CHAPTER ELEVENTH
"In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight." --_Luke_ x. 21.
Says the Apostle Paul, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, myconscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have greatheaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, for I could wish thatmyself were accursed from Christ, for my brethren, my kinsmen accordingto the flesh.... Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God forIsrael is, that they might be saved."
And such, dear reader, is, in greater or less degree, the feeling ofevery renewed heart; loving Jesus, it would fain have others love Himtoo; it desires the salvation of all; but for that of its own dear onesit longs and labors and prays; it is like Jacob wrestling with theangel, when he said, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me."
And thus it was with Elsie. She knew now that her father was not aChristian; that he had no real love for Jesus, none of the true fear ofGod before his eyes. She saw that if he permitted her to read to himfrom God's word, as he sometimes did, it was not that he felt anypleasure in listening, but only to please her; she had no reason tosuppose he ever prayed, and though he went regularly to church, it wasbecause he considered it proper and respectable to do so, and not thathe cared to worship God, or to learn His will.
This conviction, which had gradually dawned upon Elsie, until now itamounted to certainty, caused her great grief; she shed many tears overit in secret, and very many and very earnest were the prayers sheoffered up for her dear father's conversion.
She was sitting on his knee one evening in the drawing-room, while heand several other gentlemen were conversing on the subject of religion.They were discussing the question whether or no a change of heart werenecessary to salvation.
The general opinion seemed to be that it was not, and Elsie listenedwith pain while her father expressed his decided conviction that allwho led an honest, upright, moral life, and attended to the outwardobservances of religion, were quite safe.
"He could see no necessity for a change of heart; he did not believe inthe doctrine of total depravity, not he; no indeed, he thought theworld much better than many people would have us believe."
Elsie fixed her eyes on his face with a very mournful gaze while he wasspeaking, but he was busy with his argument and did not notice her.
But one of the guests was just expressing his approval of Mr.Dinsmore's sentiments, when catching sight of Elsie's face, he stopped,remarking, "Your little girl looks as if she had something to say onthe subject; what is it, my dear?"
Elsie blushed, hesitated, and looked at her father.
"Yes, speak, my daughter, if you have anything to say," he saidencouragingly.
Elsie lifted her eyes timidly to the gentleman's face as she replied,"I was just thinking, sir, of what our Saviour said to Nicodemus:'Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannotsee the kingdom of God.' 'Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must beborn again.'"
She repeated these words of inspiration with a deep, earnest solemnitythat seemed to impress every hearer.
For a moment there was a deep hush in the room.
Then the gentleman asked, "Well, my little lady, and what is meant bybeing born again?"
"O sir!" she replied, "surely you know that it means to have the imageof God, lost in Adam's fall, restored to us; it means what David askedfor when he prayed, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew aright spirit within me.'"
"Where did you learn all this?" he asked, looking at her with mingledsurprise and admiration.
"In the Bible, sir," she modestly replied.
"You seem to have read it to some purpose," said he; "and now since youconsider that change so necessary, can you tell me how it is to bebrought about?"
"God's Holy Spirit, alone, can change a sinner's heart, sir."
"And how am I to secure His aid?" he asked.
Elsie answered with a text: "God is more willing to give His HolySpirit to them that ask Him, than parents are to give good gifts untotheir children."
He paused a moment; then asked, "Have you obtained this new heart, MissElsie?"
"I hope I have, sir," she replied, the sweet little face all suffusedwith blushes, and the soft, downcast eyes filling with tears.
"Why do you think so?" he asked again, "I think there is a text thatsays you must be able always to give a reason for the hope that is inyou, or something to that effect, is there not?"
"Yes, sir: 'Be ready always to give an answer to every man that askethyou a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.'" Thenraising her eyes to his face with a touching mixture of deep humilityand holy boldness, she continued, "And this, sir is my answer: Jesussays, 'Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out;' and Ibelieve Him. I did go to Him, and He did not cast me out, but forgavemy sins, and taught me to love Him and desire to serve Him all my life."
This conversation between the gentleman and the little girl had drawnthe attention of all present; and now Mrs. Dinsmore, who had more thanonce shown signs of impatience, said, "Well, Elsie, I think you havenow talked quite enough for a child of your age." Then, pulling out herwatch, "It is high time for little folks to be in bed."
Elsie, blushing deeply, would have retired immediately, but her fatherheld her fast, saying, as he gave his stepmother an angry glance, "Youneed not go, Elsie, unless you choose; I am quite capable of judgingwhen it is time to send you to bed."
"I would rather go, if you please, papa," whispered Elsie, who had agreat dread of Mrs. Dinsmore's anger.
"Very well, then, you may do as you like," he replied, giving her agood-night kiss. And with a graceful good-night to the company, thelittle girl left the room.
Her questioner followed her with an admiring glance, then turning toher father, exclaimed warmly, "She is a _remarkably_ intelligent child,Dinsmore! one that any father might be proud of. I was astonished ather answers."
"Yes," remarked Travilla, "a text has been running in my head eversince you commenced your conversation; something about these thingsbeing hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes. And," headded, "I am sure if ever I saw one who possessed that new nature ofwhich she spoke, it is she herself. Has she any faults, Dinsmore?"
"Very few, _I_ think; though she would tell you a different story,"replied her father with a gratified smile.
The next morning Elsie was sitting reading her Bible, when she suddenlyfelt a hand laid on her head, and her father's voice said, "Goodmorning, little daughter."
"Ah! papa, is that you?" she asked, raising her head to give him asmile of joyful welcome. "I did not know you were there."
"Ah! I have been watching you for several minutes," he said; "alwaysporing over the same book, Elsie; do you never tire of it?"
"No, indeed, papa; it is always new, and I do love it so; it is so verysweet. May I read a little to you?" she added coaxingly.
"Yes, I love to listen to anything read by my darling," he said,sitting down and taking her on his knee.
She opened at the third chapter of John's Gospel and read it through.At the sixteenth verse, "For God so loved the world, that He gave Hisonly begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,but have everlasting life," she paused, and asked, "Was not that awonderful gift, papa? and wonderful love that prompted it?"
"Yes," he said, absently stroking her hair.
She finished the chapter, and closing the book, laid her head on hisbreast, asking, "Dear papa, don't you believe the Bible?"
"Certainly, daughter; I am not an infidel," he replied in a carelesstone.
"Well, then, papa," she continued, half hesitatingly, "does not thischapter teach very plainly that we must love Jesus, and have newhearts, if we want to go to heaven?"
"Yes," he said, "I dare say
it does."
Then taking the book from her, he laid it aside, and giving her a kiss,said, "I was much pleased with your intelligent answers to Mr. Lee,last evening."
Elsie sighed, and her eyes filled with tears. It was not what shewanted.
"What an odd child you are!" he said, laughing. "You really look asthough I had been scolding, instead of praising you."
She dropped her head on his breast, and burst into tears and sobs.
"Why, Elsie, my own darling, what ails you?" he asked in great surprise.
"O papa!" she sobbed, "I want you to love Jesus."
"Oh! is _that_ all?" he said.
And setting her on her feet, he took her by the hand and led her outinto the garden, where they met Mr. Travilla and another gentleman, whoimmediately entered into conversation with Mr. Dinsmore, while Elsiewandered about amongst the flowers and shrubs, gathering a nosegay forher Aunt Adelaide.