22 



duties. In the same manner our Saviour de- 

 clares that on these two commandments hang 

 all the law and the prophets; that is, the whole 

 religion and morality of the Old Testament. 



" It appeals," continued my uncle, " to be 

 peculiar to the Jewish and Christian dispensa- 

 tions to have solemnly laid down the principle 

 of the love of God, as a ground of human action : 

 for though some wise and excellent heathens had 

 certain elevated ideas of the Deity, none seem 

 to have inculcated the love of the Deity as a 

 governing motive of human conduct. This 

 Moses did most expressly ; and Christ not only 

 adopted and ratified what the law had already 

 declared, but singled it out and gave it pre- 

 eminence over the whole body of precepts which 

 formed the old institution. 



" Let this noble principle then be pre-eminent 

 in our minds ; let us, who enjoy so many social 

 comforts at home, and who have been happily 

 taught to behold in our walks the beauties of this 

 beneficent creation; let us, who can lie down 

 to repose in health and security, and who can 

 rise up refreshed to perform our duties ; let us, 

 my children, fill our hearts with the love of God ; 

 and let it purify our thoughts, direct our words, 

 and govern our actions." 



Wth. I find great amusement in watching 

 the young birds that are now coming out, and in 



