Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-06-04
WHOLE NO. 1929.

81 WILL ATTEND THIS BALL, II l NEVER ot
TO ANorHER.-Emma c., was the ilaughte
OF afiluent parents in the city of B. Sur
rounded by large circle of admiring friends
and minging in the society of the gay, she had
acquired hankering for scenes of mirth,
which could only be appeased by frequent graf
lieation in the saloons OF fashion, and the halls
of pleasure.
Her parents, elevated by wealth, and moving
IN the higher circles Of fashionable society,
had chosen for their loved child a correspond
| ing name among the sons and daughters of the
| large and populous city where they dwet.
Protesting to be Christians, and standing
among the foremost in one of the largest
churches in the city, they had taught their
daughter tho necessity of attendance on the
means of grace hoping perhaps to exert n
salutary influence on her soul, while gaining in
so great degree the admiration of the fashion,
able and the gay.
Friends, many and beloved, gathered around
them, and oit-repeated congratulations of their
success in thc daughters achievements inwhat
Is termed the accomplishments Of life, fell on
the appreciative ears of the devoted parents
aitording new joy in every effort in her behalf,
and winging with fresh zeal every stimulus to
hope, which should insure the consummation
OF their highest wisho8. Emma, meanwhile
greeted by numerous admirers, was now the
charm of social scenes, and her society inds-
pensable TO crown each occasionwith the high
est enjoyment.
Mingling in such scenes, and surrounded by
such lniiacncGs, was Emma c., when n
special work Of the spirit of God was manifest
cd In the church OF sDr. A., where she oc-
casionally attended with Tier parents on the
services of the sanctuary.
Emma entered the house of God on one of
those beautiful Sabbaths in the month of Sep
tember when all nature seems in harmony with
tI..as I.... l.
thoughts upwards to higher scenes and nobler |
services than earth can hope to impart. The |
pastor dcvoutly arose to offer up an earnest |
petition for the descent Of the Holy Spirit on
the hearts of his people. A solemn silence |
hung over the assembly, and the constant tick
ing Of the church clock was measuring, second
by second, the moments passing rapidly away.
Alter other devotional exercises, tho pastor
his text "Ch0ose We this day whom
ye will serve; it the Lord be God, follow him;
bnt i Baal, then follow him. In an earnest
and elective manner he set forth the claims
OF the gospel on tho hearts of the impenitent,
and urged to an immediate choice of the God
they desired to serve adding with distinctive
eye cannot serve God and
Emma was impressed: struggle was going
on in her heart between God and the world.
To renounco her companions, and bid farewell
10 scenes of festive enjoyment, she could not.
Pleasure was her idol, and her proud heart
could not stOop to the humble walks of the
disciples of Jesus and so, with conflicting
she strove to Danish the subject from
her mind. Tho service closed, and Emma re-
turned to her home ; but tho solemn words rang
in her ears, HChoose ye This day whom ye will |
serve" Seating herself on the sofa, she re-
solved she ''would not soon attend church |
again.
The morrow came, and with it its anticipa-
ted pleasures, and unanticipated scenes OF
which the writer was an eyewitness. That
evening large ball was to be held, and Emma
had resolved 10 attend. Servants were busy
in arranging her wardrobe for the occasion, and
the night drew on. The last stitch on her costly
dress had been taken, and her attendant stood
arranging the folds sure that all was in readi
ness Tor the hour of preparation.
But amid these exciting scenes, heavy
thoughts hung over her spirit, which no cir
cumstances could alleviate and no JOY dispel.
At lengths determined 10 buiGsh these disturb.
ers of her happiness, she resolutely affirmed,
with an air of great decision, 81 wiH attend
this ball, if Aepcr go to another"
The words had but fallen from her lips when |
she sank flushed in her chair, angry with con-
science, and displeased with herself. One short
hour only had passed, when Emma was seized
by disease, and borne to her chamber faintng
in her fathers arms Friends gathered by her
bedside, and kind hands ministered to hernced;
lut all in vain. Emma breathed fainter and
ainter, and before physician could be sum-
noncd, she had opened her eyes on the scenes
If eternity.-.4mer MeSS. MAR.