are directly opposite to the historical books, which, if not read in continuation, can hardly be understood, or retained to any purpose.

The SONG OF SOLOMON is a fine poem-but its mystical reference to religion lies too deep for a common understanding: if you read it therefore, it will be rather as matter of curiosity than of edification.

Next follow the PROPHECIES, which though highly deserving the greatest attention and study, I think you had better omit for some years, and then read them with a good exposition; as they are much too difficult for you to understand, without assistance. Dr. Newton on the Prophecies will help you much, whenever you undertake this study-which you should by all means do, when your understanding is ripe enough; because one of the main proofs of our religion rests on the testimony of the prophecies; and they are very frequently quoted, and referred to, in the New Testament: besides, the sublimity of the language and sentiments, through all the disadvantages of antiquity and translation, must, in very many passages, strike every person

of taste; and the excellent moral and religious precepts found in them must be useful to all.

Though I have spoken of these books, in the order in which they stand, I repeat that they are not to be read in that order-but that the thread of the history is to be pursued, from Nehemiah, to the first book of the MAC⭑ CABEES, in the Apocrypha; taking care to observe the Chronology regularly, by referring to the Index, which supplies the deficiencies of this history, from Josephus's Antiquities of the Jews. The first of Maccabees carries on the story, till within 195 years of our Lord's circumcision: the second book is the same narrative, written by a different hand, and does not bring the history so forward as the first; so that, it may be entirely omitted, unless you have the curiosity to read some particulars of the heroic constancy of the Jews, under the tortures inflicted by their heathen conquerors, with a few other things not mentioned in the first book.

You must then connect the history by the help of the Index, which will give you brief

heads of the changes that happened in the state of the Jews, from this time, till the birth of the Messiah.

The other books of the Apocrypha, though not admitted as of sacred authority, have many things well worth your attention; particularly the admirable book called ECCLESIASTICUS, and the BOOK OF WISDOM. But, in the course of reading which I advise, these must be omitted till after you have gone through the Gospels and Acts, that you may not lose the historical thread. I must reserve, however, what I have to say to you, concerning the New Testament, to another letter.

Adieu, my dear!

LETTER III.

ON THE STUDY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. CONTINUED.

MY DEAREST NIECE,

WE come now to that part of scripture, which is the most important of all, and which you must make your constant study, not only till you are thoroughly acquainted with it, but all your life long; because, how often soever repeated, it is impossible to read the life and death of our blessed Saviour, without renewing and increasing in our hearts that love and reverence, and gratitude towards him, which is so justly due for all he did, and suffered, for us! Every word that fell from his lips is more precious than all the treasures of the earth; for his " are the words "of eternal life!" They must therefore be laid up in your heart, and constantly referred to, on all occasions, as the rule and direction of all your actions; particularly those very comprehensive moral precepts he has graciously left with us, which can never fail to direct us aright, if fairly and honestly applied;

such as "whatsoever ye would that men should "do unto you, even so do unto them."―There is no occasion, great or small, on which you may not safely apply this rule, for the direction of your conduct: and, whilst your heart honestly adheres to it, you can never be guilty of any sort of injustice or unkindness. The two great commandments, which contain the summary of our duty to God and man, are no less easily retained, and made a standard by which to judge our own hearts." To "love the Lord our God, with all our hearts, "with all our minds, with all our strength; and "our neighbour (or fellow creature) as our"selves." "Love worketh no ill to his neigh"bour," therefore, if you have true benevolence, you will never do any thing injurious to individuals, or to society. Now, all crimes whatever, are (in their remoter consequences, at least, if not immediately, and apparently) injurious to the society in which we live. It is impossible to love God, without desiring to please him, and, as far as we are able, to resemble him; therefore, the love of God must lead to every virtue in the highest degree; and,