"But, Ella, you used to come home looking so miserably tired, so completely worn out. I don't believe, my child, that it is your duty to work yourself to death."
"Nor I, either, aunt Prudence; but I don't think it will kill me. You must remember that then I had the care of the house in addition to the school; and that I shall not have now; and besides, as somebody says, 'I had rather wear out than rust out,' rather die of too much work than of too much idleness."
"Well, Ella, if you really are so anxious to teach, I will not oppose it; but as to your not liking to be dependent upon me, what difference does it make whether you take a part of my money now, or get it all at my death? for I have no one to leave it to but you, and it must all be yours at last."
"Don't talk about dying, dear aunt," said Ella, with tears in her eyes; "I hope you have a great many years yet to live."
"If it is God's will, I have no objection, Ella; but I hope we may both be ready whenever our Lord shall come; if we are only prepared, it will make very little difference when the summons comes. But I did not mean to distress you; I am perfectly well, and as likely, I suppose, to live to old age as any one else."
"Well, auntie, may I take the school?"
"Yes, child; if you wish."
So Ella taught school in the same town and in the very same room where she had been a pupil herself; and people said she was very much such a teacher as Miss Layton, which Ella considered the highest praise that could have been bestowed upon her. And she was like Miss Layton in her patient, gentle manner towards her scholars, and her earnest efforts to lead them to Christ.
"By their fruits ye shall know them." Reader, what kind of fruit are you bearing? "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Judged by your fruits, what are you? A good or a corrupt tree? Are you a careless, unconcerned sinner walking in the broad road that leads to eternal death?—or are you treading the strait and narrow way that leads to life everlasting? Are you taken up with the things of this world, living only for the present moment, careless of the interests of your immortal soul, and unconcerned about the forgiveness of your sins? Are you a slave to the law, trying to work out a salvation of your own, and merit heaven by your own good works?—or are you a loving child, serving a tender and beloved Parent, striving to bring forth much fruit, that you 'may glorify your Father which is in heaven?' "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."
"We would no longer lie
Like slaves beneath the throne;
My faith shall Abba, Father, cry;
And thou the kindred own."