The Pastor's Daughter

The Way of Salvation Explained to His Daughter by Rev. Edward Payson- a book written by Louisa Payson Hopkins

This is a great book to read to children. It is beautiful to see God work His grace upon the heart of young girl through His Spirit and His truth. It is a much better portrayal of salvation than the watered down, incomplete ABC version that is given at many VBSs.

In one chapter, Papa discusses friendship with Maria. He helps Maria to ponder upon how lovely it would be to have the "perfect" friend. He then admonishes her with this:

"My dear child, I want you to look at the character of Christ- to study it. Think, first of all, the perfections you imagine to exist- think of infinite wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, faithfulness, truth and love- add one after another of these perfections, till they all blend and unite in one harmonious whole, blazing with a lustre so resplendent and dazzling, that not only men but angels must veil their faces before it- a lustre compared with which the sun is dark , and the highest created excellence, deformity. Look at this Being- is he not awful, glorious, lovely? Yes, you might love Him and reverence Him and admire Him but He could never be your friend. How could such a Being sympathize with human infirmities and sorrows? But He veils himself in flesh; He takes upon Himself human nature; He unites all the glories of divinity, all that is lovely and excellent in humanity- the infinite God united to a perfect man. Now, He can understand your wants and sorrows, for He has felt them; He comes to you with all the majesty of a God, and all the sympathizing tenderness of a brother, and offers to be your friend. Maria, will you open your heart to Him? Maria would not reply, she could not, but her tears and sobs told how deeply she was affected. Her father sighed to remember how often her tears had flowed without effect, and silently prayed that this might prove to be a sincere repentance."

To be continued. . .