St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-03-17
Reisions Readins.
Factory Religion.

''No. sir" said Scofield. the factory
engineer. emphatically, "there is no
such thing as factory religion! It's a
contradiction. Why, my engine won't
run if don't swear at times" GLOW
do YOU know ?" asked the listener.
The fireman laughed. Scofield turned
upon him like a flash "TOm,' said
he with an oath, "wheel in ten or
twelve more barrowfuls of that Nova
Scotia coal. There isn't half enough
to last until six o'clock The fireman
departed without a word, and the en-
gineer hustled about the room, oiling
the slides. testing the water, opening
and shutting valves. "Well, / suppose
| must leave YOU" said the visitor, ris-
ing from his chair and holding out his
hand. "Will yOu not give the subject
a thought ?" The engineer shook his
head. alt is no place for religion,
tell YOU" he said. "TO my mind,
factories ought never to have been
built. God intended man to live out
in the free air and enjoy nature. There
is plenty of room for religion out of
doors but here, where the pulleys
swear at their work where steam
Shrieks and curses-here is no place
for religion" "Tom - called Scoteld
after the minister had left, ''don't both
er about any more coal, my boy. /
was ont of sorts when | spoke. There
is enough in now to last week" 81
couldn't help laughing, though" said
Tom, wiping the grimy sweat from his
brow. "YOu know you never did try
60 do anything without swearing.
The engineer made no reply, but open
ed "A paper and seemed to read. The
printed words, however, did not engage
his attention, but most wildly what
the fireman said came before him again
and again. Was it as bad as that
Could he do nothing without swearing
He resolved to test himself. He could
begin early the next morning, and for
every oath he would drop IA small brass
nail into the tumbler that was in the
window. He rather thought the tum-
bier would he empty at night-now
that he had got his will up. The next
day came Scotield rose at five as
usual. and going down stairs in his
stocking feet, stepped upon a tack
The vollev of oaths that followed
counted out seven nails for the tumbler
The buckwhcat cakes, IL collar button
u. IL
br;lncc of his purpose, scored five more
Then with grim determination he shut
his teeth and said not IL word more
until he reached the engine room
where he counted out the twelve nail,
and threw them into the tumbler will
AN oath YES, an oath of relief. He
was half across the room before the
last one dawncd on him, but true t,
another nail into the glass. All day
long he struggled, and mt night the
tumblcr held thirty nails. ScotielC
was startled. He had never dreamed
that he was So prOiane, and the habI
had such grip upon him. At las
he went to ''Christian Tim" an ole
man in the steel works and told hin
the whole affair. Tim pondercd awhile
and then said "Iou may he able Il
leave off in time by yOur own will, bu
| know better way" ''What is 1t !?
inquired the other. ask the help o
the Lord Jesus Christ said Tim earn
cstly. ''Ias he not heard every oath
Isn't it against him you have sinned
had the same experience myself year
ago, but with his help never feel thu
least inclination to swear. And as 70
being happy the hours are so swift
winged that can hardly tell wher'
the DAYS go.r The minister Gale,
again upon Scoiicld. "There is Il fac
tory religion, sir" said the engineer
"My fireman, Tom, and myself, arr
trying to live up to it. There is ;
Bible in that desk, and we find time t.
read some of it every day. And, t.
tell the truth, believe the work is les
hard, the wheels run smoother, and thu
valves are tighter and the whole place
is lighter, cleaner and better for Thu
same factory religion" illustrated
Christian Weekly.