Page:The Life and Works of Christopher Dock.djvu/137

Rh cited. Yea, he calls to all of us and says: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example” (Phil. iii, 17). But as it was at the time of the Apostles and how it is in our so-called Christendom those can see best whose spiritual eyes are opened, I will leave the question open, and comply with my friend's request, feeling certain that he means well for the children's good. But suppose a mother felt like perpetuating her loving methods toward her children, and committed the same to a book, that after her death they might be continued, but the children should then receive another mother. She would be very likely to say to the children, your former mother raised you according to her ideas, I will follow mine. Then it would be of little use to the children that their mother wrote in pure love. Yet the mother did her part, even as St. Paul when he wrote: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.” Now those who do not desire to do as told in the seventeenth verse, but prefer the opposite, as the Apostle, weeping, wrote in the eighteenth and nineteenth verses, such follow their own ideas. Yet the Apostle had done his duty and had saved his soul.

I have told the friend in answer to his question regarding my treatment of the children with love, that I can take no credit for it. Love is a gift of God. According as one desires it, it is given and according as one guards and uses it, so it can be increased or diminished. But perhaps it can be stated by what qualities one can help or hinder love,