The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-01-05

come pious. Joined the Church! Well, I'm
sorry
For what?
For the injury it does good cause. The
religion that makes a man better husband,
father, man of business lawyer, doctor or preach
err reverence, for it is genuine, as the lives OF
of those who accept it do testify. But your
hypocritical pretenders l scorn and execrate.'
1T is, perhaps, most too strong language, this,
as applied to Mr.. Gray said t.
What is a hypocrite?' asked the merchant
a man who put on the semblance of chris
tian virtues which he does not possess
And that is what Mr.. Gray does when he as
sumes to be religious. A true Christian is just.
Was he Just when he crowded me down in the
price of my goods, and robbed me of living
profit in order that he might secure double
gam? l think not. There is not even the live
and let live principle in that. Mono sir. II
he has joined the Church, my word for it, there
is black sheep in the fold; or | might say,
without abuse of language, wolf therein, dis
guised in Sleeps clothing
Give the man time said l. Old habits in
life are strong you know. In a little while, |
trust that he will see clearer, and regulate his
life from his higher perceptions of higher
truths
4 thought his heart was changed answered
the merchant with some irony in his tone
that h. had been made new creature
did not care to discuss that point with HIM,
and 50 merely answered:
The beginnings CT spiritual life are as the be,
ginninys Of natural life The babe is born in
tceblenoss, and we must wait through the Pc
riod of infancy, childhood and youth, before we
can have the strong man, ready for the burden
and heat of the day, or tul! armed for the battle
If Mr., Gray is in the first euort to lead Chris
tianlile, thatis something. lie will glow wiser
and better in time, l hope.
There is vast room for Improvement, said
the merchant. in my eyes, he is, at this time,
only hypocritical pretender. l hope, fos the
sake of the world anil the Church both, that his
new associates will make something better out
orhim.
| went away, pretty much Of The merchants
opinion. My u9Xt meeting with Mr.. Gray, was
in the shop o mechanic, 10 whom he had sold
Il bill oi goods some months previously. AID
had called to collect a portion Of the amount
which remained unpaid. The mechanic was
not ready 'or him.
4 am sorry, Mr.. Gray he began with some
hesitation in his manner.
Sorry ior what sharply interrupted Mr..
Gray.
Sorry that [ have not the money to settle
your bill, l have been disappointed -
4 don't want the old story you promised to
be ready for me to-day, didn't you? And Mr..
Gray knit his brows and looked angry and i'm
peratige.
Yes, promised. But
Then keep your promise. No man has q
right to break his word. Promises are sacred
things, and should be kept religiously.'
If my customers had kept their promises
there would have been no failure in mine tc
YOU Answered the poor mechanic.
1T is of no use to plead other mems failngs
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
trning. | shall not call again, sir
If you should call forty times, and had moi
the money to settle your account you would cal
in vain,' said the mechanic, showing consdera
Die disturbance of mind.
You needn't add insult to wrong Mr.
Gray's countcnance redeemed, and be looked
angry.
= IF there is insult in the case, it is on youl
part, not mine retorted the mechanic, will
more feeling. Il am not a digger ofgold out 0
the earth, nor coineI of money. I must bt
paid for my work before can pay the bills
owe. 1t was not enough that | told you Of thu
failure OF my customers to meet their engage
G ments-'
i you have no business to have such custo
nlers, broke in Mr.. Gray, mo right to make m,
Il goods and sell them to men who are not homes
: enough to pay their bills
'One of them is your own son. replied tn
8 mechanic, goaded beyond endurance. His bill
), is equal to half of yours. have sent for th
l. amount a great many times, but he still put
$ me off with excuses I will send it to you
c next time.'
This was thrusting home with sharp sword
0 and the vanquished Mr.. Gray treated from tn
c battle field bearing painful wound.
a THAT wasn't right in me, know SAID tn
e mechanic, as Gray left the shop. 4 am sorr,
n now, that said it. But he pressed me to-
S closely. | am but human
e lie is hard, exacting, money loving man.
j. was my remark
y 'They tell Inc he has become Christian
said the mechanic. Has got religion--bee,
J. convcrted--is that SOP
y 1T is common report; but l think common
report must be in error. St. Paul gives patience
: forbcarance, long suffering, meekness, brotherl
% kindness aud charity as some of the Christian
. graces. do not see them in this man. There
y fore, common report must be wrong
4 have paid him good many hundreds 0
. dollars since opened my shop here said tn,
mechanic, with the air of one who felt. If
> ANA poor, hard working man, try to be hon
], , est. Sometimes I get little behind hand, as
!. am now, because people work for don't pay u
as they should. Ithappened twice before whel
I wasn't just square with Mr.. Gray, and h
3 pressed down very hard upon me, and talke,
ljpstas you have heard him to-day. He got hi
s money every dollar of it then, and will get
now 7 did think howevpr that "a he had inn