Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-10-23
The Skepiicni Shoemaker.

81 have read" SAID the shoemaker,
"a good deal about the heathen gods,
aud | believe the account OF Christ is
taken from some of the heathen or
other"
"Nill you abide by your own dcci-
sion on two questions that will put
10 YOU said the Bible reader ''If SO
/ will freely do the same. will abide
by your own answers; by doing so we
shall save much time, aud arrive quick
ly at tie truth.
"Well," said he, "out with it, and let
US see if can answer; there are bnt
few things out what ! can say some
thing about"
well, my friend" replied the res.ler,
my first question is, suppose all men
were Cristiaus, according to the account
given us in the Gospels concerning
Christ, what would be the state of So
ciety p
lie remained silent for some time IN
deep thought, and then was constrained
to say-"WelI, if all men were really
Christians in practice as well AS theory.
of course we should be n happy broth
erhood inGecd."
81 promised YOU" said the reader.
''that / would abide Ivy your answer;
will YOU do the same?"
"Oh yes, he readily replied; "no
man can deny the goodness o! The sys-
tenn ia practice; but now for the other
question; perhaps | shall ge, on better
with that; You have chalk this tine
against ME.
well my next question is this, sup
pose all men were iniidels, what then
would be the state of London and OF
the world?" He seemed still more per
picked, and remained long time silent
the reader doing the same.
At length he said; "You certainly
have beaten me, for | never before saw
the two effects upon society; now eco
that where the Christian builds M, the
iufdel is pulling down. ] thank you; |
shall think OF what has passed this at
ternOon.
The sequel was that he was fully
persuaded in his own mind 10 give up
all his iniidel companions and follow tho
Lord Jesus Christ. But the change
did not stop here. When first the
reader called he had 10 sit on m old,
dirty chair, with number Of lalt-star-
we'd children sitting in their rags on tho
floor around him, neglected aud un-
cared for; now they have removed 10
better home in cleaner street. With
in all is cheerful aud happy. The father,
no longer faithless, delights in the com,
pany OF his wife and children, oil OF
whom are neatly dressed; aud his chief
happiness is 10 read and speak 10 them
of the things which belong TO their
everlasting peace.
"Where the christian builds the inf
del pulls down" Why is this? The
fact cannot be denied. Infdel France
wrote, death is an eternal sleep,
above Eer cemeteries, aud then tone
down civilization and quenchcd tho
light OF humanity in seas oi blood.
And French communists in 1871, while
arrestiug ecclesiastics aud describing
them as Servants OF person called
God" dug down the foundations Of
law, order, peace and truth, and with
fire and sword destroyed their fellow
men by thousands, and made the streets
OF Paris red with blood.
The fruits OF Christianity are rs
precious as those OF infdeIity are vile.
Where the prccepts OF Christ have
sway, war is unknown, robbery, dis
honesty, intemperaucc, violence aud
lust are forbidden; and under their be
uign influences, property is secure; lifc
is sacred, poverty is provided for. sick
ness is pitied, infancy is nuTinrcd, old
age is ievered, womannood - cherished,
and manhood is cuobled Such are tho
fruits Of Christianity, and iniidel virtues
mostly spring from Christian roots.
Skepticism cannot blot out fathers
godly counsels or a mothers lcycnt
prayers. And as result there ara
often traces Of Christian principle where
there is no Christian profession, aud
there are plenty Of people who practice
infdelty while they profess Cbrstiani-
ty. DO not be d, ceiyed by names Of
professions. Set genuine iuiideliiy and
genuine Christianity side by side, watch
their fruits and take your choice.