He pressed her tightly in his arms and waited to hear what she would say.
"He's skeezing me, ma. I guess he isn't tired. Are you?" putting her hand softly on his cheek.
He took the small hand in his, held it for a moment, asked, "At what time does your Sunday school commence?" put her hand to his lips as he said, rising, "We are friends from this time, Ethel. Good by for an hour or two," and left the room.
"I like him ever so much," exclaimed Annie. "Aren't you glad now, pa, that he has come to be our minister?"
Perhaps Mr. Asbury would have answered still more warmly could he have followed the pastor to his chamber and listened to the cry which went up from a full heart.
"Is this a ray of light from thy throne, O my heavenly Father? May I not accept it as an answer to prayer for help,—as a token of thy loving care? O God, I bless thee!"
Making his way from his chamber, he saw Ethel sitting on the lower stair waiting for him.
"You may kiss me if you want to," she said, putting up her rosy lips.
He caught her in his arms, kissed her again, the mother coming forward just in time to hear him say, "God bless you, precious child!"
How warm his heart felt with this new glow. With his whole soul he received the loving confidence of this little one as a token of divine favor. God had accepted him and would bless his work among these people.