rest, and you and every one may have them if you will; for His own words
are, 'Ask, and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find.' 'Him that
cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.'"

"You give me a new view of religion," he said after a moment's
surprised, thoughtful silence. "I have been accustomed to look upon it
as something suitable, perhaps desirable, for old age, and certainly
very necessary for a death bed; but too great a restraint upon youthful
pleasures."

"Sinful pleasures must indeed be given up by those who would follow
Christ; but they are like apples of Sodom,--beautiful in appearance, but
bitter and nauseous to the taste; while the joys that he gives are pure,
sweet, abundant and satisfying. 'Godliness is profitable unto all
things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to
come.' 'They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy
house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.'
Ah, Cal, if one might safely die without the Christian's faith and hope,
I should still want them to sweeten life's journey."

Another thoughtful pause; then the young man said, frankly, "Cousin
Elsie, I'm afraid I'm very stupid, but it's a fact that I never have
been quite able to understand exactly what it is to be a Christian, or
how to become one."

She considered a moment, her heart going up in silent prayer for help to
make the matter plain to him, and for a blessing on her words; for well
she knew that without the influence of the Holy Spirit they would avail
nothing.