by his prophet says, “He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense as if he blessed an idol.” It is because the Jews will persist in these so far as their circumstances will permit, and reject Christ, in whom God is well pleased, that he abhors their offering, and rejects them from being his people.

H. But, Father, are we to understand that Jesus Christ is merely a man like other men?

F. Oh no! your mother has directed you to commit many scripture passages to memory, proving that Jesus Christ is God as well as

man.

M. You have learned many such; and I wish you to quote some passages from the prophets, that are either cited or referred to in the New Testament, which declare that Christ is God.

F. The very forms of expression employed by the apostles, when speaking of his assuming human nature, convey the idea of his preexistence; thus, in the 2nd chapter of the Hebrews it is said, "Forasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself took part of the same." If he were no

more than man, such language would be without meaning; but the apostle had, in the first chapter, declared, that he is God; that he was not an angel is evident from what he says

again, "for verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham;" and in the epistle to the Romans Paul expressly says, "of whom (that is, of the Israelites, or the seed of Abraham,) as concerning the flesh, Christ came; who is God over all, and blessed for ever.” But I am preventing you from giving your quota

tions.

M. I shall quote the first passage; it is in the 7th chapter of Isaiah, at the 14th verse, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This is cited by Matthew, in the 2d chapter of the Gospel written by him; where, speaking of the birth of "Jesus, who shall save his people from their sins," he adds, "Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel; which, being interpreted, is God with us.

E. There is another passage in the 9th of Isaiah, part of which is quoted by the angel Gabriel in his address to Mary: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, (as Father of the everlasting age,) the Prince

of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end: upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

M. The angel in his address rather refers to this passage than cites it. What can you produce, Henry?

H. In the 45th Psalm, at the 5th verse, it is said, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre; thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness; therefore God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." In the first chapter of the Hebrews this is cited by the apostle, and applied to the Son-it is Jesus Christ he means, is it not?

M. Yes, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and is the same there spoken of by the title "the Son."

H. There is another passage in the 102d Psalm, quoted in the same chapter of the Hebrews, "Of old hast thou laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old as a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." Does

not this passage say that Christ created all things?

M. Yes, and there are several passages in the New Testament that declare the same; but now let me hear, Catharine, if you have any passage from the prophets that testify of Christ being God.

C. I have one; it is in the 40th chapter of Isaiah, 10th and 11th verses, "Behold, the Lord God will come with a strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." You have said, Mother, that we do not find any of this passage in the New Testament; but when Jesus Christ calls himself the good Shepherd, as he does in the 10th chapter of John, that he must be the person who should come as the good Shepherd.

F. Your mother is perfectly right, Catharine, nothing could show more tender compassion and care for his sheep, and the lambs of his flock, than giving his life for them, that under his guidance they might enjoy everlasting felicity.

M. It would certainly give us great happi ness, did we see you all among the number of his lambs, listening to his voice, and following him; we might then rest in the joyful persua sion that he would give unto you eternal life,

and that you “shall never perish, neither shall any pluck you out of his hand.”

F. Besides these passages you have quoted from the Old Testament, have you any in the New Testament that prove the same doctrine? Recite a few of them.

E. In the first chapter of the gospel by John it is said, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; the same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made;" and in Col. i. 16, "For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created by him and for him, and he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

H. Is it not Jesus Christ who says in the first chapter of Revelation, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty ?"

F. It is; and when John beheld him in his glory, he fell at his feet as dead; but Jesus laid his right hand on him and said, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."