BETSY

(Continued from last issue)

“That I will believe, mother! but my Sunday dress is still so pretty, and I can still wear that; and oh! the new dress is also much more modern than my old one.”

“Of course, it is made in the latest style, that is the way I instructed the seamstress to make it,” said mother, “and that is also as your father desired. We have only one child says the good man and she must always look neat.”

“But, mother, I have always looked neat; and you must not get angry if I say, a little too neat, for an ordinary mechanic’s daughter. Agnes is always dressed very plainly and her parents have more money than us. And as Agnes is dressed, that is the way that I wish to be dressed.”

“What do you say, Bets! just as Agnes? She looks like a child of the sixteenth century. No, that never, even though we do get poorer.”

“But, mother, what good is all that lace and ribbons. When we die, and so says Mr. Klein-hart also, then we must leave everything behind; it makes no difference whether we are rich or poor, we must be covered with ’a white death sheet.”

“Well, did you ever hear such talk from a twelve year old child. Betsy! Betsy! how you are spoiled. What child would dare to tell its parents what they should or should not do.”

While mother and daughter’ were busy talking about the new dress, father came home and it was immediately noticeable by his face that business had not been very good at the market. In order not to make things more undesirable for father, the conversation between mother and daughter regarding daughter’s conduct was suddenly broken off.

Just about the same time the seamstress came to try on the new dress. Betsy did not say one word, but mother assured her once and again that the seamstress had respect for her work; that the dress was a jewel and impressed the seamstress to be sure the dress was ready for wear by Saturday evening. The seamstress promised that she could depend upon it that the dress would be finished on time, to which promise she was faithful in as much as early Saturday evening the dress was brought home by a young girl, with the bill attached. The dress was gladly received by mother, but the girl was told to take the bill back with her and it would be paid by the next week end. The young girl had evidently expected a tip, for she lingered a little while before stepping from the porch, but Mrs. Staalman was in no circumstance to give any tips.

The dress was immediately examined by mother, and father also praised the material as well as the workmanship. “And Betsy,” said father, “does not say a word, it is just as if the dress is not for her. Well child! tell us how you like it. You sure will look pretty at Easter day.”

“I would not be disappointed if it rained tomorrow father and I had to wear my ordinary Sunday dress, yes, I would not mind wearing my week day dress for that is also very good.”

“But, Betsy, doesn’t anything we do, please you anymore?”

“Please keep quiet father,” said mother, “when we are alone, I will tell you the trouble.”

Father looked at Betsy with fiery eyes, but Betsy just kept looking at her new dress.

Betsy as we have said would not be disappointed if it rained the next day, but when she awoke she realized her wish had not been fulfilled. Majestically the sun came over the horizon and when Betsy saw its golden rays, her thoughts were at once in the garden of Joseph of Arimathea, where the followers of Jesus came also early in the morning, carrying sweet spices with which they would anoint the body of their Lord and Master. But coming to the grave they found the body of Jesus not, but two angels, one at the head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain. These angels informed his disciples that the Lord had arisen and was now wending his way to Galilee. More glorious than the natural sun arose, did the Son of Righteousness arise in the garden of the Jewish counsellor.

“And oh,” how the thought and desire arose in the heart of Betsy, “may the Son of Righteousness also illuminate my heart.”

When Betsy came downstairs, father and mother were in high spirits because of the nice day and in a tone that went through bone and marrow, father said: “Well Bets! you did not get your wish that it would rain.” Betsy looked straight ahead and did not say a word. “Nice day for your new dress, Betsy!”

“Would that I did not have to put it on, mother!”

“Put it on you will,” said mother. “No more back talk. You will see how the people will turn to look at you today. This morning we are all going to church and this afternoon we will profit from this beautiful weather and go for a walk. What do you say father?”

“You take the words out of my mouth,” said father.

“Mother, ? will do as you wish,” said Betsy, “But may i go to church tomorrow morning also?”

“So far, have we not come,” said mother, “We shall see when morning arrives.”

So said, so done. To church on Sunday morning and listen to the preacher who did not have the name of “pious,” for a stroll in the afternoon and as was the custom of the so called “respectable people,” to stop now and then in a tavern “for a rest.” To celebrate Easter in such a manner must incense the resurrected and glorified Immanuel and well must we exclaim: “O Lord thou art long-suffering and patient that thou still has to do with such mockers and it is only because of thine forbearance thou dost not cast them from before thy sight into eternal woe.”

Betsy, poor Betsy how her heart thumped in her breast that she had to go with mother and father; incessantly she sighed in silence, for she was convinced that she must be regenerated, but up to now she missed the freedom to decisively come out for the name and cause of the Lord Jesus with her parents. She went along, but said very little while strolling and when in the tavern, she would have tried to hide herself in order not to be seen by anyone.

The Sunday past and Monday soon broke forth. This day also is a so-called Christian holiday, in the country of Holland, but many, yea thousands, make this a day of sin and unrighteousness; for where some conduct themselves in an orderly and respectable way on Easter, the following day is spent in worldly lusts and desires. Well does the person who has by grace come to know something better than the world can present, unwillingly ask the question: “Do we still live in a Christian world? Have we not returned to Heathendom ? “

Enough of this for the time being. Mother, as we said before, had promised Betsy that she would see on Monday if Betsy could go to church. “Come,” said mother to father, “today we will give Betsy her desire. I have been thinking, that as she grows older she will probably get other ideas and the more we withstand her now, the more she will be captivated by these silly ideas she now has. To be too strict is no good either.” Father thought that mother probably had better ideas than he and so consented to Betsy’s going to church on Monday morning.

When mother told Betsy, the child was overjoyed and when it was time she went alone, as mother and father had no desire to listen to the so-called “pious” preacher.

The preacher chose as his text, the 20th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, the verses 11 to 18 inclusive. In a captivating manner he pictured the weeping Mary Magdalene by the empty sepulchre and the Lord Jesus standing behind her and asking her: “Woman, vhy weepest thou? whom seekest thou?” But what a pleasing surprise when the Blessed of the Father addressed her to the comfort of her depressed soul and said, “Mary!” wherein she at once recognized the affectionate voice of her Master, whereupon she (and most likely kneeling at His feet) replied: “Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”

“Whom seekest thou?” said Jesus to Mary— so spoke the preacher—and she could give to Him (Whom she thought was the gardener, for her eyes had not been opened, and she knew Him not) a good account of Whom she sought, for she sought Him who had at one time cast seven devils from her and so she spoke, weak woman as she was, “Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him and I will take Him away.” Oh, how did Mary love Jesus. But Mary sought Jesus by the dead, for she had no conception that He was to arise from the grave and if he had remained dead she could not be assured of eternal life. This she must still learn to understand. But one thing stood fast: she sought Jesus and Jesus alone. Oh, my listeners, spoke the preacher; “Do you also seek the Lord Jesus? Know that if you do not seek Him, you shall never find Him. Once again, whom do you seek? Do you still travel on the broad way of Satan? Do you still follow after the world which lies in sin ? Oh that you may realize that you seek your own destruction, which you will not escape, except the Lord renew your spirit. Just think for a moment, what it will be, to have given your time and strength for a handful of worldly pleasure and receiving therefore, eternal condemnation.”

“Therefore, old and young, rich and poor, for so far as you do not have a part in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and thus are still dead in sin and trespasses, may you fall upon your knees and pray that the Lord make you true seekers. Who knows, he may take heed of your prayers. This I say in the name of my resurrected and glorified Saviour, that His might has not diminished and His arm is not shortened, to save us.”

Betsy could not constrain her tears and when she arrived home, father and mother immediately saw she had been weeping, for her eyes were still red.

(To be concluded)

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