"But do they not regard the devil as Jesus did, after all?" asked Grace, again pursuing her advantage.
"U-m, well, Jesus recognized him and talked to him, telling him to get out, and he often referred to the everlasting punishment," added Mrs. Dyke again, with a solemn face.
"But, he did not mean a literal fire, did he, when He spoke of everlasting punishment?"
Mrs. Dyke was the catechized instead of the catechizer, and it was an unaccustomed role, but she bore it like a soldier.
"Of course he did; several places in Matthew he described the lot of the wicked, and referred to the danger of hell-fire. Haven't you studied the Bible, Miss Hall?" suddenly turning to look straight at Grace with some severity.
"I am very much interested in it, Mrs. Dyke, but when I read that 'God's mercy endureth forever,' and that 'Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil,' I am inclined to think there must be some mistake about the dreadful wrath that is to last forever," calmly replied Grace.
"And you don't believe in eternal punishment?" cried Mrs. Dyke, in a shrill voice of astonishment.
"Don't believe in eternal punishment?" echoed Mrs. Linberger.
"I did not say that. I do think there is punishment so long as there is sin, but when we believe Christ has destroyed or can destroy sin, sickness, sorrow or death, which are the devil's works, they will be destroyed. It must be so if we trust the words of the gospel."
"Well, I am thankful to find Miss Turner in such Christian company at any rate," said Mrs. Dyke, as she adjusted her veil, preparatory to her departure.