"I should say that a Christian who was always doing that," she
replied, gravely, "was in pressing need of just the trial God sent
when He shut him up to such a life of hourly temptation. We only know
ourselves and what we really are, when the force of circumstances
bring us out."
"It is very mortifying and painful to find how weak one is."
"That is true. But our mortifications are some of God's best
physicians, and do much toward healing our pride and self-conceit."
"Do you really think, then, that God deliberately appoints to some of
His children a lot where their worst passions are excited, with a
desire to bring good out of this seeming evil? Why I have always
supposed the best thing that could happen to me, instance, would be
to have a home exactly to my mind; a home where all were forbearing,
loving and good-tempered, a sort of little heaven below."
"If you have not such a home, my dear, are you sure it is not partly
your own fault?"
"Of course it is my own fault. Because I am very quick-tempered I
want to live with good-tempered people."
"That is very benevolent in you," she said, archly.
I colored, but went on.
"Oh, I know I am selfish. And therefore I want live with those who
are not so. I want to live with persons to whom I can look for an
example, and who will constantly stimulate me to something higher.
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