,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,new original cover art included with this e,book is granted to the public domain4 ,illustration3 ,the ,wet ,sunday4 ,,the ,,widow ,,davis ,,and ,,the ,,young ,,milliners ,a ,story for ,young ,ladies4 ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of ,,the ,,mother',s ,,mission1 ,,the ,,object ,,of ,,life1 ,,etc4 ,,lucy ,,ellen ,,guernsey ,illustration ,,three ,,illustrations4 ,illustration ,,new ,,york3 ,,nelson ,,phillips4 ,,cincinnati3 ,,hitchcock ,,walden4 ,,contents4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,i4 ,,sunday ,,afternoon ,,at ,,the ,,davis ,,cottage ,,ii4 ,,jane ,,saunders ,,seeking ,,light ,,iii4 ,,obstinate ,,ellen ,,iv4 ,,brighter ,,days ,illustration ,illustrations4 ,illustration ,,the ,,wet ,,sunday ,,jane ,,saunders ,,the ,,young ,,milliners ,,the ,,widow ,,davis ,,and ,,the ,,young ,,milliners4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,i4 ,,sunday ,,afternoon ,,at ,,the ,,davis ,,cottage4 ,,mrs4 ,,davis had once filled the situation of assistant teacher in a school1 where she had profited by opportunities of instruction2 but after a period of prosperity1 a succession of trials and losses1 followed by widowhood and broken health1 had reduced her to extreme poverty4 ,subsequently her only child1 ,mary1 having1 through the kindness of friends1 been instructed in the various branches of the millinery and dress-making business1 was able to afford material help to her mother1 in the little income she earned1 and on which they lived in contented obscurity4 ,mary ,davis was employed at the establishment of the chief milliner and dressmaker in her native town1 where her steady attendance and never failing industry were greatly valued1 and where tolerable regularity in the hours of labor1 and an hour snatched from rest1 either in the morning or evening1 at home1 enabled her to minister in many ways to her mother's personal comfort4 ,sunday was ,mary's happiest day2 a portion of it was spent in the public worship of ,god1 and the study of his word2 a portion in instructing others at the ,sunday school2 and the remainder in enjoyment of her mother's society4 ,but very different were the ,sunday enjoyments of ,mary's young companions at ,miss ,baylis's1 some of whom had homes in the town1 and some lived in the house of business2 and ,mrs4 ,davis heard with pain and regret of their plans for amusement and pleasure on the ,lord's day1 which they considered entirely their own4 ,displays of finery1 and meetings for revelry and gossip1 after the six days' restraints of duty1 constituted their chief idea of enjoyment1 as if the cessation of bodily toil implied also the waste of precious time1 the misapplication of other talents1 and total neglect of the immortal soul4 ,no longer able1 through infirm health1 to prosecute her labor of love in the ,sunday school1 or the district1 ,mrs4 ,davis applied her heart and mind1 with prayerful interest1 to the condition of these thoughtless young people1 and watched in anxious hope for some opportunity of usefulness in their behalf4 ,they were her daughter's companions necessarily for six days every week2 they were immortal creatures2 and they were living not only without ,god in the world1 but in open rebellion against his authority1 and rejection of his love4 ,this was enough to enlist the active efforts of a practical ,christian4 ,she began with a wet ,sunday afternoon4 ,among the smaller miseries of human life1 first in the catalogue of the milliner's apprentice1 the shopman or shopwoman1 and indeed of all employed in weekly labor1 whose hearts have not found peace in ,him who prepareth rain for the earth1 giveth snow like wool1 and causeth the wind to blow1 stands a wet ,sunday afternoon4 ,vain were it to attempt an enumeration of its powers to disappoint1 to cross and irritate those whose minds are set upon self-indulgence in one form or another1 from the tradesman1 intent upon his drive1 to the little servant maid whose turn is the ,sunday out4 ,rain again1 mother1 said ,mary ,davis1 as she prepared for church one ,sunday morning2 how disappointed two of our new workwomen will be1 for they have talked of nothing all the week but a pleasure trip this afternoon4 ,do you think they would come here instead8 asked her mother4 ,perhaps1 as they have not been long enough in the town to have made many acquaintances1 they might be glad of an invitation1 rather than remain in their own room4 ,mary shook her head2 she did not think it probable that two such gay and dressy girls as ,jane and ,ellen ,saunders would like to come to her quiet home1 but she would be passing the house1 and could call to ask them2 this1 on her return from church1 she did4 ,she found the sisters sitting at the window1 with most uncomfortable tempers and discontented faces1 looking out upon the dirty street and the falling rain1 making remarks upon every person who passed by1 who afforded any possible subject for their ridicule and criticism of dress or manner4 ,why1 ,mary ,davis1 exclaimed ,jane1 as ,mary entered the room1 who would have thought of seeing you here to-day8 ,are you come to sit with us1 and help us to get over this miserable day some how or other8 ,i'm sure ,i don't know what to do with myself4 99 99 ,see ,frontispiece4 ,mary delivered her mother's message1 and observed with pleasure that ,jane's countenance brightened up from its dull1 heavy expression of idleness and ill-temper1 though ,ellen still looked as sulky as before4 ,i'm sure it's very kind of your mother1 and of you too1 ,mary1 to think of us1 and to come in all this rain to ask us1 said ,jane4 ,you need not praise my kindness1 said ,mary1 smiling1 for ,i have only called on my way from church4 ,what1 have you been to church such a morning as this8 ,you are wonderfully good ,i'm sure1 and don't care about your clothes as much as ,i do4 ,my cloak and boots are water-proof1 you know2 but ,i must not stay1 so what shall ,i tell my mother8 ,that ,i shall be very glad to come1 very glad indeed1 won't you1 ,ellen8 ,i--,i really don't know1 stammered ,ellen2 perhaps it may clear up yet4 ,o no1 ,i don't believe it will2 there isn't a gleam of sunshine or a bit of blue sky to be seen4 ,i give it up altogether for to-day1 and you wouldn't be so ill-natured as to go without me1 even if the weather should get a little better4 ,there was no knowing exactly what ill-natured thing ,ellen might not have been meditating1 if her countenance at all indicated her feelings4 ,well1 said she at last1 ,i'm much obliged to you1 ,mary1 but ,i don't think ,i shall like to go out at all4 ,i will come1 said ,jane1 cheerfully2 what time shall ,i be at your house8 ,as early as you please1 replied ,mary4 ,i shall not be at home from my ,sunday school class till between four and five1 but my mother will be very glad to see you2 and away tripped ,mary over the mud1 and through the rain to her frugal dinner at home1 before attending the ,sunday school1 where she taught a class of little children1 few of whom would probably be present that day4 ,i wonder at you1 ,jane1 said ,ellen scornfully1 as soon as the sisters were alone2 why you will have a duller afternoon than sitting here looking out of our window2 and somebody might happen to come that would cheer us up a little2 but at ,mrs4 ,davis's1 in that stupid dull lane1 what in the world is there to see8 ,besides1 you will get wet in going4 ,o but ,i need not put on anything very nice to go there1 you know2 and it will be a change1 for ,i really am tired of sitting here4 ,i like ,mary too2 and as she is no gossip1 she has not asked us to come for the sake of amusing herself1 but because she knew we must be disappointed of going where we liked2 and ,i call that kind4 ,i don't believe she is sorry we are disappointed though1 said ,ellen2 you know she is rather religious1 and ,i dare say her mother is as stiff as buckram1 and does nothing but read the ,bible1 and sing psalms2 or perhaps she will give you a lecture4 ,poor ,jane1 how you will repent going within her reach6 ,and ,ellen laughed satirically at the idea of her sister's mortification under the lecture of her religious hostess4 ,for shame1 ,ellen1 said ,jane1 half vexed and half laughing2 what right have you to object to her reading the ,bible and singing psalms if it makes her comfortable8 ,what else have old people to do8 ,enjoyment is all over for them2 and if they can get up something to pass away their time1 and make them easy about death1 ,i'm sure ,i think it is a great mercy for them4 ,besides1 it is ,sunday you know and a little religion once a week is only proper for everybody1 ,i suppose4 ,well1 then1 retorted ,ellen1 why did you not go to church this morning1 instead of grumbling here with me8 ,because1 replied ,jane1 with honesty1 ,i did not like to spoil my best things1 and ,i did not choose to go in shabby ones4 ,i can tell you1 ,i envied ,mary that comfortable cloak1 that we laughed at her for buying1 instead of having a pretty fancy mantle like ours4 ,she thought of the wet days1 we only of the fine ones4 ,i do hate wet ,sundays1 exclaimed ,ellen passionately2 ,i can't think what they are made for1 except it is to disappoint people who work hard all the week and have no other day to enjoy themselves in4 ,jane looked at her sister with mingled surprise and compassion4 ,she had quite recovered from her own annoyance1 and had never seen ,ellen so thoroughly out of temper on the subject before2 and she justly feared that something more was involved in the disappointment than she was at present aware of4 ,will it be of any use for me to stay at home with you1 ,ellen8 said she1 kindly4 ,i forgot when ,i accepted ,mary's invitation1 that you would be alone4 ,o dear no1 go by all means1 and see how you like the old woman's lecture4 ,i dare say ,i shall hit upon some way to amuse myself by and by4 ,when ,mary reached home in the afternoon1 she found ,jane seated there1 without any trace of weariness or discontent visible on her bright face4 ,she knew something of her mother's powers to attract and interest1 and was not surprised when ,jane1 turning round to notice her entrance1 exclaimed playfully1 ,i can't talk to you yet1 ,mary2 ,i must hear the end of what your mother is telling me first4 ,are you wet1 dear8 asked the mother1 as ,mary threw off her cloak4 ,scarcely at all1 mother1 thank you2 ,i am so glad ,i had this useful cloak4 ,ah1 ,mrs4 ,davis1 said ,jane1 ,mary is a sensible girl2 who knows it is not all sunshine in this world1 and we could not persuade her to buy a thing that would not stand a shower4 ,i do not like to see people in distress about spoiling their clothes1 if it is right for them to be exposed to the risk of getting wet1 said ,mrs4 ,davis2 and if we cannot afford to purchase for all kinds of weather1 it is wisest to get such as will not be greatly injured by any weather4 ,very true2 but you see1 ,mrs4 ,davis1 ours is a dangerous kind of business for economy of that sort4 ,we are engaged in making pretty things1 and setting people off to the best advantage2 and it is very natural to like to do the same for ourselves when we get an opportunity4 ,but ,i do confess that often when we have been tempted to spend our money on what is elegant1 we are obliged afterward to feel the want of what is useful4 ,you speak very candidly1 said ,mrs4 ,davis1 smiling kindly2 will you forgive me for asking why the good sense1 or the experience which has taught you that you are liable to such temptation1 does not carry you one step further1 and cause you to resist it8 ,ah1 that is just what ,i should like to know1 said ,jane4 ,here is your good ,mary who never yields to such temptations1 nor covets any of the beautiful things we make up1 though they would look as well upon her as on the people who are to wear them4 ,what is the reason of it8 ,i hate a weak mind that has always to be troubled with repentance after the mischief is done4 ,is not the great safeguard against that unhappy consequence found in acting always from steady principle1 instead of being led by changeable feelings8 asked ,mrs4 ,davis4 ,i dare say it is4 ,and ,mary has a steady principle1 then4 ,o do not quote me1 ,jane1 interrupted ,mary4 ,you do not know how it would have been with me if ,i had not a mother1 a dear ,christian mother1 she added affectionately4 ,and a wiser and higher guide in the counsel and control of the ,spirit of ,god1 said ,mrs4 ,davis4 ,dear1 dear1 how calmly you speak of such awful things6 said ,jane1 somewhat alarmed1 for she remembered her sister's warning about a lecture1 and thought it must be coming now4 ,and why should we not speak calmly1 and thankfully too1 of truths that are intended to give peace to our hearts1 and consistency to our conduct8 ,you wished to know what would enable any one to resist temptation1 did you not1 my dear8 ,yes1 but--but ,i did not know that it belonged to religion2 ,i thought you said something about principle4 ,so ,i did4 ,i have no idea of any real1 strong1 trustworthy principle which does not spring from true religion4 ,i do not mean the dull1 formal1 heartless profession which some are satisfied to call religion2 but ,i mean the sweet and happy pleasure of acting out in all we do the love with which a living faith in the work and mercy of a most precious ,saviour fills our hearts4 ,but ,i see ,mary has made tea1 and by and by1 if you please1 you shall help us to read an interesting account of one who was ruled by this principle1 and it will show my meaning better than my own words can do it4 ,when ,jane reached home at dusk that evening ,ellen was absent2 but her arrival at the last moment allowed by the rules of the house1 and in the highest possible spirits1 convinced her sister that she had1 according to her own predictions1 hit upon some way to amuse herself4 ,o ,jane1 she began1 what a pity you went out so early6 ,do you know that good-natured ,fannie ,ashton sent her little brother to say that her father and mother were going out1 and she wished us to come and have tea with her1 for she was obliged to stay at home to mind the little ones4 ,so of course ,i went1 and we have had such fun4 ,you and ,fanny and the little ones8 said ,jane1 inquiringly4 ,well1 there was just another or two2 and ,henry ,ashton brought in a companion with him to tea1 so we were a merry party4 ,fanny said she ought to enjoy herself if she had to keep house1 and she gave the children cakes and sugar-plums to keep them in good humor1 and got them off to bed as soon as she could1 and then we did enjoy ourselves till ,i was obliged to come away4 ,they all laughed about your going to ,mary ,davis2 and ,fanny said you would be sure not to be caught so again4 ,did you get the lecture ,i promised you8 ,no1 indeed1 said ,jane2 and ,i don't know that there was anything to laugh at4 ,i have had a very pleasant afternoon1 and ,mrs4 ,davis is such a nice kind person1 her manners and mind are quite like a lady's1 though she is not very well off now1 ,i suppose4 ,i was so glad when she asked me to go whenever ,i like on a ,sunday afternoon2 and ,i shall very often like1 let who may laugh at it4 ,on wet ,sundays1 ,i suppose1 said ,ellen2 but of course you will not go and mope there on fine ones4 ,we are to go next ,sunday the excursion planned for to-day2 and our party will have some other pleasant people ,i can promise you4 ,ah1 ,ellen1 take care4 ,you know uncle said you were too fond of company and new acquaintances4 ,well1 do you think he would be pleased with your prim ,mrs4 ,davis and her daughter8 ,does he not wish us to associate with people above us1 rather than below us8 ,so take care for yourself1 ,jane1 and don't suppose that you need to watch over me4 ,but you must come with me to ,mary's some day1 said ,jane1 and judge for yourself4 ,you cannot help liking ,mrs4 ,davis1 ,i'm sure4 ,and do you know she actually read such a pretty story1 and you thought she read nothing but the ,bible4 ,now ,i know there were bits of the ,bible in the book1 weren't there1 ,jane8 asked ,ellen1 laughing4 ,else you would never have got the story3 ,i shan't let her choose stories for me4 ,it was all very good1 wherever it came from1 said ,jane1 and quite fit for ,sunday1 though interesting enough for other days4 ,i shall go and hear some more of it next ,sunday2 so1 good-night4 ,jane and ,ellen ,saunders were orphans1 left to the care of a respectable1 kind-hearted uncle1 who had given them as much of education as he considered suitable to their prospects in life1 and had promised that after they had obtained sufficient experience in the business to which they had been apprenticed1 he would set them up in a small establishment for themselves4 ,in the mean time they were to be employed by the ,misses ,baylis1 whose extensive connection furnished opportunity for acquiring that further experience4 ,the following ,sunday proving again showery and dull1 found ,jane the willing companion of ,mary ,davis1 while ,ellen still preferred to wear out her temper and patience at the window1 in anxious hope that some congenial friend would take compassion on her solitude4 ,this happened at last1 for the excursion having been again deferred1 ,fanny ,ashton1 with her brother and his friend1 called to invite her to a walk toward some public gardens1 where they could take tea1 and find shelter if so inclined4 ,it never struck the vain and foolish girl to observe how her company served the design of ,fanny ,ashton1 by occupying the attentions of the brother1 under whose protection she left home1 while she herself appropriated those of his flattering friend4 ,nor did ,ellen pause to reflect1 that had ,henry ,ashton been sincere in his professions of regard1 such scenes of ,sabbath-breaking revelry as some of those which he occasionally permitted her to witness or overhear1 were not just those to which feelings of respect and a sense of propriety would have introduced her4 ,jane found her kind friends as agreeable as before1 and soon became a regular and welcome visitor at the cottage4 ,by a natural and easy transition from opinion or opposition to decision and proof1 ,mrs4 ,davis gradually led the attention of the ignorant girl to the great standard of truth1 and stimulated her interest by occasionally calling upon ,mary to name the chapter and verse in which the desired reference occurred2 and as ,mary had learned ,scripture from her childhood1 she served the purpose of a concordance to the astonished ,jane4 ,dear ,mary1 ,i never knew anything like your memory1 she exclaimed one evening2 ,i wish ,i could remember where to find what ,i want in the ,bible as you do4 ,that is to be done by practice1 said ,mrs4 ,davis2 and if you will not think it too childish1 suppose ,i ask you to learn a text for me every week4 ,say it over to yourself each day1 and you will certainly know it by ,sunday4 ,i'm sure ,i have no objection if it will please you1 said ,jane2 you are the first person who ever made me think there was anything interesting in the ,bible1 excepting to old people who are going to die soon4 ,you are not old yet you know1 she added quickly4 ,i have no objection to be classed with old people1 ,i assure you1 said ,mrs4 ,davis1 smiling1 if it is one of their privileges to find the ,bible their dearest consolation2 but do not young people die sometimes8 ,perhaps they do2 but then one does not expect that they should1 you know4 ,but since it does often happen1 is it not wise to be prepared at any time for that which must come some time8 ,i dare say you are quite right1 but it is so melancholy to be thinking about death2 and while we are well ,i don't think it can be necessary3 there is no need to meet trouble half way1 is there8 ,it is only melancholy to those who do not know of a ,friend in heaven1 with whom to be present is far better than any earthly pleasure4 ,my father and mother and two little brothers are in heaven1 said ,jane1 but that does not make me wish to go there yet4 ,but have you a ,saviour in heaven an advocate with the ,father1 who has 'washed you from your sins in his own blood1' who represents you1 pleads for you1 loves you with an everlasting love1 for whose sake you will be welcome to all the happiness and honor of his presence and kingdom8 ,ah1 ,mrs4 ,davis1 who can tell that8 ,all who walk and live by faith in the ,son of ,god1 dear ,jane1 can tell that4 ,then ,i have no faith1 for ,i know nothing about such things2 and if they make one wish to die1 ,i don't want to know them yet4 ,it is not necessary to wish to die2 but it is most comforting to know and feel that which would take away the sting of death1 if it pleased ,god to cut short our term of life4 ,but the very same faith and love which would rejoice to depart and be with ,christ1 also enables ,god's people to live in content and happiness on earth as long as he sees good to spare them4 ,do you wish to die8 asked ,jane1 abruptly4 ,not now1 dear4 ,but ,i did wish it once when ,i had some severe trials2 ,i used to say with ,david1 ',oh that ,i had wings like a dove6 for then would ,i fly away1 and be at rest 4 4 4 ,i would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest4' ,but it was wrong1 and ,i know now that in heaven1 where there is no sorrow1 or sighing1 or sin1 we cannot glorify ,god in the way that we may here amid the trials and temptations of life4 ,but1 exclaimed ,jane1 with the perversity of the natural heart1 ,i should not wish to live if ,i thought ,i must have trials and miseries in this world4 ,then1 dear girl1 do you not perceive how desirable is that divine grace which so overcomes the self-will and the selfishness of our sinful nature1 as to make us submissive and patient under all ,god's dealings8 ,you know you must submit after all1 for who can successfully resist his will8 ,but to trust his love1 like an affectionate1 obedient child who knows that he 'doth not willingly afflict1' is peace1 most precious peace1 and the secret of true happiness4 ,ah1 thought ,jane1 ,i am afraid ,ellen would say ,i am getting the lecture now4 ,but1 said she1 if ,i wished to feel as you say1 ,mrs4 ,davis1 how can ,i be made to do so8 ,is it not very hard and difficult1 and should ,i not be obliged to give up a great many things that ,i like8 ,the ,bible does not say so1 and ,i never heard any true child of ,god say so4 ,the message of the ,gospel is not a command to give up anything1 or to be or do anything1 of ourselves2 it is just an invitation to receive something4 ,it offers to lost sinners a ,saviour1 in whom ,god has provided every blessing1 every gift1 every supply of which we stand in need4 ,but1 ,mrs4 ,davis1 am ,i such a sinner as that--a lost sinner8 ,i'm sure ,i don't wish to sin2 it is such a strong1 disagreeable name to call people who do nothing very bad4 ,do you love the ,lord ,god with all your heart1 and mind1 and soul1 and strength8 ,and do you love your neighbor as yourself8 ,no1 ,i can't say that ,i do1 replied ,jane1 coloring2 but then ,i have never done any harm to anybody that ,i know of4 ,but ,god's holy law demands that some thing must be done that is right1 as well as nothing done that is wrong2 so if you have failed at all1 you are a sinner1 and must not expect to escape the displeasure of an offended ,god1 who sees only two classes of human character--saved believers and lost sinners4 ,you are able to judge for yourself whether you have cast yourself1 with all your sins and weakness1 on the love and pity of the great ,redeemer1 who came to seek and to save that which is lost2 or whether you are hoping to need no mercy1 and get to heaven some other way4 ,you read this evening what ,scripture says of the people who do that in the tenth chapter of ,john's ,gospel4 ,but what do you mean1 ,mrs4 ,davis8 ,you say we must obey ,god's law1 and yet that no one does obey it2 how1 then1 can any one be saved8 ,this is just the inquiry ,i like to hear you make1 dear ,jane4 ,it takes your attention at once to an answer in the life and death1 the love and power of the ,son of ,god1 who died for our sins1 and rose again for our justification4 ,the law man could not keep with his evil heart1 ,jesus kept and perfectly fulfilled2 in place of the punishment man deserved1 and could never have escaped from1 ,jesus offered his own sufferings and death for every sinner who believes in him2 and all who will not trust him entirely must bear the consequences of their unbelief1 'for there is none other name under heaven given among men1 whereby we must be saved4' ,then it does not matter whether ,i obey ,god or not if ,christ has died for me1 does it8 ,you must first be satisfied that the benefits of his death are made yours by faith personally4 ,do you think you could know positively that a friend had endured some dreadful suffering and disgrace that you might be spared1 and not love that friend1 and feel very deeply grateful for his love to you8 ,no1 indeed2 ,i hope not1 ,i think not4 ,and could you willfully grieve and disobey one whom you love1 and take pleasure in what he disapproves and caused his sufferings8 ,o ,mrs4 ,davis1 ,i see what you mean now4 ,yes1 dear ,jane1 you see the tender bond by which true believers in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ are bound to obey his will1 and to follow his steps4 ,his love constrains them4 ,they no longer wish to live unto themselves1 but into him who died for them4 ,then ,i must believe first1 ,i suppose8 ,it seems easy enough to do that4 ,it would appear that the apostle ,paul did not think so1 when he wrote that 'the natural man discerneth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god4' ,saying ',i believe1' is not believing4 ,true faith is the gift of ,god4 ,his ,spirit takes of the things of ,jesus1 and shows them to the sinner's heart4 ,it is a lesson beyond human teaching1 dear ,jane1 but one which ,god the ,holy ,spirit teaches successfully1 where he teaches at all1 and which we are too far fallen to learn of ourselves4 ,the very desire to learn of him is his work2 and if you would believe in ,jesus to the salvation of your soul1 ask for the blessing1 and you cannot be denied4 ,jane remained silent and thoughtful1 looking into the fire for some time1 and then suddenly asked for the text she had promised to learn4 ,take the twenty-third verse of the sixth chapter of the ,epistle to ,romans first1 said ,mrs4 ,davis4 ',the wages of sin is death4' ,is that enough to make you feel happy all the week1 ,jane8 ,no1 said ,jane1 with a slight touch of sadness in her voice1 give me some other2 ,i told you ,i did not want to think about death yet4 ,then learn the whole verse4 ',the wages of sin is death2 but the gift of ,god is eternal life through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4' ,does it say that really8 ,and ,jane seized the book to satisfy herself that it did indeed say so4 ,she was not forgotten that night in the affectionate prayers of her faithful friends4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,jane ,,saunders ,,seeking ,,light4 ,,one morning in the ensuing week1 as the young people were busily engaged upon some elegant dresses for a ball about to be given in the neighborhood1 ,miss ,baylis hastily entered the room with a roll of black crape in her hands4 ,young ladies1 said she1 in a voice somewhat agitated1 ,i am sure you will be sorry to hear that the ball-dress for ,miss ,m4 is no longer needed2 she died last night after a very short illness4 ,the work fell from every hand1 and looks of astonishment and regret overspread every countenance4 ,dear1 how awful6 exclaimed one4 ,and she was here only the other day1 looking so well and happy4 ,it is quite a warning to us all1 ,i'm sure1 said ,miss ,baylis2 she had everything to make her happy1 and was only just come out too4 ,poor thing6 ,it is very sad indeed4 ,pray put away those flowers and ribbons that she was going to wear1 ,i cannot bear to see you do another stitch at that ball-dress2 and here1 ,miss ,davis1 begin immediately to cut out crape bonnets and mantles for poor ,mrs4 ,m4 and the little sisters4 ,this will throw several families into mourning1 and ,i'm afraid we shall have a great deal to do in a very short time4 ,and1 with a few further directions1 ,miss ,baylis disappeared4 ,it was not possible for kind-hearted girls1 however thoughtless1 to hear with indifference of the sudden removal of one who had so lately stood among them1 giving her orders for this ball-dress with the greatest interest and satisfaction4 ,they remembered how they had admired her beauty1 and envied her rank and station in life2 how affably she had spoken to them1 and how they had watched her graceful figure as she remounted the beautiful horse1 which she told ,miss ,baylis was a birthday gift from her father the day before2 and how she had glanced up toward their window1 with consciousness that the eyes of some six or eight young people about her own age were earnestly and admiringly regarding her4 ,and now--ah1 what a painful contrast6 ,i declare ,i feel quite melancholy and miserable1 said ,ellen ,saunders2 do make haste1 ,mary1 and let us get over this gloomy work4 ,i wish the poor thing had not been here so lately1 it makes one think so much more about her4 ,i wonder if she knew that text1 ,mary--my text1 said ,jane softly as she helped ,mary to fix the pattern about to be cut out4 ,and in another minute a tear stole down the young milliner's cheek1 observed only by the friend who understood and appreciated her feeling4 ,let us hope that she did1 dear ,jane1 and learn ourselves to value it1 so as to be safe and happy in life or death4 ,but if she did not know what your mother says all must know who are saved1 what then1 ,mary8 ,so young1 so pleasant1 so happy6--,and ,jane paused4 ,god's word must be true1 ,jane2 we have nothing to do with applying it to any one's case but our own3 only we know that the ,judge of all the earth will do right4 ,he has sent us a very solemn lesson1 and our day of salvation is now2 let us not neglect it1 for it may soon be over forever4 ,illustration3 ,jane ,saunders4 ,it happened that ,jane ,saunders1 being an excellent fitter1 was sent to ,mrs4 ,m4's to take the pattern for frocks for the children4 ,she was shown into a large and handsome room1 where the front shutters were closed1 and a large blind hung to the ground1 at the back window1 excluding nearly all light1 and the view of trees and flowers in the garden to which it opened4 ,jane sat waiting some time1 feeling very sad and gloomy1 and then the door was softly opened1 and a little girl stole in with a frock in her hand4 ,if you please1 said she in a low voice1 mamma cannot come to you1 but she says you are to make it like this4 ,may ,i draw up this blind a little way1 that ,i may see to take your pattern8 asked ,jane1 moving toward the back window4 ,yes1 ,i dare say you may1 just for a minute1 but there is no light anywhere in the house more than this2 and poor mamma is ill with crying about dear ,clara4 ,are you not sorry about her1 too8 ,yes1 dear1 ,i am indeed1 very sorry1 said ,jane1 in a tone of sincere sympathy4 ,but they say she has gone to heaven1 said the child1 and everybody is happy there4 ,i don't feel so sorry since they told me that1 for ,i know who lives in heaven4 ,whom do you mean1 dear8 asked ,jane timidly4 ,why1 ,i mean ,jesus ,christ4 ,i have got a nice book that tells about him2 and it says he is so kind and good1 and that he likes little children to come to him1 and to love him4 ,so ,i shall go to him when ,i die2 but ,i must love him1 and do what he wishes here first4 ,i hope dear ,clara loved him1 but she never told us4 ,do you love ,jesus ,christ8 added she1 turning round1 and looking full into ,jane's face4 ,i--,i hope ,i shall1 said ,jane1 astonished and perplexed at the straightforward question4 ,ah yes1 ,i hope so3 and then if you die1 ,i can say that you loved him1 and ,i shall know that you are gone to heaven4 ,jane might have replied to one older2 but to the simple1 trusting child she could not1 dared not say that she knew nothing of ,jesus ,christ to warrant a hope of happiness in heaven2 and though she would gladly have prolonged the conversation1 she felt awkward and confounded1 and concluded her task in silence4 ,miss ,baylis was quite right in her anticipations of having a great deal to do in a very short time2 and ,saturday found much work still unfinished1 which was expected by some of her best customers that evening4 ,what was to be done8 ,there were some who would not be offended if their dresses were sent in early on ,sunday morning1 rather than not at all2 and to secure the finish of as many as possible1 ,miss ,robson1 the forewoman of the establishment and the expectant of a junior partnership in the same1 set herself diligently forward to accomplish the wishes of her principals in the best manner their united wisdom could devise4 ,it was very rarely that the young people were detained long beyond their appointed hours2 but when especially requested to remain1 they usually were willing to comply4 ,every day of this particular week they had worked early and late1 and were not prepared for the further demands of the obliging forewoman4 ,it will greatly oblige ,miss ,baylis if some of you will stay and work until about eight or nine o'clock to-morrow morning1 young ladies1 said she1 on the ,saturday afternoon2 we can accomplish a great deal among us to-night1 and it is but once in a way as it were4 ,the poor ,m4's1 you know1 must have their things2 we cannot refuse what death has required2 and then you see the ball takes place on ,monday evening1 and we may have alterations to make in some of the things4 ,indeed1 ,miss ,robson1 ,i am half asleep over what ,i am doing now1 said one of the girls1 with a yawn2 ,i don't think ,miss ,baylis can expect us to stay to-night4 ,i mean to lie in bed all day on ,sunday4 ,well1 you can go to bed1 you know1 directly you go home4 ,i am sure we would not deprive you of the whole of your ,sunday4 ,it is as a favor ,miss ,baylis asks it2 she does not1 of course1 demand it1 but1 for my part1 ,i have great pleasure in obliging her1 and have no doubt that all who are living in the house will feel the same4 ,i'm sure ,i don't though1 said ,ellen1 unhesitatingly2 ,i don't like to give up my own day to please any one1 and ,i never thought we should be asked4 ,only two or three hours of it1 my dear1 said ,miss ,robson1 soothingly3 in fact1 ,i dare say we can have done all that is really wanted by seven o'clock if we try hard4 ,and what shall we be fit for after sitting up all night1 ,i should like to know8 said ,fanny ,ashton1 laughing satirically4 ,however1 my mother would not allow it1 so it's of no use to ask me1 ,miss ,robson4 ,well1 ,i will say no more than this1 and ,miss ,robson looked round with a meaning smile1 that ,i have always found ,miss ,baylis knows how to appreciate an obligation2 and those of the young ladies who do nothing but lie in bed1 or amuse themselves on a ,sunday1 might as well do something useful for once to please another person4 ,miss ,baylis expressly said that she would not ask any one who she believes makes a conscientious use of her ,sunday1 as ,mary ,davis does1 going to church and ,sunday school regularly1 and having a sick mother to attend to1 and so on1 but only those who do not think it necessary to be so very strict1 and have nothing to do for others4 ,mary ,davis1 it should be observed1 was not present when ,miss ,robson made her appeal1 but was gone down to the shop for some articles required4 ,then1 said ,jane1 who had listened hitherto without making any remark1 does ,miss ,baylis think that we1 who are doing a little wrong to please ourselves1 might as well do more to please her8 ,doing wrong1 ,jane ,saunders8 ,what a strange speech6 exclaimed two or three at once4 ,we are doing right to claim our own day1 and to keep it too2 but it is certainly wrong to work on ,sunday4 ,i am inclined to agree with ,miss ,robson and ,miss ,baylis1 said ,jane2 and if ,i only wanted to please myself to-morrow1 ,i don't see any great difference in the wrong between my amusement and my work1 and wouldn't mind on that account working till noon1 or all day4 ,o1 but we need not do that1 ,miss ,saunders4 ,you are very kind1 and ,i'll tell ,miss ,baylis what you say1 said ,miss ,robson complacently4 ,o no1 pray do not1 ,miss ,robson1 exclaimed ,jane1 for ,i cannot consent to work after midnight4 ,i wish to make a better use of ,sunday now than ,i used to do1 she added1 blushing2 and ,i hope never again to deserve1 as ,i have done1 to be asked to work on that day4 ,that's ,mary ,davis's doing1 whispered the young woman who sat nearest to ,miss ,robson4 ,it's unfortunate just now1 at any rate1 returned ,miss ,robson1 in the same confidential tone2 but you've no idea how highly ,miss ,baylis thinks of ,mary4 ,she says she does not agree with her in some things1 but she would trust her for truth1 and uprightness1 and honesty and all that sort of thing1 beyond any young person she ever knew1 and ,i wouldn't say a word against her for the world4 ,she has been pretty well watched ,i can tell you though1 and ,miss ,baylis says she does more work and better than any of the others1 and is always here first on a ,monday morning1 looking so fresh and happy1 while some of you come lounging and yawning in as if you were tired to death4 ,that's true enough1 replied the other1 laughing2 ,i always do feel tired to death on a ,monday1 and ,i can't think why it is4 ,well1 you had better get ,mary's remedy then4 ,but get on with your work as fast as you can4 ,i know one reason why ,mary does a great deal more than some4 ,she never gossips away her time1 for you don't hear her voice once in an hour4 ,and the forewoman1 conscious that she was not just then setting the best of examples1 began to stitch away with redoubled vigor4 ,on ,monday morning ,mary arrived at five o'clock1 anxious to do her best in the emergency4 ,she found ,jane in the work-room before her1 and the two friends who had honored ,god on ,sunday1 served their employers more effectually on ,monday than those who had yielded to ,miss ,robson's proposal1 for indolence could not very justly be reprimanded which was declared to result from the overwork1 and want of lawful rest4 ,notwithstanding her good resolutions1 ,jane ,saunders once or twice yielded to ,ellen's entreaties to join her and her companions in ,sunday afternoon excursions1 but had not derived from them any of the enjoyment so liberally promised4 ,the fact was1 that her conscience was sufficiently awakened to perceive that their course was one of folly and sin1 and that there was evidently no fear of ,god before their eyes2 and if her heart did not at once candidly renounce their pleasures1 it was uneasy and disturbed while sharing them4 ,she saw that ,ellen was absorbed in vanity and pride1 elated with flattery1 and discontented and restless when any other seemed likely to attract the attention she coveted4 ,then ,jane returned with thankfulness to her quiet afternoon with ,mrs4 ,davis4 ,and after the sudden death of the interesting ,miss ,m41 she had prevailed on one or two others to accompany her4 ,these also1 being touched with the kind interest felt for their true welfare1 and finding themselves neither scolded nor lectured1 repeated the visit1 and soon wished to follow ,jane's example of learning a text every week4 ,thus1 the little party grew by degrees1 until all ,mrs4 ,davis's chairs and benches were in requisition1 and one or two friends in the town1 hearing from their young dependents of the ,bible-reading at this humble refuge from ,sunday idleness and sin1 sent now and then a little present of grocery1 or other useful things1 that the widow might be enabled to show hospitality without embarrassment or privation in the week4 ,i wish1 ,jane1 said ,ellen1 one day1 if you are determined to go to that ,mrs4 ,davis's1 you would call for me at ,mr4 ,ashton's on your way home4 ,i expect to spend the evening there1 and they have so often asked about you1 that it seems quite disrespectful of you never to go near them4 ,i did go1 you know1 ,ellen1 once1 to please you1 and ,i did not like the way you all behaved at all4 ,ah1 that is your prim1 precise nonsense1 since you went so much with ,mary2 but surely ,i have as much right to choose my friends as you have1 said ,ellen1 tossing her head2 but it is ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,ashton who want to see you1 or ,i'm sure ,i should not press it4 ,i will call for you1 and wait in the shop until you are ready1 said ,jane2 ,i would rather not come in4 ,well1 you will see how that will be2 so ,i shall expect to see you4 ,and the sisters parted1 one to giddy amusement and folly with a young party bent on doing their own pleasure2 the other to the happy little group assembled round the widow and her ,bible4 ,you gave us so little to learn1 ,mrs4 ,davis1 said ,jane1 that ,i have learned a long piece besides4 ,i cannot find fault with that1 my dear1 replied ,mrs4 ,davis2 but the reason ,i gave you little was1 that you might consider it deeply1 because the sentence1 though so short1 contains the pith of many a volume4 ,so you said2 but really ,i cannot see so very much in it4 ,they crucified ,him2 what is it but a statement of a fact8 ,it is1 as you say1 a statement of a fact1 and how solemnly important a fact1 ,i hope you will learn to understand4 ,but ,i want to tell you1 dear girls1 about a friend of my early days1 who found a great deal in that text4 ,she was1 as you seem to be1 anxious to be what she called 'very good2' but ,i hope your efforts will be more ,scriptural toward that end1 than hers were in the beginning of her course4 ,she was a warm-hearted1 spirited girl1 brought up by worldly parents1 and allowed to do very much as she pleased in most things4 ,after she grew up to womanhood1 it happened that she heard some startling sermons from an eminent preacher of the ,gospel1 which convinced her that there must be something more interesting in religion than she yet understood1 and a great deal more to be done than she had ever attempted4 ,so she resolved to renounce 'the world1' which1 in her view1 consisted of amusements1 visiting1 gay and expensive dress1 and novel-reading1 all of which she rigidly denied herself1 and thought she was wonderfully successful in attaining an exalted position among the people of ,god4 ,any appearance of remonstrance or opposition on the part of her indulgent friends made her declare herself firm and ready for martyrdom in defense of her new opinions4 ,you do not need me to tell you that her religion was as much opposed to the pure ,gospel as her worldliness1 and more dangerous to her soul2 for she was building herself up in self-righteousness1 while the religion of the heart1 and the teaching of ,god's ,holy ,spirit1 were still unknown to her4 ,one day1 during a course of lectures on the history of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,elizabeth's favorite minister took for his text this short passage1 and she sat ready1 as usual1 to listen and admire1 proud of her ability to appreciate what she called 'a good sermon4' ',how clever6' thought she1 as she prepared her pencil and paper to take notes4 ',what can he say about such a little text as that8' ,and now ,i am going to read to you what she was able to remember afterward of the sermon4 ',they crucified ,him4' ',they1' repeated the preacher1 pausing on the word1 who were they8 ',crucified1' what was it8 ',him1' who was ,he8 ,let us answer the last question first4 ',god who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets1 hath in these last days spoken unto us by his ,son1 whom he hath appointed heir of all things4' ',who1 being in the form of ,god1 thought it not robbery to be equal with ,god3 but made himself of no reputation1 and took upon him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men3 and being found in fashion as a man1 he humbled himself1 and became obedient unto death1 even the death of the cross4' ,he was the same of whom it is written1 ',the ,word was with ,god1 and the ,word was ,god2' and 'the ,word was made flesh1 and dwelt among us 4 4 4 the only begotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth4' ,but how came this wonderful person in company with thieves1 enduring a disgraceful death1 a public execution8 ,he was not personally guilty1 for no charge deserving of punishment could be proved against him4 ,he was not powerless1 for he could heal the sick and raise the dead2 and angels who were eagerly looking into the events of his extraordinary career1 would have sped to do his bidding4 ,the ignorant taunt of his enemies was1 ',he saved others1 himself he cannot save1' which was only true because he did not choose to take himself out of their hands4 ,the crowning act of his earthly ministry must be performed2 and while 'by wicked hands' the ,son of ,god was 'crucified and slain1' the eternal purpose of redeeming love was accomplished2 and that sinners might be saved1 ,christ died4 ,he was 'made sin1' 'numbered with transgressors1' 'endured the cross1 despising the shame1' and 'lifted up1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have eternal life4' ,so 'they crucified him4' ,had the ,jews been his executioners1 they would have stoned him2 but being condemned by the ,roman governor1 the ,roman punishment must be inflicted4 ,a painful1 lingering1 and cruel death2 nay1 more1 an accursed death1 for it is written1 ',cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree4' ,god had manifested his displeasure against sin by casting out of heaven rebellious angels1 'who kept not their first estate1' and by pouring out a destroying flood upon rebellious men2 but now he was declaring 'the riches of his grace1' in his kindness toward us by ,jesus ,christ2 and drawing the eye of faith and the affections of the heart to 'the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world4' ,so 'they crucified him4' ',they4' ,again let me ask1 ,who were they8 ,you reply1 ,the ,roman soldiers crucified him2 and so they did1 aggravating with every ingenuity the sorrows they could not understand4 ,but who put ,jesus into the hand of the ,roman governor8 ,the chief priests and scribes1 who scorned his instructions1 envied his influence1 and detested his purity4 ',what will ye that ,i shall do unto him8 asked the irresolute governor4 ',crucify him1' shouted the false-witnesses and their angry masters4 ,so 'they crucified him4' ,and are we to stop there8 ,o no6 ',forasmuch as ye know1' some of you at least1 'that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things1 as silver and gold 4 4 4 but with the precious blood of ,christ1 as of a lamb without blemish and without spot4' ,then1 what if1 passing by the actual hands that struck1 and the voices that shouted1 we pass along the stream of time1 during which multitudes that no man can number have been saved and blessed through this solemn fact1 and consider ourselves at the present moment1 you and ,i1 did we not crucify him8 ',he was wounded for our transgressions1 he was bruised for our iniquities3 the chastisement of our peace was upon him2 with his stripes we are healed 4 4 4 and the ,lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all4' ,if ,jesus had not died1 we could never have been saved2 if ,jesus had not died1 man could never have estimated in any degree the depth and power of that infinite love from which the plan of salvation sprang4 ,it was not that ,god needed to be appeased1 'for ,god so loved the world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son2' but it was that his moral government being thus righteously upheld1 the lost might be sought and found1 and his love commended to us1 'in that1 while we were yet sinners1 ,christ died for us4' ,it was not that ,god was angry and implacable1 but that man1 being redeemed by the blood of ,christ1 was to be won and reconciled to him4 ,it was the setting up1 as it were1 of an eternal altar1 on which sinners1 feeling helpless and undone1 might lay their load of sin and care1 and on which the one is consumed and put away forever1 and the other is changed into sanctifying discipline4 ,if your sins be not repented of and confessed1 and blotted out there1 they are yet on your own heads2 and unpardoned sinners must die1 for 'the wages of sin is death4' ,o1 it is an easy thing to read and believe a history1 and give a sigh to the fate of an unjustly condemned and persecuted man1 and this may be done sincerely by an amiable1 kind heart that is never influenced beyond the moment by the fact2 but1 it is quite another thing to take ,god at his word1 to receive his message of mercy and love1 and1 believing in his love to you1 to yield up in return the affection of your hearts1 and the grateful service of your lives4 ,i would solemnly ask you to go to your closets1 search and see what is your real position before ,god1 look to ,jesus who was lifted up that he might draw all to him2 and then1 in penitence and self-renunciation1 you will learn who 'they' were that 'crucified him4' ,mrs4 ,davis paused1 and left the minds of her young friends to meditate for a little while on the truths she had read4 ,she observed with encouragement that no head was turned to question the impression made upon another1 and1 perhaps1 in that silence each1 at least for once1 looked anxiously into her own heart4 ,then she resumed4 ,elizabeth had prepared to follow the preacher with her ready pencil1 that she might enjoy over again1 or detail to others1 the eloquence she so much admired4 ,soon1 however1 her hand paused1 the paper remained blank1 and her eyes rose with astonishment and alarm to the face of the earnest speaker4 ,at first she struggled proudly against the thought that she1 if a believer1 could have anything to do with the death of ,jesus4 ,the personal application of such a fact had never entered her mind before1 and yet the frightful alternative was not to be endured for a moment4 ,she meant to be saved1 she must be saved4 ,she could not1 she would not1 cast in her lot with the enemies of ,god1 with unbelievers1 with lovers of pleasure1 and of the world which she thought she had renounced4 ,what then must she do8 ,lay aside her self-complacency1 her self-denials1 her religious observances1 her charitable acts1 her readiness for martyrdom1 and take up 'only her sins1' and carry them to ,jesus8 ,must she be like the penitent ,magdalene1 the convicted ,peter1 the man who would not so much as lift up his eyes in the temple1 but smote upon his breast1 crying1 ',god be merciful to me a sinner8' ,yes1 she must do thus if she would be saved1 because it was for sinners that ,jesus died4 ,it was sin that crucified him1 and the utmost daring of her self-righteous spirit had never gone so far as to assert1 or to imagine1 that she had not sinned4 ,she had a temper1 and a tongue1 and vanity and pride that could have contradicted1 at any moment1 such self-complacent thoughts4 ,she had therefore always made the condescending admission that nobody is perfect1 that all have failings2 but she hoped she was a great deal better than many1 and was doing something occasionally to commend herself to the favor of a discerning ,god4 ,and now came this humbling ,scriptural declaration of atoning merit and forgiving love1 proclaiming to faith and penitence a complete salvation1 the effect of which uproots the love of sin1 dethrones self1 and secures a loving obedience to lawful authority2 frees the toiling slave1 and makes him an adopted child4 ,elizabeth went home sad that night2 the words she had failed to write on paper sinking into her proud heart and probing its secret depths4 ,she tried to pray as usual1 but now it seemed no prayer at all2 she had to learn as a little child1 and to seek a ,divine but ever ready teacher4 ,i need not describe to you the exercises of her soul under the unexpected light that had dawned upon her2 but she was not able to fight long against the sacred truth1 that 'not by works of righteousness which we have done1 but according to his mercy he saved us2' and then she saw how grateful love would seek to render every act righteous1 and impress every thought and feeling with the beauty of holiness1 not merely to save self1 but to glorify ,god4 ,o my dear young friends1 never suppose that ,god calls you to do anything by way of merit in order that you may be saved1 for there is no merit in penitence or faith4 ,and if you ask1-- ',must we not give up our gaiety1 and our amusements1 and our love of dress1 and our ,sunday excursions1 and our thoughtless1 or envious1 or unholy talk1' or any other things in which you allow yourselves8 ,i answer1 you are not told to think about giving up anything1 except as the proper fruit of faith and love to ,god and ,christ1 which the ,spirit of ,god has implanted in your heart2 so that it is no longer pleasure1 but pain and grief1 to do anything that is inconsistent with obedience and devotedness to him4 ,it will then no longer be1-- ',must ,i give up this8 ,or deny myself that8' ,but rather-- ',what shall ,i render unto my ,lord for all his benefits toward me8 ,i will take the cup of salvation 4 4 4 ,i will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving1 and call upon the name of the ,lord4 ,whither he leads1 ,i will go2 what he loves1 ,i will love2 and what he bids1 ,i will do2 his friends shall be my friends1 his foes my foes1 his word my delight4' ,it shall no longer be1-- ',how near may ,i remain to the world1 and yet be a believer in ,him8' ,but1-- ',how far may ,i get from worldliness1 and how closely may ,i walk with ,him8' ,the love of ,jesus and the love of dress and vanity cannot agree together in the same heart2 the love of ,jesus and the practice of ,sabbath-breaking cannot exist in the same person2 one must exclude the other1 and the way of holiness will be found the way of true enjoyment4 ,how ,i wish1 said ,jane ,saunders to herself as she walked along1 according to promise1 to call for her sister1 how ,i wish ,i had not to call for ,ellen to-night4 ,i want to go and be alone and think1 but she will not let me4 ,why should ,i be troubled about her8 ,then memory recalled1 like a still small voice of gentle rebuke1 a portion of a chapter she had learned3 ,he first findeth his own brother ,simon1 and saith unto him1 ,we have found the ,messias2 4 4 4 and he brought him to ,jesus4 ,she admired the brother's love3 should a sister's love be less zealous8 ,when ,jane was announced at ,mr4 ,ashton's1 a rush was made from the sitting-room1 which opened by a glass door into the shop1 and before she could express any will or wish upon the subject1 she was dragged into the midst of the party assembled there1 who seemed to be about to sit down to supper4 ,ellen1 said she1 ,i have called as you bade me1 and we have only just time to get home by nine o'clock4 ,will you get ready at once8 ,why did you not come earlier then8 said ,ellen1 vainly endeavoring to conceal her annoyance4 ,but it will not matter for you to be a little late for once2 ,miss ,baylis will excuse you1 ,i know4 ,i hope not to give her any cause for excusing me1 ,ellen2 so be quick1 there's a dear girl1 and let us go4 ,mrs4 ,ashton1 ,i am sure you will think it quite right for us to obey ,miss ,baylis's rules4 ,and ,jane looked pleadingly toward ,mrs4 ,ashton4 ,certainly1 my dear1 certainly2 we will not ask you to stay to-night4 ,i am very sorry1 ,miss ,ellen1 but ,i see we must not have the pleasure of your company and your sister's to supper4 ,pray do go and put on your bonnet1 ,ellen1 whispered ,jane1 earnestly4 ,really1 ,i am quite sorry1 said ,mr4 ,ashton1 rousing himself from a doze in his easy chair2 one so seldom gets a sight of you1 ,miss ,jane2 but you are quite right about minding rules4 ,i'm a great advocate for punctuality and obedience myself2 there's no managing young people without them4 ,well1 but you can come in and spend next ,sunday with us instead4 ,o no1 indeed1 sir1 thank you2 ,i cannot indeed1 said ,jane quickly4 ,cannot8 ,why who is to hinder you8 asked ,mr4 ,ashton1 looking at her with some surprise4 ,i--,i mean--,i should say--,i am very much obliged to you1 sir1 but ,i would rather not1 stammered ,jane1 coloring deeply4 ,o1 that's another thing2 will not and cannot have rather different meanings1 ,miss ,jane2 but ,i hope you don't think there's any more harm in coming here1 than in going to visit some other friends on a ,sunday4 ,we hear that you are turning religious1 and we think it a pity you should wish to grow dull and formal4 ,o1 ,i am not religious1 said ,jane2 and ,i never knew1 until ,i went to ,mrs4 ,davis's1 what a happy thing it is to be so1 at least1 to have such religion as hers4 ,if ,fanny and ,ellen would come only once1 they would soon see that we are not dull and formal4 ,well1 well1 my dear1 ,i'm afraid you are getting on fast2 but every one to his taste4 ,i'm sure ,i shall never persecute any one for his creed1 for everybody has a right to judge for himself1 according to his conscience1 ,i think4 ,jane felt exceedingly uncomfortable1 but she did not know how to reply to a sentiment which1 nevertheless1 she knew to be false and dangerous4 ,at last1 however1 summoning courage1 she said1 as meekly as she could1 lest ,mr4 ,ashton should think her presumptuous3 ,we study the ,bible at ,mrs4 ,davis's1 sir1 to find out what is ,god's will1 and then our consciences can tell us afterward whether we try to do it or not4 ,ah1 ,i dare say2 that is ,mrs4 ,davis's way1 you see1 said ,mr4 ,ashton4 ,o sir1 surely it is the right way4 ,how can we tell what is really true and right in any other way8 ,i never argue1 my dear2 ,i let people think as they please1 said ,mr4 ,ashton1 hastily4 ,now1 ,ellen1 again implored ,jane1 seeing her yet unprepared to depart1 indeed ,i must go without you4 ,and she opened the door1 on which ,ellen and ,fanny darted up stairs1 leaving her to wait in the shop until their return4 ,it was evident that the family in the sitting-room supposed she also had gone up to hasten the process of dressing for the walk1 for a conversation immediately commenced1 which they could scarcely have intended for her ear1 but the door not being completely closed1 and ,jane having seated herself in the dark1 to wait as desired1 she could not avoid hearing it4 ,i'll tell you what1 ,harry1 said ,mr4 ,ashton to his son1 it's easy enough to be seen which of those two girls will make the sensible woman1 and ,i hope you won't be paying too much attention to that foolish ,miss ,ellen4 ,o1 you need not fear1 replied the hopeful ,mr4 ,harry2 it only amuses us to see how she is puffed up with vanity and conceit4 ,she little thinks the fun we make of her for it4 ,but ,i can tell you1 we never talk nonsense to prim ,miss ,jane4 ,all the better for her2 she's a steady girl1 though she may be getting a little ,methodistical2 but that's a great deal better than the silly thoughts that seem to fill her sister's mind4 ,a vain1 dressy1 giddy girl will make a miserable1 helpless1 extravagant wife for any man who has the misfortune to marry her2 and even if the old uncle could give her a good settlement1 ,i should never wish to see that little simpleton daughter-in-law of mine4 ,dear1 dear1 ,mr4 ,ashton1 of course not1 said his wife2 ,henry would never be so foolish4 ,mr4 ,harry was saved the necessity of a reply by the entrance of ,ellen and ,fanny1 when he started up to offer his escort home4 ,whereupon ,jane1 burning with indignation1 threw open the door1 and haughtily declined his services4 ,whatever is the matter with you1 ,jane8 exclaimed ,ellen1 as soon as they had left the house2 ,i never saw you so rude and disagreeable before4 ,i am very sorry1 ,i don't wish to be rude or disagreeable1 said ,jane2 but ,i do wish ,i could persuade you to-- ,to come and be made a ,methodist1 ,i dare say1 cried ,ellen1 angrily2 but you need not expect it1 so don't waste your trouble upon me4 ,jane said no more until they reached their own room1 when1 putting her arm round her sister1 and affectionately kissing her half reluctant cheek1 she whispered the conversation she had overheard1 so far only as it related to ,ellen herself4 ,in vain ,ellen would have doubted2 she knew that ,jane scorned a falsehood2 and after a hysterical struggle to exhibit no other feeling than indignation at the impertinence1 she laid her head on her sister's shoulder and wept bitter tears of mortification and distress4 ,dear ,ellen1 said ,jane1 when the disappointed girl was a little calmed1 if you would but trust those who love you1 instead of such friends as these1 how happy we might be6 ,will you not hear about ,jesus ,christ1 and let us follow him together8 ,o1 ,ellen1 he is no pretended friend1 to laugh at our faults when we are out of sight4 ,he screens them from others1 and shows them only to ourselves1 that we may confess them1 and that he may forgive them4 ,i do feel that this vexatious event has strengthened in me every desire and resolution ,i ever had to serve and follow him1 for he is the faithful and true ,friend1 and just the one we need to keep us safe from harm and trouble4 ,and if the little girl at the house of mourning had been present to ask again1 in her artless tone of wishful inquiry1 ,do 'you' love ,jesus ,christ8 ,jane's full heart would have prompted the reply1 ',lord1 thou knowest all things2 thou knowest that ,i love thee4' ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,obstinate ,,ellen4 ,,mary ,,davis and her friend ,jane were one day in the show-room together1 completing some arrangements for the display of fashions1 which1 at stated periods of the year1 brought all the ladies of the neighborhood to inspect ,miss ,baylis's tasteful and tempting productions4 ,o ,mary1 said ,jane1 as she settled a bonnet on the stand1 ,i do so often wish we were not milliners4 ,i have never told you yet what ,i have been thinking about it1 because you are one yourself2 but it seems to me quite a different sort of business from what it did when ,i began it4 ,does it8 ,why8 said ,mary1 going on with her work1 which just then was the completion of a pretty little cap4 ,why1 what have we been doing now1 but setting out temptations to people to come and spend their money on many things they do not really want1 who will be persuaded to commit all sorts of extravagances1 instead of doing good with the means that ,god has given them4 ,illustration3 ,the ,young ,milliners4 ,i have thought of that1 said ,mary1 but ,i never persuade2 ,i show the thing ,i am asked for1 and it seems to me1 that as people must have respectable clothing1 they may as well buy what is new and pretty when they are about it4 ,ah6 ,but it is not what 'must' be had that ,i am objecting to2 you will see1 presently1 many ladies will buy things they never thought of1 just because ,miss ,baylis says they are fashionable1 or cheap1 or very becoming2 and she says her bills are sure to be paid1 because no lady likes her milliner's account to be known4 ,besides1 ,mary1 one is obliged to be so insincere1 and tell people things are becoming and suitable1 when one sees all the while they are just the very opposite4 ,obliged8 said ,mary4--,obliged to say what is not true1 ,jane8 ,miss ,baylis thinks so1 and ,miss ,robson does it without any scruple1 as you will hear if you stay in the show-room4 ,but you and ,i1 ,jane8 ,well1 dear ,mary1 not you1 ,i am quite sure1 but ,i can't say as much for myself2 if ,i should be determined to get on1 ,i may be tempted4 ,and you may depend upon it that all who get on do it4 ,one might have a good business1 ,i think1 if one only worked for those who mean what they say1 and want what they come to look at1 said ,mary4 ,good enough to satisfy you1 perhaps2 but is it not the gay and fashionable1 the vain and extravagant1 who make milliners' fortunes8 ,well1 but is it right to want to make a fortune8 ,does not the ,bible say1 ',he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent2' and ',they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare1 and into many foolish and hurtful lusts8' ,and they may do that in any kind of business4 ,then you would not think it right to induce people to buy your goods8 ,not against my conscience1 and1 as you said just now1 my sense of their being proper for them4 ,well1 now1 whom would you wish to buy that pretty cap you have just finished so nicely8 ,some nice-looking lady1 who can afford to sit still1 ,i think1 replied ,mary1 laughing1 as she held up her work to see the effect2 for these gossamer quillings will never keep their proper places in a breeze4 ,hush1 ,mary6 ,look1 look6 whispered ,jane4 ,here come some ladies to get the first look at the thing4 ,and two or three ladies advanced into the room4 ,i want a pretty cap1 and ,miss ,baylis says there is one just the thing here1 said an elderly person in spectacles1 with a florid complexion and a bustling manner1 but1 who was one of the richest of ,miss ,baylis's customers4 ,is this it8 she asked1 taking the cap out of ,mary's hand1 and turning to one of her friends4 ,very pretty1 isn't it8 ,and quite new1 ,miss ,baylis said4 ,i'll just try it on4 ,and the delicate little cap was presently placed on a head considerably too large for the shape4 ,will it do1 do you think8 said the lady1 looking good-humoredly at ,mary1 while the friends had gone to some other part of the room1 perhaps to avoid giving an opinion4 ,mary saw at once that it did not do at all4 ,i think1 ma'am1 said she1 modestly1 if you will allow me1 ,i can show you some others which may suit better6 ,but this is a new style1 is it not8 ,yes1 ma'am1 but--perhaps this1 the style is not old of this one4 ,and she presented a comfortable looking cap1 much better suited to the age and appearance of the lady4 ,ah1 yes1 this is very comfortable4 ,and it looked comfortable too1 ,mary thought4 ,but1 continued the lady1 ,i want something a little more dressy1 you know4 ,this is rather too much of a morning cap4 ,we can make up the same pattern in handsomer materials1 if you think proper1 ma'am1 said ,mary respectfully4 ,well1 yes1 do so then4 ,i think this suits me very well1 and it fits so comfortably4 ,at this moment ,miss ,baylis appeared1 and immediately suspecting that the millinery had not been recommended with any particular eloquence1 she began to praise the cap1 entreated the lady to try it again1 and expatiated so warmly on the becoming effect of the latest fashion1 that the cap was purchased1 and the lady departed1 fully persuaded that she had the prettiest head-dress in the town4 ,i wish ,miss ,robson to attend in the show-room1 you know1 ,mary1 said ,miss ,baylis4 ,she was not quite ready1 ma'am1 replied ,mary2 and she only asked me to wait until she came4 ,then ,miss ,robson came forward1 and being a stylish looking little person1 with a head and shoulders that suited every decoration that could be put upon them1 and admirably showed off ,miss ,baylis's fashion1 she seldom failed1 by her flattery and insinuating manners1 to persuade any purchasers who came within the power of her tongue1 that the thing1 whatever it might be1 which seemed to please1 or which required to be got rid of1 was1 without doubt1 the very article they most wanted1 and certainly ought to buy4 ,mary1 ,i was very near speaking out about that cap1 said ,jane1 for it vexed me to see it carried off by that foolish old lady4 ,i wonder her companions did not advise her not to make herself look ridiculous4 ,i felt sorry to see so little idea of what is comfortable and suitable in old age1 said ,mary2 ,i did what ,i could to help it4 ,miss ,baylis is to blame2 she said many things that were untrue about it1 and now you see one reason why ,i dislike the business2 ,i think ,i shall ask uncle to let me do something else4 ,but ,i shall talk to your mother about it first4 ,jane did not forget the subject1 and when she told ,mrs4 ,davis of her wish to give up her present occupation1 she felt a little disappointed when her kind friend asked calmly1 ,on what ground1 my dear1 will you name this wish to your uncle8 ,he will want a good reason for it1 of course4 ,i shall tell him that it is a business which tempts people to be vain and worldly1 and that ,i do not like to spend my time so4 ,but examine well1 dear ,jane1 before you blame the business4 ,there will always be people who have neither time1 not inclination1 nor ability to make their own clothing2 and is it not right that they should have it done for them8 ,yes1 ,i suppose it is4 ,well1 cannot directions be obeyed1 and the best method and the best materials employed1 without vanity1 or insincerity1 or worldliness on the part of the workman8 ,they might by ,mary4 ,and why not by ,jane1 if she has the same principle to guide her1 and the same desire to adorn the ,gospel she professes to love8 ,it appears to me that your idea is just met by the advice of the apostle1 ',let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called1' if it be a lawful one4 ,the only objection you bring against your business is that which covetousness or some such sin joins to it4 ,there is nothing wrong in itself2 and if you see it abused into wrong by others1 you should try to prove that it is no more of necessity the minister of sin than any other calling in the world4 ,but one would never get on1 you know4 ,it would be but a poor second-rate sort of business1 if one could not do as others do4 ',what is 'getting on1' ,jane8 ,where does one get to8 ,what is the end in view8 ,is it to glorify ,god in some prospect of a future that we may never live to see8 ,it seems to me that the ,christian has nothing to do with what the world calls 'getting on1' but his desire and duty are to glorify ,god every day and every hour of his life in the present1 the only time he is sure of2 and if doing that1 'why take ye thought for the morrow8' ',why envy the foolish their rapid prosperity1 when so few can bear it without being 'lifted up to their hurt8' ,how far better to walk with ,god in conscientious regard to truthfulness and sincerity1 depending prayerfully on his providence1 than to manage a first rate fashionable business with a worldly eye to 'getting on4' ,then don't you think one ought to wish to give up some day1 and be--be independent8 hesitated ,jane4 ,to save something1 ,i mean1 that we may have it to live upon when we are not able to work4 ,that may be done--it had better be done--quite honestly1 ,jane2 and the believer will not allow his present conscience to be blotted with any known sin1 to secure a future object4 ,if ,god's ,spirit is in him1 and ,god's word guides him1 he will have patience1 he will live frugally1 and he will give cheerfully1 nor refuse to do good with his dime now1 because he hopes to have his dollar to give away by and by4 ,the looking forward to a time to spend in self-indulgence that which has been laid up in years of industry1 is one of the devil's snares to check benevolence and foster covetousness2 and he persuades men that it is lawful from the highest to the lowest branch of earthly business4 ,it is not for the true ,christian to stoop from his high calling to this2 it is of the world1 it is like the world1 it is meddling with forbidden things1 and yet it may be made to seem so plausible1 that it needs a careful exercise of ,christian judgment and the strict watchfulness of an enlightened conscience to discern motives for earning and saving1 as well as for giving and spending4 ,then1 said ,jane1 you see no inconsistency in helping to make vain and extravagant people more vain and extravagant still4 ,i see that ,mary and you are engaged in obeying the orders of people of very opposite dispositions1 without being aware in many cases of what they are1 and without being influenced for the better or the worse by them4 ,our consistency1 my dear girl1 does not lie in the power of those around us2 it must have its deep living root in the love of ,christ in our own hearts4 ,well1 then1 ,mrs4 ,davis1 ,i am sure you will agree with me in the next thing ,i am going to say4 ,i mean to alter the style of my own dress at once1 and no longer look like a show-block for the exhibition of the fashions4 ,i confess there is something about it occasionally that may be improved1 my dear2 but it will be right to consider that in future1 and not cast aside what you have already bought1 unless you can afford to do so4 ,ah6 ,then you think me wrong again ,i see8 ,be sure that ,god has changed your heart first1 ,jane4 ,his work begins within2 and the heart that is being probed and cleansed and renewed by his grace does not begin with external things4 ,i knew a young lady once--she was such by birth and station--who became acquainted with a ,christian family1 and admired and loved them ardently4 ,they were extremely plain in their dress1 and having resolved to follow them in everything1 she did so in that4 ,she not only gave up the gay society she had mixed in1 and offended all her relatives by denouncing them as worldly1 and unworthy of her attention and love1 but she gave away all her ornaments1 many of which were very valuable1 burned or destroyed all her fashionable clothes1 and appeared abroad in a plain common gown1 and a bonnet with only ribbon enough on it to serve for strings4 ,her friends began to think she was deranged2 but she said that ,god's people were 'a peculiar people1' and the ,lord ,jesus himself was said to be mad4 ,she was sent from home for a time1 in the hope of giving a turn to her thoughts2 but this only strengthened her resolutions1 and increased the ardor of her apparent devotion to her religious views4 ,at last1 believing her to be sincere and conscientious in all these singularities1 her mother received her again1 allowing her to dress1 act1 visit1 read1 and go among the sick and poor as she pleased1 while the subject of religion was never mentioned in her presence excepting with respect and concurrence in anything she thought proper to say4 ,by degrees she wearied of a profession which had no enduring life-giving energy within1 and no connection with true faith from above2 and after the lapse of about two years1 the cessation of all opposition left the sparks she had kindled herself to die out4 ,i met her in the street to her way to pay a morning visit1 dressed expensively and fashionably1 even to a white bonnet and feathers2 and ,i heard of her shortly afterwards dancing among the gayest and most thoughtless at a ball given by some of her worldly friends1 who were delighted to perceive that she had what they called 'come to her senses again4' ,once afterward ,i had an opportunity of speaking to her1 when she boldly denounced all who made any profession of religion1 as hypocrites or self-deceivers1 and said she should forever suspect everybody who wore a straight ribbon1 or a common gown unsuited to her station in life2 that she had made a great mistake herself in being influenced by the example of others while in their society2 but that she had now regained the exercise of her own independent judgment1 and was once more a reasonable creature4 ,thus1 you see1 she had returned from the extremity of outward opposition to the world and its ways1 to the point from which she set out4 ,but did she never have any more religious thoughts or desires8 asked ,jane4 ,i do not know2 but ,i should suppose her hours of private meditation1 if she ever had any1 could not be very happy ones4 ,poor girl1 it was very sad1 said ,jane2 ,i hope ,i shall not be like her1 ,mrs4 ,davis4 ,i hope not1 indeed1 dear ,jane2 but ,i have mentioned her to you1 that you may see how possible it is to assume 'a form of godliness1' without knowing anything of 'the power thereof4' ,be sure that what outward changes you make1 you do so because you love ,god1 and desire to glorify him1 and can ask him to sanctify the motive1 which no eye but his own can see in its true light4 ,o6 ,mrs4 ,davis1 how kind you are to talk to me in this way4 ,i am a very weak1 foolish creature1 and ,i fear ,i am wanting to be doing something to look religious1 before ,i have got any real religion at all4 ,but ,i do sometimes feel sure that ,i love the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and then ,i want to do something to please him4 ,that is quite right1 ,jane2 and ,god forbid that ,i should check that loving thought4 ,ah1 but then ,i find myself wanting to seem better than others1 instead of remembering how wretchedly worthless ,i am myself before ,god4 ,i cannot think how it is1 but ,i never seem to have a good thought or a right feeling about salvation1 but something vain or self-righteous or abominable gets by the side of it directly1 and then ,i hate myself more than ever4 ,o thank ,god1 dear girl1 for revealing to you something of the deceitfulness of your own heart1 for nothing else can make us depend entirely on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,there is no safe place for the soul1 no purifying influence for the heart1 and no real fulfillment of duty1 except looking unto him2 and to be drawing contrasts or making outward differences between ourselves and others1 is just a plot of ,satan to turn aside our gaze from the right direction and our step front progress in our ,master's service4 ,but there are many differences between ,god's people and the people of the world that should be seen1 are there not8 ,yes1 many2 but they are1 if ,i may venture to use the expression1 differences of growth and feature3 they will come with our spiritual progress1 and should not be assumed as a badge by ourselves4 ,it is as easy and natural for a real ,christian to dress with modest simplicity1 as for a worldly person to be in the height of the fashion2 and as easy to restrain the wishes within the limit of one's means1 as for an extravagant person to exceed them4 ,the love of ,god is a regulator of all such matters1 when the ,holy ,spirit has planted it with renewing power within our hearts4 ,his children bear his likeness without any unnatural effort of their own4 ,ellen's displeasure against her friends1 the ,ashtons1 gradually subsided4 ,fanny1 she knew1 had nothing to do with the cause of offense2 and when her changed manner to ,mr4 ,harry had induced his urgent inquiries into the reason1 she had allowed herself to be satisfied with his assurances that he had only spoken to disguise from his parents the real state of his feelings toward her1 until he should be able to act independently of their authority4 ,alas6 ,poor ,ellen in her gratified vanity did not pause to reflect1 that the sin of the excuse was still greater than the original mischief2 but1 had she done so1 she would have had no reason for surprise1 for he who deliberately disregarded ,god was not likely to be scrupulous about the fifth commandment1 or any other which opposed his inclination4 ,jane observed the renewal of the intercourse with great uneasiness1 and made many attempts1 by giving up her own greatest pleasure that of joining ,mrs4 ,davis on a ,sunday in order to induce her sister to walk with her alone1 or remain at home together4 ,have you quarreled with ,mary ,davis1 asked ,ellen on one occasion when this proposal was made1 that you are always teasing me to stay with you8 ,no2 but ,i have not quarreled with you either1 and we so seldom have an afternoon together4 ,why1 you are so dreadfully dull now1 you have nothing to talk about4 ,i am sure ,i will talk if you will listen to me1 said ,jane cheerfully4 ,ah1 you will1 ,i dare say2 but it is about what ,i don't want to hear4 ,i don't know at all why you should think ill of me1 ,jane1 and that ,i need to be saved1 and all that4 ,i go to church very often in a morning1 and if ,i happen to miss a ,sunday or two1 ,i go twice in one day to make up for it2 and when there is a collection you don't know how much ,i put in more than you think1 depend upon it2 and ,i shouldn't boast of it1 only one must speak up for one's self4 ,it is not what ,i think1 dear ,ellen2 ,i only tell you sometimes what the ,bible says1 and it is not possible to speak up for ourselves to ,god1 you know4 ,you must hear what he says some day2 and if you have no ,saviour to speak for you1 what can you do8 ,i hate to hear you1 ,jane1 exclaimed ,ellen impatiently2 it is all the nonsense that ,mrs4 ,davis has put into your head1 and ,i don't believe a word of it4 ,you pretend to love me one minute1 and the next you make out that ,i am so wicked ,i can't go to heaven4 ,and then you would rob one of the only pleasure we have1 our little treats on a ,sunday4 ,i only want you to try to find your pleasure in another way1 for ,i quite agree with you that we do need pleasure1 or change1 or recreation1 whatever you please to call it1 after six days' close work4 ,then why in the world do you never take any8 asked ,ellen1 in great astonishment at the admission2 it is our own day1 and we ought to enjoy it4 ,no1 it is the ,lord's day1 and he gives the real rest1 and the true pleasure4 ,which of us gives the best proof of that on a ,monday morning1 ,ellen8 ,of course you expect me to say you1 because you happen to get up first4 ,yes1 ,i do2 your head aches1 you are so tired1 you wish there was no work to do1 and then with a few others you grumble together and find fault with everything because you miss the excitement and the flattery of the day before4 ,while you and ,mary sit at work thinking how good you are1 said ,ellen1 knowing full well the truth of her sister's statement4 ,we often think how good it is to have a day that no one has a right to interfere with2 when we may have time to read1 and think1 and pray for all the help we need to make us happy and contented to work on the other days1 and to remind us that it is not merely to earn money1 or serve an earthly mistress1 but to serve our heavenly ,father4 ,it is so happy1 ,ellen1 to turn from our work for the body to that clothing for a better world prepared for us by our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 which we have nothing to do with the making of1 but only to put it on4 ,all very fine indeed2 and you pretend this makes you willing to get to work again on ,monday1 said ,ellen1 scornfully4 ,it makes me happy to be just where ,god's will makes it my duty to be1 replied ,jane1 meekly4 ,i'm sure ,i wonder you condescend to be a milliner2 ,i wonder it isn't much too worldly a business for you4 ,i thought it was1 and wanted to give it up2 but ,mrs4 ,davis convinced me that one may earn an honest living in it without being worldly and frivolous4 ,well1 you needn't expect me to go into partnership with you1 and so ,i shall tell uncle1 for you would ruin our prospects at once1 ,i see2 but ,i'm going out now1 so good-by4 ,you have a cold1 dear ,ellen2 pray do not stay out late3 you know the evenings are getting chilly1 and come on early now4 ,do take a shawl1 in case you should feel cold in that light muslin4 ,but ,jane might as well have talked to the muslin itself1 and ,ellen flitted away as light and thoughtless as ever4 ,her lesson was to be learned under other teaching4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,brighter ,,days4 ,,mr4 ,,saunders1 in the mean time1 had not been unmindful of his nieces' interests1 and having heard of a respectable business about to be disposed of1 he secured the premises and the good-will of the resigning person1 and then went to inform them of their future prospects4 ,to his regret and surprise he was informed that ,ellen had been taken seriously ill1 and had been removed by ,jane's desire4 ,following ,miss ,baylis's directions1 he soon found himself at the neat little cottage of a respectable widow1 whose manners indicated the far superior station of her former days4 ,here he was received with respect and pleasure by ,jane1 who explained her reasons for the removal to his entire satisfaction4 ,and what has made her ill2 do you know1 ,jane8 he asked4 ,jane was silent1 and ,mrs4 ,davis relieved her by simply stating the truth4 ,late hours in the damps of autumn evenings1 with too little care in the matter of suitable clothing4 ,very foolish1 indeed1 said ,mr4 ,saunders2 but ,i should have thought you had too much to do to admit of getting out often in an evening4 ,you don't mean ,sundays1 ,i hope8 and he looked again at ,jane1 who was silent and embarrassed4 ,really1 ,jane1 said he gravely1 ,i see now how it is1 but ,i thought better of you2 your letters have been so sensible of late that it seemed time to trust you according to my promise2 but who can expect giddy1 thoughtless ,sabbath-breakers ever to do any good for themselves in the world8 ,it is not respectable to go holiday-making instead of minding your church and your ,bible on a ,sunday4 ,i wonder ,miss ,baylis has not seen to it for you1 if you can't judge for yourselves4 ,jane replied that ,miss ,baylis usually went out of town on ,saturday night1 and knew very little of her young people's habits on a ,sunday4 ,well1 then1 she ought to know them2 ,i can't see how she can shirk the responsibility4 ,i see after the doings of my shopmen and servants1 and put them in the right way4 ,mr4 ,saunders's right way1 however1 was not precisely the winning1 loving way that tends1 under ,god's blessing1 to make the ,sabbath a delight1 the holy of the ,lord1 and honorable4 ,his views were those of a respectable formalist1 connecting ,god's blessing with human obedience1 in higher subjects1 besides those of temporal interests1 which1 it may readily be admitted1 are usually benefited by such outward respect4 ,mrs4 ,davis took an opportunity of exculpating ,jane from her uncle's condemnation2 and though it seemed to make ,ellen's conduct still more reprehensible1 yet he spoke with kindness and forbearance to the suffering girl1 and told her of his plans for their future welfare4 ,ellen was1 indeed1 seriously ill4 ,she had paid no regard to ,jane's warning concerning her dress or the evening damp1 and after taking tea out on the grass with her young friends1 at a place of public resort in the country1 had returned by water at a late hour1 and the next day was so ill from severe cold1 that ,miss ,baylis gladly acceded to the earnest request of ,jane and ,mary1 that she might be removed to the care of one who had been too sadly experienced in attendance on the sick4 ,ellen had declared that she should not like ,mrs4 ,davis at all2 but in vain she tried to nourish her prejudices against the kind and gentle hand that ministered to her wants1 and the mild voice that spoke only of sympathy and interest1 and at last ceased to expect the severity and lecturing which she had persisted in associating with the religion of the ,christian widow4 ,she did not know that the weapons of ,christian love become polished by constant use1 and that the mellowing influence of its principles softens down the roughness or the severity which sometimes tinges the efforts or the judgment of zealous spiritual youth4 ,but1 to the deep regret of her kind friends1 she studiously evaded every attempt to lead her mind to any serious thought1 and employed ,fanny ,ashton to retail to her the news of the town1 and to supply her with frivolous novels1 with which she beguiled her time when able to read4 ,after recovering in some degree from the severer symptoms of her illness1 it became evident that no further progress was made1 and ,ellen grew impatient of her incessant cough1 her restless nights1 and continued weakness2 and at last her medical attendant intimated to ,mrs4 ,davis1 that his irritable patient was probably far gone in rapid decline4 ,it was a severe shock to the affectionate sister1 whose spiritual life and growth in grace and knowledge had only refined her love for this nearest earthly relative2 but to break the intelligence to the invalid herself1 became a source of the deepest and most painful anxiety4 ,fanny ,ashton had begged ,ellen to be prepared for a treat her brother intended to give them1 at a beautiful spot a few miles up the river4 ,he had obtained the loan of a pretty little sailing-bunt1 manageable either with canvas or oar1 and the first fine ,sunday was appointed for the excursion4 ,fanny promised that instead of taking refreshment out of doors1 it should be prepared for them at the small inn1 kept for the accommodation of parties of pleasure1 and that they should return home before sunset4 ,the day arrived1 and ,ellen attempted to dress for the excursion1 notwithstanding ,jane's assurances that her strength was unequal to the effort4 ,she insisted on trying1 and protested that the air would revive and refresh her4 ,she looked up with envy into the healthy countenance of her sister1 who stood before her ready dressed for church1 and whose serenity was clouded only by anxiety for her4 ,poor ,ellen tried her shawl1 and declared it was too heavy1 she could not wear it2 her bonnet hurt her head1 everything went wrong1 her hands trembled with weakness and excitement2 and at last1 throwing aside her preparations1 she sank down upon her bed and burst into tears4 ,you are right1 ,jane1 she sobbed1 ,i am not strong enough yet2 you must call and tell them ,i cannot go to-day4 ,jane turned tearfully away from the thin pale form of the lately blooming girl1 and went to do her bidding4 ,that day1 which had so painfully impressed the invalid with the first real consciousness of her weakness1 was passed in repining and discontent1 and when the hour for the assembling of ,mrs4 ,davis's reading party had arrived1 and ,jane still remained at her bedside1 she desired her to go down1 and drawing a book from under her pillow1 said she preferred to read alone4 ,the next day a trying task devolved on ,jane1 who was considered the most fit person to break to her sister news which must almost overwhelm her1 but which could not long be withheld4 ,several times during the day ,ellen had impatiently inquired for ,fanny1 who1 she said1 ought to have been to see her4 ,but she will come in the evening1 ,i am sure1 to tell me all about the party1 and who went1 and who was sorry that ,i could not go4 ,fanny is a nice girl1 ,jane2 ,i am surprised that you never liked her4 ,i must go there as soon as ,i can get out2 ,mr4 ,ashton won't call me vain and silly now1 since ,i've had this illness to make me so steady and quiet4 ,and she tried to smile at the bitter recollection4 ,jane made no reply1 and ,ellen looked again in her face4 ,why1 ,jane1 she exclaimed1 ,i hope you are not going to be ill too2 you really look dreadful1 and as if you had been crying all night4 ,what is the matter with you8 ,it was a very good thing you could not go out yesterday1 dear ,ellen1 said ,jane1 tenderly4 ,i don't think so at all2 but that is not an answer to my question1 you have not been crying about me surely1 ,jane8 ,and again she gazed inquisitively1 and with some rising alarm1 upon her sister4 ,mr4 ,ashton called last night1 said ,jane4 ,mr4 ,ashton8 ,how very kind6 ,i'm sure ,i did not expect him to come and inquire after me4 ,he came to see if ,fanny had been here4 ,why8 ,did not ,fanny go straight home after the party came back8 ,the boat was very late in leaving to return1 ,i believe1 faltered ,jane2 and ,henry ,ashton1 and the other young men had taken too much to drink4 ,o ,jane6 ,go on--what else8 whispered ,ellen1 turning deathly pale1 and trembling violently4 ,tell me quickly1 what else8 ,the boat upset2 ,henry was picked up1 and five of the others2 but poor ,fanny-- ,ellen heard no more2 she sank back1 apparently lifeless1 and remained so for some time4 ,the unhappy young people1 to the number of nine1 having delayed their return too late for the idle efforts of four half-intoxicated young men1 embarked hastily1 in the hope of reaching a river steamer1 which might tow them easily along4 ,the effort to catch the rope which was to connect them with the steamer1 caused a lurch1 which frightened the female portion of the party1 and they rushed to one side2 this upset the boat1 and in an instant they were all struggling in the water for their lives4 ,fanny clung to her brother1 who1 in a moment of sobriety1 might have saved her2 but now1 stupefied with drink and fear1 he was intent only on self-preservation1 and though the steamer hovered for a considerable time about the fatal spot1 three of the young women were seen no more4 ,the wretched father had returned home after eager inquiries at the river side1 whence nothing could be seen of the boat1 and was again on his way1 in almost frantic despair1 when he was met by the bearers of his son1 and the news of his daughter's fate4 ,henry was seized with brain fever1 and his struggles to reach his sister1 whose cries for help seemed to ring in his ears1 were frightful and distressing to his broken-hearted parents1 who mourned too late their negligence of parental duty4 ,ellen's lamentation for ,fanny ,ashton's unhappy end was mingled with thankfulness for her own escape4 ,it would have killed me quite1 said she shuddering2 for had ,i been saved from drowning1 ,i must have died from the effects of such fright and cold4 ,and you feel you would not have been prepared for such a summons to another world1 dear ,ellen1 said ,jane1 when1 after a time1 her sister thus recurred to the event4 ,o1 ,i don't know about that2 it did not come you know1 so ,i need not think about it6 ,but it must come some day1 and by some means4 ,if not by sudden accident1 by sickness and-- ,well really1 ,jane1 ,i wonder how you ever expect me to get well1 talking about such things1 said ,ellen1 with irritation2 but ,i want you to write to uncle1 and ask for me to have a change of air directly2 ,i'm tired of being here1 and ,i want some companions with more life and spirit than you have1 to rouse me out of melancholy thoughts4 ,poor ,fanny1 she always had something pleasant to talk about4 ,and ,ellen wept herself to sleep1 with her hand upon the last novel that her friend had brought1 and which ,jane softly drew away1 leaving her ,bible in its place4 ,when ,ellen awoke she discovered the exchange1 and felt annoyed2 but suddenly her thoughts took a new turn4 ,what if ,jane's fears were really excited about her health8 ,what if all this excessive weakness1 and distracting cough1 meant something more than temporary indisposition8 ,she had observed the looks of tender pity with which all seemed to regard her1 and the increased desire to guide her mind to heavenly things4 ,could it be that her life was really in danger1 and they wished to make her aware of it without any sudden shock8 ,then she burst into passionate weeping1 burying her face in the pillow1 against which she leaned1 until roused by the gentle hand of her kind nurse4 ,o ,mrs4 ,davis6 she cried with broken voice4 ,do tell me1 am ,i--am ,i dying8 ,is it possible that ,i cannot get well8 ,your soul will die1 my child1 if you do not ask the ,lord ,jesus ,christ to save it4 ,if you had peace in him1 you would resign yourself to his will for life or death4 ,o6 ,i cannot2 ,i love the world1 and ,i want to live4 ,it is a cruel thing to die so young4 ,o1 do send for other doctors1 they may think of something to cure me4 ,i will have change of air and scene2 ,i will try everything4 ,and in restless impatience1 poor ,ellen waited the arrival of her kind uncle1 who came to take her to his house1 that she might try the effect of her native air4 ,mrs4 ,saunders was a more rigid formalist than her husband1 and carefully attended to all her duties1 under the conviction that her own righteousness and merit must secure her a future heaven4 ,of a present earnest of its blessedness she had no idea2 of the ,spirit of adoption she knew nothing2 the mighty cost of redemption she had never calculated1 and believed that her frigid rules1 and unlovely notions of a godly and sober life1 fully entitled her to glory in herself1 and upbraid all who more manifestly failed in obedience to ,god's commands4 ,ellen had never troubled herself about her aunt's religion before3 but she thought it especially disagreeable now1 and missed the loving accents of true grace in the friends she had left4 ,she did not understand the difference between her aunt's and ,mrs4 ,davis's religion1 but she felt its influence1 and began to think that1 if people must needs be religious1 those who made the ,lord ,jesus their only hope and example were greatly preferable in temper1 humility1 self-denial1 and ,christian charity4 ,after a short residence in this uncomfortable home1 she entreated leave to return to ,mrs4 ,davis2 and her request was willingly seconded by ,mrs4 ,saunders1 who declared that a more discontented1 unchristian invalid had never fallen to her charge4 ,and so poor ,ellen1 weaker1 and sadder1 and more irritable than before1 was welcomed again by the kind widow as a daughter1 over whom her loving heart yearned with the longing of one who knows what a piteous object is an unsaved sinner in the day of trouble4 ,she felt now that the suffering of the weak body was a small consideration compared with the impending destruction of the soul1 and she spoke firmly and solemnly to the dying girl1 and1 kneeling by her side1 spoke for her to ,him who can prosper his word on its errand of mercy4 ,a youthful heart1 filled with vanity and worldliness1 is a very stubborn thing3 habitual disregard of ,god and neglect of his word are as fatal to such a one as to those whose bold iniquities proclaim their ruin to the world1 and must end in the same condemnation4 ,the convenient season anticipated by every one who defers acquaintance with ,god to some future time1 is not often found in the season of sickness4 ,it is painfully inconvenient1 when conscience is terrified1 the heart full of idols1 the body languid through weakness1 or tormented by pain1 to be groping in confusion and darkness after an unknown and neglected ,god4 ,poor ,ellen found it so1 and amid her self-reproaches for wasted opportunities1 she was often heard to deplore with bitter regret those misspent days1 when she had resolutely cast in her lot with those who feared not ,god1 and refused to praise him for his goodness1 and to hear of his wonderful works to the children of men4 ,happy are those young people who can spend a ,christian ,sunday in a ,christian home2 and deeply to be felt and cared for are those who have only the house of the hireling to shelter them from the temptation to wander in streets or revel in godless pleasures4 ,but a home may be without ,god2 and a hireling's room may be a scene of heavenly affection1 when ,god and the sinner meet1 blessing and blessed1 in hallowed intercourse1 which-- ,wafts the happy soul awhile ,far1 far away from this low sphere2 ,and in a ,saviour's loving smile1 ,arms it anew for duty here4 ,after ,ellen's death ,mr4 ,saunders very kindly1 and in gratitude to ,mrs4 ,davis for her tender care1 offered to ,mary the partnership with ,jane in the business he had wished the two sisters to undertake2 and ,mary had the satisfaction of once more surrounding her beloved mother with many of the comforts to which she had been accustomed in earlier life4 ,the friends adorned themselves in modest apparel1 as women professing godliness1 and found themselves able to execute expensive or fashionable orders for their customers without commending worldliness1 or compromising their own personal consistency2 and it was often owing to their judicious and sensible advice1 respectfully offered1 that advancing age was saved from merited ridicule1 and extravagance checked by due regard to means and station4 ,as employers1 they did not forget the experience of their past life in their conduct toward their own dependents2 and when ,saturday's work was done1 it was one of their chief desires and pleasures to provide as far as lay in their power1 for the ,christian enjoyment of the day of rest4 ,their home was also their workwoman's home1 if they had no other1 and maternal kindness and friendly interest made it attractive and happy4 ,and to those who were able to appreciate their many privileges and advantages1 the ,lord's day became emphatically a delight1 and was anticipated with joy as the workwoman's best and happiest day4 ,,the ,,end4