The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-04-21
Ghildren's Column.
"ENTANGLED."

"Oh dearl' sighed the girl, hurrying
her books and papers into the desk Z" l
shall never be ready and it will be too
late afterwards for my lessons
By walking fast she reached the
church in time for the opening SEN
fences, but the hurry and excitement
had quite untitled her for enjoying this
first Lenten service. She could not get
rid of other thoughts; the occupations of
the day passed in, and anxious planning
of how to accomplish all she had under
taken, took the place of the solemn
prayers in which she appeared to be
engaged. Shocked at herself beyond
measure, she put her head down in the
concluding prayer and cried. Lord
help me- was all she could say.
Aunt Margaret met her at the door
" am going away tomorrow for a week
or so. Will you go occasionally and read
to old Susan, dear?" Instead of the
bright smile of acquiesence she naturally
expected from one like Jennie so ardent
and earnest in helping every one, look
OF utter WEAKNESS came over her face
"Oh, I'll do it, she said with little
laugh that sounded hard and unnatural
ait will be just one thing more"
Why, Jennie, my child and the
old lady put her hand tenderly on her
arm as she was about turning away
"you are SICK you are not yourself.
No, I'm not sick, she said, laughing,
and am myself; that's Just the trouble.
If were anyone else, might do some
thing with my life. AS it is, it is all
every which way. l want to do every
thing to please everybody, and the con
sequence is 1 don't do any one thing
satisfactorily, and please no one, myself
least of all. .
You have only One to please. If you
do His pleasure, you do all"
All, but | don't; l want to, but l have
so little quiet time to pray and think
about Him. Everything else has to be
done, and 1 am always trying to get
through with everything so that can
shut out everybody, and not have to
read my Bible with half my mind out
side"
Martha, Martha, thou art careful and
troubled about many things Now Jen-
ME child, come in with me and we will
talk it over
So they went into the little cottage
home together, and sat by the fire in
Aunt Margarets room.
It's so peaceful here, Jennie said
with sigh. 81 always feel it the mo-
ment open the door. You rest me so.
And she laid her head on Aunt Mar
garet's lap, feeling happier than she had
done for many day.
Now tell me how youhave gotten off
the track, child. I love to think of you
as in the green pastures, led safely and
quietly by your Good Shepherd. A."
I'm afraid I've been going alone,
she said after pause. al was doing His
work, and so anxious to do it we'll, and
to be right in every relation of life to my
home and people, my friends, the neigh
borhood, and church; and then to i'm
prove mentally and keep up with the
times Oh dearl there seems so much
that really ought to be done, ard it is
just too much for me. / have every day
to leave more than half my duties un-
done"
Are you sure they are your duties?
Are you sure that the Master wants you
to do them that day?' Do you take
your orders from Him, or make out your
own2'
There was long pause Then the old
lady went on in her loving, tender way
that in itself brought calm and soothing
to the tired head and heart.
You say there are so many things.
Your Saviour says one thing. He said
it to poor Martha when she was Just as
nervous and tired out as you are with
hurried, anxious service And that one
thing is to sit in calm, sweet stiffness at
His feet, and learn from Him just what
He wishes every day-yes, and every
hour of the day
Yes that is what l want; it is what
have missed all along my heart just
aches for it.
See how sweet such life isl 1t was
the life Jesus lived He looked up to
the Father even for His words, and as
Macdonald beautifully says, His life
was of no value to Him, but as His
father cared for it. He wanted His
food, His clothing, His work from the
fathers hand"
I" 1 will begin over again, . Jennie said
lifting up frightened face to smile her
thanks. Now Just put it for me in a
few words to carry home.PL/L
Each day You have only Christ to
please. Find out His will then do as