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Rh our greatest divines, of an open outrageous transgressor, than of one of a moral life."

"Then," replied Jane, "there is more hope of a harvest from a hard bound, neglected field, than from that which the owner has carefully ploughed and sowed, and prepared for the sun and the rains of heaven."

"The kingdom of grace is very different from the kingdom of nature," answered Mrs. Wilson. "The natural man can do nothing towards his own salvation. Every act he performs, and every prayer he offers, but provokes more and more the wrath of the Almighty."

Jane made no reply; but she raised her hands and eyes as if she deprecated so impious a doctrine, and Mrs. Wilson went on: "Do not think my children are worse than others; you, Jane, are as much a child of wrath, and so is every son and daughter of Adam, as he is—all totally depraved—totally corrupt. You may have been under more restraint, and not acted out your sins; but no thanks to you;" and she continued, fixing her large gray eyes stedfastly on Jane, "there are beside my son who would not seem better, if they had not friends to keep their secrets for them." Mrs. Wilson had, for very good reasons, never before alluded to the robbery of her desk, since the morning it was committed; but she was now provoked to foul means to support her argument, tottering under the assault of facts.

Jane did not condescend to notice the insinuation; she felt too sincere a pity for the miserable