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guidance of children, and secrets of wisdom which cannot be fathomed even by the learned. Every thing contained in it has a moral purpose in view.
It is impossible for virtuous persons to read the Purfinas of this country with pleasure, seeing that they contain many foolish fables and obscene stories. There is no hindrance of this sort to the reading of books of history and other works which teach useful secular knowledge; nevertheless, even such books, after they have been read once or twice, cease to please. But this is never the case with the Bible, which contains such an infinite amount of divine wisdom that the more constantly devout per
sons read it, the more their delight in it and love for it increase.
You must not suppose that gurus alone read the sacred books of the Christians. Tt is the duty of all persons to read it and therefore it is read even by day labourers. When the congregation assembles in church, you will see a copy of the Bible in the hands of all who are able to read. If a Christian is sick, a copy will generally be found at his bed's head. Liven if he should not be able to read it himself, he keeps it by him in order that when those who arc able to read come to see him, they may take it up and read a little to him to comfort him.
When you consider these things it is evident that the sacred book of the Christians, and it alone, is suitable to all mankind, and that the teaching which is contained therein is the universal teaching of the universal Father.
It cannot be said respecting any book whatsoever that belongs to the religions of this country that it partakes of this character in any degree.