The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-08-25
Adelle's Reasons.
BY GEORGE KLINGLE.

"Why were you so still and serious in
the church to-day, Adele; it was not our
own church, and there was SO much new
to see p
Adele flushed little she scarcely
liked to speak about her reasons.
"Tell me" persisted Irene " it was
so provoking OF you, when we might
have had such good time. What did
you do it for ?"
Adele did not look in the face of her
little friend. She seemed to be looking
at the ribbon she was winding over her
fingers, but in fact she scarcely saw it at
all she was hurt and troubled.
"Tell me what was the matter !" ex.
claimed Irene. "Why do you not an
swer ?"
"I was only waiting a moment to
think what you could mean you know,
Irene, church is always holy place.
"Dear me, who would ever think Of
that in such funny church, where moth
ing is done like it is at home, and every
thing is so curious and queer.
"But we know it all means praise and
prayer to God. 1t is only in different
way"
"But who ever could remember that
the funny little scrap of a church, and
such queer little man to preach, and
the people, and everything it was too
provoking to see you sitting there Just as
you would in church at home, and not
seeing bit of the fun.
"Oh, Irene, do not speak so, it troubles
me everything did seem so odd to me at
first that l almost forgot where was,
and have not been able to be quite
happy since, for although afterward l
did try to follow every prayer with my
thought, and to praise God truly, when
they sang the hymns, the first minutes l
spent there were not reverent, and my
mind was not at all upon the holy words"
Irene looked up from the doll which
laid across her lap; she could scarcely
believe her ears
You have not been quite happy
since ?" she said slowly, why have you
not been quite happy? think l do not
understand
Adele had already spoken more freely
than she was accustomed to do upon such
matters, and did not know quite what to
say, but Irene was too much in earnest
to be silenced. TELL me" she con
tinued " want to know"
ooh, l am sure you know as well as /
that every church is place where God
promises to meet everybody who come to
speak to Him we should remember this
as we 90 in, and think of nothing any
minute but Of Him, and if we say words
to Him without thinking of Him entire
ly, we sin instead Of worshipping, and
this is why have not been quite happy"
Think Of nothing any minute but Of
Him ?" repeated Irene, slowly; we sin
instead Of worshipping? Adele, how
did you come to think about it IN this
way??%@ ,.
see very plainly myself for God's house
is for worship, and irreverence toward
God is sin.
But about the thoughts, how could l
help thinking about that abominable old
bonnet just ahead of me, and, Adele, l
did pretty nearly laugh entirely when
they began to sing the hymn-how could
/ help that2
Mamma has always told me that God
is so merciful he will forgive us all we
really cannot help, but we must be truly,
really sure we cannot help it, and fix our
thoughts so upon Him when we enter his
house that we have no chance to think
Of anything else.
But, Adele, how can we help think
ing Of all sorts Of things? Now, how
can We, in such droll little church p