New Testament: and how doubly hopeless is the task, to bring those beauties, and those meanings, into language suited for the comprehension of children. It is, therefore, probable, that in many instances, while in my endeavour to simplify, I have failed in doing justice to my subject, I have, at the same time, fallen into the opposite fault, of being above the understanding of my youthful readers. To mothers, like yourself, I must trust to supply my deficiencies in these respects: but I could not resist the temptation of entering upon a field, which seemed to me, strange as it may appear, hitherto untrodden; of explaining, in a familiar way, these most attractive portions of the Sacred Writings; and for this purpose, the form of conversation, which I have adopted, struck me as the most convenient. It enables the writer

to propound and explain such difficulties, as he supposes most likely to strike the mind of his young readers: and it gives him the opportunity of relieving, by occasional breaks, the tedium, to a child, of a regular and continued lecture.

From the commencement of my project, you have uniformly encouraged me to proceed: to you I owe it that my task is at length completed: you have given me the highest sanction in your power, by assuring me that my little work is one which you would place, with a hope of its being useful, in the hands of your own children; and those who know you can alone appreciate the value of this assurance. Imperfect as I feel it to be, to you I present it; my hopes will have been more than realized, should other parents find in it the means of leading their children to study with pleasure that

Holy Book, which, "known from a child," will "

make us wise unto salvation;" and which, "diligently searched," and piously meditated upon, will surely bring a man

peace at the last."

Believe me,

CONVERSATIONS

ON THE

PARABLES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.

66

MAMMA," said Henry B—, a lively intelligent child of seven years old, “I have finished that pretty book of Bible Stories, which Papa gave me on my last birth-day; but when do you think I shall be old enough to read the real, real Bible, like you and Papa?"

Mrs. B. My dear, you are too young at present to understand what you call the real Bible, from which, however, the stories in your book are taken, and put into a form more suited to your comprehension. You know, Mary is two years older than you,

B

and it is only lately that she has been allowed to read some parts of that sacred book, the written word of God himself. In it, indeed, though as His word, it is the fountain of all wisdom, and intended for all persons, there is much which is not only above your understanding, but above mine or your father's.

Henry.-Oh, Mamma! above your understanding, or Papa's! you are joking now. Mrs. B.-Indeed, my love, I am not; and when you are old enough to read and to study the Bible, as it should be read and studied, you will discover at every new reading, as the best and wisest men have done, some new excellence, something which you had not noticed before, and which, properly considered, may make you better, and wiser, and happier.

Henry.-Oh! Mamma, how I should like to be able to begin reading it now! But do not you think that, though I may not read it myself, you could pick out little bits, and read them to us. We would both be very attentive, and always ask you