Ester Ried | Page 9

good to them that--"
"Here, I'll read it," said Alfred--"'But I say unto you, Love your
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and
pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.'"
"Why, that is plain enough. It means just what it says. When people are

ugly to you, and act as though they hated you, you must be very good
and kind to them, and pray for them, and love them."
"Ester, does God really mean for us to love people who are ugly to us,
and to be good to them?"
"Of course."
"Well, then, why don't we, if God says so? Ester, why don't you?"
"That's the point!" exclaimed Sadie, in her most roguish tone. "I'm glad
you've made the application, Julia."
Now Ester's heart had been softening under the influence of these
peaceful Bible words. She believed them; and in her heart was a real,
earnest desire to teach her brother and sister Bible truths. Left alone,
she would have explained that those who loved Jesus were struggling,
in a weak feeble way, to obey these directions; that she herself was
trying, trying hard sometimes; that they ought to. But there was this
against Ester--her whole life was so at variance with those plain,
searching Bible rules, that the youngest child could not but see it; and
Sadie's mischievous tones and evident relish of her embarrassment at
Julia's question, destroyed the self-searching thoughts. She answered,
with severe dignity:
"Sadie, if I were you, I wouldn't try to make the children as irreverent
as I was myself." Then she went dignifiedly from the room.
Dr. Van Anden paused for a moment before Sadie, as she sat alone in
the sitting-room that same Sabbath-evening.
"Sadie," said he, "is there one verse in the Bible which you have never
read?"
"Plenty of them, Doctor. I commenced reading the Bible through once;
but I stopped at some chapter in Numbers--the thirtieth, I think it is,
isn't it? or somewhere along there where all those hard names are, you
know. But why do you ask?"

The doctor opened a large Bible which lay on the stand before them,
and read aloud: "Ye have perverted the words of the living God."
Sadie looked puzzled. "Now, Doctor, what ever possessed you to think
that I had never read that verse?"
"God counts that a solemn thing, Sadie."
"Very likely; what then?"
"I was reading on the piazza when the children came to you for an
explanation of their lesson."
Sadie laughed. "Did you hear that conversation, Doctor? I hope you
were benefited." Then, more gravely: "Dr. Van Anden, do you really
mean me to think that I was perverting Scripture?"
"I certainly think so, Sadie. Were you not giving the children wrong
ideas concerning the teachings of our Savior?"
Sadie was quite sober now. "I told the truth at last, Doctor. I don't know
any thing about these matters. People who profess to be Christians do
not live according to our Savior's teaching. At least I don't see any who
do; and it sometimes seems to me that those verses which the children
were studying, can not mean what they say, or Christian people would
surely try to follow them."
For an answer, Dr. Van Anden turned the Bible leaves again, and
pointed with his finger to this verse, which Sadie read:
"But as he which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation."
After that he went out of the room.
And Sadie, reading the verse over again, could not but understand that
she might have a perfect pattern, if she would.

CHAPTER V.
THE POOR LITTLE FISH.
"Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning,
holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of
the frying-pan into the fire?" Which question her mother answered by
asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which
she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?" "Why,
nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient
history, and I've brought her for your inspection."
This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed
them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the
forlorn little maiden: "O, my patience!"
A specimen requiring great patience from any one coming in contact
with her, was this same Julia. The pretty blue dress and white apron
were covered with great patches of mud; morocco boots and neat white
stockings were in the same direful plight; and down her face the salt
and muddy tears were running, for her handkerchief was also streaked
with mud.
"I should think so!" laughed Sadie, in