Suddenly she broke the silence.
"Mamma, what does that mean, 'He that loveth father or mother
more than me, is not worthy of me?' "
"It means just what it says. If you love anybody or anything
better than Jesus Christ, you cannot be one of his children."
"But then, Mamma," said Ellen, raising her head, "how _can_ I be
one of his children? I do love you a great deal better: how
can I help it, Mamma?"
"You cannot help it, I know, my dear," said Mrs. Montgomery,
with a sigh, "except by His grace, who has promised to change
the hearts of his people — to take away the heart of stone,
and give them a heart of flesh."
"But is mine a heart of stone, then, Mamma, because I cannot
help loving you best?"
"Not to me, dear Ellen," replied Mrs. Montgomery, pressing
closer the little form that lay in her arms; "I have never
found it so. But yet I know that the Lord Jesus is far, far
more worthy of your affection than I am; and if your heart
were not hardened by sin, you would see him so; it is only
because you do not know him that you love me better. Pray,
pray, my dear child, that he would take away the power of sin,
and show you himself; that is all that is wanting."
"I will, Mamma," said Ellen, tearfully. "Oh, Mamma, what shall
I do without you?"
Alas! Mrs. Montgomery's heart echoed the question — she had no
answer.
"Mamma," said Ellen, after a few minutes, "can I have no true
love to Him at all unless I love him _best?_"
"I dare not say that you can," answered her mother, seriously.
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