La Sierra College - Meteor Yearbook (Arlington, CA)

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You're all right, commented Bessie as she snuggled down among the pillows, but it's awfully dusty and remember there aren't any sidewalks. Oh, but I must know a lot before I go home Christmas. Bessie sat up with a jerk. You're some combination, Judy. Here you expect to convert your family and all your friends during the holidays and yet you are going to join with them in the social whirl, doing all the things that Adventists positively forbid. Adventists don't dance, they don't- . But, Bessie, we've discussed all that before. To me dancing has no more connection with religion than eating. lXIy mother is the lovelist woman in all the world and I couldn't ever go anywhere, I couldn't stay at home without seeming odd, if I disapproved of these things. It's all in the way you've been raised, Bessie -how you look at it. Bessie regarded her roommate for a long time, then she said simply, You can't do these things and be a Christian. You just wait and see. Judy answered the challenge with her head held high. I'll come back from the holidays, she said confidently, a better and stronger Christian than I am now. ik iii' 'X Constance Atherton stood before her mother, tense and furious, her lips pressed into a thin, straight line. I can't stand it another minute, lkfother. If Judith goes to the llieredith dance tonight, I'lI stay at home. She makes it so embarrassing. VVhy, she never talks about another thing but 'this generation' and 'the gospel to all the world,' and 'the population of India, and-Oh, I just can't stand it, lllother. And I don't know what Joe will ever' say about the ringf, The ring ? questioned hlrs. Atherton. Yes, didn't she tell you? Why, when she went to church Saturday there was a missionary from India who talked on the great needs of that Held and Judy says that when she was getting the money she had out of her purse, she saw her two rings and what did she do but put them both in the collection plate. Oh, surely not, Pilrs. Atherton interrupted. Yes, she did and she had to walk home because she hadn't saved a nickel for carfare. Dad wants to get her another just like it before Joe gets here but she says Joe will be glad, too, when he hears about the great need and it wouldn't do any good to get her another one because she might drop it in sometime, too. I don't know what has come over her or- Down the hall floated a rich contralto voice. It rang out strong and clear and every word could be heard distinctly: Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go, Anywhere He leads me in this world belowf' lVIrs. Atherton looked at her radiant daughter as she appeared in the doorway and caught her breath sharply. She had not realized that Judith was so extravagantly beautiful. Under one bare white arm was tucked a small black book. Constance saw it instantly. VVell, Judy, what in the world do you have there ? Page Sixteen

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Oh, but Judyl Surely you understand what he meant, he- Of course he meant just what he said, and it is the only principle l can ever live by. You see- she hesitated, it's hard for me to explain, I-l'm afraid you won't understand. UGO ahead, Bessie encouraged. lt's just that l've never known anyone the least bit like you before. I suppose that's true, and you see, it's just as hard for me to understand you- all of you, on this question of standards. lt took only a moment for Judith to unlock her jewel case and slip two beautiful rings on her finger. As she held up her hand with its ruby and diamond for Bessie's inspection she said simply, Now l have them on, and a moment ago I didn't, but l'm just the same-no better and no worse. How could they possibly make. any difference? She stood idly twisting the great diamond. And of course, there's Joeg he's not an Adventist, but-well, he'll be more likely to be one with me than without me, and anyway he couldn't ever come between me and-well, what l got this morning. So now you know it all, Bessie. That is the decision l have come to, but don't explain to the others. They wouldn't understand, every and it would be so easy for them to misunderstand. As she spoke, Judy began idly gathering up the pages of the letter to her mother. At last she glanced up apologetically at her silent room mate. Sorry, Bessie dear, that l've made such a mess of trying to explain. Poor mother: it's quite a letter, isn't it? hlost of it is about the change of the Sabbath. After all, it isn't a had way to get a Bible doctrine's lesson. But all of it wasn't about the change of the Sabbath, and Judy glanced anxiously through the first few pages again. TJIEAREST MOTHER: VVell, it has happened-the very thing that you teasingly, mock- ingly warned me against just before you kissed me good-bye a few months ago. How we did laugh together at the suggestion that l might ever become a Seventh-Day Adventist. VVell, lllother, l'm it. Head over heels, heart and soul. Just think, lllother, the Gospel to all the world in this generation. Now l have something big enough to hold me. I'll be safe at home-there in Hollywood-now, but please don't send for me for l have so much to learn yet. But don't worry, lllother, for I won't come home a bundle of inhibitions with religious scruples to interfere with almost everything. That isn't my idea of religion. lt's positive to me-full of things to do instead of things not to do. I'll dress just as l always did and enjoy the same amusements with you and Constance and Joe. But Oh, l have so much to tell you about- Judy skipped hurriedly through the letter, folded it carefully and slipped it in the big envelope. Well, that's done, she commented in a satisfied tone with a glance at her roommate, and l'm going to give a Bible reading at Pedley on this very subject tomorrow afternoon. You know l've been singing over there for the meetings and today l asked Richard if l couldn't go along tomorrow and help give out handbills. Page Fifleen

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lVIy Bible. You see, I was talking with Dick and someway I couldn't find the texts I wanted. I got all mixed up, but maybe you think I haven't studied today, though. Anyway I'm taking my Bible along and- Uh, but Judyl You can't do that. I never head of anyone taking a Bible to a dance. Well, I don't see why not. Don't be silly, Judy. llflother, she can't do that, can she? A Yi 'Why, Judy dear, I believe Constance is right. At sight of her daughter's face, Mrs. Atherton searched hurriedly for a reason. You see, the Bible is a sacred book. I am certain it would not be appropriate to read it to the accompaniment of jazz and boisterous laughter. It seems to me that it would be almost sacrilegious to take your Bible to a dance. As her mother spoke, a queer expression came into Judy's eyes. An intense, strained silence followed. At last Judy said simply, 'LI-I guess you're right, Mother, I hadn't realized. Then she turned quickly toward the door. Don't wait for me, Constance, I'm not going. Why not ? her sister demanded. Oh, it's just that I couldn't ever go any place where it would be sacrilegious to take my Bible. Then she was gone, and Mrs. Atherton and Constance stared at each other in a bewildered manner. A moment later, from the hall above, a clear, sweet voice floated down the stairs. Anywhere with Jesus, the voice sang on, joyously, triumphantly. It was Constance who spoke first. But whatever will Joe say when he arrives il tomorrow? But Joe waited until evening to say it. All afternoon he had been observing Judy, and now here she was sitting opposite him in a plain dark dress. It seemed to Joe that he had never done quite so much listening. At last he broke in, But look here, Judy, I don't understand you at all. After all, this is my first evening in a good many months and-well, you seem so different. Now that dress for instance- Judith smiled. It's one of my very brightest ideas, she explained. I don't want to sound egotistical, but you do have such a flattering way, Joe. of sitting and just looking and looking at me and answering vaguely 'yes' or Ago on,' and never hearing a word I say. Tonight, you see, I wanted you to listen to what I had to say rather than to look at me. And it has worked beautifully. You got it all. I didnlt come between you and my message. I never before realized what a difference clothes make. YVell, you're a funny girl, I must say-rather be listened to than looked at. Judy laughed happily. I guess that's right. It's rather a new discovery for me, too. But someway this truth has such a grip on me, and I'm so anxious to get into the mission field that-well, I suppose I have sort of lost interest in myself-that's all, India is where I shall go. I like to think that our ring is over there already, and now that you are practically through your medical course- fCUlIffllllf'Il on flllfjt' 882 Page Se1'entee'n