"Do you _really_ love it so, Rose?" asked Adelaide, lifting
her eyes to her friend's face with an expression of astonishment;
"do tell me why?"

"For its exceeding great and precious promises Adelaide; for its
holy teachings; for its offers of peace and pardon and eternal
life. I am a sinner, Adelaide, lost, ruined, helpless, hopeless,
and the Bible brings me the glad news of salvation offered as a
free, unmerited gift; it tells me that Jesus died to save sinners
--just such sinners as I. I find that I have a heart deceitful
above all things and desperately wicked, and the blessed Bible
tells me how that heart can be renewed, and where I can obtain
that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. I find
myself utterly unable to keep God's holy law, and it tells me of
One who has kept it for me. I find that I deserve the wrath and
curse of a justly offended God, and it tells me of Him who was
made a curse for me. I find that all my righteousnesses are as
filthy rags, and it offers me the beautiful, spotless robe of
Christ's perfect righteousness. Yes, it tells me that God can be
just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus."

Rose spoke these words with deep emotion, then suddenly clasping
her hands and raising her eyes, she exclaimed, "'Thanks be unto
God for His unspeakable gift!'"

For a moment there was silence. Then Adelaide spoke:

"Rose," said she, "you talk as if you were a great sinner; but I
don't believe it; it is only your humility that makes you think
so. Why, what have you ever done? Had you been a thief, a