Year: 1878

A few days since, when walking on the


street, behind two ladies, | overheard the


following conversation. One, with care


worn, haggard face, upon which troubles


and sorrow had settled down, and stamp
ed their undeniable signs, wrinkles and


burrows, began, with a sigh: II wish


Mrs w, that you would teach me how


to convert my husband. A very good


man is my John. He works steadily and


hard for his family, but he is not a Chris


tian' The other one, jolly healthy
| looking, buxom dame, stopped short in


her walk, exclaiming, as she eyed the


other in a peculiar way: Not Chris


tian Whatever can you mean, Mrs. M.


Not Christian l always thought you


had married a member of your own


church p


ooh yes the other replied, that is


right enough; but you don't understand d


me. When l say not Christian, l don t


mean that he is a heather or an unbe-


lever. No, no, he is very good man ;


he don't drink, nor smoke, nor swear but
| for all that he does not attend prayer


meetings as regularly on a week day as
do many other members of our church.
| wish you could tell me what to do"
The other woman interrupted her with


such a hearty laugh as only can come
a joyful heart AS soon as she could control


her mirth, she said, in a caressing tone


My dear SOUL you must really excuse me,


but | could not help it. 1t seems to me
so ridiculous to hear person of your un-
derstanding speak in that way Not a
Christian because he prefers doing his
Christian duty to idling his time away in
talking about it, expecting others to pro-
vide the means which he is too lazy to
work for himself | have no patience
with your sanctimonious people, never
satisfied with the blessings you enjoy, be-
cause you are afraid of betraying levity.
If religion be good for anything, and it
certainly is, because life would not be
worth having without belief in high
er, nobler and better world-if religion is
good for anything it is to make us better
men and women and to teach US to love
our neighbors as ourselves. If we do that
cheerfully, and we can't do it any other,
because real love does not make the heart
sad, we are fulfilling Gods command
Your husband, in doing his duty toward
his family, shows his love to God and to
you. Prayer meetings are very good in
their way, but if you call any fellow being
non-Christian because he does not at
tend them as regularly as others
do, then these meetings have been of
little use to you, having taught you sell
fshness instead of charity" The woman
paused, having evidently observed me,
and wishing me to pass on, which | did.
had, however, heard enough to set me
to thinking, as l continued my way. mo
doubt, l said to myself, that woman
spoke the truth in saying that it's the
spirit of the Savior's words we should fol
low and not the mere expression. How
many thousand have differed, and still
differ, about the proper translation Of the
mere words, but no one has or can mis-
the spirit. Love your neigh
bors, help those who can not help them
selves, and whatever you do to the least
of them you have done to me- said Christ,
and that is the unmistakable spirit that
runs through all his teachings Let US
follow this divine inspiration and the
same holy spirit will be sure to teach us
not only humanity but that charity which
will not allow US to call either man or
woman non Christian, because they do
not worship in our church, or say the
same prayer as we do. The Monk, kneel-
ing on the cold stones in his cell, in the
gray light of early morn, fervently re-
peating innumerable Pater Nosters, is not
likely to be more acceptable sight to
the eye of God than the sturdy workman
who goes forth to his work at the same
early hour to provide the daily bread for
his family, and who, very likely, sends
up few simple words, or may be mere
sigh to his Heavenly Father, imploring
strength to accomplish the task. May
Gods spirit guide US all. and may none
Of US take upon him or herself to judge |
Or decide who is Christian and who is
not" H.