A SERVANT of Christ, residing at a watering-place, and calling one day to visit one of his hearers, saw a young lady in the parlour, who had come for the use of the water, on account of her health. Observing her usually pensive, he took the liberty to inquire the reason. She answered, “Sir, I will think no more of it, it was only a dream, and I will not be so childish as to be alarmed at a dream; but, sir,” said she, “I will tell you my dream, and then I will think no more of it.” She then repeated as follows: —
“I dreamed I was at a ball, where I intended to go tonight. Soon after I was in the room, I was taken very ill, and they gave me a smelling-bottle, and then I was brought home into this room; and I was put into that elbow-chair (pointing to it), and fainted and died! I then thought I was carried to a place where there were angels and holy people in abundance, singing hymns and praises to God; — that I found myself very unhappy there, and desired to go from thence. My conductor said if I did, I should never come there again! He then violently whirled me about, and I fell down! down! down! through blackness, and flame, and sulphur; the dread of which awoke me.”
The minister endeavored by every possible argument to dissuade the young lady from going to the ball that night; but in vain! She answered, “I will go. I will not be so foolish as to mind a dream!” She did go: and soon after she came into the ballroom she was taken ill, and, as the dreamt, a smelling-bottle was given her. She was carried home into the room, and put into that very elbow-chair represented in the dream; she fainted, and died! Awful warning! and awful event! Oh, that it may deeply penetrate the hearts of any who are “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” She was warned by a dream; but such are now warned by a reality—even her mournful death.
The late Mr. M’Cheyne, hearing from a friend that she had said “she was determined to keep by the world,” penned the following lines on her melancholy decision: —