The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-30

got black eye when Jesus said to
his disciples: Except your righte-
lousness shall exceed the righteousneM
of the Scribes and Pharisees we shall
in nowise enter into the Kingdom of
| Heaven" That denominationalism, Of
which | am writing, was the same
thing in new form-the same old
wolf in sleeps clothing.
| l once knew man who married a
| woman belonging to different de-
domination from the one of which he
was member. He spent much of
his life endeavoring to make her dis
satisfied with the doctrines and usages
| choice-the church IN which she had
been reared. She told him she was
satisfied with the doctrines and suages
of her church, and did not wish to
| leave it. She respected the church to
which he belonged, and did not wish
him to leave it. They could be Chris
| tianS as they were-work for the sal
walton of Sinners-she said, and, after
| the battle of life was over, they could
be forever happy in the Fathers
| House above where church names and
creeds would be unknown.
But he was incorrigible every day,
| under any and all circumstances, he
| kept up the attack on her church,
while magnifying the superiority OF
his which, he said, was the only true
church. and none could be saved who
refused to join it.
That riled here, and, for the first
time in their married life, she resented
his interference with her church re-
latton, and gave him to understand
that she was heartily tired of being
worried by him. So, she up and said
in a tone of voice that he could not
misunderstood: BILLY, you knew
what l was when you were counting
,f.oI An
l knew what you were, and married
you knowing what church you be-
longed to. / have never asked you
to leave your church. / have too much
respect for you to do a thing of that
kind; and, | thought, before we were
married, you'd have enough respect
for me to let me worship God accord
ing to the dictates of my own con-
science. But, / find you haven't. You
don't seem to think I've got any
sense, and you've as good as said
can't get to heaven unless / join your
church. / know that's net true, and
you know it's not true. And now, |
tell you. once of ali, l wouldn't join
your church, if there was no other
I'd sooner take my chances outside of
all churches than to be mixed UP with
a parcel of Pharisees and hyocrites
who pretend like they are the whole
thing. And that amt all: If you ever
mention the matter to me again, I'll
leave you. Now you've got the whole
of it,"
OF course he eased off and quoted
down; but he put on an air of great
grief. mixed with pity, and, for several
weeks, he did but little else than
groan and sigh, and cast plying looks
upon his poor wife, who, according to
his narrow minded way of thinking,
was doomed to eternal death because
\ l..
She noticed all that, but paid no at
tention to it. On the contrary, she
was never more cheerful than during
those weeks, for she had not heardpa
word about changing churches since
she declared herself and her inten
tiors.
Billy had never before, as his wife
knew, prayed more than once a day;
but, when he couldn't talk to her any
more about "jining his church." he
took TO the closet where, as she said,
with twinkle in her eyes, "he groan-
ed d sight more, in my opinion, than he
prayed The reason l think So is, tho
more he groaned the firmer was fixed
in my determination. If ne had been
praying, instead of grooming, | expect
I'd a felt different. When he'd como
out he'd cast plying glance at me
and heave two or three deep signs,
and I'd say: Dinners ready" And,
heaving another sigh, he'd say, Il
don't feel like l can eat mouthful.'
And I'd say: The less you eat. the
more we'll save" Then he'd smile, a
sort of sanity smile, and sit down
and mince for a minute or two; but,
goodbye bacon and greens, when he
left the tablet
one day-one Sunday morning
Billy remained on his knees longer
than usual Several times his wife
peeped in and saw him. Breakfast
was getting cold, and she felt she'd be
Unsuitable in cutting his prayer off
a little. So, going to the door she
said gently, Breakfast is ready Bill
land why?" she asked. Because"
said he, I'm determined to stay on
my knees and fast until you see the
error of your way!" All right, put
you'll perish to death, sure!" Then
calling the children she went into
breakfast Billy followed in little
while, ate heartily and never, after
ward. did he mention the matter any
more.
The good woman died, awhile after,
and Billy declared she should be saved,
anyhow; so, he got a preacher of his
denomination to bury her near to his
@hurch. All this took place within q
mile of the Capitol building, In this
city. and | knew the parties.
Peter was just as narrow in his
views, at one time of his life; but he
had got it right when he said: God
is no respecter of persons, but he that
feareth him and worketh righteous
ness is accepted with him."
Billy died a little while after the
death of his wife, and I am pretty
sure he went to heaven, for, notwith-
standing his UNCONVENTIONAL narrow
ness. l think he tried to do what he
thought was right. He was a one,
talent man, but, / believe, be tried to
use that talent the best he knew how.
And, after all, that's all God requires
of one.