The Monitor-register., 1896-08-07
One Christian That I Knew.
WILL TEMPLAR.

article when it comes to question of
what does or does not constitute a
Christian. He was rugged, hearty old
man, past three score-and- ten, when |
first knew him, and it is almost needless
to say, loved him, as did all the boys and
girls, who came within range of his
hearty laugh and CHEEKY voice, the merry
twinkle of his blue eyes, or the comieal
pucker of his lips while indulging in his
almost perpetual pastime of silent
whistling. Even during service, while
occupying the family pew together with
his numerous progeny, and after that
when he sat, an earnest inquirer in the
Bible class in Sunday school, he whistled
continually. which very noticeable habit
once caused a very small Sunday school
boy to remark confidently to his mother,
"Uncle Jerry an me is the two best boys
in the class; he whistles and l sing"
Then the prayer meetings that used to
be held at private houses once week, in
and about their little hamlet. We boys
"prayer," as youngster informed his
father when asked for what purpose he
attended the simple service. Uncle Jerry
always attended, and he was sure to
make an exhortation or a prayer, some-
times both. Ah, those prayers; how
simple aud fervent they were; how charac
teristic of the quaint, pious old man,
who lifted his face toward heaven and
plead for forgiveness for the past, for
bearance for the present and guidance for
the future. True, Uncle Jerry became
long -winded, sometimes, and then his
youthful auditors would slide uneasily
around on the slippery cane-seated chairs,
and indulge in furtive peeps through
fingers held piously over rebellious eyes,
while they listened for Uncle Jerry to get
to tho period of his prayer where he
always said, "Paul may plant and Apollos
water, but the Lord giveth the increase"
We knew that bis ''amen," with the long
sound of ca peculiarly drawn out,
wonld soon follow, and as Uncle Jerry's
prayer was generally the last, we stood
about in an expeetant group while he
shook hands with the sisters and the few
brothers assembled, for we were sure of
a hearty greeting and pat on the head
before the good old man went whistling
forth into the night.
Uncle Jerry, for farmer, had plenty
of this worlds goods. and while he was
accounted a shrcwd man at driving
bargain, he proved his faith by his works.
for none were more charitable than he.
Just one instance of this practica
Christianity, please. Near the corner of
Uncle jerry IS big farm stood small cot
tage, full to OVERLOOKING, of Irish Tommy
Cassidy, his wife and nearly a dozen
children. Tommy was worthy fellow,
but with so many mouths to feed on
laborer's wages, and what with slack
work and sickness, things were looking
decidedly blue at the cottage, when Uucle
Jerry came along one day and found
Tommy sitting on the stone wall behind
the shanty, looking very despondent
indeed.
Good evening, Tommy, good evening;
how are you all to day ?" said Uncle
Jerry.
GOOD avenin', Uncle Jerry, an sorra
sor, sorra enough" Tommy walled.
why, bless my soul! WHAT'S the
matter9 What's the matter, Tommy p"
''Shure, an work is sohlack, me COW
died lasht week, an me baby, bless her
sowl. be's pinin' away fur the lack o.
milk"
Uncle Jerry paused in his silent whistle
long enough to exolaim. "Bad enough
Tommy, bad enough! Come up in the
morning, Tommy, want to see you."
Then pursuing up his lips he walked
briskly away. Tommy presented himself
at Uncle Jerry's the next morning and
found the old farmer in the milking yard
surrounded by his numerous herd of fine
miloh COWS.
swell, Tommy, how's the baby ?"
Poorly, sor, poorly"
"Too bad. too bad! Tommy do you
| see that spotted COW P''
"Ay, sir, Pm mindin' her,"
swell, Tommy, drive her home and
let the baby have all the milk she wants"
Tommy stared in open mouthed wonder.
"Do yez n aue to give her to me ?'' he
grasped.
"Yes, yes! Hurry along now, the
baby'll be hungry"
MAY the good Lord bless yez, Unole
Jerry AM
"Tut, tut, none of that, none O. that,
go long now. Tommy, go 'longw and
| Uncle Jerry fell to whstling industri-
ousls. Tommy had got the cow to the
gate whom Uncle Jerry's voice overlook
him. Tommy" he cried sharply.
"Yis sor.''
"Fetch that COW back here" Tommy
obeyed with fear and trembling. Could
it be that Uncle Jerry had changed his
mind ? Tommy" said the old Chris
tian, "pick ont another. l amt eoin' to
give the poorest COW I've got to the
Lord. Pick out another
Maybe Uncle Jerry heayed little sipb
when he sa W one of his best COWS leave
the yard, but he whistled just the same
as usual, and never referred to the SUBJ
ject again.
Dear old Uncle Jerryi He was more
than fourscore and ten when he left the
world where Paul planted and Apollos
watered, and surely the Lord whom he
served 80 faithfully gave him the increase
"over there. ."-American Agricultursst.
Iadv Henry and fhn oman