I had not touched my picture the whole of that week, for whilst our anxiety lasted I had no heart or desire to paint.  On Saturday I saw Marjorie and little Jack giving out their pink papers, and I went to meet them.

‘One for you, big Mr. Jack,’ said the merry little rogue, as he threw it up in the air for me to catch.

The subject for the following day I saw was to be these two words—­WE KNOW.  I thought, as I put the paper in my pocket, how much had passed since last Sunday, and I thought also how differently I felt with regard to the service on the shore, from what I had done when I received the last pink paper.  I had certainly no wish to run away to Kettleness, to be out of the way when it took place.

Sunday morning was bright and beautiful, and little John was so much better that his father was able to leave him and to take his place in the choir.  I stood close to the old boat, and Jack put his hand in mine, and let me look at his hymn-book as he sang.

There was a large congregation, the fine day had tempted them out, and I think the danger of their companions and their narrow escape from death had stirred the hearts of the fishermen, and had made many of them feel that ‘it is not all of life to live, nor all of death to die.’

‘My mates are here to-day, sir,’ whispered Duncan, as he went forward to take his place in the boat; ’it’s the first time I’ve been able to persuade them to come.  They see the good of it now, sir, you see.’

Never have I heard any man pray more earnestly for a blessing than Mr. Christie did that day, but I do not think even he prayed more earnestly than I did.  My whole heart went out to God that day, for was it not my first Sunday on the right side of the line?

And then came the address, and I never noticed a congregation more attentive than was that one gathered on the shore that September morning.  I can remember even now a good deal of the sermon.

‘WE KNOW,’ he said; ’those are strong words, confident words.  It is not, We imagine, or We think.  It is not even We hope, that would be wonderful; but it is something clearer and far more distinct than that; it is WE KNOW.

’If I were to ask you fishermen, you visitors, you mothers, you little children, this question, “Do you imagine you are on the shore now?  Do you think you are here to-day?  Do you hope you are listening to me?” what would you answer me?

’You would say, “Mr. Christie, it is not a case of imagining, or thinking, or hoping; we know we are here; we are sure of it.”

’Now notice, that is the strong, confident word used in my text to-day.  The holy apostle John stands side by side with all of us who have come to Christ, and he bids us join with him in these glad, happy, thankful words, “We know that we have passed from death unto life.”  We know, we are persuaded, we are sure, that we are on the right side of the line.  We know that we have left the company of the servants of sin, and are now the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.