Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-06-08
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RELIGIOUS j
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EnniIr PrnNcrs.

uuloiuiuS u4S lPdlhlh Ut biN NiHiiSA
table. The scene was a great South
ern plantation. and the time period
some years before the Civil War. The
three small girls of the family looked
at each other furtively. They, too, had
heard the excellent discourse" as
their little legs dangled from the seat
of the great pew They had heard IT
and had talked II over on the way
home-that sermon ON hiding ones
light under a bushel.
The minister had had good deal TO
say about a mans responsibility for
those round him, and in particular he
had dwelt upon the influence of daily
prayers on the life which swarmed
upon the great plantations
I'VE have no prayers on our planta-
ton. | wonder If he meant u.s." said
the children; and when their father
praised the sermon they looked up
eagerly, but nothing more was said.
Apparently the master of the house
had not made the application as per
sonal as had his small daughters. They
waited several days, not daring TO say
much lest it should seem a reflection
upon their kind, dignlfed father
81 think he isn't going to have
Them" finally announced Hester, the
eldest.
why couldn't we ask him?' suggest
ed Pauline but her question was new
err answered, for each felt instructive
~ that she could not venture to APP
proach her father on a matter which
was so personal The attitude of chill
dren of that day toward their parents
was more formal and restrained than
the attitude Of children to-day.
Betty was thought not old enough
nor wise enough to take part IN such
discussions, but she listened thought
fully. Suddenly she looked up and
asked, "Why couldn't we have them?'
Why not, indeed? The older chill
dren had never thought of that, but
had they not some responsibility them
selves? Perhaps they had been hiding
their lights under a bushel
We've got our prayer-bools, and
we could do it in the schooroom after
nurse has put out our fights" said
Hester. There was no hesitation in
taking up Betty's idea.
"spose they find us?" suggested
Pauline.
Then We'll get punished for being
out of bed and downstairs" replied |
Hester, firmly; and punishment meant |
something in those days Still, the
fear Of 1t made no difference this time,
for that very night they crept from
their beds, a tride pale and very sol
emn. Each carrying her candle and
book the white-gowned figures stole |
down the broad stairway and into the
dark schoolroom Three tiny forms
knelt before their chairs, three rever-
ent little heads bowed over their prayer
books, while the candles tlickered in |
the drafts Of the bare room. BY their
light Hester found her place, and her
trembling voice began the prayers.
The third night, as they knelt to-
gether, firm footsteps were heard. ev-
cry moment sounding nearer. Hesters
voice died to a whisper. What should
they do?
Keep on, Hester pretend we don't
hear advised Pauline. And so en-
couraGed, Hester kept on. They listen
ed while the steps grew loud, and final
ly stopped, and the heavy door opened.
Still Hester kept on and still the heads
We're bowed. Presently the door was
closed and the steps receded.
The children waited, breathless. he
fore they could muster courage to steal
up to bed. They wondered what the
morning might bring; but finally they
fell asleep with a strange confidence
when Betty had asked. But we did
what we thought was right, ANYWAY
didn't we?'
In the morning they wondered what
the father would say; all day they
wondered. But when goodnight time
came they knew; for calling the family
into the library, and gathering the llt-
tie girls close TO him with a tenderness
they had never felt before. he said
very simply, ASK the servants TO come
In please, and hear prayersr-
Nnnth'c