The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-05-15

to spend a portion of the time which
would otherwise have lain heavy on
his hands, for Franklin's nationality
was Jewish; yet beyond the Observa-
ton of few binding customs, his reli-
gious views were unfixed. Years passed
thus; Franklin never entered college,
but instead was taken into business with
his father. Meanwhile Matilda was
plodding diligently for higher i'm
provement, and as teaching seemed to
her the most desirable occupation within
her reach, she attended and passed the
preliminary examinations for appli-
cants and entered upon the tedious
round which we believe usually pre-
cedes admissions to the teachers rank
in New York and other large cities.
A full year passed without the least
prospect of success, but Matilda was
courageous and decided to wait. At
the end OF that time Mr.. Nathan Stark,
Franklin's father, was appointed 10 the
office of school commissioner, and the
son had little difficulty in persuading
his father to give the quiet, pleasing
Matilda the first position at his disposal.
Now Franklin's visits at the herb deal
er's became longer, and often on Sun
days he accompanied Matilda and he
father to their retired place of worship.
The truths, too, which fell from the
minister's lips made an impression.
Franklin eventually asked his fathers
consent to union with the young tea
cher; and to this his falher, as much
from partiality to Matilda, as from dis
like to a family disruption, reluctantly
consented. But now that Franklin de-
sired to kneel beside the same altar, at
which he was to be united to his bride,
to accept a newer creed, Mr.. Stark re-
gretted his pliancy.
"If you had left the ancient faith
after your marriage, the discredit would
rest on Yourself. l can allow no one
living under my roof" said this intel
ligent Hebrew, to be guilty of such
opposition to my wishes" At the
same time he threatened to disinheriJ
his son, unless the union was solemn
lied according to the forms accepted by
adherents to Judaism. at Is not so
much that you seek for new creed"
he added, I" for in my opinion all reli-
gions are about the same. simply be-
lieve in each adhellng to his own. Ours
is not really a religion, ,-'tis denomi-
nation. Like all citizens, / ON proud
being an american, and l, for one,
am proud of belonging to the Je,0iSh de-
nomination. 1t is just this that l object
to in my son. You attempt by this pro-
posed change to lose your nationality.
Yet in the outside wol Id you will still
be looked upon as Jew. After you
haze proselyted to Christianity, you will
be looked upon with suspicion; If you
do not adhere to our rights you will be
discarded by your brethren. Think
twice before you make yourself, by
your pre- cipitation, a social unit-a no.
body"
But Franklin had thought, and with
Matilda's concurrence decided, what
course to pursue. At the little church
they so often attended, the young Jew
knelt once to receive baptism, and once
more with the hand of Matilda Warner
clasped in his own.
"It is hard" he said, as they passed
away as man and wife, as the displeas-
ure of his family and the probable ruin
of his financial hopes rose before him,
"it is hard Matilda for me to bear
But take pleasure in reviewing never
thelessl Do you not remember that
commencement afternoon when you
told me we should only be satisfied with
doing what's best-not what's easiestP"
"I remember" smiled Matilda, as
the picture of her odd little self rose be-
fore her, "but did not then suppose"
she added gently, that you would sac
rifice so much to prove your belief in
the principle. But time will show
whether in the long run you are a
loser"
And time did show. Contrary to
their anticipations, Mr.. Stark relented,
and Franklin through happy and
prosperous life had every reason to
thank "the prude," as he often called
Matilda, for that quiet talk at the com
mencement, and for his happy aspira-
ton for all that was virtuous and noble.
Second Century.