“I hope we may be long spared to each other,” he returned with grave tenderness.
“Do you mean you’re sorry for having punished me, too, papa?” she asked presently.
“No,” he said, “because that was in obedience to orders, therefore undoubtedly my duty and for your good.”
“Yes, sir; I know it was, and I know you didn’t want to do it, but had to because we must all do what the Bible says.”
“Yes, because it is God’s word, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.”
“What does that mean, papa?”
“Infallible means not liable to err; faith is what we believe; practice what we do, and we must study the Bible to know both what to do and what to believe.”
“It is an inestimable blessing to have such an unerring guide that following its directions we may at last reach the mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for his redeemed ones. Oh that I could know that my Lulu’s feet were treading that path—the straight and narrow way—that leads to eternal life!”
“Papa, I do mean to be a Christian some day.”
“How long are you going to live?” he asked with grave seriousness.