Part 13 (1/2)
”I think you can. And I want you to try.”
They waited and waited. Tilly sobbed softly, but the minister waited still. At last Tilly's tears ceased; then with her little hands spread before her face, she said very slowly--
”O Lord, I am a naughty child. I want to be good. I will do everything that you tell me. Please take my heart and make it all new, and help me to be strong and do right. Amen.”
They rose up, but Mr. Richmond kept the child within his arm, where she had been standing.
”Now, Tilly, how do we know that our prayers are heard?”
”G.o.d has promised, hasn't He, Mr. Richmond?”
”Where? in what words?”
Tilly hesitated, and then repeated part of the verse, ”Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find.”
”And look here,” said Mr. Richmond, half turning, so as to bring her and himself within reach of the Bible that lay at his elbow on the table--”see here, Matilda. Read these words.”
”'If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.'”
”And here,”--
”'Whatsover ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.'”
”Does Jesus ever break His promises?”
”No, Mr. Richmond; He can't.”
”Then remember that, whenever you think of to-day, and whenever you feel troubled or weak. _You_ are weak, but He is strong; and He cannot break His promises. So you and I are safe, as long as we hold to Him.”
There was silence a little while, and Mr. Richmond set the apple to twirling again. It had untwisted its string and was hanging still.
”I am to put your name now, I suppose, Tilly, among the names of our Band; am I?”
”Yes, Mr. Richmond.”
”What work would you like specially to do?”
”I do not know, Mr. Richmond; I will think.”
”Very well; that is right. And there is another place where your name ought to go--is there not?”
”I don't know, sir.”
”Yes; among those who desire to be members of the Church; to tell the world they are Christ's people.”
”Oh no, Mr. Richmond.”
”Why 'oh no, Mr. Richmond'?”
”I am not good enough. I want to be better first.”