Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-10-14
CLEARFIELD, SATURDAY, OCTOBER IA, 1854.

ments. Curls and flowers and ribbons |!
Beau.cachers and heart.breakers All
devices Of Satan. Silly child to sell her
soul for head.geOr and gay.dresscs. No
wonder that she mourns over her want Of
faith, and is ever complaining that she
makes liho or no progress onward. lam
sick, sick oithis. Not a bright face do |
meet not q cheerful experience do hear.
It is lameness Of soul, and doubt, and fear
and complaint. But no wonder; the car.
nal mind is enmily against God, and they
are all drawn away from faith by love Of
the world. | have duty 10 perform, and
it shall be DONE"
In this frame Of mind Mr.. Grayeman
went 10 meet his class. The room in
which II was held was the back paror of
a member. When the leader came, in ho
found about twelve females present. They
were seated, each apart from the rest, with
grave almost solemn faces, and eyes cast
upon the floor. Scarcely a head was raj.
sed as he came in. @Gravemcn spoke to
no one, but walked 10 a table at the side
of the room with slow, measured step,
and seating himself, crossed his hands
upon his face, and remained for nearly a
minute in silent prayer. The stiffness of
death reigned around. With deep sigh
that had four or five responses, the leader
at length withdrew his hands, raised his
head and took up hymn book, from
which he selected hymn and read it over
aloud. Then repeating the two first lines
OF the FIRST verse, he raised tune in which
all joined and sung them over. Two
more lines were read, and the singing re.
sumcd, and thus the whole hymn was sung
two lines at Ia time Ailer the two last lines
were repeated all knelt down, and the lea.
der prayed long, loud and lervant pray
er Then the leading commenced. The
first sister was asked 10 relate bis expert
cnce for the week, which was done, and
the leader gave her such advice, cncour-
agement, consolation or admonaton as he
deemed most useful. The next and the
next were called upon, and suitable in.
struction impaired 10 each. Occasionally
a verse Of some appropriate hymn was
eun5. The whole Scene was deeply lm-
pressiye, and calculated 10 inspire the most
solemn thoughts.
AT length young sister Shaw was asked
TO tell what had been her exercises through
the week. In a low, timid, but clear voice
Ellen made her statement. She com.
! planned Of shortcomings, of the tendency
Of her heart to lead her away from spirilu.
al things, Of her want of faith, yet ex.
pressed an earnest desire 10 be coniormed
in all things by the renewing Of her mind
to the pure prccePts of the Gospel. On
taking her seat, deep silence followed
Then her leader said in a severe voice.
'Sisicr Ellen Shaw, you complain Of
coldncss and want Of faith. You have
complained thus ever since you Joined my
class. And no wonder Heretofore !
have not spoken TO you as freely as
should have done ; but, by the help of
God, | will now do my duty. You will
never be anything but a dropping, way.
side professor, unii! you come out and re-
nounce the world and n lying vani.ies :;
until you make a whole sacrifice; until
every foolish and vain desire be laid up.
on the altar Do you think this will be
admitted into the kingdom Of Heaven ~
| (As he said this he stopped down and took
long, beautiful ringlet Of hair in his fin.
gers, and held it up.) "No, child ali
this must fall before you can pass through
the narrow gate. These ribbons and
howers"-and he touched roughly her bon.
net--''wiIl not 90 with you beyond the
grave. Death will pale tho colors in this
gay dress. All, sister Shaw, if you wish
TO be Christian, you must give up all
these; you must give up the world; you
must let the curls and ribbons and flowers
go. 1t is vain effort child you cannot
serve two masters"
This and much more was said in a cru.
el way. Poor Ellen burst into tears, and
wept bitterly. In the innocence Of her
pure young heart, she feared that all this
might be true, and her distress was most
poignant. On returning home, her moth.
or saw that she was much disturbed, and
asked the reason. Ellen related with
oyernowing eyes, what her leader had said.
ado not let it make you feel so bad,
DEAR" Mrs. Shaw said tenderIy. If you
do not set your heart on your dress, there
is no harm in it"
"But Mr.. Graveman says Ills conform.
ing to the world, and he, you know, is
such q good man."
ayes, know he is a pious man but
for all that he may be mistaken in some
things. God looks at the heart, Ellen, and
If that is right all that flows from it is right
10 Him. A mere sanctmonous exterior
is nothing if The heart is not true in its
love. II you curl your hair with an evil
intention, or wear ribbon or flower 10
do harm, then il is a sin; but if because
you love what is bright and beautiful, the
precious gifts of Heaven, you odorn your
person modesily, be sure that there is in it
no harm. ] think q woman should ndorn
herself, not in gaudy, Aaunting colors, TO
otf oIs I,,t t,.toc,ll,, chat pboI