Ellen was silent, but looked very grave.
"Your mother never minded her own ease or pleasure when your good was concerned. Did Christ mind his? You know what he did to save sinners, don't you?"
"Yes, Sir, I know; Mamma often told me."
" 'Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich.' He took your burden of sin upon himself, and suffered that terrible punishment all to save you, and such as you. And now he asks his children to leave off sinning and come back to him, who has bought them with his own blood. He did this because he loved you; does he not deserve to be loved in return?'
Ellen had nothing to say; she hung down her head further and further.
"And patient and kind as your mother is, the Lord Jesus is kinder and more patient still. In all your life so far, Ellen, you have not loved or obeyed him; and yet he loves you, and is ready to be your friend. Is he not even to-day taking away your dear mother for the very purpose that he may draw you gently to himself, and fold you in his arms, as he has promised to do with his lambs? He knows you can never be happy anywhere else."
The gentleman paused again, for he saw that the little listener's mind was full.
"Has not Christ shown that he loves you better even than your mother does? And were there ever sweeter words of kindness than these?
" 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'
" 'I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.'