“Perkins. A new valet?”
“Yes. Halsberg retired to go live with his daughter.”
It was remarkable how much better his father was breathing. Nick silently thanked God for the improvement.
“I read my Bible on the long journey here from Oswego. That was where I left my ship and caught the train to Boston.” Nick held up his Bible. “I brought it now in case you wanted me to read to you.” He had no idea what his father’s standing with God was, but it was weighing on Nick’s heart.
“I’m glad you did, for I have a question. That minister who preaches at the church your mother and I once attended told me I had but to believe in Jesus as Lord and I would be saved. That seems much too simple, since the Bible says that even demons believe and tremble.”
“Romans ten, verse nine tells us, ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’ The demons may well believe in His existence, but they do not confess him as Lord. They have no honor for Him whatsoever. They mock and despise our Savior.”
“As I once did,” his father said in a tone that revealed his sorrow.
“But you no longer feel that way, do you?”
His father met his gaze. “No. I want to be saved by the Lord. I won’t lie. Dying is a fearful and lonely process. I dread this journey without God.”
“As well we should.” Nick smiled. “But confess Him with your mouth and believe that He has overcome death, and through Him you will also overcome eternal death.”
“I profess that here and now. He is Lord and my Savior.” Nick’s father sat up a little straighter against the pillows. He looked at Nick in confidence. “I seek His forgiveness ... and yours.” He eased back, eyes closed, and for several seconds neither spoke. Finally, his father nodded. “I am at peace. The fear has left me.”
Tears came to Nick’s eyes. “There is no fear in His perfect love.”
“It seems I remember a verse about no condemnation.”
Nick nodded and opened his Bible to Romans, chapter eight. “‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’”
“No condemnation,” his father repeated.
“No condemnation,” Nick said again, and then it struck him. ThePolaris. The men he’d lost. There was no condemnation. Tears came to his eyes as he looked at his father. Father was watching him, as if waiting for him to understand. He gave a nod. “No condemnation.”
Frederick Clark passed away peacefully later that night. When Nick was told the next morning of his father’s death, he weptfor his own loss and rejoiced for God’s gain. He also thanked God for the mercy of reconciliation that had set his own heart free from the terrible burden he had borne for over ten years. Not to mention the guilt associated with thePolaris. For the first time, he felt he could finally lay those souls to rest.
Mrs. Schmitt found him on his knees beside his father’s bed, offering praise and thanksgiving for the things God had done. She joined him on knees that were much too old to kneel, but she did so in love for her Savior.
They took turns praying aloud, and when they finally finished, one of the maids gave a soft knock on the door.
“Sir, your sisters and their husbands have come.”
Chapter 20
The day after the funeral, Nick sat down with his father’s lawyer, who’d invited Nick and his sisters to a brief meeting that their father had set up prior to his death. Nick sat across from his sisters, each with her husband at her side. He had little interest in the reading of his father’s will. It delighted him merely to know that they had been reconciled. If the lawyer would only hurry, Nick could catch a train to Oswego that afternoon and hopefully meet up with theMary Eliseback from Toronto.
“The will is fairly simple,” the lawyer began. “There are provisions left for each of Mr. Frederick Clark’s children, with the bulk of his estate going to his son, Nicodemus Clark. Each of you were provided with details of what your inheritance is to be. Are there any questions?” He looked to each one of them.
Nick cleared his throat. “I don’t have questions, but I do have directions. You and I talked in some length about this directly after the funeral. I want my sisters each to receive one of my father’s textile mills. Their husbands are already managing these, and it seems only fitting that they become the owners.” He hadalready told his sisters, so there was no surprise here, just a desire to make it legal.
“I’ve taken care of the transfer of deed, and you have but to sign these papers,” the lawyer said, holding up two stacks of documents.
“We’ve also discussed the house and wish it to be sold, with the revenues being split three ways.”
The lawyer nodded. “I will see to it.”
“You’re more than generous with us, Nick,” Deborah declared. “Thank you for being so kind.”
“It’s only right. I think our father knew your husbands were successful enough to keep you in good order, but I see nothing wrong with settling this on you. You remained faithful to our father when I did not. I want no bad blood ever to rise between us.”
“Of course not.” Deborah looked to her husband, and he nodded with a smile.
