“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory? The sting of Death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The clergyman of the church they attended came to see her, and read prayers solemnly and tenderly, and answered the appeal of her anxious eyes with vague words about God’s goodness and compassion, and how He would save all who came to Him. But his words did not comfort her.
“How can I come to Him? I do not know the way.”
“Mama, Jesus is the way—He says it,” said Selina, who never seemed to forget the words she heard.
“But I do not know Him; I have not thought about Him all my life; I have done nothing good, and it is too late now.”
“But the thief on the cross had done nothing good, even to the very last, and yet Jesus says to him, ‘To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise,’” said Selina.
“Yes; let me read it for you,” said Frederica eagerly.