“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.