I thought he should at least not lose his father, and that if he grew up far away from the world he would be spared all the sorrow that it had so profusely heaped upon me, I would have brought him up fit for Heaven, and yet through a life devoid of suffering.

And now--and now?
If he is miserable it will be through me, and added to all my other troubles comes this grief." "You have sought out the way for him," interrupted Paulus, "and the rest will be sure to come; he loves you and will certainly not leave you so long as you are suffering." "Certainly not ?" asked the sick man sadly.

"And what weapons has he to fight through life with ?" "You gave him the Saviour for a guide; that is enough," said Paulus soothingly.

"There is no smooth road from earth to Heaven, and none can win salvation for another." Stephanus was silent for a long time, then he said: "It is not even allowed to a father to earn the wretched experience of life for his son, or to a teacher for his pupil.

We may point out the goal, but the way thither is by a different road for each of us." "And we may thank God for that," cried Paulus.