The first is, "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burntofferings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil," &c. Now I beg you will reflect upon the reply given to these inquiries, for it embraces the very substance of true religion: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." Again:—when David had fallen into sin, he was deeply convinced that no offerings he could present to the Lord, unaccompanied with a thoroughly humbled soul, would be of any avail in obtaining forgiveness; and, on the other hand, that a sincerely repentant heart alone could not fail to secure the blessing of pardon. Listen to his poignant supplication: "Thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it (this he could easily do, to

any extent, as a wealthy monarch); thou delightest not in burnt-offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." It is evident, then, from these and numerous other portions of the sacred word, which might be quoted, that "it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin." But it is time that we consider the real intention of the sacrificial offerings.

Annie. That is what I am particularly anxious to hear.

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Mother. Then the apostle answers your wish in the most satisfactory manner, when he says (and with reference to the whole of the Jewish sacrifices and ceremonies) they were a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." That is, they were instituted to guide the spiritual worshipper to Him whom they typified. "Wherefore when He cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not,

but a body hast thou prepared me:" and

we have often sung

"Not all the blood of beasts

On Jewish altars slain,

Can give the guilty conscience peace,

Or wash away the stain:

But Christ, the heavenly Lamb,

Takes all our sins away:
A sacrifice of nobler name,

And richer blood than they."

Annie. That is a favourite hymn of mine. I always feel pleased when I hear it sung by the congregation.

Mother. And, having heard what I have said, in explanation of the lines, I trust, when you next sing them, not only your voice will be engaged, but that you will exercise, also, a wise and an understanding heart for singing, like every other part of Divine worship, may come under the rebuke-"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with

their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me."

Annie. I ought to beg your pardon, my dear mother, for interrupting your remarks upon the sacrifices. I will not do so again.

Mother. Never mind, my love. I do not object to hear your little remarks, as any new thoughts may happen to arise from the views which I bring before you. Now, with regard to the creatures selected for sacrifice, there is something worthy of observation. First, they were those which God had denominated clean creatures: then, again, their qualities, or dispositions, were of the more amiable character. It was not allowed to sacrifice the sullen, obstinate ass, or the sordid swine, though tame creatures; -much less were the fierce inhabitants of the forest, as wolves, bears, and lions, to be offered. But the meek dove, the patient and unoffending ox, the gentle lamb, and the sheep that is dumb before the shearer, and "licks the hand just raised to shed

his blood"-these were the chosen victims. Who can calmly contemplate this class of animals, and not perceive the close resemblance they bear to Him, who " once in the end of the world hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself?"

Annie. The resemblance is, as you say, very clear. Since we have discoursed on these subjects, I have learned that the Scriptures are a most wonderful book, and altogether different to every other. And, as every verse contains something deserving reflection, I begin to see, that the reading a chapter or more, without pausing to consider as I proceed, is not the way to derive benefit from such a practice.

Mother. The opinion you have just expressed is perfectly right; and, if our conversations produced no other advantage than that of convincing you of the value of the inspired volume, and the reverence due thereto, because emanating from the Spirit of Truth, I should deem myself amply