“You have noticed the immodest positions taken
by those who dance, and you feel a deep sense of shame
for them. Should you try to partake of their
pleasure, your moral nature would be degraded, and
you would in time lose that sense of shame and be
as eager for the pleasure as any of the others.
Thus yielding, one step at a time, you would cease
to look upon the dance as immodest and would find
real enjoyment in it, and perhaps would be led into
greater sin. It is in this way that many girls
lose their virtue. Then they are shunned by their
old associates, who are really but a step higher in
morality. Forsaken by friends, hopeless as to
their future, deserted even by those who wrought their
downfall, these poor girls sink lower and lower, and
lead lives of shame and misery.
“No spiritual-minded person will take part in
worldly amusements, for he can not enjoy them.
Christians who indulge in dancing turn away from God
and seek fellowship with the world. Such are sure
to lose the grace of God from their hearts.”
CHAPTER XV.
LEROY’S HEALING.
Bessie’s little brother, Leroy, now past five
years of age, was far from being rugged. Though
he had a full, round face and a large head, his body
was emaciated and did not develop properly. He
could go only a few steps without falling. He
had fainting spells, which gradually increased in
frequency and duration.
Many times as Mrs. Worthington looked at her poor
little boy, she lifted her heart to God in earnest
prayer to know his will concerning the child.
Many friends remarked that she would never be able
to bring him up; but she knew that, if for the best,
God could heal the child and give him right development.
At last his illness became very serious. One
night his head was burning with fever, while his body
was cold and clammy. It seemed but a question
of time until he would pass away.
As Mrs. Worthington looked at her child, she remembered
the words, “Man’s extremity is God’s
opportunity,” and “The prayer of faith
shall save the sick.” She wondered why
God had brought them to her mind. She began to
ask herself: “Do I believe that God can
heal that child? If it is God’s will to
take him, can I submit?” To the first question
she answered, “Yes; God made him,” and
to the second, “Thy will be done, O God.”
Then she breathed an earnest prayer for his healing.
The sweet assurance came that her prayer was answered;
that the child would grow well and strong. She
felt that she could lie down by his side and trust
him in the hands of the One who gave him.
Copyrights
The value of a praying mother from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
