Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-01-26
RELIGION A REALITY.

Now girls, l have got news for you"
The speaker was snowy girl, dressed in
the height Of fashion. She was just en-
tering a room where sat several young la
dies, her cousins, pursuing various household
employments.
'What is it, Ada? cried one and au-
other.
You'll never believe it; Lizzy Ash
brook has professed religion ? was the half
serious, half laughing reply.
Lizzy Ashbrook The girls repeated
the name more or less in surprise.
'Lizzy Ashbrook = said the elder cousin
Julia, seriously, why, she was forever
making sport of the subject
And such fashionable girl l.; why she
would hardly look at a person who was
meanly dressed remarked another.
Her father is an infdel too; what will
he say?'
Il heard that he turned her out of the
house, said Ada.
There was long silence.
'WelP-It was abruptly spoken by the
youngest of the family, we shall see now
whether there is the reality about religion
that Christians talk about | don't be-
lieve that there is one single person in any
branch of her family who is religious
She will have unusual trials to undergo !;
| would not like to be in her place
Trials pshaw! there's no such thing
as persecution in these days; it would be a
rare thing to see a martyr! This was
lightly spoken by Ada, who had been Liz
zys nearest friend, and who felt an un-
usual bitterness springing up in her heart
towards the young girl, who she knew
could no longer enjoy her companionship
as Of yore.
Martyrs are not rare even in these days;
aye, and martyrs to religious persecution,
as we shall see.
The cousins made an early call on Liz
w, who received them with her accustom-
ed grace, and with a sweeter smile than
usual. Yet she was pale, and though there
was a purer expression on her beautiful
face, yet she appeared like one wearied a
little with some struggle in which she was
the sufferer Although she did not speak
directly Of the new vows she had taken
upon her, the new peace she had found,
her visitors could see clearly and distinctly
the wondrous change in dress, in manner,
and even in countenance.
Lizzy was engaged to be married to a
thorough man of the world. George Phil
ips loved his wine, his parties, the race
course, the theatre, the convivial and free
and-easy club. The sabbath was his day
of pleasure, and many a time had Lizzy
graced his elegant equipage, radiant in
beauty, on the holy day, as they swept along.
He bore dashing exterior, was intellectu-
ala wit, courted, caressed admired every
where.
His brow darkened as he heard the news.
What, the girl of his choice, the woman
he should place at the head of his brilliant
household, becoming a canting Christian
Nonsense he didn't believe it; he would
see for himself He didn't furnish his
parlors for prayer meetings; he wanted no
long g-faced ministers, elders or sisters to
visit his wife, not he. 1t was ridiculous
hoax it must have originated in the club
r. room. What, the daughter Of Henry
Ashbrook, the freest of thinkers! Ha, a
capital joke-very clever joke-nothing
more.
He called upon her not long after the
visit above mentioned His cold eye scan
ned her from head to foot-but how sweet,
ly, how gently she met him Surely the
voice that was melting music before, was
heavenly in its tones now. All the win
ming grace was there, all the high bred ease
the merry smile dimpled her cheek i; but
there was something subtle something
that thrilled him from head to foot viii