"Yes, but," said Miss Essie, "do you think it is required that we should put ourselves so much out of the way to be good? I think people were meant to enjoy themselves."
"_I _enjoy myself—" said Mr. Linden smiling a little. "What think you makes the lark fly circling up into the very sunbeams, singing as lie goes?—is it duty? is it to rise above the robins and sparrows?"
"I don't understand you!" said Miss Essie respectfully.
"That is just the inner life of many a Christian,—his very heart-cry is,
'Nearer, my God, to thee!
Nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross,
That raiseth me!'—"
"Well, you think nobody can be safe that don't live just so?" persisted
Miss Essie.
"In whom such a life is not at least begun?—How can it be, Miss Essie?
Safe? without the blessing of God?"
"Well there we differ," said the lady. "That's what I mean by being rigidly righteous. I think every one must judge for himself."
A little more erect Mr. Linden stood, drawing himself up slightly—it was his wont sometimes under a touch of excitement, and spoke with his deep emphasis these words—
"'This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.'—Miss Essie, where is your permit for free judgment against the Bible?"