The missionary could not but be moved at the penitent recital; yet he rejoiced that Mr. Kerr was at last led to the true and only source of comfort.
After uniting in prayer with the family, the missionary inquired if they had been to the Sunday-school.
“Oh yes,” heartily replied Mr. Kerr, “we were all over last Sunday, and had a delightful time.”
“No doubt; indeed, no one with proper feelings, and a regard for the eternal interests of his children or the children of others, can help being benefited and highly delighted in a well-ordered Sunday-school,” said the good man with emphasis; adding, “have the books and papers for which they sent, come?”
“They have,” rejoined Mr. Kerr, “and I verily thought the whole school would go wild when the box was opened. Indeed, I was myself considerably excited; and when each one received a book and a paper, I really could not refrain from shedding tears, in witnessing the uncontrollable delight that filled every heart; and I reproached myself with bitterness for having been so cowardly as not to defend this noble institution, when you and it were assailed by Mr. Steele. To-day, I thank God for the Sunday-school! and I know that every family that attends it thanks God for it.”
“May God, the Divine Author of this institution, foster and bless it to the salvation of all who attend it, or are within its holy influence!” said the delighted missionary; adding, “how is that gentleman who was with you at the gate getting along?”
“Oh, pretty well; but he doesn’t take any stock in Sunday-schools--he is very angry at me for attending, and won’t speak to me.”
“We must pray God to give us grace to bear with him, and try to gain him to our confidence,” said the missionary.
The day was passing, and the good man would have gone on, but Mr. Kerr and his wife would not hear to it, insisting that he should remain, at least over night; so he consented to remain until morning.
By the side of the looking-glass, in the room which he occupied, he found hanging a framed card, containing the text, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.” Underneath was written in a plain hand, “Saved by grace, through this little card. James Kerr.”