The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-08-18


hadn't the money to settle your ac'
count, you would call in vain," said
the mechanic, showing considerable
disturbance of mind.
"You needn't add insult to wrong"
Mr.. Gray's countenance redeemed, and
he looked angry.
"It there is insult in the case it is
on your part, not minc," retorted the
mechanic, with more feeling. ~ am
not digger of gold out Of the earth,
nor a coiner of money. | must be
paid for my work before | can pay the
bills owe. 1t was not enough that
told you Of the failure Of my GUS
toners to meet their engagements"
"You've no business to have such
customers" broke in Mr.. Gray. mo
right to take my goods and sell them
to men who are not honest enough to
pay their bills"
"One of them is your own son. re-
piled the mechanic, goadea beyond
endurance. "His bill is equal to half
of yours. | have sent for the amount
a great many times, but still he puts
me off with excuses. | will send it
to you next time
This was thrusting home with a
sharp sword, and the vanquished Mr..
Gray retreated from the battle field,
bearing a painful wound.
"That wasn't right in me, | know,
said the mechanic, as Gray left his
shop. "lm sorry, now, that | said it.
But he pressed me too closely. ! am
but human
"He is a hard, exacting, money
loving man" was my remark.
"rhey tell me he has become a
Christian" said the mechanic. "lIas
got religion-becn converted. Is that
so!'
ut is commonly reported; but Think
common report must be in error. st.
Paul gives patience, forbearance
long suffering, meekness, brotherly
kindness, and charity as some OF the
Christian graces. | do not see them
in this man. Therefore, common re-
port must be in error.
81 have paid him good many hun
dreds of dollars since opened my
shop here" said the mechanic, with
the manner of one who felt hurt. "lf
am poor, Woodworking man, | try
to be honest. Sometimes get a little
behind hand, as | am now, because
people | work for don't pay up as they
should. 1t happened twice before
when wasn't just square with Mr..
Gray, and he pressed down very hard
upon me, and talked just as you heard
him to-day. He got his money, every
dollar of it and he will get his mon
ey now. did think, knowing that he
had ioined the church and made pro-
lession of religion, that he would
bear a little patiently with me this
time. That, as he had obtained for.
givencss. as alleged, of his sins to-
wards Heaven, he would be merciful
to his fellow-man. All, well! These
things make US very sceptical about
the honesty of men who call them
selves religious. My experience with
"protessor," has not been very encour-
aging. As a general thing | find them
quite as greedy for gain as other men.
We outside people of the world get to
be very sharp sighted. When man
sets himself up to be Of better quail
ty than we, and calls himself by a
name significant of heavenly virtue,
we Judge him, naturally, by his own
standard, and watch him very closely.
Il he remain as hard, as selfish, as
exactng, and as eager after money
as before, we do not put much faith
in his profession, and are very apt to
class him with hypocrites. His pray
ing, and fine talk about faith, and
heavenly love, and being washed from
all sin, excite in us contempt rather
than respect. We ask for good works
and are never satisfied with anything
else. By their fruits ye shall know
them"
On the next Sunday | saw Mr.. Gray
in church. My eyes were on him
when he entered. noticed that all
the lines of his face were drawn
down. and that the whole aspect and
bearing of the man were solemn and
devotional. He moved to his place
with slow step, his eyes cast to the
floor. On taking his seat, he leaned
his head on the pew in front Of him.
and continued for nearly minute in
nrayer. During the services heard
his voice in the singing; and through
the sermon, he maintained the most
fixed attention. 1t was communion
Sabbath; and he remained, after the