"To be a Christian," she said, "is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
receiving and resting upon him alone for salvation. 'He hath made him to
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him.' 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.' Do not these texts answer both your queries? We have
broken God's holy law, but Jesus, the God man, has borne the penalty in
our stead; 'all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags'; we dare not
appear before the King clothed in them; but Jesus offers to each of us
the pure and spotless robe of his righteousness, and we have only to
accept it as a free gift; we can have it on no other terms. It is
believe and be saved; look and live."

"But there is something beside for us to do surely? we must live
right."

"Yes, true faith will bring forth the fruits of holy living; but good
works are the proofs and effects of our faith, not the ground of the
true Christian's hope; having nothing whatever to do with our
justification."

The entrance of Arthur and young Horace put an end to the conversation.

Horace was not less devoted to his elder sister now than in childhood's
days; Arthur, distant and reserved with most people, had of late learned
to be very frank and open with her, sure of an attentive hearing, of
sympathy, and that his confidence would never be betrayed.

She never sneered, never laughed in contempt, nor ever seemed to think
herself better or wiser, than others. Her advice, when asked, was given