A young lady who had been taught better things, was arrayed in the garb of fashion, and ready for the amusement of the ballroom. As she stood at the glass, arranging the last rose amid her clustered locks, she hastily turned round and said to her mother, “Why, what makes you look so sad? What is the matter? Come, do not be sad any more; put this rose in my hair, and see how pretty it will look.” Her mother kissed her cheek, and as she bade her goodnight, whispered, “Can you ask God’s blessing on the dance, Elizabeth?” The gay, thoughtless girl gave her a quick, earnest look, and hurried down the steps. At an earlier hour than was expected, Elizabeth’s voice was heard at the door. Her mother was upstairs, and when she went down to meet her, found she had retired to her room, where she was heard earnestly praying, “Hear my prayer, Oh Lord, I beseech Thee, and let my cry come before Thee.” Her mother entered her room and welcomed her home. “Yes,” said she, “I have got home. In that bewildered ballroom I danced with the merriest, and laughed with the loudest, but there was an arrow here,” pressing her heart. “God’s blessing on the dance! Those words rang in my ears at every turn. Oh, if God would forgive the past, if He will yet receive me, I will turn my back on all this gilded folly, and lay upon His altar what I once promised to lay there — my whole heart.” They kneeled together, and asked God to strengthen the resolution then made in His name. Prayer was heard, for among the group of lowly disciples who keep near their Lord, walking in His footsteps, and bearing His Cross, few were more humble, meek, modest, consistent, and devoted, than the once gay and thoughtless subject of this stirring and pleasing anecdote.
Christian Treasury