The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1891-08-26
Building Upside Down.

Building Upside Down.
When Mrs. Holmes came to visit
her sister, after ten years absence,
she found the boys whom she had
known as chubby urchins grown
tall, They were manly, fun-loving
and home-loving boys, but it
trouble her to know that neither
was a Christian. They attended
church, and spoke respectfully of
religion; but it evidently had no
large place in their thoughts.
Tom Merivale was in an archi-
tect's Office and Sam just finishing
his freshman year in college. She
interested herself in their plans and
hopes, read books on architecture
at Toms suggestion, and followed
the fortunes of Sans college team
on the ball field, but it was difficult
even to begin upon the most impor-
tant theme.
The boys evidently liked their
aunt, and appreciated her interest
in their affairs, but she was not sat
isfied with this.
A thorough Christian, she was so
eager to have them share her hopes
and purposes that she could not be
content without making some per-
sonal appeal. Yet she watched in
vain for an opportunity. Like most
boys they suddenly became dumb if
the conversation began to take re-
ligious turn, and they gently put
aside all overtures which she ven
tured to make.
One evening they were talking
about a new college building, of
which Sam had brought home plans
and pictures Tom was not pleased
with them.
"The roof is too fat" he said ;
"it looks top-heavy. / should like
it quite as we'll upside down." and,
suiting the action to the word, he
inverted the picture and held it be-
fore them bottom upward.
"Your criticism is a good one,
Tom" said his aunt, "the building
is certainly top-heavy. l have seen
the same mistake made before.
More than one man has tried to put
the foundation on top"
"What do you mean?" asked Tom,
with an architects interest.
Haven't you seen men getting
together all the ornaments and up
per stones of a building, the cary
ings and the cornices, the beams
and the rafters, as though they must
make sure of these, before they
thought about the foundationW
"Any one must be fool to do
that"
people don't seem to think So
One man who had very good opin-
ION of himself, was doing Just this
thing He told me that he sup
posed he must have a foundation
sooner or latter, but he was going to
postpone it until his building was
nearly finished. There would be
time enough then"
Tom Meriyale laughed-a hearty,
mellow laugh-at the absurdity of
the idea.
"You must be joking, Aunt
Louise What was he building, q
house or an insane asylum2"
Something more important than
either, a character. He meant to
be Christs disciple before he died,
but he wished to do his own build
ing first He knew that he could
not get on always without a founda-
ton, but he would leave it until
just before he died"
The boys did not continue the
conversation Tom took up his
banjo, and as they separated for the
night Mrs. Holmes felt almost dis
couraged. Just before tea the fol-
lowing evening Tom knocked at his
aunts door.
"May i come i'm, Aunt Louise? 7
can't help thinking about what you
said last night. I always thought
religion was one of the ornaments
Of life, kind Of cornice to finish
off the building, but ] can see now