Page:Soldier's daughter, or, The history of Mary Jones.pdf/4

 by the kindness of her manner, Mary opened her whole heart to her. “Oh!” said she, “I have been living without God in the world, wilfully disobeying his commands, though I know I was in the wrong. Even last Sunday evening, when I joined with the other servants in laughing at you, for rather choosing to sit above reading your bible in the garret, than to stay below where we were making so merry, I could not help feeling that it would be better for me to be like you, than to possess the whole world.”

Anne Browne.—To be like me is but a poor desire, for I am an unworthy sinner; but since you have spoken to me, if you believe all that I shall read to you out of your bible, I will undertake to comfort you, and that too without denying or excusing your sin, or leading you to think better of yourself than you do now, for I am persuaded you do not know half the evil of your own heart.

Mary, (reaching her the bible.)—Well, I will listen to you, though I am sure you can read nothing for me but condemnation from that book. Anne opened and read, “Thou hast destroyed thyself.”—Hosea xiii. 9.

True, said Mary, interrupting her, I have destroyed my soul, by breaking God’s law, and by rejecting his gospel.

Anne.—You have indeed, dear Mary; but you know I promised to comfort you, without denying your guilt. Hear what follows—“In me is thine help.” Here is a word of consolation for such as you and I, who are unable to help ourselves. “Jesus is able to save them unto the utermost, who come unto God by him.”—“This “is a truth worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus “came into the world to save sinners. He came to seek “and to save that which was lost. He receiveth sinners. “His blood cleanseth from all sin, and whoso trusteth “in him, shall not be confounded.” Then after having read slowly, the 3d and 6th chapters of St John’s Gospel, and the 15th chapter of St. Luke, she shut the book and said, “Dear Mary, do you believe what I have been reading?’ If you do, you must have joy and peace.”

Mary.—I cannot deny what you say, for it is all in the Bible; but how do I know that it is addressed to me, or suited to my case?