The mass of the people, indeed, did not always remain loyal to the principles Of their teachers and lawgiver. Many a time they mingled them selves with the heathen, and learned their works and most Of the kings Of Israel and Judah, indulg ing the more material ambitions for territorial ag grandizement, made alliances with their heathen neighbours, and imitated their ways, and were faithless to the ideal Of a chosen 'people. But the prophets never allowed that ideal to die or to be come obscured. While they denounced the idolatry Of the backsliders, and foretold the destruction Of the political power Of the kingdom as a punishment therefor, they declared that, after the people had been chastened in exile, a remnant would return to Palestine to form there the centre Of aspiritual supremacy over mankind. And it Shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, Shall be called holy, even every one that is written unto life in Jerusalem.