Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-12-27
The Golden Opportunity.


1t is a sweet young face that is reflected
in the mirror dark eyes that have visit
full look in them as the graceful little figure
draped in the soft folds Of muslin pauses be-
fore it 20 see If Cousin Meta has arranged
everything with becoming taste. She has
done so, even 10 the wealth Of hair which is
coiled simply around her head, waved in
natural beauty without the aid Of crimping
pins from her white forehead. Loving and
beloved is she, not only in her own pleasant,
love-deyising home, but also 10y schoolmates
and friends. Fond parents have tenderly
watched over her childhood aud they are
pardonably proud Of their unfolding bud of
promise. Sixteen summers have only added
brightness with their coming. Like so
many dear young girls, she is almost ready
10 pass out from the precincts Of the school
room TO find life a reality. There had been
in the Sabbath-school of which our young
friend was a member, serious awakening,
and among the pupils some of her particu-
lar friends. llerown heart had been touched,
aud the still small voice was pleading with
her. This deep, silent influence was also
felt in her class in the high school. many
had chosen the good part of Mary and were
sitting at the feet OF their newly-found
A'fA'A'Af AfhilAlA VI lliNl AiAdA 0AffN RAh
story Of His love. One morning the words
OF the daily Bible reading came home to her
with unusual impressiveness-w words she had
read aud heard read many times before,
" Remember now thy Creator in the days of
thy youth, while the evil days come not nor
the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, |
have no pleasure in them" A few weeks
before this. some OF the girls had gathered
together, one recess, and banded themselves
into a praying circle, resolving to meet for
half an hour every week 20 pray for those
dear companions who were standing without
the gate, many of them longing 20 enter
aud these resolves had beeu carried out
This particular morning there was unus-
ual interest manifested in the group OF girls
that held our young friend as its loving
center One of their classmates was on that
evening to give a gay aud brilliant party in
commemoration of her birthday, aud another
invitation had also been given by their pas
tor for a special meeting at his house, of
those who were willing TO enlist under the
banner Of Christ Choose We this day
whom We will serve" and "soul, take thy
ease, eat, drink and be merry" were placed
one against the other in earnest conflict.
With some the choice had been made, and
the anticipated evening hour in the little
study had already sent out peaceful recog-
milton Of the decision. Helen wavered be
tween two opinions. She trusted her pa
rents, who believed she wanted nothing
more TO make her better than the dear sweet
child she was but like the worthy young
man of old, she with them, lacked the zone
thing needful." and so she allowed their ad-
vice 10 60 and enjoy the dance and lively
company 10 outweigh the tender whisperings
Of the still small voice, and TO resist the
pleadings Of her young Christian com
pauious. As one stood by her side, with
her arm around her waist begging her for
this once 10 20 TO the meeting, she threw her
own arms about her friend and almost re-
solved she lcoud ;-almosti and then the
watching adversary rejoiced at the result of
that lingering almost. "Well, dear Lizzie,
she said as she turned 10 leave her, III go
Just this once 10 the party, aud after that !
will give up all and walk with you III the
new life you have chosen next week | will
20 10 the study" Then with kiss she left
her, and the group of girls scattered to per
form their various duties. The evening
came. 4 little circle gathered around their
pastor for prayer, while waiting angels car
ried news % heaven that caused rejoicing
among the pure white throng From Helen
around whom flocked a gay company in
the hall of dancing and worldly pleasure
they We're compelle! to turn sorrowfully
away. And did she think of the mornings
golden opportunity as lost forever, and that
Of the day Just closing she would soon utter
the words, | have no pleasure in it, be-
fore another should come and 20 None
OF those who read this are too young to
know that Gods way is not ours, and that
His time is the present. The next morning
Helen was not able TO attend school, having
a severe sore throat which grew worse and
worse until finally pronounced by her physi-
clan TO be a fatal type of diphtheria. As
the days slowly passed in that sick chamber,
how often came the thought, al had only
known how short my time was to be; II
had only answered the call when ! knew
ought TO have done so if only could spend
little hour in the study where Jesus met
and accepted so many of my friends,
should not look forward with SO much fear
and foreboding.' And now what diiter-
ent picture the mirror reflects from that OF
the little while ago The rounded outline
of the fair face has wasted away, its delicate
pink has famed into scarlet, and the short
breath comes painfully. In all the sweet
brightness of her spring-time she must go
through the dark valley alone, with no ten
der, uplifting arm to lean upon. Dear young
friends, who like Helen have youth with its
precious opportunities; health with its as
surances, strength of mind and body TO carry
out good resolutions remember how deli
cate is the silver cord of life, and let it
twine closely around the strong arm of
Jesus, so that when it is loosed you will be
drawn up to Himself to be sheltered for
evermore where the evil days come not,
nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt
say have no pleasure in them Selected.