>>14478054The congregation was small, but prayer was always offered. The Rev. Mr. Smith preached on religious topics frequently, and the children learned to listen attentively. One day, as the Rev. Mr. Smith was speaking, a small boy stood up from his seat and walked up to the pulpit. The Rev. Mr. Smith asked him to come up, and the boy leaned over the rail. The Rev. Mr. Smith said, "Son, I'm sorry to tell you this, but you're going to die." The boy looked up at the Rev. Mr. Smith in confusion. "I don't understand," he said. "I'm sorry, but you're going to die." The Rev. Mr. Smith took a deep breath and continued. "You see, son, when you die, you're going to be in a coffin. And in the coffin, you're going to come out and die." The boy's eyes widened in fear. "But why?" he asked. "Because your mother died when you were born, and so your soul will go to heaven." The Rev. Mr. Smith paused and looked the boy in the face. "And that's the best thing that could happen to you."
