The Irish standard., 1886-07-31

business man, is to have any thing to DO
with the details Of religion. They
sorter cramp him, you know. Let him
lay down a broad platform like mine,
and stand upon it aat-footed-that the
way to get along in trade"
"And you're quite serious, Ephriam,
inavowing these shocking sentiments. .
"Shocking or not, they're mine;that's
a fact. A first cause, and the perfecti-
bility of man, or, in other words, the IT.
resistibility Of human progress. is about
as much as any business man can pro-
fess to believe with safety to himself or
the interests of trade -
"But is that belief sufficient to saw e
your soul?"
sSave my soul? O, that's quite an
other affair. If there be such things as
souls, (Which is now rather a disputed
point,) why, the Creator, who made
them. knows best how to take care Of
them, Ipresume.
"Merciful Heavens!'' exclaimed Hard
wrinkle, after long pause, during
which he seemed to have lost his speech,
for he uttered not syllable, but kept
looking intently at his cousin; ''mercitul
Heavens! such an oppression from the
mouth of Christian man-'if there be
such things US souls Ephriam, Eph-
riam! fear you're irretrievably lost. 0,
let me entredt you to pray for light and
grace to dispel this darkness Of belief
O, if you only read the word of Goo, join
our family prayers ever night and
morning, and come with me thrice on
the Sabbath TO hear the outpourings OF
that faithful servant Of the Lord, our
dear and reverend brother, Mr. Rattle
text, be assured your eyes would de
opened to the light of glory shining
through at u distance" ,
"say,'' interrupted Weeks,
"The light of glory shining out TO-
essay, hold ON: I've heard all that be-
fore--coula repeat it myself as slick as
deacon, There's 10 use in thinking to
come it over me with that kinder talk.
What i believe, believe, and amt
agoiu to believe nothing else, no howyou
can fix it. A first cause, and the per-
fectibility of man, is my platform. ~
"Ah, too broad, my dear friend-'nar~
row is the way you know.''
"Broad--that's just precisely what we
want. We want platform broad enough
to cover the hull ground. We are a
young nation, sir, strong, active and
ambitious, and must have room TO
stretch our arms east, west, north and
south. Our resources are inlnlense--ln-
exhanstibie, and we want a large field to
develop thenl-and that field, take it,
sir. is the liberty OF conscience
'tYou mean liberty TO cneat and take
advantage OF your neighbor if you hap
pen to be clever enough TO accomplish
it with inpunity?'
tsWhy not? That's the life OF trade,
my dear feliow-that's what makes
smart men. Hence It is the Yankees
are the s,martest business men in al]
creation. Your evangelical rules would
ruin us in twelve months
f'.lhe laws Of God ruin you? Do you
really mean what you say?"
"Well, look here; speak only of our
merchant and trading classes; with re-
spect to farmers, laborers, mechanics,
women. and all that kinder folks, they
can adopt as many rules and regulations
as they please, in the religious line. II
don't make any material difference, ]
presume, one way or other, since they
hain'S got no business to transact; but
YOU might as we'll think Of 'corking up
the Atlantic in a champagne bottle, as
expect the commerce Of the States to
thrive under the old, stiff, evangelical
rules of QUIZ grandfathers.''
<'Ah, Ephraim, Ephraim, speak with
respect of those holy men, said Hard
wrinkle. 80, I hope and pray" he
continued, agaiu raising UP his hands
and eyes i'll pious supplication, II hope
and pray we may stand as we'll before
the Judgment seat as they did.
"Cousin Robert" said Weeks, look
ing sideways for a moment at the up.
turned face of his companion, and
twirling his watch key SIS he spoke,-
"Cousin Robert, you're very godly.
pious man, reckon, and an honest man
too; no mistake about that. But pious
people, let me tell you, amt always tc
be trusted" Letters for Mr.. Weeks,
said servant, knocking at the door.
/ "Hand them here,'' cried the latter
promptly, throwing the stump OF hi
cigar into the CRATE, and snatching hi
feet off the back of the chair. "Ha
just what I've been expecting this whole
week past--they're from that lawyer O.
yours, Robert
sOf mine?'