The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-01-10

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but II Is not fer man TO do o0.3I spoke
very honestly to you, Ben; know you
desire and mean 10 be u Christian man.
but do not think you give religion 4
fnir chance. 1 certainly know that II
the Bible Is true Christian life means
life like Christ's or it means nothing;
and neither You nor believe thai ne
went about in any spirit Of discourtesy,
selfishness or inconsiderateness his life
preached In unison with his lips; and l
believe that unless ours does, We take
upon us the name Of God in vain, and
profanc the holiness Of our profeS zion as
truly and thoroughly as IL W. blssphem-
ed and cursed with our lips"
Strong language, Anne.
Strong facts, Ben"
She said nothing more; caller from
the village came in, and Anne was glad,
or she knew that y few words are far
better than many but when il was time
for prayers and Mr.. Potter brought the
Bible from its place, he found IL open at
the last chapter Of PHILIPPIANS and his
eye fell At once on one Of the very texts
that had haunted him after Helen's
death: "Finally, my brethren, what
soever things are true" etc. He was a
little indignant; he thought Anne had
set trap for him, and turned rapidly
over till he came To the third chapter Of
Peters first general Epistle. His usual
reading was not much in the latter part
OF the Testament, those practical ex-
hortations that were addressed to the
first disciples pleased him as little asthe
Ike preaching pleases some congrega-
tions in these days; he preferred the
glowing poetry Of the minor prophets,
or the historic records of Israel, as far
more comfortable for daily per1lsal than
the homely thrusts Of keen insight and
sharp advice which were aimed AT those
early Christians who became Christians
indeed, and endured hardness and mar
tyrdom with faith and patience. So now,
when he saw that this chapter com
menced with homily on the duty Of
wives, he began il with crisp satisfac-
ton as who should say: "Ths the right
sort Of doctrinei" Unfortunately the
duties Of husbands are equally set forth
in the following verses, and the pithy
exhortations TO pity, courtesy, peace
and gracious conversation which follow,
were like nails set in their places and
forced in with rapid blows
"Is not my word like as fire ?" saith
the Lord, and = like a hammer that
breaketh the rock in pieces'" Surely
il was 80 that night, for the very finger
OF God seemed to have set these lines
before him, and pointed his reused con-
science 70 their force and meaning.
Hitherto be had thought il enough for
his profession and standing to have liv-
ed an outwardly upright and moral life;
that he owed any duty to God in taking
his name upon him had not been his
thought. Now he saw rs with new eyes
what disgrace and dishonor his daily
conduct Rad been TO the Lord whose til
tie he wore, and the conviction appalled,
him: he closed the book and knelt be-
side il, but the routine Of his usual wor
ship was forgotten, for his heart spoke
abundantly from penitent lips, and in
returning freshly 70 the Master for par
don he found peace and strength also
Anne's tears fell freely; she was also
convicted Of hard judgment; she had
not expected - much candor and hon
esty ia this man, or such real desire
10 DO right. In fact she had not really
she thought be had intended what he
had protested.
When they both rose from their knees
they looked mt each other with dim eyes
" Anne, 7" said he. humbly, "you must
help me too; shall be but stumbler
in the new path have patience with my
faults. dear. even a. the Lord will"
"Oh,. Benl'' sobbed Anne, - was
hard in my judgment II you; | did not
give you credit for your stresgth oryour
honesty
:" Don't be unjust to yourself, Anne;
credit for good traits was not what
needed; nv eyes wanted opening, and
believe the Lord sent you 10 do il, and
after him have you TO thank. -
Nothing could have humbled Anne
more than Ben's naagnanimity andgrati-
tude; II her spirit had been little phar-
isaic before IL was freed from such stain
now; and a. Mr.. Potter went on day
after day and month after month, grow
ing moro and more into the likeness Of
tAe Lord whose name ne wore; STUN
bling and lapsing now and then, 70 be
sure, but with manful strength and
courage, pursuing theway Of life, Anne
learned both 10 admire and respecs him,
the children grew to love and honor
their father, and the church recognized
puror spirit and q deeper goodness
and therefore lovel;aess in this.promi-
nent member.
{. hid ever You see cretur 50 chang
ed a. Squire Potter il. since his fust
wife died 80 chirped Widow Drake 70
Miss Barber as they went home from
prayer-mseting i've years aftes our first
interviews with him.
Well, he is considerable different,
that's fact,r Miss Cerinthia answered.
/" 1 used to mistrust them tir1cs thai ne