The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-08-18
character. There was nothing of

y
trade. noticed that, in the face of
an asscrvation that only five per cent.
over cost was asked for a certain ar.
ticle, he still endeavored to procure
it at a lower figure than was named
by the seller and finally Gro owded him
down to the exact cost, knowing, as
he did, that the merchant had large
stock on hand, and could not we'll al
ford to hold it over. ...
"He's sharper" said the mer.
chant, turning towards me as Gray
left the store.
He's Christian, they say" was
my quiet remark.
"A Christian |"
"Yes don't you know that he has
become religious, and joined the
church,"
"You're joking !"
"Not word of it. Didn't you oh.
serve his subdued, meek aspect, when
he came inl
"Why, yes; now that you refer to it,
do remember a certain peculiarly
about him. Become pious! Joined
the church Well I'm sorryl'
"For what"
"Sorry for the injury he will do to
"a good cause. The religion that
makes a man better husband, father,
man Of business, lawyer, doctor or
preacher, reverence, for it is genu.
inc, as the lives of those who accept
it do testify. But your hypocritical
pretenders scorn and execrate.'
ut is, perhaps, almost too strong
lang uagc, this, as applied to Mr.. Gray
said |.
What is hypocrite?" asked the
merchant.
"A man who puts on the semblancc
Of Christian virtues which he does
not possess"
And that is what Mr.. Gray does
when he assumes to be religious. A
true Christian 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 a double gain! think
not. There is not even the live and
let live principle in that. Mono,
sir. If he has joined the church, my
word for it, there is black sheep in
the fold; or. might say, without
abuse Of language, a wolf therein
disguised in sleeps clothing"
"Give the man timc," said |. sold
habits of life are strong, you know
In little while, trust that he will
see clearer, and regulate his life from
perceptions Of higher truths"
Il thought his heart was changed"
answered the merchant, with some
irony in his tones. 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 beginnings of natural life.
The babe is born in feebleness, and
we must wait through the periods of
infancy, childhood, and youth, before
we can have the strong man ready
for the burden and heat of the day,
or lull-armed for the battle. If Mr..
Gray is in the first effort to lead a
Christian life, that is something. He
will grow wiser and better in time, |
hope"
"There is vast room for improve
ment," said the merchant. In my eyes
he is, at this time, onlya hypocritical
pretender. hope, for the sake oflhe
world and the church both, that his
new associates mill make something
better out of him."
Invent away, pretty much Of the
merchants opinion. My next meet
ing with Mr.. Gray was in the shop Of
Il mechanic to whom he had sold a
bill of goods some months previously.
lie had called to collect II portion of
the amount which remained unpaid.
The mechanic was not ready for him
81 am sorry, Mr. Gray, he began,
with some hesitation of manner.
"Sorry for WHAT" sharply Interrupt
ted Mr.. Gray.
"Sorry that | have not the money
to settle your bill. Ihave been disap.
poin.ed-"
81 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 and imper'
ative.
"Yes, promised. But"
Then keep your promise. No man
has a right to break his word. Prom.
ises are sacred things, and should be
kept religiously."
"lf nv customers had kept their