Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-10-07

cost. knowing, as he did. that the
merchant had large stock on hand
and could not we'll afford to hold it
over.
''lis's sharperl" said the merchant.
turning toward NE as Gray left the
store
Hes Christian. they say" was
my remark.
"a Christisnl"
Yes; don't you know that he has
become religious. and joined the
church,"
You're jolsing!"
Not a word of it. Didn't you OBJ
serve his subdued, meek aspect, when
he came in?"
"Why. yes; now that you refer to
it, / do remember certain peculiarly
about him. Become pious! Joined
the church! Well. I'm sorry"
"For what?"
For the injury it will do good
cause The religion that makes a
man better husband, father, man of
business, lawyer, doctor, or preacher,
! reverence, for it is genuine, as the
lives Of thoses who acccptit do testify.
But your hypocritical pretenders |
scorn and exccrate.'
1t is, perhaps, almost too strong
language this. as applied to Mr. Gray"
said l.
What is hypocrite?" asked the
merchant.
"A man who puts on the semblance
of Christian virtues which he does not
possess"
"And that is what Mr. Gray does
when he assumes to be religious. A
true ChiiStiar is just. Was he just to
me when he crowded me down in the
price OF my goods, and robbed me of a
living profit, in order that he might
secure q double gain? think not
There is not even the live-and let live
principle in that. No-no Sir. If he
has Joined the Church. my word for it,
there is n black sheep in the fold; Or
might say. without the abuse of lam
guagc. a wolf therein, disguised in
shccp's clothing"
Give the man time" said J. "Old
habits Of life arc strong. You know
In a little while, trust that he will
SEQ clearer. and regulate hi, life from
his perceptions of higher truths"
Il thought his heart was changed. I"
answered the merchant, with some
irony in his tone-"that he had been
made new creature"
| did not care to discuss that point
with him. and so merely answered -
The beginnings Of spiritual life are
as the beginning If natural life. The
babe is born in fecbleness. and we must
wait through the periods of infancy,
childhood and youth, before we can
have the strong man ready for the bur
den and the heat of the day, or full
armed for the battle. If Mr.. Gray is
in the first effort to lead Christian
life. that is something. He will grow
wiser and better in time, ] hope"
There is vast room for improve
mcnt," said the merchant. I'm my
eyes. he is, at this time, only hypo-
critical prctender. ! hope, for the
sake of the world and the church both,
that his new associates will make
something better out of him"
j went away, pretty much OF the
merchants opinion. NV next meet
ing with Mr.. Gray was in the shop Of
a mechanic to whom he had sold bill
Of goods some months previously. He
had called to collect a portion Of the
amount which remained unpaid The
mechanic was not ready for him.
II am sorry. Mr.. Gray" he began,
with some hesitation of manner.
Sorry for WHAT" sharply inter
rupted Mr.. Gray.
Sorry that have not the money
to settle your bill. l have been dis
appointed-'
Il don't want that old story. You
promised to be ready for me to-day
didn't you?" And Mr. Gray knit his
brows, and looked angry AMI impcra-
tive
Yes, | promised. But
Then keep your promise. Nc
man has a right to break his word
Promises are sacred things, and should
be kept religiously."
IF my customers had kept then
promises TO me, there would have beer
no failure in mine to you.' answered
the poor mechanic.
at is OF no use to plead other mems
failmgs in justification Of your own
: You said the bill would be settled TO,
day. and / calculated upon it. Now
of all things in the world. / hate tri
fling shall no, call again. Sir"
.sIf Won were 70 call forty times, alC