"Here is an invitation to the Officer's Ball which is to be held on Saturday, Mrs. Estcourt." The young bride of Captain Estcourt hesitated to accept the card, while her forehead showed the troubled state of her mind.
"What is the matter?" asked her husband, who was entering the room, seeing his wife so disturbed. Still thinking, she did not answer. "Well, what is it?"
They had recently been married, and this was the first invitation she had received. Now she realized for the first time her mistake in disobeying God's commandment and marrying a man who was not a Christian, and who was not with her in heart and mind as to eternal matters.
"Well, James," she said to her husband, "you know I am a Christian and gave up dancing before I married. I just can't accept this invitation."
"What! Are you going to rob the party of its best and fairest dancer?" he said, laughing. "You will not do such a thing. Do you know that old Hebich will be present?"
"James!—that is impossible!" exclaimed Mrs. Estcourt, springing to her feet. "What! Mr. Hebich, that dear old missionary, that faithful man of God? Impossible!"
"That's who it is," replied the Captain. "It was a great idea of Major Jackson to invite him."
"And Mr. Hebich accepted?" asked Mrs. Estcourt.
"He did! I was there when the answer came. You should have seen Jackson; how glad he was to have a chance to see the old man at the ball."
"Well, I will go too, then," said the Captain's wife briefly, knowing something of the zeal and courage of Mr. Hebich.
The ballroom was all decorated with flags and flowers. The orchestra of the regiment began playing, and the dancing began. During the second waltz a tall, broad-shouldered man entered the hall, almost unnoticed. Standing still, he looked earnestly at the glittering scene until the music was ended.
Then the dancers led their ladies to their respective places. The central part of the room was now vacant, and during the pause which followed, the tall form of the missionary made for the open space.
There was a sudden hush, and all eyes were directed toward him. "There he is; there he is!" whispered many. But no one dared to say a word of reproach to the earnest, well-known man of God.
Hebich now stretched out his right arm above his head, and at the same time called with a loud voice to the audience:
"WHO IS ON GOD'S SIDE?"
Deep stillness prevailed! A second and a third time he called out the question:
"WHO IS ON GOD'S SIDE?"
"WHO?"
The bright eyes under the bushy brows fixed themselves upon those present. A mysterious power from above seemed to have fallen on the dancers, for no one moved or raised a voice against the speaker—the bold witness of the Lord.
After the last call, a stirring began among a group of dancers, and to the astonishment of Captain Estcourt, he noticed the delicate figure of his wife who, with a deadly pale face, walked slowly through the space, placing herself alongside Mr. Hebich.
The young lady, before so timid, now stood with her head raised, confessing her Savior to those in the ballroom. There the two stood, the only ones on God's side—the strong, daring man, and the weak and delicate figure of the lady in white.
Once more Mr. Hebich addressed the rest in a few earnest words, testifying to the reality of eternity, and preaching repentance toward God. Then he left the hall. A few minutes later Mrs. Estcourt left also, accompanied by her husband.
All the company will remember through all eternity God's testimony to them through His faithful servant. For a few it was a momentous evening and a time of decision for Christ. Do you think Mrs. Estcourt was ever sorry for taking such a bold stand for God and her Savior Jesus Christ? She certainly was not. Having come to know Him, she now purposed to serve God with a true and joyful heart.