new religion, the apostles and disciples whom Christ had appointed, scattered themselves throughout variuua countries, but principally in the east. Mattbiae had been chosen to supply the place of Judas, the traitor, and an additional disciple, named Saul, afterwards Paul, a person of education, and though a Jew, a Roman citizen of Tarsus, was especially called to co-operato with them.