He began reading reverently and slowly. The simple, stately words fell very sweetly upon their ears. They paused often, so as to understand more fully what they read. They read with the intent earnestness of those who explore new territory, and who have immense interests in things discovered. They lingered first over the second verse:
"As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given him."
"'As many as thou hast given him,'" repeated Winifred. "What do you think that means, Hubert?"
Hubert gazed into vacancy meditatively. "I don't know," he announced, very slowly; "there is a profound mystery here which I have seen in earlier chapters. I do not see the point of meeting between two laws that seem almost contradictory. But one point seems very clear, and it meets us very simply on our human side: that is, that the one who 'is willing to do His will' is the one whom the Father 'gives' to Jesus Christ."
"It is very sweet," said Winifred, "to think of being given by the
Father to Him. It seems surer, somehow, than to just give oneself."
Hubert's deep eyes kindled and glowed with a liquid fire. "Yes," he said in a suppressed voice, "it is wonderful." He was standing on ground that had not by long habit grown coldly theological, but was instinct with life to him through a new and vital experience.
They read on:
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent."
They paused to meditate, and Winifred was the first to break the silence.
"Hubert," she said in a low voice, "it must be we have entered upon eternal life. We have begun to know Him."