“I am afraid that is not very likely,” said Louisa; “for it seems as if we could not help being naughty sometimes.  I am sure I have often said to myself, ‘Mamma shall not have to reprove me once to-day,’ and yet, directly after, something has been amiss.”

“O! that is quite true,” said Emma, with a sigh.

“The reason is this,” their aunt replied; “you were born with an evil nature, which loves sin and leads you to do wrong, so that you cannot be good and dutiful of yourselves.  When you have made such resolves, it has been in your own strength, without your having asked for help from God; and this being the case, it was not possible that you should keep from sin.  The only way to lead a holy life is to put no trust in ourselves, to have a constant sense of our need of divine grace, and to pray earnestly that it may be given to us for Christ’s sake.”

“But you talk of my return,” added she, “as if it were certain that we should meet again; yet how many things may happen to prevent it!  Nothing can be more uncertain than the future, though young people are apt to think that all will fall out just as they wish.  I may not live to come back; or if I should be spared to do so, who can tell that you will be here to meet me?  Long before that time you may be laid low in the narrow grave.  ’For what is your life?  It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.’  James iv, 14.”

Before their aunt Harding had done speaking, both the children were in tears; for the thought that they might never see her again was more than they could bear.  Seeing that their hearts were softened to receive the word of instruction, she went on to talk to them in a kind and earnest manner on the great importance of preparing for another world, showing them their awful state without the Saviour, and urging them to seek him at once by faith and prayer; then, further to impress her advice upon their minds, she unlocked a little cabinet which stood near her, and taking out two handsome Bibles,[A] gave one to each of her nieces, telling them that as it was the best present she could give them, so she hoped they would value it, not only for her sake, but because it was the word of God, and taught the way of eternal life.  After this, she desired them to kneel down with her, while she offered a fervent prayer that God would bless them, and that they might be led by the Holy Spirit into the fold of Christ, who died to take away their sins.  And she also prayed, that if they should never more see each other in this world, they and all whom they loved might meet again and be happy for ever in heaven.

[Footnote A:  See frontispiece.]