Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-09-06
From the Youths Instructor.
ELLEN's REASONS FOR NOT GOING TO THE
PLAY.

PLAY.
Ellen was blessed with parents who
loved and feared God, and who were anx-
ious that their children. whom they tenderly
loved, should choose him for their portion,
assured that in him alone could be found
true, permanent satisfaction Of spirit; and
assured, TOO. that his service is the only
path leading to eternal safety. With this
anxiety they were careful to cultivate. as
far as in them lay, those habits and dispo-
si,ions in their children which might pro-
moe rather than retard so desirable an OBJ
cct. Nor were their endeavors useless, or
their hopes disappointed. The God whom
they served heard their prayer; and finding
the Young minds in the place appointed, in
the way prescribed by himself, he gracious
" dispensed his blessing. His grace took
possession of their hearts; and, one after
another, they chose the God Of their father
to be their God and portion forever.
While yet young, Ellen lost her mother; !;
and upon her it devolved to supply, as far
as possible, a mothar's care to her younger
sister.
One day, when staying with some rela-
tives, who had the form Of godliness. but
who knew not that those who would serve
God must keep their hearts with all dill
gence, Ellen was asked to accompany the
family to the play. The poor girl thought
she ought not to 90, because had 1t been
good for her, she knew her parents would
have taken her there; and she felt she
must not 90, because she did not see how 1t
could increase her health, knowledge, or
spirituality. She blushed with timidity, and
said she had rather not 60. "Why not!
said her uncle; " it is no harm. The Bible
does no, say one word against 1t; why
need vou!" Ellen said she did notlike to go
to any place in which she could not glorlfy
God by either doing some good to another
or by obtaining some good herself. "Well,
YOU will DO some good by going; you will
shcw me that You are not obstinate, and DO
not consider yourself wiser than am"
Ellen was going to say that she should be
miserable were she to 80. as she could not 60
in faith, and whatsoever is not oflaith Is sin
but she thought perhaps her uncle was car
nally minded and then he would not m-
dcrstand what she meant; so she begged
him to excuse her, and said she would on
the following morning give him some rea-
sons why she could not 90 to the theatre.
In the morning, she sent the following
note:
"Dear Uncle i canno: 60 to the play,
because have heard that the houses in
which plays arc performed, generally be-
long to people irreligious in their lives and
I must not choose to 60 to their houses for
amusement, who have not the fear of God
before their eyes. They may lead me to
do something to offend him. have heard
that those who take his holy name in vain,
90 there. | have heard that those who
laugh at religion, and scorn to worship God
90 there. Indeed, l have heard that the
greater part ofthe people who attend these
places are decidedly wicked people-such
as would never be chosen to be our friends
and companions and should not like TO
90 from choice where they 60. 1t would
Iool, or = ,,.,2 &c +ho;- MIND c,J ID r0t