Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-26
Entering Into the Closet.

Entering INTO tue tIOset.
Annie don't you believe in secret
prayer 2" Aunt Miranda asked rather sharp
". Annie knew talk was coming. As
she changed babys position on her arm, she
answered, " Certainly, | do" There was a
pause then Aunt Miranda began again, hur-
riedly. as if bracing herself TO get disa-
greeable duty quickly done.
I've been here three weeks, and had my
eyes open. | know where you've been, and
what you've been doing most every hour of
the day, aud I'm pretty sure you haven't
once gone into your closet, and shut your
door, and prayed in secret"
Annie couldn't resist a good-aaturedly
keen rejoinder.
at wouldn't have been in secret, would
it, auntie, if you had known Just when
went, and how long | stayed Z"
Aunt Miranda saw the point. She knew
she had ventured on delicate ground, and she
moved uneasily in her chair After mo-
ment's silence, she was surprised to hear her
niece say, in humble confession
You are right | don't think have
entered into my closet once since you
came" Then, as she bent and laid kiss
lightly on baby's forehead, she added, more
softly, " But can't count the times that I've
prayed in secret Aunt Miranda looked
surprised.
~ don't mean after everybody has gone
to bed, or before any one is up in the morn
ing - Annie stopped abruptly. Aunt
Miranda encouraged her to 90 on by remark
ing, stifily and incredulously;
" Then don't see when you do do it,
When Annie was sure she could speak
gently, she asked;
Cant one pray anywhere. and at any
time, Just as a need comes up 2"
Perhaps some folks can" was the reply.
Annie went on still, gently When sit
rocking baby to sleep, many thoughts of her
present and future crowd my mind. And
closely linked to them are thoughts of papa
and Willie, and of myself. If | resolve to
20 to my closet as soon as have put her
down, and lay all these things in order be-
| fore God quite likely am called away the
next minute Work and interruptions fol-
low each other closely nowadays. But if
weave all these thoughts into little prayer,
then and there, they are not only made more
sacred, but my heart is warmed afresb, and
my tired hands strengthened for the next
thing"
1t cost Annie an effort to go on, but per
haps ii was her duty to lay bare her private
life, that Aunt Miranda might not be har-
boring MISUNDERSTANDING and suspicious.
"When you and Frank are sitting here,
reading or talking, at baby's bedtime, it's
easy to put Whole heartful into the few
words that send up as kiss her and tuck
in the blankets. And in the morning, while
Frank is starting the fire, and gather her
in my arms for one more comfortable little
nap | can't help sending up another heart
full. I'm sure OF those times. but | cant
ka n la ola RaIn
Miranda was ready TO speak again, Annie
added
Perhaps am all wrong not to have reg
ular seasons for going away by myself, 10
matter what interruptions or demands may
claim attention at the same time. III the in-
terruptions would only be little regular, 1t
would help When | was at school, we al
ways had certain time each morning aud
evening for private deyotons. For long
time after leaving school, | kept up the
half hours can't tell how or when
slipped out of the habit; | regret that | ever
did. ! don't try 10 justify myself, Auntie.
| only want you TO know that | don't en-
tirely neglect prayer. | couldn't" she added,
tremulously, as sudden recollection of wife
and motherhood swept over her.
When do you confess sin and seek for
giveness with tears 2" pursued Aunt Mi
randa, nothing daunted.
just this morning, when | was tempted
TO resent one OF your questions | whispered,
Help me TO answer softly Yesterday
when | spoke GROSSLY TO Willie, | said in the
next breath, Lord, forgive me, and help me
TO keep my mouth and tongue Sometimes
| can't do more than turn my face 10 the
Lord with one swift look Of repentance or
imporing, but lie knows what il means
Sometimes have but AN instant just to
reach out my hand, and lie knows it's for
help. It's a comfort that we don't need to
put everything into words for Him. Often
! my heart is so full can't speak one word OF