“Yes; when you reach the other side of Jordan; for there in that blessed land the inhabitant shall not say ‘I am sick,’” returned Grandma Elsie in low, sympathising tones.  “The Bible tells us that ’God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.’”

“Oh, but I am not fit for that place yet!” exclaimed Laura with a look of alarm, “and I don’t want to die for years to come, though it is hard to suffer as I do.  You don’t think I’m a dying woman, Mrs. Travilla?”

“You know, dear friend, that no one of us is certain of life for a day or an hour,” returned Grandma Elsie gently, taking the wasted hand in hers and gazing tenderly into the anxious, troubled face, “and surely it is the part of wisdom to make careful preparation for that which we must inevitably meet, sooner or later.  And if our peace is made with God—­if Jesus is our Friend and Saviour—­it will only be joy unspeakable to be called into his immediate presence, there to dwell forevermore.”

“Yes, yes, if one is fitted for it, as Eric, Eva’s father, was.  Death seemed only joy to him, except for leaving us.  But oh, I am afraid of death!  Hard as life is in my weak, ailing condition, I don’t want to die, I can’t bear to think of it.”

“My poor friend, my heart bleeds for you,” said Grandma Elsie in low, tender tones. “’The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law.’  But ’Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.’  He fulfilled its conditions, he bore the penalty God’s justice required against those who had broken it; and now salvation is offered as his free gift to all who will accept it:  ’Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:  that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.’”

“Is that all? only to believe in Jesus?” Laura asked with a look of mingled anxiety, hope, and fear.  “But one must repent deeply, sincerely, and oh, I’m afraid I cannot!”

“He will help you,” returned Grandma Elsie in moved tones. “’Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.’  Ask him, remembering his own gracious promise, ’Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.  For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’”