Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-07-15
HIS CHANCES GOOD.
Yet He Hadn't Much Time in Life to attend
10 Religion.

l was sitting one day, few years
ago, in front OF the hotel in little
town in California, when news came
that the overland train from the east
had met with an acct dent near the out
skirts OF the village, resulting in the
thorough shaking up OF the passengers
the killing OF a tramp who was stealing
Il ride and fatal injury TO the young
fireman of the locomotive, who, stand
ing at his post, had saved the train
from utter wreck.
Almost simultaneously with the
news came sight Of small procession
of trainmen carrying upon an impro-
vised litter their injured comrade.
They brought him at once to the lit
tie tavern, where a room was quickly
made ready, and physician and two
sisters OF charity, who were almost in
stantly upon the spot, did everything
in their power to relieve his awful suf-
ferings. To their question as to wheth-
er they should send for priest the
poor fellow gasped out that his mother
was an Episcopalian, and he knew
she ID want him to see a Clergyman of
that church, A messenger was dis
patched TO neighboring town, where
one resided, and in an incredibly short
space of time the young missionary
was on the spot
The injured mans brother, "A brake
man on the same train and several
other trainmen were standing about
his bed.
AS the minister entered the room the
brother cried in agony: ooh, sir, do
something for my brother! Pray for his
soul" Going at once to his bedside
with the air of authority, and with
something great deal better-intense
human sympathy and genuine pity
the young clergyman saw that he had
but few moments in which to minis
ter to the dying man, and naturally
desiring to know something of his re-
ligious status and spiritual condition
asked him whether he was a believer in
Jesus Christ and had ever been bap-
tiled.
Yes" said the poor fellow, II do
believe in him, and | was christened
when | was a kid, but God knows
or TO be Christian.
"But he has been good boy" said
his brother. He worked day and
night to support our cripple sister, old
mother and me when / was laid up
with the rheumatism and couldn't do "A
thing for over year"
"He took care of me through the
smallpox when no one else would come
near me-" declared big burly rail
roader, with sob which almost choked
his utterance.
"And after taking his own run,
added young sickly looking fellow,
''he often took mine when ] WASH t able
to go out. /"
AS these testimonials were finished
the brother asked in agonizing earn
estness, "GCd won't damn such fellow,
will hepn
Promptly the minister answered" mo
not If he is the God ! have believed
him TO be. And then, bending over
the injured man, he said, In his name
who declared, 'Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one Of the least of these,
We have done it unto me, absolve thee
from all thy sins and commend thy
spirit into the hands of God who gave
it
A few moments silence, look Of
perfect peace upon the face of the dying
boy and then a whispered Brother. F."
Instantly his brother was kneeling
close beside him, and we heard him
say: "Brother, you won't mind my
telling you of it now, will you? And
perhaps you'll let Nelly know it when
I'm gomez"
What, Jack" exclaimed his broth
er, have you loved Nelly?"
Fainter came the answer, "With all
my heart"
"And you didn't tell her because you
knew loved her toop'
Eyes full of tenderness and affection
gave the answer which the lips could
no longer utter, and, with his brothers
cry of mingled admiration, gratitude
and love, Jack, Jack, God bless you'll
sounding in his ears, the soul OF the
man who hadn't had a chance to be Il
christian" passed into the other world
AS | went out of the room | said TO
myself, "All the same, d like TO take
his chances now. New York Sun.
Doing and Not Doing.