"Mamma, how happy we should be if we had perfect faith and trust," said Violet.
"Yes; if we fully believed the inspired assurance, 'We know that all things work together for good to them that love God,' we should not fret or grieve over losses, crosses or disappointments. Strive after such faith, my children, and pray constantly for it, for it is the gift of God."
There was a little pause, broken only by Walter's prattle, the plash of the rain and the murmur of the sea.
Edward seemed in deep thought. Taking a low seat at his mother's knee, "Mamma," he said, "I want to have a talk with you, and perhaps this is as good a time as any."
"Well, my dear boy, what is it?"
"Do you think, mamma, that I ought to go into the ministry?"
"My son," she said, looking at him in some surprise, "that is not a question to be decided in a moment, or without asking God's guidance."
"You would be willing, mother?"
"More than willing—glad and thankful—if I saw reason to believe that you were called of God to that work. To be truly an ambassador of Christ is, in my esteem, to stand higher than any of earth's potentates, yet if your talents do not lie in that direction I would not have you there. It is every man's duty to serve God to the utmost of his ability, but all are not called to the ministry; some can do far better service in other walks of life, and I should prefer to have a son of mine a good carpenter, mason or shoemaker, rather than a poor preacher."
"You do not mean poor in purse, mamma?" queried Harold, joining the little group.