"You mean that I may have faith and not know it, and so my faith is of no use to me?"
"It brings you no present peace. Of course it would save you in the end; but meanwhile you would lead a dark, joyless life."
"Sometimes I feel as if I had been changed a little," said Gabrielle, thoughtfully. "But my feelings are not alike two hours going."
"Of course not. A thousand things vary our emotions. The Bible says nothing about feeling this way or feeling that, in order to be saved. It says 'believe.'"
"I think, though, that it would be easier to believe if I felt more. I keep hoping that sometime I shall feel so much that God will pity and forgive me."
"In other words, you keep hoping to make yourself agreeable to Him by a great display of emotion. Do not be hurt at my saying this. Human nature is supremely self-righteous, and is not willing to take salvation as a free gift. I beg you to decide for Christ now, with your will; having once done that, your heart will follow fast enough."
"But suppose I begin and don't hold out?"
"Begin thus. Say to God: 'Let me not wander from Thy commandments;' and He will reply: 'I will put my fear in your heart that you shall not depart from me.'"
"Then there are so many things to give up if I become a Christian," said Gabrielle, evasively.