Page 212 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

READING LESSONS. 211
aprons. The rich contributed their most costly orna­ ments, and it is even said, that, either through re­ spect or ostentation, several of the spades and bas­ kets used in the prosecution of the work, were made of silver. The Jews, long the o ects of opprobrium, now suddenly elevated by the protection of the im­
perial apostate, iled not to insult the Christians in every possible manner. The holy bishop, St. Cyril, on his return om banishment, witnessed their e orts without the least emotion. He assured the ith l that they would soon receive a striking demonstra­ tion ofthe impotency ofmen, and ofthe extravagance of their opposition to the decrees of Heaven.
3. The remains of the ancient temple were easily destroyed, so that, according to the very letter of the Scriptures, not a stone was left upon a stone. The undations of the intended building were prepared, but as soon as the rst stones were laid, a ight l earthquake threw them om their places, and scat­ tered them to a considerable distance. The greater part of the neighbouring buildings were destroyed; amongst others, the porticos to which the Jewish workmen had retired ; all of whom were either maimed and bruised, or crushed to death beneath the ruins. ,Vhirlwinds arose, which swept away the lime, sand, and other materials, which had been col­ lected in immense quantities. But- a still more aw­ l phenomenon presented itself: large balls of re were thrown up from the undations, which rolled
with terri c rapidity in every direction, overwhelm­ ing the workmen and consuming them to the bones, or reducing them entirely to ashes. In a w mo­ ments the entire scene became a desert. · The ames
1 spread themselves to a building at some distance, in which the hammers, pickaxes, and other tools of the