The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-06-23

II GOING IT'D CHURCH
but. mother. a fellow doesn't get
much good going 10 church when the
whole business bores him"
MY SON. said Mr.. Stevens. laying
down his fork. II hare something 70
tell you"
Mr.. Stevens was a man Of few
words. often sitting silent through
the entire meal. and at his earnes;
voice We all stopped eating.
When I went 10 college" be con-
tinued. Il promised my mother TO
attend church every Sabbath morn
Ing. as did. For several months II
was a trial and bore. but IL brought
me one Of the greatest blessings OF
my life. a young man can gain
nothing but good from regular at
tendance 1t church, and I expect IL
from you 80 long as you have respect
for my authority. whether you ike
IL or not"
This sounded very stern. but Mary
touched her fathers arm. Won't
you tell US about it," she asked.
There's not much to tell. went
to church when IL rained. and when
/ il showed; when the boys were
amazed. and when they ridiculed. I
suppose it did seem queer to them.
/ for | was not Christian"
| You were a lover OF your moth
err" said Mrs. Stevens.
| Her husband flashed her a grateful
look Il was" he said briefly.
But, father" persisted Mary,
you have not told us about the bless
ing it brought you
| caught my breath. Mr.. Stevens
was not given to retailing his emo
/ tons, and I should not have dared
that remark: hut he took no offense.
Il had EQom-mate after Christ
mas, and he went to church with me.
don't know why I was such a fool
as to go all alone that first term. I.
could have found some one to accom-
pany me, I'm sure"
| did not wonder at his going
alone. Mr.. Stevens was that sort of
man.
When you don't like to attend
church, he continued, take some
one with you. 1t helps matters won
drously"
There was silence for a minute.
But about the blessing" said
Mary.
Mr.. Stevens smiled. you'd call
1t a very commonplace blessing" he
said, but it made me over again.
and gave me new purpose in life.
MY son, do you know of one instance
where your influence has made a man
better-drawn him from evil wavs?"
No, father" said the young man
in a low tone.
Then don't quit church-going vet |
Tor a while. You have not got your
eyes open"
But how about the blessing?"
inquired Mary.
HIM! I found out that I had
been recommended by the secretary
or the Y. M. G. A. to my roommate
as companion who would help him
to quit his evil ways Mr.. Stevens
was transformed. His eyes flashed
and MS voice trembled; his face was
all aglow. Think of it, was not
even Christian, and yet that young
man who had fallen among wild COM
pan1ons and sought help, was sent to
me- and I knew nothing of it. +
thank God and my mother that
I'eu stralght and steady in those
days"
And your roommate reformedqn
asked Mary.
He did, and he and I Joined the
church together the following Easter
mats what came of church atten-I
lance, even though l took no nleas-
ure in it, The Y. NJ. C. A. secretary
Lold me that all he knew of me was
mat for three months I had attended
church every Sabbath morning. with
no one to urge it, nor even anv ono
70 accompany me-
Mr.. Stevens arose and pushed hack
us chalr. MY son." he said, "stick {
o the church. Some day it will sure t
y orlng you heart blessing which
VIII sWeeten the hard places of ronr
lie. christian Guardian. t