doubts were heightened by the idea that his imposture, if brought to light, might bring odium and disgrace on themselves as his near relations. I cannot pretend to trace all the effects of envy to their source, but their feelings seem to have been the same as those which made Eliab, the brother of David, reproachfully enquire, "Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle." He was envious that one younger and less regarded than himself, whose talents and courage he contemptuously under-rated, should step from his obscurity, and by his bravery and virtue draw the eyes of men upon him, while he himself remained in the back ground. FRANCES. Perhaps, then, it was the same disposition that induced the brethren of Jesus contemptuously to say to him, "Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest, for there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world." ANNE. It is not unlikely that their disapprobation of his proceedings was increased by their perceiving his unconcern about those temporal advantages and honours, by which they might have expected to reap considerable. benefit through his means. FRANCES. It appears, at all events, from this subject, that Jesus can never be suspected of making his way in the world by means of artifice and collision; since his nearest connexions, far from sanctioning his conduct, denied their belief in his powers and authority. ANNE. I remember, when we were conversing one day on the conduct of the disciples in forsaking their Master at the time of his apprehension, we agreed that a strong proof of the authenticity of the Evangelists' writings, was their concealing nothing that might appear to tell to their disadvantage. This applies equally to the present case. They must have been aware that the unbelief of those who had known and seen most of Jesus from his earliest youth, might be construed as an argument against the truth of his divine mission. Why, then, it may be asked, did they mention it? Why did they not conceal a circumstance no way connected with the chain of their narrative, and which could never have been missed by those who were uninformed of it? Because they concealed nothing. They saw no occasion for deceit. They had no doubt of the truth making its way without any assistance on their part, either from concealment or deception. FRANCES. It does not appear in the New Testament, does it, that our Saviour's kinsmen were finally brought to acknowledge him as the actual Messiah? ANNE. Some persons, I know, have inferred that they were. I am not quite sure that they had sufficient reason for such inference, but I think it is not a point of material consequence. We need not apply to the Bible for subjects of deep research. The important truths of the Gospel are written plainly on every page, and in them we shall find all that is necessary to our eternal welfare. If not content with studying and practising them, we turn our attention to minute points and disputed texts, the fault is in ourselves; and if it further leads us to cavil with those who differ from us on such subjects, and "strain at a gnat" while "swallowing a camel," on ourselves be the sin if we miss the doctrines that lead to salvation. "Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted of God;' for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." ON THE PSALMS. "Never did the spirit of true piety breathe more strongly than in these divine songs." ANNE. MRS. CHAPONE. WHERE are you going, Lydia? LYDIA. I am going to take a walk round the garden before breakfast. Will you come with me? ANNE. Very willingly. What a lovely morning it is! How much those persons are losing who are too idle to rise early! LYDIA. Yet I dare say there are not many of our acquaintance who are out of their beds at this present time; especially as it is Sunday. I don't understand why so many people who have had no extraordinary fatigues to undergo |