# XLVII: Susie Winthrop explained — Barriers Burned Away

> Chapter companion for Barriers Burned Away by Edward Payson Roe.

## What happens

Christine learns of her father's death in the fire and grieves deeply, while Dennis comforts her with Christian faith. They reconcile misunderstandings about past neglect, and Susie Winthrop's haunting song interrupts them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Doubt

Christine's faith is tested by her father's death, but she clings to Christian hope and prayer, while Dennis offers scriptural comfort.

### Love and Sacrifice

Dennis's selfless rescue and comfort of Christine, and Christine's longing to prove her love to her father, highlight sacrificial love.

## Character check-ins

### Christine Ludolph

Grieves her father's death, expresses newfound faith, and reconciles with Dennis over past misunderstandings.

### Dennis Fleet

Comforts Christine, reveals her father's death, and learns of her unfulfilled attempts to visit his mother.

### Miss Winthrop

Her mournful singing interrupts Dennis and Christine's conversation.

## Key lines

> cried, in a tone of anguish that he could never forget, "you will never, never know. All day I have been longing to prove to you the truth of Christianity by my loving, patient tenderness, but you have died, and will never know," she moaned, shudderingly.

Christine sobbed that she had hoped to show her father the truth of Christianity through her kindness, but now he would never see it.

_Christine's grief over her father's death and her desire to demonstrate her faith to him._

> He still held her hand⁠—indeed she clung to his as to something that might help sustain her in the dark, bitter hour.

She held Dennis's hand tightly, seeking support in her moment of despair.

_Physical and emotional reliance on Dennis during her mourning._

> My little beginning of faith is sorely tried. Heavenly Spirit," she cried, "guide me through this darkness, and let not doubt and unbelief cloud my mind again.

Christine prayed for the Holy Spirit to lead her through her trial and protect her from doubt.

_Her plea for spiritual strength amid sorrow._

> How unspeakably comforting is such sympathy, both human and divine!

Christine reflects on the profound comfort of receiving sympathy from both God and a fellow human.

_Appreciation for shared suffering and divine compassion._

> I fear I have done you a great wrong. A little time before my mother died, she wrote you a line saying that she was dying and would like to see you. I did not know you could not come⁠—I thought you would not.

Dennis admits he wrongly assumed Christine had ignored his mother's dying wish to see her.

_Misunderstanding resolved: Christine never received the note._

> Crimson with shame and humiliation, Christine buried her burning cheeks in her hands and murmured, "I never received it."

Christine blushed deeply with shame, hiding her face as she explained she never got the message.

_Her embarrassment and the revelation of a servant's betrayal._

> a wild, sweet, mournful voice was heard singing: "O fiery storm, wilt never cease? Thy burning hail falls on my heart; Bury me deep, that I in peace May rest where death no more can part."

A hauntingly beautiful voice sang a lament about the endless fire and a desire for peaceful death.

_Susie Winthrop's song interrupts the scene, adding a mournful atmosphere._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters/xlvii-susie-winthrop
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barriers_burned_away_se/chapters