THE explanations connected with the last lesson made a deep impression upon the mind of Walter. During the week following, he was unusually serious and thoughtful, and at length sought his mother's chamber, when he knew her to be alone, and, with tearful eyes, asked, "How can I be sure that God has elected me to be one of his children?"
Mrs. Dermott, with deep emotion, replied, "If you are willing to give your heart to him, and accept Christ as your Saviour, you may be sure of it, my child."
It was, therefore, with prayerful interest that Mr. and Mrs. Dermott met their dear children on the evening appointed for the exercise.
Having heard the answer repeated, the father asked, "Helen, who is the Lord Jesus Christ?"
"He is the Redeemer, the eternal Son of God."
"Do you understand the meaning of that answer?"
Helen shook her head.
"I will answer for you," said her mother. "It means that from all eternity he sustained the relation of Son to the everlasting Father—
"'Thou art the Son of the living God.'
"Twelve years ago, Walter began to sustain the relation of son to your father; and so existence commenced with every son of the human race; the angels also began to be. There was a time when all these did not exist, and another time when they began to be God's children. Jesus Christ, as the son of man, began to exist almost two thousand years ago. But Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, never began to exist. Unto his Son God said,—