human
Father, I have thought a good deal of that talk we had in our Bible lesson some time ago, about the second coming of Christ. Do you think it--his coming--is very near?
gpt
It may be, daughter. The signs of the times seem to indicate its approach. Jesus said, 'Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.' He has given us signs, however, by which we may know that it is near; and judging by them we may, I think, know that it is not very far off now.
human
Then, papa, doesn't it seem as if we ought to be busied with religious duties all the time?
gpt
I think whatever duties the Lord gives us in His Providence may, in some sense, be called religious duties--for me, for instance, the care of wife, children and dependents. We are to go on with household and family duties, those to the poor and needy in our neighborhood; also to take such part as we can in the work of the church at home and for foreign missions, and so forth; all this, remembering his command, 'Occupy till I come,' and endeavoring to be ready to meet him with joy when he comes.
human
And isn't it a very important part trying to win souls to Christ?
gpt
It is, indeed, and 'he that winneth souls is wise.' Leading a truly Christlike life may often win them to join us in being his disciples, even though we refrain from any word of exhortation; though there are times when we should not refrain from giving that also.
human
As you did to me, father, she said, with a loving look up into his face.
gpt
Oh, I shall try to be a winner of souls. The Bible makes the way clear, again and again, in a very few words. You know it tells us Jesus said to Nicodemus, 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'
human
Yes; and Peter said to Cornelius and his kinsmen and friends, after telling them of Jesus, 'To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.' And Paul and Silas, when asked by the jailor, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' replied, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' Salvation is God's free gift, without money and without price. One must believe in His divinity, His ability and willingness to save, taking salvation at His hands as a free, unmerited gift. But now, dear child, he added, taking her in his arms, with a fond caress,
gpt
Thank you, dear father, she said, in tones half tremulous with emotion,
human
I do so love that blessing from your lips. And Chester and I both think I have the best father in the world.
gpt
It is pleasant to have you think that, he returned, with a smile and another caress,
human
You don't want to be surprised by the pretty things you will see there, eh?
gpt
No, sir; we want to hear about them first and see them afterward; if it isn't troubling you too much,
human
Well, considering that you are my great-grandchildren, I think I must search my memory for something interesting on the subject. There are many picturesque creeks and bays. There are four pretty large islands--Bermuda, the largest, being fifteen miles long. The strange shapes of the islands and the number of spacious lagoons make it necessary to travel about them almost entirely in boats; which is very pleasant, as you glide along under a beautiful blue sky and through waters so clear that you can see even to their lowest depths, where the fish sport among the coral rocks, and exquisitely variegated shells abound.
gpt
Oh, I shall like that! exclaimed Elsie.
human
Are the fish handsome, too, grandpa?
gpt
Some of them are strikingly so, he replied.
human
One called the parrot-fish is of a green color as brilliant as that of his bird namesake. His scales are as green as the fresh grass of spring-time, and each one is bordered by a pale brown line. His tail is banded with nearly every color of the rainbow, and his fins are pink.
gpt
Is he good to eat, grandpa?
human
No, his flesh is bitter and poisonous to man and probably to other fishes. So they let him well alone.
gpt
Well, I suppose he's glad of that, laughed Ned.
human
The more I hear about Bermuda, grandpa, the gladder I am that we are going there.
gpt
Yes; and you may well be thankful that you have so good and kind a father, and that he owns this fine yacht.
human
Yes, sir, I am that; but I'd rather be his son than anybody else's if he didn't own anything but me.
gpt
And I'm just as pleased to be his daughter,
human
And I to be his grandfather-in-law,
gpt
Yes, sir; Grandpa Travilla would have been his--papa's--father-in-law if he had lived, wouldn't he?
human
Yes; and almost as old as I am. He was my dear, good friend, and I gave him my daughter to be his wife.
gpt
That was you, grandma, wasn't it?
human
Yes, dear, she said, with a smile and a sigh,
gpt
Yes, indeed, grandma,