"
"O! yes, my mother," replied Woodward, "and I grant it; at least she was
so, and acted upon worldly principles; but I think you will admit, at
least as Christians you must, that the hour of change and regret may
come to every human heart when its errors, and its selfishness, if you
will, have been clearly and mildly pointed out. I do not attribute the
change that has happily taken place in my dear mother to myself, but to
a higher power; although I must admit, as I do with all humility, that
I wrought earnestly, in season and out of season, since my return, to
bring it about; and, thank heaven, I have succeeded. I come this day
as a messenger of peace, to state that she is willing that the families
should be reconciled, and a happier and more lasting union effected
between them."
"I am delighted to hear it, Mr. Woodward," said Goodwin, much moved;
"God knows I am. Blessed be the peace-maker, and you are he; an easy
conscience and a light heart must be your reward."
"They must," added his wife, wiping her eyes; "they must and they will."
"Alas!" proceeded Woodward, "how far from Gospel purity is every human
motive when it comes to be tried by the Word! I will not conceal from
you the state of my heart, nor deny that in accomplishing this thing it
was influenced by a certain selfish feeling on my part; in one sense
a disinterested selfishness I admit, but in another a selfishness that
involves my own happiness.
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