human
Ay, that I do not understand, said Mr. Thornton, faintly.
gpt
Why should people pray to die when they want to live? I could never understand that.
human
It is no prayer for death, sir, said the old negro teacher.
gpt
Our Saviour has said,--'_The kingdom of God is within you!_' and it may either be a prayer that the holy and happy kingdom of God be established with all its peace in our own hearts, or that it be established in its purity and unity throughout the whole world. '_Thy will be done!_' are the succeeding words; and these teach, first, that resignation to the will of God which is one of the purest forms of His worship--a humble acknowledgment of His wisdom, and mercy, and love; and a profession of our full faith, and trust, and confidence in Him; and secondly, taken with the words that follow, _how_ we ought to do God's will ourselves, and how we ought to wish all others to do it, '_in earth as it is in Heaven!_' not slowly, not grudgingly, not doubtingly; but with joy and alacrity, and full faith and trust--as it is performed spontaneously by the holy angels.
human
The prayer then goes on to say, '_Give us this day our daily bread!_' That means, I think, the complete provision of God's mercy--all that is needful for us during that day, as well for the body as the soul--the bread that sustains the flesh, and the bread of life itself--all, in short, that we want and require--
gpt
Well, that is sensible, said the wounded man, in a somewhat stronger voice.
human
It is a very fine prayer; I don't deny it.
gpt
You can't think, sir, what a comfort it would be to you if you could but make up your mind to repeat it.
human
I think I can repeat it, said Mr. Thornton.
gpt
I am sure my mother made me say it so often when I was young, that I can't have forgotten it--though that is a long time ago. Let me see.
human
Those are the most important words of all, said the old negro, earnestly.
gpt
Upon these words hang the only hope of being forgiven. Oh, Mr. Thornton, do say them. If ever you have done anything to offend God--if you have ever done anything to injure man--if you have any cause to fear the judgment hereafter, and which of us has not?--if there be one act in your whole life which you could wish to blot out--forgive, if you would be forgiven.
human
Davenport! ejaculated Mr. Thornton, in a wandering tone,
gpt
Davenport! He did not trespass against me; but his wife did. She spat at me--she called me villain, and scoundrel--said she would tell her husband all. I recollect how he looked when he died. She could not have told him, Uncle Jack, for there was no time; yet he looked very much as if he thought I had done something. It was a bitter, reproachful sort of look. But I say, uncle, do you think that we are obliged to forgive those who have never trespassed against us as well as those who have? That's the question.
human
Ah, doctor,