"And will he be likely to grant that prayer, Ellen, if he sees that you do not care about displeasing him in those 'great many things?' will he judge that you are sincere in wishing for a new heart?" "Oh no, Sir." "Then, if you are resolved to be a Christian, you will not be contented with praying for a new heart, but you will begin at once to be a servant of God. You can do nothing well without help, but you are sure the help will come; and from this good day you will seek to know and to do the will of God, trusting in his dear Son to perfect that which concerneth you. — My little child," said the gentleman, softly and kindly, "are you ready to say you will do this?" As she hesitated, he took a little book from his pocket, and turning over the leaves, said — "I am going to leave you for a little while — I have a few moments' business downstairs to attend to: and I want you to look over this hymn and think carefully of what I have been saying, will you? — and resolve what you will do." Ellen got off his knee, where she had been sitting all this while, and silently taking the book, sat down in the chair he had quitted. Tears ran fast again, and many thoughts passed through her mind, as her eyes went over and over the words to which he had pointed — "Behold the Saviour at thy door; He gently knocks, — has knock'd before, — Has waited long, — is waiting still, — You treat no other friend so ill. "Oh, lovely attitude! — he stands With open heart and outstretch'd hands: Oh, matchless kindness! — and he shows This matchless kindness to his foes. "Admit him — for the human breast Ne'er entertain'd so kind a guest; Admit him — or the hour's at hand When at _His_ door, denied, you'll stand. "Open my heart, Lord, enter in; Slay every foe, and conquer sin. Here now to thee I all resign — My body, soul, and all are thine." The last two lines Ellen longed to say, but could not: the two preceding were the very speech of her heart. Not more than fifteen minutes had passed when her friend came back again. The book hung in Ellen's hand; her eyes were fixed on the floor. "Well," he said, kindly, and taking her hand, "what's your decision?" Ellen looked up. "Have you made up your mind on that matter we were talking about?" "Yes, Sir," Ellen said, in a low voice, casting her eyes down again. "And how have you decided, my child?" "I will try to do as you said, Sir." "You will begin to follow your Saviour, and to please him, from this day forward?" "I will try, Sir," said Ellen, meeting his eyes as she spoke. Again the look she saw made her burst into tears. She wept violently. "God bless you, and help you, my dear Ellen!" said he, gently passing his hand over her head; — "but do not cry any more — you have shed too many tears this morning already. We will not talk about this any more now."