“Yes,” said Violet, “Jesus said to his disciples, ’Because I live, ye shall live also.’  His resurrection is surely the pledge and assurance of that of his people.”

“Papa, does everybody have to die?” asked little Ned.

“Everybody except those who are alive when Jesus comes again, as he will some day in the clouds of heaven.  This is what the Apostle Paul tells us about it in the letter he wrote to the Thessalonians.  ’Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.’”

“‘Wherefore comfort one another with these words,’” added Evelyn softly, finishing the quotation; “and oh, what a comfort it is!”

“There could be none greater,” said Grandma Elsie.  “Think of being reunited with all the dear ones gone before, and in the immediate presence of Jesus; never again to be parted from them or him or to know sin or sorrow or pain.  Oh, what joy to be permitted to look upon the face of our Redeemer, to kneel at his feet, to hear his voice speaking to each one of us.  ’Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold and not another.’”

CHAPTER IV.

“Oh, Rosie, you here?  I’m delighted!  I hope you have come to spend the day?” exclaimed Lucilla, as on Monday she and Grace, on leaving the schoolroom where they had been reciting to their father, passed out upon the veranda in search of Evelyn and the older ladies and found Rose Travilla seated with the others.

“Thank you; but suppose I have come intending to stay longer than that? as long as mamma does, for instance?” laughed Rose, giving and receiving an affectionate caress; for they had seen nothing of each other for several days.

“The longer the better,” was Lucilla’s hearty rejoinder.  “Do you not say so too, Mamma Vi?” turning to her.

“Indeed I do,” said Violet.  “She will certainly make a most pleasant addition to our party.”

“I think you may as well accept the invitation, Rosie,” her mother said with a pleased smile; “and as I know you do not care to keep your errand a secret from any of your friends here, we can call a family council and talk the matter over.”

“Yes, mamma; that sounds as though you accept Solomon’s teaching that ‘In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’  And since he was the wisest of men we may surely consider ourselves safe in so doing.  So, if you like, you may tell Lu and Gracie on what errand I came.”

“Tell it yourself, child,” returned her mother with an amused look.