“It is well, my child—be it so. The next thing mentioned in that article of your Catechism, what is it?”
“Steadfastly purposing to lead a new life.”
“And what do you think of that?”
“My life, sir, will be a short one; and I wish it had been a better one. But from my heart I desire that it may be a new one for the time to come. I want to forsake all my evil ways and thoughts, and evil words, and evil companions; and to do what God bids me, and what you tell me is right, sir, and what I read of in my Bible. But I am afraid I do not, my heart is so full of sin. However, sir, I pray to God to help me. My days will be few; but I wish they may be spent to the glory of God.”
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you, Jane; so that whether you live, you may live to the Lord; or whether you die, you may die unto the Lord; and that, living or dying, you may be the Lord’s. What is the next thing mentioned?”
“To have a lively faith in God’s mercy through Christ, sir.”
“Do you believe that God is merciful to you in the pardon of your sins?”
“I do, sir,” said the child earnestly.
“And if he pardons you, is it for your own sake, Jenny?”
“No, sir, no; it is for Christ’s sake—for my Saviour Jesus Christ’s sake, and that only. Christ is all.”