The Red Cloud chief., 1881-08-25
rheref r.. though 'he +.
International Sunday School Lessons.
THIRp
The Reality and Value % Religion.

The two narratives that follow cou-
tain a few OF tie many tributes that
skeptics and men of the world have in
directly and. perhaps, almost uncon-
~scIousiy. given IL the Reality and ala
OF the Christian religion; their practl-
cal admission and testimony against
their W pro.eSsed theories as well as
their lives. ami their vIrtua. confession
OF the truth and excellence OF Christi
ani;y. They are wei worthy of perma-
neHt record. Is the names and dates al
ludcd To- can be given for each.
Some thirty years ago Il young man
from Southern Pcnnsl lvania was ON his
way II COLLEGE, and cntcIing the stage
coach he found as passen .ers several
men. whose looSet Ia k was chiefly in rid
iculc OF religion and the Bible. lie
himself WAS not 4 Christian, but was OF
a Christian family. and he reverrnced
his father aud mother and Their faithful
pietv. which he felt were both the
strength and beauty OF his early home.
Panied and provoked by the blaSphe-
mics OF his fellow travellers. he was silent
til he could bear it no longer. aud then
he contradicted their statements and
denied and opposed their assertions.
Amused ut his unexpected boldneSS,
and thinking To make short work of the
Youth, they became mere reckless and
impudcnt than before. lie was not
then the keen and pra-ticcd dcDater he
afterward became, but bv the Christian
teaching of his home and church he had
been well in ormed. and with his spirit
reused and Spra IN on the. side OF
( nth. lie gave them blow for blow and
facts for Arguments. till soon they were
Silcnccd and gave W. the discussion. At
the end o: the ~stage-routc they al en-
tered the Steamboat which was IN wait
inc. and had not been long OH board
when one who had been foremost N OPP
posing and ~ridiculing religion zane 10
the young man and asked: ''llayc you
IA S'atc-room?'
IL have
"Wil. YOU let me share it with you?'
..Why?"
because ! have a large amount of
money with me. and | am afraid To
sleep with any one | 80 not know lest
| should be murdered tor m, money.
II vou will le. me have n ol the two
bcrthS | shall esteem II a great favor. y
His request was granted. But what
n commentary on his previous words
and his ridIculc of the Bible and Chris
tian>,
Some fifty ear aTO 4 gentleman
from one oil the Southern States was
obliged. on 4 journey. 10 pass through
the then wild region now known rs
West Virginia. He was an avowed in
i.icl, often saving that Christianity was
false, and would ultimately lose its in
iluencc and die out. He had been all
viscd 10 AXE 4 certain part nj his jour
ney by day. As at night the region
spoken OF was unsafe. But being de-
laVcd he was on his wa through this
very region when night overlook him.
Approaching n small cabin and inqu;r-
in. where he was. he found to his dis
may that he was i'll the very neighbour
hood he had been warned To- avoid; but
thinking i rs dangerous TO 20 back rs
forward, he determined to stop where
he was. 80 he entered the hut, in
which there was only q woman. and
among the rude furniture saw knives
that TO his ewes looked verv
larye. and guns enough for many
aS>ai.antS. Before long the cottagcr
h mSelf anne in, a rough m%ountaineer.
and in a frank but uncouth manner
welcomed the stranger, who quietly
took a seat. When supper was ready
they asked him 10 draw up and eat w.tI
them; but aS his appetite WAS spoiled by
anxiety and fear. he declined, saving he
was not hungry. After supper and 4
long silence, rs he expressed a desr
tn rest. the cottager replied: You can
lie down whenever you Ike on the floor
there. am sorry | haven't anything
better 10 offer YOU. But we always, be
fore we 90 10 seep. read a chapter in
this book taking down Bible. land
ask God 10 take care of US through the
night"
The strangers relief from anxiety
and fear vas instantaneous. The book
which he had often rid culed and OPP
posed he AT once felt was the guaran-
tee of his safety during the silent
watches If the night. and he Law down
as securely and quietly TO his rest Is If
he had been in his own home, and with
a lesson To his conscience and sober
judgment that made him a wiser and n
better man.
Similar facts and testimonies might
be mutt piled by the score. but these
two are most striking tributes from The
world 10 the reality and value of relig-
ion.-hIuStrdted UriStidn HeekiV.