"Men have no more right to do as they please than boys; they must obey G.o.d. If his will is theirs, they may do as they please, just as you may if it is your pleasure to be good and obedient."
"Papa, I don"t understand. Does G.o.d say we must not go into dangerous places?"
"He says, "Thou shalt not kill;" we have no right to kill ourselves, or to run the risk of doing so merely for amus.e.m.e.nt or to be considered brave or dexterous."
"But if somebody needs us to do it to save them from being hurt or killed, papa?"
"Then it becomes quite a different matter: it is brave, generous, and right to risk our own life or limbs to save those of others."
"Then I may do it, papa?"
"Yes, my son; Jesus laid down his life to save others, and in all things he is to be our example."
A hand was laid lightly on the shoulder of each, and a sweet voice said, "May my boy heed his father"s instructions in this and in every thing else."
"Wife!" Mr. Travilla said, turning to look up into the fair face bent over them.
"Mamma, dear mamma, I do mean to," said Eddie.
"Is it not time to go home?" she asked. "The little ones are growing weary."
"Yes, the sun is getting low."
In a few moments the whole party had reembarked; in less exuberant spirits than in the morning, yet perhaps not less happy: little disposed to talk, but with hearts filled with a quiet, peaceful content.
Viamede was reached without accident, a bountiful supper awaiting them there partaken of with keen appet.i.tes, and the little ones went gladly to bed.
Returning from the nursery to the drawing-room, Elsie found her namesake daughter sitting apart in a bay window, silently gazing out over the beautiful landscape sleeping in the moonlight.
She looked up with a smile as her mother took a seat by her side and pa.s.sed an arm about her waist.
"Isn"t it lovely, mamma? see how the waters of our lakelet shine in the moonbeams like molten silver! and the fields, the groves, the hills! how charming they look in the soft light."
"Yes, darling: and that was what you were thinking of, sitting here alone?"
"Yes, mamma; and of how good G.o.d is to us to give us this lovely home and dear, kind father and mother to take care of us. It is always so sweet to come back to my home when I"ve been away. I was enjoying it all the way coming in the boat to-night; that and thinking of the glad time when we shall all be gathered into the lovelier home Jesus is preparing for us."
"G.o.d grant we may!" said the mother, with emotion, "it is my heart"s desire and prayer to G.o.d for all my dear ones, especially my children.
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which G.o.d hath prepared for them that love him.""