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Stretton, Hesba, 1832-1911

"Fern's Hollow"

There was so much to do, and so
short a space for doing anything. All the real business of the whole
life had to be crowded into these few hours, if possible. As she entered
the room, her uncle's eyes met hers with a glance of unspeakable
anguish, and he called her in a trembling tone to her side.
'I heard,' he whispered. 'Anne, what must be done now?'
'Oh, uncle,' she said, 'have I not told you often, that "Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners"? There is no limit with God; with
him one day is as a thousand years, and He gives you still a day to make
your peace with Him.'
'There is no peace for my soul with God,' he answered; 'I've been at
enmity with Him all my life; and will He receive me at the last moment?
He is too just, too righteous, Anne. I'll not insult Him by offering Him
my soul now. You asked me once, "What shall it profit a man if he shall
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mine is lost--lost, and
that without remedy. This gold is a millstone about my neck.'
'Uncle,' she said, commanding her voice with a great effort, 'the thief
upon the cross beside our Lord had a shorter time than you, for he was
to die at sunset that day; yet he repented and believed in the crucified
Saviour, who was able to pardon him.


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