“Then, in order to go to heaven after we die, we must be always good.”
“Yes,” said the children, with one voice.
“Then,” said Mary Jay, “who do you think will ever go to heaven?”
There was a long pause;—none of the children answered.
“Who do you think will ever go to heaven,” repeated Mary Jay, “if it is only those can go who are always good?”
There was of course no reply to be made to this question.
“No, children,” continued Mary Jay, “you have not given me the right answer. You have given the common answer, but I don’t think it is the right answer.
“You have all heard of the thief that was crucified with Jesus Christ—the penitent thief. Where did he go when he died?”
“To heaven,” said a great many of the children.
“Yes,” said Mary Jay. “Jesus Christ promised him that he should go with him into paradise; which meant heaven. Now, was he good while he lived in this world?”