The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-15

face. I thought that his daughter was
very much like him, and that had son
been born to the family, he would have
been like his mother-quiet, dignihed,
and capable.
Il worked in the field so late Satur-
day" he said, with the utmost candor
and freedom, that I felt too tired to
preach today, so I sent word to your
father that he would oblige me by
preaching a sermon on future punish
ment. It is one of the rules of the
church that this diSagreeable topic be
discussed from the pulpit at least once
a year. 1 dislike it, and am glad to
shirk. Your father is very fond of the
subject, I am told. But no difference
what he says about it, will apologize
next Sunday, and deny it. The religion
of F'airview seems to make the people
miserable; I shall change it if can. L
have been religious all my life, and it
never caused me a sorrow. l don't be-
lieve in devils much, but I believe
great deal in angels
AS he looked at me as if he desired
an expression on the subject, I said
angels were certainly the most comfort
ing to think about
II have been much distressed by the
unhappy faces l have seen since COM
ing here, and hope may be the hum
BILE instrument of Frightening them.
The right kind of religion will put flow
ers in the yard, let sunlight in at the
window and fill the house with content
and happiness. 1 became a Christian
man because longed for heaven, rather
than because I feared the dreadful
abode of the wicked, and 1t IS my inten-
ton to introduce the gospel here
Mr.. Shepherd was directing his con-
versatiOn to me, as Mattel and Joe had
retired to another part of the room, and
were very much interested in eacn 9TH
err 1 therefore wished him success in
the undertaking.
Il have always thought that the
Bible is such a convincing book that it
finally converts nearly all the children
of men-I hope all of them-though the
church towhichI belong does not cheer
fully accept my opinion. The Bible is
only in dispute because a new set of
men are coming on all the time, who
have also to be convinced and saved.
Its promises are so magnificent that no
one can read them all his life and fail
to put himself in the way of their full
filment; therefore there is no excuse
for referring to the disagreeable sub
jeet I have just mentioned. You may
as we'll look on the bright side of re-
ligion as on the bright side of anything
else, and you know we are always haV-
ing maxims of this kind thrown at US.
This is the religion the present pastor
Of FairVieW believes in, and this is the
religion he will teach, though I have
not mentioned the subject at all until
now. But I only came in to say l was
glad to see you, and will go out again,
he said, rising. Il am becoming very
worldly of late, for have been think
ing ali day of how the potatoes and
corn I ploughed last week are getting
on rather than of sermons, and 1 am so
sleepy now that you perhaps noticed
me blinking. 1 am also forgetting a
great deal Of my theology in the hunger
which constantly besets me, and if
raise nothing at all this year 1 will feel
we'll repaid for my work by the good
health I have enjoyed. When you re-
turn home express my thanks to your
father for his sermon.
AS he went out I thought If he was
not a remarkable preacher he was GER
tainly a good man.