"Ellie," said he after a while, speaking low and tenderly, "the Bible says, 'We have known and believed the love that God hath towards us;' have you remembered and believed this lately?"
Ellen did not answer.
"Have you remembered that God loves every sinner that has believed in his dear Son? and loves them so well, that He will let nothing come near them to harm them? and loves them never better than when He sends bitter trouble on them? It is wonderful! but it is true. Have you thought of this, Ellie?"
She shook her head.
"It is not in anger He does it; it is not that He has forgotten you: it is not that He is careless of your trembling little heart never, never! If you are his child, all is done in love, and shall work good for you; and if we often cannot see how, it is because we are weak and foolish, and can see but a very little way."
Ellen listened with her face hid on his shoulder.
"Do you love Christ, Ellen?"
She nodded, weeping afresh.
"Do you love him less since he has brought you into this great sorrow?"
"No," sobbed Ellen, "more!"