The Litchfield County post., 1828-07-17
THE NOTARY OF PLEASURE.


 the truth of the following narrative.
 aI will mention circumstance that was related to me many years since at the time of ils occurrence, in the neighborhood where resided. There were then,it is true, few real Christians in our country: but some rare specimens existed in the hum- ble walks of life, of devout believers and professors of our blessed religion. One of these was window, who had felt keen diversity, and comfort under various trib- ulations, from believing and practising e. vangelical Christianity. She had only two children; son, whose immoral com duct had been the chief source of her troubles: and daughter whose gentle & docile character gave promise of future excellence. This girl grew up, beautiful and graceful, just before the death of her father who insisted upon sending her to the village dancing school. In spite of the tears and approximations of her pious mother, to whom such an act seemed little short of sacrilege, the victim was decora- ted, and led to the altar of worldly folly, Her beauty was so remarkable, and her natural graces so improveable, that she soon excelled all competitors, and was considered the unrivalled belle of the vil- lage. At this crisis her father died, and the poor widow was enabled to draw her child from the fiery furnace of temptation. In the agony of her multiplied distresses, she sought with some success, to imbue the mind of her daughter with that faith which was the sole comfort of her own existence. The docile girl lent willing ear to explanations of divine truth, which satisfied her understanding, and filled her heart with pure and holy emotions.
 She was on the point of making pub lie profession of Christianity, (two years after the death of her father,) when tine little village in which she lived was agita- ted by preparations for great festivities. Some rich men, in their overf1owing be- nevolence, determined to give their fellow creatures an opportunity of committing sin and folly, by having horse race in the vicinage. All hearts were palpitating with the expectation of unusual pleasure for ball was to be given by the success ful person, ,or, as he was termed, the victory over the field. The poor woman shud- dcred as she witnessed the rapid progress of this much dreaded evil. To complete her uaeasiness. brother of her husbands came to town with his only daughter, and took up his abode beneath her quiet roof. This man was himself horse-jocky, and his daughter, an ardent votary of second hand fashions and graces. The widow soon found that her chance of making head against this torrent was small. Her bro- ther-in-law fell in raptures at the sight of his niece's beauty, and declared that he would be at the expense of equipping her like his own child, and that she should e. clipse all the women of rank and fashion in the balll room.
 The poor girl was at first unwilling to lend an ear to these follies; but she had always delighted in dancing, and on this occasion suffered her better judgment to be overrulled. "'Tis but for once moth- er." said she "and to please my uncle- Nay! to avoid giving him incurable offence. believe me, I shall never suffer my head to be turned by one night of gaity. Pray for me, mother, that this compliance with the will of my fathers brother, may not produce evil consequence" "My child, ,'' said the distressed mother, dare not so word my application. Itis in compliance with yov own piH, that you thus venture upon the tempter's own ground; and in this open act of disobedience to your heavenly Father, cannot lend my aid to excuse or extennate your guilt. l have prayed, I will still pray that you may not venture further in this matter; but if you do the responsibility must rest with your self" " But, mother, the Scriptures say themselves, there is time to dance.' !" "So they say in the same place, 'there is time to make war and time to hate. The wise man means that all sins and fol- lies will have their seasons; but he does not therefore advocate sin and folly. Oh beware my child, and let the same ScripJ lures teach you, shat he who hardeneth his neck against reproof, shall be destroy ed, and tkGt suddenly These are fearful words, for us to part with, my child. Oh heed my repfOof, and do not harden your meek !'' "Mother," said the perplexed girl, [" I have promised my uncle to go to this unlucky ball, and I cannot break my promise, without mourning his resentment. He has been so kind thatit would seem ungratefal to thwart him in this tri le. ."-