"There are no good things to give up, and there are thousands to gain. I cannot preach to you below the gospel-standard, which says that the friend of the world is the enemy of God."
"Well, He elects some people to save, and rejects others. How can I know that I do not come under the last head?"
"By electing Christ as yours, at this moment, when His Spirit is striving with you to that end. I can't tell you how it pains me to see you tampering with divine truth as if it were a straw. I believe this temporizing, argumentative temper comes from a league between Satan and your own evil heart. If you do not take care you will grieve away the Holy Ghost. For my part, I would rather offend than grieve a friend."
"Do you mean that the Holy Ghost is my friend?" Gabrielle asked, in great surprise.
"Certainly. Otherwise why should He hover around you as He is doing now, offering you the greatest prizes of life?"
"Why should He love me? Why should He offer me prizes? I have never so much as given Him a thought!"
"I do not know. I can only say: 'Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.'"
"Then I won't hold out against Him another minute, if God will take me, just as I am, a dreadfully naughty girl! He may have me and welcome! Only I wish I hadn't done so many things I am ashamed of."
Some weeks later she came shyly again behind her grandmamma and whispered:
"May I join the church next Sunday?"