Beulah - Page 261/348

Beulah made no reply; and, passing her hands tenderly over the

girl's head, she continued: "When you came to me, a little child, I taught you your morning and

evening prayers. Oh, Beulah! Beulah! now you lay down to sleep

without a thought of prayer. My child, what is to become of you?"

"I don't know. But do not be distressed about me; I am trying to do

my duty just as conscientiously as though I went to church."

"Don't deceive yourself, dear child. If you cease to pray and read

your Bible, how are you to know what your duty is? How are you to

keep yourself 'pure and unspotted from the world'? Beulah, a man

without religion is to be pitied; but, oh! a Godless woman is a

horror above all things. It is no marvel you look so anxious and

hollow-eyed. You have forsaken the 'ways of pleasantness and the

paths of peace.'"

"I am responsible to no one for my opinions."

"Yes, you are; responsible to God, for he has given truth to the

world, and when you shut your eyes, and willingly walk in darkness,

he will judge you accordingly. If you had lived in an Indian jungle,

out of hearing of Gospel truth, then God would not have expected

anything but idolatry from you; but you live in a Christian land; in

the land of Bibles, and 'to whom much is given, much will be

expected.' The people of this generation are running after new

doctrines, and overtake much error. Beulah, since I have seen you

sitting up nearly all night, pouring over books that rail at Jesus

and his doctrines, I have repented the hour I first suggested your

educating yourself to teach. If this is what all your learning has

brought you to, it would have been better if you had been put out to

learn millinery or mantua-making. Oh, my child, you have been my

greatest pride, but now you are a grief to me!"

She took Beulah's hand in hers, and pressed her lips to it, while

the tears fell thick and fast. The orphan was not unmoved; her

lashes were heavy with unshed drops, but she said nothing.

"Beulah, I am fifty-five years old; I have seen a great deal of the

world, and, I tell you, I have never yet known a happy man or woman

who did not reverence God and religion. I can see that you are not

happy. Child, you never will be so long as you wander away from God.

I pray for you; but you must also pray for yourself. May God help

you, my dear child!"