The man Christ Jesus was subject to every one of them, for he was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.'

"Nor does any degree of excitement in these propensities or desires, not resulting in choice, constitute moral depravity. Suppose them then, in the providence of God, excited in any degree, and yet the man to prefer doing the will of God to their gratification; all will admit that it is the noblest act of obedience conceivable in a moral being. All will agree, that the man who always triumphs over excited propensity, who duly subordinates all his desires of inferior good to the will of God, is a perfect man. It is the uniform sentiment of inspired truth, that this ruling of the spirit, this government of himself, imparts unrivalled glory to his character. We add the express declaration of the Apostle; Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.'

"Nor does the moral depravity of men consist in any disposition or tendency to sin, which is the cause of all sin. It is important on this point to guard against error from the ambiguity of terms. There is an obvious distinction between a disposition or tendency to sin, which is prior to all sin, and a sinful disposition. I am not saying then, that there is not, what with entire propriety may be called a disposition or tendency to sin, which is the cause of all sin; nor that there is not, as a consequence of this disposition or tendency, what with equal propriety may be called a sinful disposition, which is the true cause of all other sin, itself excepted. But I say, that that which is the cause of all sin, is not itself sin. The cause of all sin, itself sin! Whence then came the first sin? Do you say, from a previous sin as its cause?

Then you say, there is a sin before the first sin. Our first parents and fallen angels were once holy. Tell us now, whence came their first sin? Do you still repeat, from a previous sin? And what sort of philosophy, reason, or common sense, is this-a sin before the first sinsin before all sin ?-Do you say there must be difficulties in theology?—I ask, must there be nonsense in theology?"

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVERSATIONS, on some of the interesting subjects recorded in the New Testament. By the author of "The Factory Girl."

Or the numerous class of writers who have lately appeared before the public, as contributors to juvenile literature, the author of the present work is undoubtedly one of the most successful. We remember the "Factory Girl," as a charming little tale, written with great simplicity and purity of style, and conveying excellent lessons of morality and religion. The Badge, and James Talbot, though they added little to the author's reputation in this department, were by no means unworthy of it. All of them have deserved and obtained a favorable reception, and are, we believe, among the most popular works for the young which we have among us. Notwithstanding these encouraging circumstances, however, we took up the present work with considerable apprehension that it might prove a failure. The title of "Conversations," even on "interesting subjects," has so often, within our recollection, served to introduce the most insipid production-an interchange of mere words, not ideas, between two dramatis personæ, one of whom is made to appear extravagantly silly, as a child, lest the other might not seem wise

or learned enough, as its instructer;-or else a dry, formal dissertation, with a few interrogations or exclamations, thrown in to divide the paragraphs,-that the sight of the appellation itself, inspired us with something of misgiving and anxiety, which the perusal of many pages was required to dispel.

This species of composition is not in fact, without its difficulties. To attempt to preserve the dramatic character of the personages introduced, and to put in the mouth of a child only such remarks and questions as would most naturally occur, were the scene a real one, however well it might answer in a moral discussion, must, where the object is to communicate knowledge, render the dialogue intolerably tedious. This object, therefore, must either be wholly abandoned, as it is in those dialogues, which go under the general name of "catechisms," and in which the answers are all put in the mouth of the pupil, thus serving the natural order of instruction; or partially sacrificed, by supposing the child to ask such questions, and draw such conclusions, as are needed to give spirit and variety to the composition, though they are evidently beyond the ordinary reach of juvenile sagacity or reflection. It is to the latter class, that the present work most clearly belongs. The conversations take place between a teacher and two pupils, the youngest of whom is introduced only to relate briefly a few passages of history, and the remarks of the eldest do not very materially differ, either in the manner of expression, or the tone of sentiment which pervades them, from those of the instructress herself. These personages serve to impart animation to the early dialogues, but in the latter are found unnecessary, and for the most part dispensed with.

The passages of Scripture selected for illustration, are chosen with great judgment, and the reflections on them are just, naturally introduced, and expressed with admirable simplicity. No opportunity of introducing a moral is neglected; yet the moral is never forced or misplaced. The lessons conveyed by the miracles of the wine, and of the loaves, appeared to us to be expressed with peculiar felicity. The remarks in explanation of the term miracle, though rather intellectual than moral in their character, may be mentioned as affording another favorable specimen of our author's manner.

As the work professes to consist of a Sunday school exercise, we may presume it was the writer's design to make it a useful manual for these institutions; and on many accounts it seems to be singularly well adapted for this purpose. It is of a nature to be tolerably comprehended by children from eight to eleven years, and perfectly, by those more advanced, if they possess the usual amount of previous instruction. Many parts may be usefully studied, or committed to memory, and the whole will be found an excellent reading exercise. We strongly

recommend the work to the attention of teachers and of parents.