Life was now fair in his eyes to whom, of late, its promise seemed blighted for ever. His sojourn in the desert had been but for half the year that was gone; but he had believed that it would be till death, and therefore had his days been as years. Now his heart was glad with every rising sun; his spirit was soothed each night when the stars came forth.
When the disciples taught in the gate, he also glorified God: when the people went up to the synagogue, he entered with them to keep holy day. He gave the name to his new-born child, and blessed the cup at the feast of kindred; and when he retired to the chamber of prayer, he knew that the wife of his bosom was nigh at hand, that his children slumbered near, and that worship was rising like incense to mingle with his own, from many who dwelt around. Above all, he trusted to behold Zion once more. He waited but the end of the days of purification, and then with his wife he purposed to join a company of pilgrims who were going up to the temple. There he trusted to behold the hope of Israel.
