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CONVERSATIONS

ON THE

EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY.

CONVERSATION I.

BEATRICE.

My brother and myself have a favour to request of you, my dear sir, which we hope you will not deny us, though we have some hesitation in asking it.

MR. B.

The sooner I hear it the better. You may be sure that nothing short of necessity will occasion a refusal.

EDWARD.

Our hopes and fears alike arise from the nature of our petition. We are very desirous of learning from you, in conversation, the evidences for the Christian religion.

MR. B.

This is, indeed, more than I expected; and I might answer, that, like yourselves, I am influenced in two ways; the importance of the sub

B

ject putting it out of my power to refuse, at the same time that it makes me hesitate in acceding to your wishes.

BEATRICE.

Thank you, sir, for the first part of your answer, which the second only teaches us to value

more.

EDWARD.

We are, indeed, aware that it is no slight task we impose upon you, my dear sir; but we have long been anxious upon the subject, on that ac

count.

MR. B.

You have then considered the subject, in some measure, already; but do you think you will more clearly understand it in consequence of conversations upon it-?

BEATRICE.

We hope so. In conversations, indeed, between ourselves, we have rather puzzled ourselves than otherwise, which perhaps was the necessary consequence of our attempting to argue upon a subject of which we know a little, and only a little.

MR. B.

Not improbable. But what is the sum of your present knowledge ?

BEATRICE.

My brother knows more than I do; but he has

only a kind of general and vague idea arising from books, which he has looked at, rather than examined, and of which he has no distinct recollection, owing to his having given himself up of late so exclusively to other studies. For myself, I can say very little; indeed, I am almost ashamed to say, that I believe in the truth of the Christian religion because I feel I cannot do otherwise than believe-yet that is the fact.

MR. B.

Can you not, in some measure, ascertain the grounds of your faith?

BEATRICE.

Perhaps I might by hard thinking; but as I would much rather be able to " give to every one that asketh me a reason of the hope that is in me,”—an answer founded on rational principles→→ you would indeed render me an essential service by pointing out the particulars wherein the real strength of the arguments in favour of Christianity consist.

EDWARD.

And not less so to me; for I find the little knowledge of the subject I at present possess wholly insufficient to satisfy my mind in many points. We both feel inclined to think that Christianity must be true, but are perplexed by

the circumstance of its truth being yet disputed, and know not well how to reconcile our minds to the fact that many have rejected it. It is also very distressing when one accidentally meets with persons of a sceptical turn, to be forced to bear the sarcasms they throw out, or the ridicule which they cast upon religion, and feel that we have no right to reply, from ignorance of the subject.

BEATRICE.

And even in reading books we do not escape a painful sense of inferiority as well as indignation in meeting with passages that seem to strike at what we have been accustomed to reverence, but of which we cannot immediately see the falsity.

MR. B.

I believe many persons as well as myself could fully enter into your feelings; and if I can, in any measure, enable you to build your faith upon a firm foundation, my labour will be abundantly repaid but do you think you will derive greater advantage from conversations on the subject than by reading some good treatise?

BEATRICE.

I shall feel more interested in conversations than in the continued arguments of a theological disquisition. I fear I have not sufficient strength

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