"Why 'oh no, Mr. Richmond'?"
"I am not good enough. I want to be better first."
"How do you expect to get better?"
Silence.
"I suppose your thought is, that Jesus will make your heart new, as you asked Him just now, and help you to be strong. Is that it?—Yes. And you do not expect to accomplish the change or grow strong by your own power?"
"Oh no, sir."
"Don't you think Jesus loves you now as well as He will by and by, and is as ready to help you?"
"Yes, Mr. Richmond."
"Then, Tilly, I call it just distrust of Him, to hold off from what He commands you to do, for fear He will not help you to do it. I would be ashamed to offer such an excuse to Him."
"But—has He commanded that, Mr. Richmond?"