The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-05-22
Is HE A CHRISTIAN
by r. 9. ARTHUR.
as he a christian z

ing with atriend, and paused in tne sentence
| was utterng to note the answer.
'Oh, yes, he is a christian" WAS replied.
Il am rejoicsd to hear YOU say so. l was
not aware Of il before, said the other.
'Yes; he has passed from death unto life
Last week, in the JOY of his new birth, hc uni
ted himself with the church, and is now in
fellowship with the saints
What blessed change!
| Blessed, indeed. Another soul saved an
other added to the great company Of those
who have washed their robes aud made tn m
white in the blood Of the Lamb. There 10
JOY in Heaven on his account.
of whom are they speakingf l asked
turning to my friend.
'OfFletcher Gray, believe be replied.
Sew men stood more in need Of christian
graces,' said |. IF he is indeed numbered
with the saints, there is cause for rejoicing
BY their fruits ye shall know them,' re-
sponded my friend. Il will believe his claim
to the title of christian, when / see the
fruit Of good living. He has truly passed
from death unto ife as they say, be will work
the work Of righteousness. A sweet fountain
will not send forth bitter works
NV friend but expressed but nv own sen
timents iu this and all like cases. | have
learned TO put small trusts in profession
TO look past the Sunday and prayer meeting
piety of people, and to estimate religious quail
ity by the standard OF the Apostle James,
There must be genuine love Of the neighbor
before there can be love of God, for neigh
borly love is the ground in which that higher
and purer love takes root. 1t is all in vain
to talk of love as a mere ideal thing. Love
is an active principle, and according to it's
quality, works II the love be heavenly, it
will SHOW itself in good deeds to tho reighbor,
but if Internal, 10 acts of sefi.hness that dis
regard the neighbor.
i will observe this Mr.. Gray said l, as |
walked homeward from the company, 'and
see whether the report concerning him be
true. Ii he is indeed a christian, as they af
firm, TIC christian sraces Of mcokucss and
charity will blossom in his life, and make all
the air around him fragrant
Opportunity soon came. Fletcher Gray
was store keeper, aud his life in the world,
was, consequently, open to the obversation OF
all men. He was likewise a husband and
father. His relations were, therefore, Of a
character to give daily, test Of his true equal.
ity.
1t was only day after, that l happened
TO meet Mr.. Gray under circumstances favora-
ble to the observation. He came into the
store Of merchant with whom | WAS transac-
ting some business, and asked the price Of
certain goods ip the market. ! moved aside
and watched him narrowly. There was
marked change in the expression OF his coun-
tenance and in the tone OF bis voice. The
former had sober, almost solemn expression,
the latter was subdued almost to plaintive
ness. But in little while, these pecularties
gradually disappeared, and the aforetme Mr..
Gray stood there unchanged-unchanged not
only in appearance, but in character. There
was nothing Of the 'yea. yea, and may, nay
opi'it In his bargain making, but an eagoI
wordy effort to gain an advantage in trade
| noticed that in the face of all asseveration
that only five per cent. over cost was asked
for certasn article, he still endeayored TO
procure it at lower figure than was named
by the seller, and finally crowded him down
to the cost, knowing as he did, that the mor-
chant had large stock on hand, aud could
not well afford to hold it over.
He is a sharper said the merchau. turn
ing to me as Mr. Gray left the store.
Hes christian, they say was my quiet
remark.
"A christian
Yes, don't YOU know he has become reli-
gous and joined the church?
you're Joking
Not word Of it. Didn't you observe his
subducd, 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! We'll, l
am sorry
For whatp
Sorry for the injury he will do a good
cause. The religion that makes man bet.
ter husband, father. man Of business, lawyer,
doctor, or preacher, | reverence, for Il is geD
nine, as the life Of those who accept it do tss-
tify. But your hypocr tica pretenders l
seorn a execrate.'
ut is, perhaps, almost too strong language
this, as applied to Mr.. Gray said l.
what is hypocrtef asked the merchant
The man who puts on the semblance of
Christian virtues which he does not posess.
'Aud that is what Mr.. Gray does when he
assumes to be religious A true christian is !
just. Was he just TO Inc when be crowded
mo down in the price Of my goods, aud rob.
bed me Of fair living profit, in order that
he might secure donble gsn' think not.
There is not even the live and let live prin
ciple in that. No, no sir. If he has joined
the church, my word for it, there isa black
sheep in the fold; or, might say, without
abuse Of language, a wolf therein, disguised
in sleeps clothing.
'Give the man time said l. odd habits
Of life are strong you know. Il little while
trust be will see clearer, and regulate his
life from perceptions of higher truths
Il thought his heart was changed answer
ed 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
Of natural life. The babe il born
in feebleness and we must wait through the
periods Of infancy, childhood and youth, be.
fore we can have the strong man ready for
the burden and heat Of the day. or fully arm.
for tho battle. If Mr.. Gray is in the first ef
fort to lead christian life, that is something.
He will grow wiser aud better, in time, |
hope.'