I would not have little Ernest hear you for the
world."
Poor father! He fairly groaned.
"You are responsible for that child's soul;" he said; "you have more
influence over him than all the world beside."
"I know it," I said, "and sometimes I feel ready to sink when I think
of the great work God has intrusted to me. But my poor child will
learn that he is a sinner only too soon, and before that dreadful day
arrives I want to fortify his soul with the only antidote against the
misery that knowledge will give him. I want him to see his Redeemer
in all His love, and all His beauty, and to love Him with all his
heart and soul, and mind and strength. Dear father, pray for him, and
pray for me, too."
"I do, I will," he said, solemnly. And then followed the inevitable
long fit of silent musing, when I often wonder what is passing in
that suffering soul. For a sufferer he certainly is who sees a great
and good and terrible God who cannot look upon iniquity, and does not
see His risen Son, who has paid the debt we owe, and lives to
intercede for us before the throne of the Father.
JAN. I, 1842.-James came to me yesterday with a letter he had been
writing to mother.
"I want you to read this before it goes," he said, "for you ought to
know my plans as soon as mother does."
I did not get time to read it till after tea. Then I came up here to
my room, and sat down curious to know what.
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