The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-02-06
AVll BELLEVUE, La, FEBRUARY 6. 1879.

ed church; but this time he hardly
thought of his friend at all.
Those were grand Words" he said,
enthusiastically, as they went out to.
gether. ''None but true servant OF
God could have spoken them. feel.
somehow, as if l had looked into the
Holy of Holies.''
John was not Ill pleased but he made
no reply.
"But you in your denomination are
so many-sided," continued Robert, halt
laughing, half perplexed. "There is no
putting ones finger On you"
Sour 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 harmonyP''
Robert, remembering sundry con-
scientious wrestlings of poor Elder
E. with what he considered rank in
fidelity, and the frequent wanderings of
Sister - into forbidden paths, &C
knowledged that they were not.
They would be set of automatons,
not living, thinking, human beings, if il
were not so," said John, warmly.
Robert frightened. ssTo be Chris
tian is not to say Il believe thus or so,
but to do the will of the Father There
are many such in every church, thank
God"
Not long after this he was invited to
assist in carrying on protracted meet
ing in neighboring town. To one OF
these meetings he persuaded his friend
to accompany him, with what inward
shrinking John would hardly acknowl-
edge, 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 its look of deep
serenity and quiet content, been before
him all the while. Robert enjoyed all
this-believed in it. Robert was loysl
subject of the Great King. In him
dwelt not the shadow of hypocrisy.
John looked at the earnest worshipers
with more lenient eyes. What mattered
it by what road they approached the
Father if they only came.
At length the service was over. The
impenitent had been warned, the peni-
tent had risen for prayer, and the pray
er which came from Roberts full heart
brought the tears even to Johns unac-
customed eyes. Many of the congre-
cation left but a little company Kept
their seats.
John kept his also, He watched Rob-
ert as he went from one to another of
the 6 s'inquirers, the unspeakable ten
derness of his soul shining out of his
gray eyes. He watched the faces of
those to whom he spoke. Some were
earnest with the solemnity of new pur-
pose; others dry eyed and curious, ap-
parently eager for argument. A few
seemed stole and unmeaning; others
still fearful and despairing. For this
latter class John had the least sympa-
thy. Crying over ones sins was to him
a foolish wasting of the time which
should be spent in conquering them.
As his eyes wandered over the little
company they fell upon girl who sat
apart from the rest, at no great dis
tance from him. He noticed that from
time to time she glanced uneasily at the
clock as if the minutes were flying too
swiftly for her.
He could never tell what it was that
made him 60 and take seat beside her,
but it was probably the half-appealing
look of the young face. 1t might have
been pretty face had it not been SO
thin and careworn.
care you waiting for any one?' he
asked kindly.
81 wanted very much to speak with
Mr.. Doane, but he is engaged"
"And will be for some time, l fear, -
looking at Robert, who was in deep
conversation with an aged man.
"There is gentleman who seems to
be unoccupied," he added, with glance
at one of the brethren, thin, sharp
faced man, who happened just then to
be standing in the aisle.
Thank you," with an amused look.
"I do not care to talk with Deacon
Jordan.''
"Can do any thing for youP''
Not until the words were spoken did
John realize the strangeness of the
inquiry. 1t was too late to recall them,
however, and he was by no means sure
that he wished to do so, even if he could.
"I-don't-know.''
She looked into his face as she spoke.
1t was trustworthy face, as her black
eyes were not slow in discovering.
"I want to knoW-whether am 8
Christian or not.'' ~
edo / love the Lord or MOP" repeat.
ed John, thinking of the familiar words
Of an old hymn, which he did not like
s' Yes; that's just it. Sometimes
think 1 do; and then | get so tired and