The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-09-02
The Ordinary Run of Christians.

Ane ordinary Kun OF Christians.
Is he Christian"'
The question reached my ear as | sat
conversing with a friend, and | paused in
the sentence was uttering, to note the
answer.
"Oh, yes; he is Christian was re-
piled.
g / am rejoiced to hear you say so. |
was not aware Oft before, said the other.
Yes; he has passed from death into
life. Last week in the JOY of his new birth
he united himself to the church, and is
now in fellowship with the saints"
What blessed change"'
blessed indeed. Another soul saved;
another added to the great company of
those who have washed their robe, and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb
There is JOY in Heaven on his account"
"Of whom are they speaking1" ask
ed, turning to my friend
"of Fletcher Gray, | believe" was re-
piled.
Few men stood in more need of Chris
tian graces," said l. 'If he is indeed,
numbered with the saints, there is cause
for rejoicing.
"By their fruits ye shall know them,"
responded my friend. Il will believe his
claim to the title of Christian, when | see
the fruit in good living. If he have truly
passed from death unto life, as they say,
he will work the works of righteousness.
\ sweet fountain will not send forth bitter
waters"
My friend but expressed my own senti-
ments in this, and all like casses. have
learned to put small trust in ''profession;"
to look past the Sunday and prayer-meet
ing piety of the people and to estimate re-
hgious quality by the standard of the
Apostle James. There must be genuine
love Of the neighbor, before there can be
a love of God; for neighborly love is the
groundin which that higher and purer love
takes root. 1t is all in vain to talk of love
as mere ideal thing. Love is am active
principle, and, according to lis quality,
works. If the love be heavenly, 1t will
show itself in good deeds,to the neighbor;
but, if Internal, in acts Of seItishness that
disregard the neighbor,
81 will observe this Mr.. Gray" said as
| walked home from the company, land
see whether the report touching him be
true. If he is indeed, a "Christlan,' as
they affirm, the Christian grace of meek
ness and charity will blossom in his life,
and make all the air around him fragrant"
Opportunity soon came. Fletcher Gray
was a storekeeper, and his life in the world
was consequently, open to the observation
of all men. He was likewise a husband
and father. His relations were, there
fore, of character to give daily, test of
his quality.
1t was only the day after, that happen
ed to meet Mr.. Gray under circumstances
favorable to observation. He came into
the store of merchant with whom [ was
transacting some business, and asked the
price of certain goods in the market. |
moved aside, and watched him narrowly.
There was marked change III the expires
sion of his countenance and in the tones
of his voice. The former had sober, al
most solemn expression; the latter was
subdued, even to plaihtiveness. But, in a
little while; these peculiarities gradually
disappeared, and the aforetime Mr. Gray
stood there nchanged-unchanged not
only in appearance, but in characte. There
was nothing of ''yea, yea" and ''nay, nay"
spirit in his bargain making but an eager
worldly effect to gain an advantage in
trade | noticed that in the face of an as
servation that only five per cent. over cost
was asked for certain article, he still en-
deavored to procure it at lower figure than
was named by the seller, and finally crow j.
nd 30 ll
did, that the merchant had a large stock
on hand, and could not well afford to hold
il over
"He's sharper said the merchant,
turning towards me as Gray left the store.
Hes Christian, they say was my
quiet remark.
Z" A Christian -
"Yes: don't you know he has become
religious and joined the church p
"You're joking"
" Not a word of it. Didn't you observe
his subdued, meek aspect, when he came
in!'
"Whv, yes; now that you refer TO it, |
do remember a certain peculiarly about
him. Become pious. Joined the church!
We'll I'm sorry"
For what /"
"Sorry for the injury he will do to a
good cause. The religion that makes a
man better husband, father, man of bust
ness, lawyer, doctor, or preacher, reyer-
ence, for it is genuine, as the lives of those
who accept it do tesstify. But your by
pocritical pretenders scotn and execrate." "
1T is perhaps, almost too strong Ian
gusge, this, as applied to Mr. Gray said
/.
"What Is a hypocrite I" asked the mer-
chant
a man who puts on the semblance OF
Christian virtues which he does not pos.
ses."
"And that Is what Mr.. Gray does when
be assumes 70 be religious. \ true Chris