human
Can't you get it?
gpt
No, sir.
human
Howard, are you working with all your thoughts to-day?
gpt
No, sir.
human
What is it, Howard?
gpt
I don't know, sir; not much of anything, I guess.
human
Are you not quite satisfied with yourself to-day?
gpt
Satisfied! I--why--I don't know what you mean, sir; I have tried to do the best I could, I believe.
human
Do you really think so, Howard?
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
Did you think so last evening, in the prayer-meeting? Can a boy, who is as well taught as you have been, feel that he is doing as well as he can, when he knows that he is every day cheating God?
gpt
I don't understand you, sir.
human
Don't you? and Mr. Burrows' voice was very kind.
gpt
I wish that God's own Spirit might help you to understand it. Didn't your father and mother promise God, when you were born, to try to train you up for Him, because you belonged to Him, and they knew it? Now, haven't they done their duty? is it their fault that you are not a Christian?
human
No, sir.
gpt
Then it comes back to you. You belong to God, body and soul: He made you; He has kept you; He would save you, only you will not let Him. You can't help the fact that you belong to Him; all you can do is to refuse to give Him your love, and let Him lead you to heaven, and this you are doing. Is it right?
human
I don't feel the need of any such things, Mr. Burrows,
gpt
Suppose you don't, does that help the matter any? Does it change the fact that you belong to God; that you are cheating Him out of His own property? The question I ask is, Are you doing right?
human
Won't you answer me, Howard? Mr. Burrows asked gently;
gpt
No, sir.
human
Are you willing to go on doing wrong?
gpt
No, sir.
human
Will you turn _now_, Howard, and start right?