What Makes the Difference? [pp. 364-366]

THE LADIES' REPOSITORY.
exalted state of mind, and probably never be fore did speech flow from his lips more beauti fully and convincingly. The knight's eyes glist ened, his hands were folded across his chest,
and, occasionally acknowledging, he would nod
his head. Hour after hour passed, and neither
speaker nor hearer heeded it, until the host
entered the room, reporting that all the servants
had returned and were awaiting orders from
their lord; and also that the little one-horse
carriage was awaiting the priest.
"Now then, in the namne of God, come with
me, Dr. Martin Luther," said the knight, deeply
moved. "You have convinced and converted
me completely, and God has enlightened my
heart with your clear, reasonable, and hearty
speech. Come with me to my castle Erbach.
And see, so wonderfully has God ordained it,
that I, who intended to carry you there as a
prisoner, return as your prisoner to my own
strong home, which, through you, is changed
into a house of love and true fear of God. I
bless your hand which has removed the bandage
from my spiritual eyes, and put on the chains
of the pure and true faith. Take your prisoner
to his wife, that she may be blessed with the
same grace through you."
And the enlightened knight took the fearless
knight of the Savior by the hand, led him down
and helped him into the little modest carriage,
whichl the servants surrounded, while he was
riding at the side of the doctor.
So, chatting cheerily, they moved through
the verdant valley into the green mountains of
the Odenwald, to the neat little town of Erbach,
and toward its stately castle. The knight had
sent a servant ahead to announce their arrival.
And when they came near the little town, suddenly all the bells chlaimed, and the school-master
came along with the little children of the town,
singing, "Blessed is hle who cometh in the
name of the Lord." And the music band of the
town played lively airs.
To the highly astonished lady of the castle,
who awaited them at the gate, her lord and hlusband said, "Here he is. But we have changed
places. He is the capturer, I am the prisoner.
As a Saul I went out to do him harm; as a Paul
I return, converted by him. And, for this, God
be praised forever! Amen!"
IN the long run, that Christian will come out
well who works cheerfully, hopefully, heartily,
without wasting his energies upon vain regrets
and passionate murmurings. The bird sings in
the storm; why may not the child of God rejoice
too, even though passing clouds lower?
WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?
i tHE daily papers, not a great while since,
contained an account of an unusually sad
case of suicide. It was that of Miss
Laura S., an orphan girl of about twenty-one
years of age, and a native of St. Mary's county,
Maryland. During the last year of her life she
resided with a married sister in South Arash ington, where she was esteemed as a young
woman of great sweetness of temper, and ad mired because of her rare personal charms.
Indeed, she was accounted by many as the
most beautiful woman in that part of the city,
if not in the whole District of Columbia. Slhe
does not appear to have been a vain, frivolous,
or specially worldly-minded woman. On the
other hand, from all we can learn, she was
amiable, affectionate, and forgiving. The fatal
defect in her character was a common one-the
want of the energy and inspiration of an ele vated aim. She had not been educated to live
for a sufficiently worthy object. She knew
nothing of the overcoming power of high and
holy endeavor.
Drifting, as multitudes do, on the current of
society, and waiting, as so many young ladies
are waiting, simply to catch a lover, this young
woman at lengthl received and accepted an eligible offer of marriage. Having committed
herself, woman-like, she committed herself fully.
Having ventured to love, she loved with all her
heart-utterly without suspicion or reserve. A
woman of this order naturally lives simply in
her love. She has nothing else to think of or
to live for. Knowing nothing of the inspiration
of a sanctified ambition, or a holy purpose, she
is evidently entirely at the mercy of those circumstances, always more or less fluctuating,
that are to determine the history and issue of
her affection. If these continue favorable, well.
Should they prove adverse, she is utterly and
hopelessly swept away.
Unfortunately, as is often the case, the current of this woman's true love did not run
smooth. The young man, to whom she was
engaged, was by no means exemplary in his
relations to and associations with other women.
Rumors to this effect came to the ears of the
elder sister, who strove diligently to keep the
unwelcome tidings firom Laura, fearing the consequences of the same upon her health and
spirits. At length, however, her lover himself
puts in an appearance. The nature of the purpose of his visit may be inferred from the fact
that, immediately after his departure, the engagement ring was missed firom poor Laura's
finger. Her countenance, moreover, erewhile
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