Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-01-08
BROTHERS.
The Same Faith at the Root.

IDS lTl6lluSulp D0tNo0u join DDeuCoI
and Robert Doane was singular in its
intensity and q marvel to the friends of
each. John was rich; Robert was poor.
The culture and refinement of genera
tons of ancestors which made John so
thoroughly the gentleman had also I'M
parted to him a reserve which was inn
penetrable to q man Of his own set.
Robert, whose father was poor western
farmer, had almost unconsciOusly, and
certainly without effort. found the "Open
sesame to this somewhat unapproach-
able nature.
Robert was ayoung minister Of strictly
evangelical proclivities. John was a
member of nc church, but his sympa
thies were strongly enlisted on the side
of the iberalists Each avowed his
opinions fearlessly, scorning a friend
ship which had not truth for It's fOunda-
ton.
Their natures were essentially differ
ent. John, though real benefactor to
many of the destitute around him,
shrank from Seing SO recognized. To
give Anonymously was his delight.
Robert also gave literally of such as be
had-the sympathy of a loving heart.
To him was given the rare tact, which,
alas! is sometimes wanting in the most
generous natures. John watched
those to whom he gave from afar, none
the less happy In their happiness that
they knew him not; Robert drew them
to him by his kindness and Christian
charity. the delicate expression of which
is one Of the sweetest of Gods gifts to
man. They knew that he loved them,
for he would have it so.
Both natures, though faulty, were
singularly true and sincere; so perhaps
it was not SO strange, after all, that ,iback
of circumstance, back of creed, they
met and found each other.
1t was upon Johns invitation that
Robert heard his first "liberal" SER
mona sermon which charmed him
by the freshness and vigor of its thought,
while at the time he WINGED at what
seemed to him as irreverence. He
looked 1T John, who sat by his side, his
eyes fixed upon the preacher. Some
how he felt more at his ease Tor the
thought that John was listening too.
The minister must be irreverent as he
seemed. He could even pity him as 8
man misguided rather than willfully
wrong.
But when he said this to John after
ward, he was surprised to find that his
companion had far less patience with
what he termed clerical eccentrici
ties" that he himself had.
"a brilliant man, a deep thinker, and
/ truly believe, a good man." said he;
<'but he is an egotlst. You find your
self continually thinking of MIN rather
than ofhis subject, which is usually far
morn interesting
Yet with his talents he might do so
much" said Robert .a.
"He does do so much, but not ex-
actly in our way" was the answer. -.
Robert smiled at the little word our
but he said nothing.
''This irreverence, as you term it, one
finds everywhere; more's the pity" said
John. Have you none in your
churches to whom the thought Of self
seems more prominent than the care Of
souls?"
Robert reluctantly admitted that he
had -..
The next Sabbath evening found him
again seated by Johns side in the crowd
ed church; but this time ne hardly
thought of his friend at ALL
"Those were grand words" be said
enthusiastically, as they went out to-
gether. None but a true servant ofGod
could have spoken them. feel, some
how, as if had looked into the Holy
of Holes"
John was not i'll pleased, but he made
no reply.
But you in your denomination are
so many-sided," continued Robert half
laughing, half perplexed. There's no
putting ones finger on you"
"Our sides are broad enough; you
can put your hand On us if you choose.
We speak What we think. And this
glorious freedom Of thought, no matter
by what name it goes, is working like
a powerful leaven in other denomina-
tions also. Are your ministers all Of
the same mind? Are your brethren
and sisters always knit together in
strictest harmony"
Robert, remembering certain cOnsci-
entious wrestlings of poor Elder F.,
with what he considered rank infdelity,
and the frequent wanderings of Sister
F. into forbidden paths, acknowl-
edged that they were not. E
"They would be a set of automatons,
and.,not living, thinking human beings,
if it were not So" said John warmly.
Robert br ghtened. "To be chris
tan is not to say | believe thus Or so,
but to do the will of the Father There
are many such in every church, thank
God" ........
mot long after this he was invited
to assist IN carrying on protracted
meeting in neighboring town. To
one of these meetings he persuaded his
friend to accompany him, with what
inward shrinking John would hardly &C
knowledge, even to himself.
Habitually reserved in the expression
Of his own feelings, he listened to the
fervent outpourings with repugnance
which would have been distrust had not
Roberts face, with it's look of deep Sc
renity and quiet content, been before
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