Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-08-22
HERE AND THERE.
THE CONVERSION OF DOUGLAS DURANT

days went swiftly by each one bring
ing him the bliss of Eva's presence. He
had been in the Crissman home three
weeks He was now able to walk about.
Miss Clute was no longer there. Of
course he was now permitted to talk,
but he was admonished not to exert
himself; therefore, his walks We're con-
fined to the premises. He spent an
hour or two of each nice day in the
orchard. Here he would loll and read
and weave his plans for the future. In
his talks with Eva he found that the
Bible was not only her fayorite book
but her favorite theme as well. In her
local Sunday school work she had re-
peated the story of Christ so often to
the children that in her conversation
she habitually veered toward the Bible
and its teachings In order to reach
her standard of conversation Doug was
compelled to read the Bible and medi-
tate much on its teachings. At first
his motives were shallow and question
able He studied the Bible from motives
to quality his conversation and please
Eva. Then came time when he was
driven to it by hunger for truth. He
would pick up the Bible, steal out into
a secluded nook and read and mediate
to appease this holy hunger. Eva in
stinctively noticed this change in Doug.
Ii excited her admiration and command.
ed her respect. One sunny day Eva
was on her way home from visit to
her grandparents. In order to avoid
meeting some ruffans who were driving
a herd of cattle along the road she
climbed over the fence and was walking
leisurely across the orchard, when she
suddenly came upon Doug sitting on a
rustic bench beneath an apple tree He
was all absorbed with the Bible which
was lying open on his lap. Eva was
embarrassed and FASTENED to say, "0ht
Mr.. Durant, pardon me. Icame through
the orchard to avoid meeting that drove
of cattle, and now l am an intruder
upon your sacred retreat"
When Doug looked up he was thrilled
speeches. for moment by Eva S beauty.
She had indeed reverted to real girl
ishness and was swinging her little pink
bonnet to and fro by the strings while
the movements of her supple body were
like those of a reed in a gentle breeze.
The blood had rushed to her face and
made it seem like veritable bunch of
roses among which her eyes were scin.
tillating like two drops of dew Some
locks of golden hair had escaped from
the clasp of blue ribbon and were
playing about her temples. To Doug
she seemed like sweet wild flower in
the summer wind.
He rose, tipped his hat and said, - -
welcome intruder / assure you, Miss
Crissman. Be not embarrassed. This
is providential meeting indeed. / am
very anxious to get your Interpretation
of a passage of scripture"
Indeed! is my judgement so valu-
able?" said Eva.
II certainly think so, " replied Doug,
Will you please be seated while 1 read
to you the passage in question:"
Eva meekly seated herself on the
bench, after which Doug stood for a
moment turning the leaves of the Bible.
When he found the passage he sat down
by her side and read the following
Let this mind be in you, which was
in Christ Jesus.
Now, Miss Crissman, l should like
very much to know just what you think
this passage requires of us, said Doug.
well, Mr.. Durant, must certainly
thank you for selecting one of my favo.
rite verses. have often explained that
passage, in my own way, to my Sunday
school class, and 1 shall now give you
that same threadbare Interpretation.
Possibly you have better one."
Yes, possible, but not at all probable,
Evangeline," said Doug smiling.
"Well, said Eva, 10 begin, the re-
quirement in general is to become like
Christ. the first step toward which is to
make ourselves thoroughly acquainted
with His nature, and to build up an
adequate conception of His character.
We must then entertain this conception
daily until it becomes a rooted image
in our minds. Now we must become
passive as we feel the roots of this holy
image ramifying our wicked lives. AS
the roots of the Lily absorb filth to be
converted into fragrance and beauty, so
the roots of this image will absorb the
evil of our lives to be converted into
Christ-like attributes. Satan will often
come to us with dazzling temptations
but, at the sight of this image, he will
sneak away and leave US unframed.
This sacred image will become our pro
tector 1t will dictate our conduct, and
cry, Beware, at any attempt to de-
yiate from the teachings of Christ. We
find our thoughts seeking the channels
through which His flowed with such
sweet low murmur in a mad noisy
world Our desire to be like Him be-
comes supreme. We cultivate it with
care until in the lap of civilization it