SIMEON BLESSING CHRIST.

As soon as the holy Child Jesus was eight days old, he was circumcised according to the law; when, in obedience to the command which the Angel had given before his birth, his parents named him Jesus; and, so soon as he was forty days old, two other ceremonies were performed, namely, the purification of his mother, and the presentation of her first-born. In obedience to the prescriptions of the law, the Virgin Mother repaired with her husband to Jerusalem, to offer the customary sacrifice for her own purification, and then present her child to the Lord, by delivering him into the Priest's hands, and redeeming him again for five sheckels of the sanctuary. While she was performing this sacred duty, old Simeon" came by the Spirit into the Temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him in his arms, and blessed God; and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people: a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel *." No sooner had this righteous old man ended his hymn of joy, than an ancient widow of the tribe of Aser, named Anna-whose piety, devotion, and general excellence of life were remarkable among her tribe-coming into the holy place--and being likewise actuated by a Prophetic spirit-gave thanks to God for his infinite mercies, "and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem;" testifying that this child was the true Messiah; and declaring the same to all such devout persons in Jerusalem, as waited for his coming. The testimony of these two righteous believers, had considerable influence in preparing the way of the Lord; afterwards more effectually opened by St. John the Baptist.