“I do, my boy; for you have been well instructed, both in the church and in the family; also you have a Bible, and may study it for yourself as often and carefully as you will.”

“But I really have never done anything very bad, uncle.”

“How can you say that, Robert, when you know that you have lived all your life in utter neglect of God’s appointed way of salvation? hearing the gracious invitation of Him who died that you might live, ’Come unto me,’ and refusing to accept it?

“’God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,’ and having for years refused to believe, how can you assert that you have done nothing very bad?  ’How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?’”

Bob made no reply, but looked thoughtful, and his uncle went quietly from the room, thinking it well to leave the lad to his own reflections.

Passing the door of the room where Harold lay, he was about to enter, but perceiving that the boy and his mother were in earnest conversation, he moved on, leaving them undisturbed.

“Mamma,” Harold was saying, “I have been thinking much of sudden death since my very narrow escape from it.  You know, mamma, it comes sometimes without a moment’s warning; and as we all sin continually in thought and feeling, if not in word and deed, as our very best deeds and services are so stained with sin that they need to be repented of and forgiven, how is it that even a true Christian can get to heaven if called away so suddenly?”

“Because when one comes to Jesus Christ and accepts His offered salvation, all his sins, future as well as past and present, are forgiven.  ’The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.’

“Jesus said, ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.’  ’I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.’”

“But oh, mamma, I find myself so weak and sinful, so ready to yield to temptation, that I sometimes fear I shall never be able to hold out to the end!”

“My dear boy, let that fear lead you to cling all the closer to the Master, who is able to save unto the uttermost.  If our holding out depended upon ourselves, our own weak wills, we might well be in despair; but ‘He will keep the feet of His saints.’

“’Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to His abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.’  Can they be in danger who are kept by the power of God?”

CHAPTER XIV.

“My Father’s house on high,
  Home of my soul, how near
At times to Faith’s discerning eye
  Thy pearly gates appear.”