The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-06-16

UPON MN.
Il don't know, Brother Qulmby. as
my candid opinion of our minister
would do him any good"
Il dare say not" responded Mr..
Quimby, "but 1t would do me great
deal OF good to hear it,"
II don't know as 10 that, either"
There's no one in the church whose
opinion l think more Of" continued
Mr.. Quimby. "Not that I approve OF
giving it to every one But you
needn't be afraid OF saying just what
you think TO me, deacon, for it won't
go no further, and it might serve to
clear up some doubts that trouble me-"
"What doubts"
"Well. about various things. But
you haven't told me what your opin-
ion is deacon"
II have only one opinion OF Elder
Wakeman, and that is. that he is n
man that tries to do his duty In all
the relations OF life"
This was evidently something that
Mr.. Quimby neither expected nor de-
sired to hear, and he stared blankly at
the speaker. But, quickly recovering
himself, he said:
"Ha! i think understand you, dea-
con. What you say Is very well put
very well put, indeed. | have thought
that he might be lcetlc more willing
to take advice; but there is no ques-
tion in my mind that lie tries to do
his duty, as you say. But is he
soundY'
Perhaps not. Some ministers are
all sound
The merry twinkle in the good dea-
cons eyes found no reflection in the
solemn vlsage opposite him.
Its no laughing matter. deacon" re-
sponded Mr.. Quimby with rebuking
shake of the head. T am surprised
that you should speak OH so serious n
subject with such seeming levity. ]
referred TO being sound In doctrine.
l have been n good deal exercised In
my mind In regard TO this ever since |
heard his sermon on Justification
which is no justification at all, as
understand II, and as good, old DIR.
Seaver used TO lay 1t down. Dear, old
man! l wonder what he would say, If
he could come back and hear the new
tangled ideas that are taught from the
pulpit where he preached such good.
old-fashloned doctrines nigh on TO
twenty years.
IF he's where l think he is. he
doesn't want to come back. only
hope that some things he used 10
preach about are clearer to him now
than he ever succeeded In making
them 10 me-"
There's no merit in believing where
everything is made clear. There are
mysteries OF faith, deacon. that no.
body has any business to try 10 under.
stand Now. Elder Wakeman is for.
ever preaching about what we ought
TO do, rs though such poor. weak
creatures MS we are can do anything
toward effectirg our salvation. AS
Tor me, I'm free to own that | don't
consider anything | have done. or am
doing, of the least account whatever"
"A man ought to know better than
anyone else the quality of his own
works, Brother Qulmby, so | won't
dispute with you on that score. So
far as am concerned feel that the
Lord will have quite enough to DO In
effecting the work you allude to. If
help Him all can"
We'll deacon. wish could have
my mind cleared up in regard To Elder
Wakeman. What did you think of
his sermon last Sabbath mornlng?"
There is one thing l might say
about it, If l thought 1t prudent thing
TO do. We can't he too carful In speak.
ing, especially If it's anything that
likely to affect the character and use
fulness of n man like Elder Wake.
man."
very true deacon. But you needn't
be afraid OF my telling; I'm not one of
the !eaky sort. l knew, as well as |
wanted to, that a man of your sense
couldn't approve of such doctrine as
that"
"oh, I've nothing to say against the
sermon; 1t was very good discourse
you won't often find better But the
fact is, every word il contaIned-I
really don't know that ought TO men.
ton 1t, though; IL 1t should get about.
1t might make trouble"
III never lisp a syllable of II 10
any living SOUL" was the eager re-
sponse.
WelP-here the deacon lowered his
voice TO an impressive whisper-"I
nave book at home which contains
every word OF IT,"
Here the train for which Deacon
Brown was waiting came rushing mn
the depot.
is 1t possible@' CALCULATED Mr.. Quinn.
Dy' with upliftod eyes and hands
But you haven't told ne"
Deacon Brown was already IN ,h,
steps. smiling and waving his adieu,
from the platform OF the rear car
which rapidly disappeared around .
curve In the road.
he was absent nearly n week. Whe,
he returned. he found not only th
cLdrch. but the whole village in
state Of excitement and commotion.
He had not been home moro than n
hour. when Elder Wakeman called o
him. and in the course of the day b
was waited upon by two deacons an
several church. members. TO say notl
ing of being interviewed by many {
his acquaintances and neighbors. a
OF whom were anxious TO ascertain
there was any truth in tha rumor ,