49E SHORT VIEW OF SCRIPTURE HISTORY. storation of the worship of God in the temple'? A. Judas and his brethren, and the whole congregation ordained that these days of the dedication of the altar should be kept yearly with mirth and gladness. 12. Q. Did the worship of God continue long here after this solemnity ? A, We are told by historians, that it continued from this time without any interruption from the heathens till the destruction of the temple by the Romans, though Jerusa- lem -and the temple were often in the hands of the heathens. Note, Some say this was that very feast of dedication which our Saviour honoured with his presence at Jerusalem, though others think it was the dedication of Solomon's temple; yet the season being winter, it rather agrees to the time of Maccabeus'r dedication. 13. Q. Were not the Jews at all annoyed or disturbed by the enemy in this pious work? A. 'there was still that fortress built by Apollonios remaining in the hands of the heathens and apostate Jews ; it stood on mount Acra, a rising ground over- against the mountain of the temple, and rather higher than that mountain, whence the Jews received some annoyance in going to the temple. 14, Q. What farther care did Judas andhis people take for their own security ? A. When they could not drive out the enemy at once, they built up mohint Sion with high walls and strong towers, and put a garrison there to keep it, and as far as possible to secure the priests and people when theywent to wor- ship, and to prevent the Gentiles from treading down the sanc- tuary again. 15. Q. Did Judas and the people continue to enjoy peace ? A. Though they maintained the temple- worship, yet they were still engaged in war : for all the nations round about them were much displeased that the sanctuary was restored, and they attacked the Jews on every side; but God gave Judas and his brethren victory in many battles, and they return- ed to Jerusalem, and gave thanks to God in Sion fir his re- markable protection of them, that they had not lost one man ; .1 Maccab. v. 54. 16. Q. Did Judas make any more expeditions against his enemies ? A. lie led forth his forces against Gorgias one of Antiochus's generals, and against the Idumeans who had been very vexatious to the Jews ; and though several of the Jews were slain, yet Judas renewing the courage of his army by sing- ing psalms with a loud voice, and rushing upon their enemies, put them to flight. 17. -Q. What remarkable crime was found among the Jews that were slain ? A. When they came to bury their dead they found things consecrated to idols under the garment of every Jew that was slain, whereupon the people praised the Lord, the:
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