diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54627-8.txt | 3872 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54627-8.zip | bin | 76365 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54627-h.zip | bin | 181777 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54627-h/54627-h.htm | 4022 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54627-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 50780 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54627-h/images/frontis.jpg | bin | 49799 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 7894 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c251c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54627 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54627) diff --git a/old/54627-8.txt b/old/54627-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a16e3ba..0000000 --- a/old/54627-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3872 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Scripture Club of Valley Rest, by John Habberton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Scripture Club of Valley Rest - or Sketching of Everybody's Neighbours - -Author: John Habberton - -Release Date: April 29, 2017 [EBook #54627] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SCRIPTURE CLUB OF VALLEY REST *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -VALUABLE BOOKS - -PUBLISHED BY - -G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS, - -New York. - - -+I. Tent Life in Siberia.+ ADVENTURES AMONG THE KORAKS AND OTHER TRIBES IN -KAMCHATKA AND NORTHERN ASIA. Fifth Edition. 12mo, cloth extra 2 00 - - "We strongly recommend this book as one of the most entertaining - volumes of travel that have appeared for some years."--London - Athenæum. - - -+II. Travels in Portugal.+ By JOHN LATOUCHE. With Photographic -Illustrations. Octavo, cloth extra 3 50 - - "A delightfully written book, as fair as it is pleasant. * * * - Entertaining, fresh, and as full of wit as of valuable - information."--London Spectator. - - -+III. The Abode of Snow.+ A TOUR THROUGH CHINESE TIBET, THE INDIAN -CAUCASUS, AND THE UPPER VALLEYS OF THE HIMALAYA. By ANDREW WILSON. -Square octavo, cloth extra, with map 2 25 - - "There is not a page in this volume which will not repay perusal. - * * * The author describes all he meets with on his way with - inimitable spirit."--London Athenæum. - - -+IV. The Life and Journals of John J. Audubon, the Naturalist.+ Comprising -Narratives of his Expeditions in the American Forests, &c. 12mo, cloth -extra, with Portrait 2 25 - - "It is a grand story of a grand life; more instructive than a - sermon; more romantic than a romance."--Harpers' Magazine. - - -+V. Notes on England and Italy.+ By Mrs. NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE (wife of the -Novelist). Third edition. 12mo, cloth 2 00 - -Illustrated Edition, with 12 Steel Plates. Octavo, cloth extra, gilt -edges 5 00 - - "One of the most delightful books of travel that have come under - our notice."--Worcester Spy. - - "The grace and tenderness of the author of the 'Scarlet Letter' is - discernable in its pages."--London Saturday Review. - - -+VI. Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland in 1803.+ By DOROTHY -WORDSWORTH (Sister of the Poet). Edited by PRINCIPAL SHAIRP, LL.D. 12mo, -cloth extra 2 50 - - "The volume glistens with charming passages, showing how rich in - 'Wordsworthian' fancy was this modest sister."--London Athenæum. - - -+VII. Bayard Taylor's Travel.+ Complete in 10 Vols. Containing works upon -Africa; Egypt; Iceland; California and Mexico; Greece and Russia; India, -China and Japan; Palestine, Asia Minor, Sicily and Spain; Sweden, -Denmark and Lapland; Europe, &c., &c. Per volume 1 50 - -Or, 11 Volumes, neatly put up in box 16 50 - - "There is no romance to us quite equal to one of Bayard Taylor's - books of travel."--Hartford Republican. - - -PUTNAM'S NEW CATALOGUE will be forwarded to any address on receipt of -stamp. - - - - -RECENT PUBLICATIONS - -OF - -G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS. - - -DODGE. THE PLAINS OF THE GREAT WEST, AND THEIR INHABITANTS. A vivid and -picturesque description of the Western plains of the American Continent, -including accounts of the game, a careful topographical record, notes of -emigration, &c., &c., and an exhaustive account of the life and habits -of the Indians (both the "reserved" and the "unreserved"), their customs -in fighting, hunting, marriage, death, clothing, religious beliefs and -rites, &c., &c., with some suggestions for the treatment of the Indian -question. By RICHARD IRVING DODGE, Colonel in the U.S. Army. 1 large -octavo volume very fully illustrated, $4.00 - - Colonel Dodge has, during many years, held positions of - responsibility on the Western frontier, and has enjoyed exceptional - opportunities for obtaining an intimate knowledge of the life and - habits of the Indians, and of the features of the great plains in - which they live, and the record of his experiences and observations - will be found not only most fascinating reading, but a trustworthy - and authoritative guide on the subjects of which it treats. - - -VAN LAUN. THE HISTORY OF FRENCH LITERATURE. - -By HENRI VAN LAUN, Translator of Taine's "History of English -Literature," the Works of Molière, etc., etc. - - Vol. I.--FROM ITS ORIGIN TO THE RENAISSANCE. - Vol. II.--FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO LOUIS XIV. - Vol. III.--FROM LOUIS XIV. TO NAPOLEON III. (_In preparation._) - -8vo, cloth extra, each, $2.50. - - We have to deal with a people essentially spirited and - intellectual, whose spirit and intellect have been invariably the - wonder and admiration, if not the model and mould, of contemporary - thought, and whose literary triumphs remain to this day among the - most notable landmarks of modern literature. * * * _Extract from - Author's Preface._ - - -THE BEST READING. A CLASSIFIED BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR EASY REFERENCE. With -Hints on the Selection of Books, the Formation of Libraries, on Courses -of Reading, etc. 15th Edition. Entirely re-written and brought down to -August, 1876, with the addition of priced lists of the best books in -French, German, Spanish and Italian Literature. 8vo, paper, $1.25; -cloth, $1.75. - - "By far the best work of the kind."--_College Courant._ - - -THE SELECT BRITISH ESSAYISTS. A series planned to consist of half a -dozen volumes, comprising the Representative Papers of _The Spectator_, -_Tatler_, _Guardian_, _Rambler_, _Lounger_, _Mirror_, _Looker-On_, etc., -etc. Edited, with Introduction and Biographical Sketches of the Authors, -by JOHN HABBERTON. - - Vol. I.--THE SPECTATOR. By ADDISON and STEELE. Square rómo, - beautifully printed, and tastefully bound in cloth extra, $1.25 - - This series has been planned to preserve, and to present in a form - at once attractive and economical, the permanently valuable - portions of those standard productions of the Essayists, which, as - well for the perfection of their English style, as for the sterling - worth of their matter are deservedly perennial. - - Vol. 2. SIR ROGER DE COVERLY PAPERS. From _The Spectator._ - - One volume, 16mo, $1.00. - - "Mr. Habberton has given us a truly readable and delightful - selection from a series of volumes that ought possibly never to go - out of fashion, but which by the reason of their length and - slightly antiquated form there is danger of our - overlooking."--_Liberal Christian._ - - -[Illustration: BROTHER HUMBLETOP WITHDRAWS.] - - - - -THE SCRIPTURE CLUB OF VALLEY REST - -OR - -SKETCHES OF EVERYBODY'S NEIGHBOURS - -BY THE AUTHOR OF -"_The Barton Experiment_," "_Helen's Babies_," _Etc._ - -NEW YORK - -G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS -182 FIFTH AVENUE. - -1877 - - - - -CONTENTS. - - -CHAPTER I. - - Page -A LIBERAL MOVEMENT 1 - - -CHAPTER II. - -SOME SPIRITUAL DIFFERENCES 20 - - -CHAPTER III. - -FREE SPEECH 42 - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A SOLEMN HOUR COMPLETELY SPOILED 60 - - -CHAPTER V. - -FAMILIAR SOUNDS 78 - - -CHAPTER VI. - -BUILDER STOTT SAVES THE FAITH 92 - - -CHAPTER VII. - -FREE SPEECH BECOMES ANNOYING 109 - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -AFTERMATH 126 - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE DOCTRINE OF INSURANCE 144 - - -CHAPTER X. - -A DECISIVE BATTLE 162 - - -CHAPTER XI. - -CONCLUSION 183 - - - - -SCRIPTURE CLUB. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -A LIBERAL MOVEMENT. - - -The success of the Second Church of Valley Rest was too evident to admit -of doubt, and there seemed to be no one who begrudged the infant society -its prosperity. Most of its members had come to the village from that -Western city known to all its inhabitants as being the livest on the -planet, and they had brought their business wits with them. At first -they worshiped with the members of the First Church, established forty -years before, and with an Indian or two still among its members; but it -soon became evident to old members and new that no single society could -be of sufficient theological elasticity to contain all the worshipers -who assembled in the old building. There were differences of opinion, -which, though courteously expressed, seemed great enough to claim -conscientious convictions for their bases; so with a Godspeed as hearty -as their welcome had been, the newer attendants organized a new society. -They were strong, both numerically and financially, so within a year -they had erected and paid for a costly and not hideous church building, -settled a satisfactory pastor, and organized a Sunday-school, three -prayer-meetings, and a sewing society. The activity of the new church -became infectious, and stimulated the whole community to good works; -occasionally one of the other societies would endeavor to return some of -the spiritual favors conferred by the Second Church, but so leisurely -were the movements of the older organizations that before they could -embody a suggestion in an experience the new church would have discerned -it afar off and put it into practical operation. - -It was in the rapid manner alluded to that the Second Church came -finally by a feature which long and gloriously distinguished it. It was -11.50 by the church clock one Sunday morning when Mrs. Buffle, wife of -the great steamboat owner, who made his home at Valley Rest, noticed her -husbands face suddenly illumine as if he had just imagined a model for -the best lake packet that ever existed; it was only 12.10, by the same -time-piece, when about thirty of the solid members of the church, -remaining after service, gathered in a corner of the otherwise vacant -building, and agreed to Mr. Buffle's proposal that there should be -organized a Bible class especially for adults. - -"When you think of it," explained the projector, "it really seems as if -there'd be no end to its usefulness. I call myself as orthodox a man as -you can find in any church, anywhere, but there's lots of things in the -Bible that I'm not posted on. I suppose it's the same with all of you; -each of you may have thought a great deal on some single subject, but -you're not up in everything--you haven't sat under preachers who talk -about everything." - -"There aren't many preachers who _dare_ to preach about everything," -remarked young lawyer Scott, who had in marked degree the youthful -appetite for the strongest mental food, and the youthful assumption that -whatever can be swallowed is bound to be digested. - -"Nor that dares to say what he really believes," added Captain Maile, -who had that peculiar mind, not unknown in theology and in politics, -which loves a doubt far more dearly than it does a demonstration. - -"Preachers are like the rest of us," said Mr. Buffle; "they haven't time -to study everything, and they have to take a good deal on the say-so of -somebody else; a good many things they may be mistaken about, but they'd -better have _some_ idea on a subject than none at all; once get a notion -into their heads and it'll roll around and make them pay attention to it -once in a while. And that's just what _we_ need, I think, and it's what -brought this Bible class idea into my mind. Each of us will express our -minds on whatever may be the subject of the day's lesson, and we'll -learn how many ways there are of looking at it. No one of us may change -his mind all at once, but if he gets out of his own rut for an hour in a -week, he'll find it a little wider and no less safer when he drops into -it again." - -"And perhaps he may get it so wide that there'll be room enough in it -for three or four, or half-a-dozen Christians to walk in it side by -side, without kicking each other, or eyeing each other suspiciously," -suggested Brother Radley, whose golden text always was, "It is good for -brethren to dwell together in unity." - -"_That's_ it!" exclaimed Mr. Buffle, his eyes brightening suddenly. -"That's it! But I don't intend to do all the talking, gentlemen. I -suggest that such of us as like the idea sign our names to an agreement -to meet every Sunday for the purpose specified, and that we immediately -afterward proceed to elect a teacher." - -"I don't wish to dampen any honest enthusiasm for Biblical research;" -said Dr. Humbletop, a genial ex-minister; "but from some remarks which -have been made it would seem as if doubt--perhaps honest, but doubt for -all that--were to have more to do than faith with the motive of the -proposed association. What we _need_--what _I_ feel to need, at least, -and what I believe is the case with all who are here present--is to be -rooted and grounded in the faith which we profess. I would move, -therefore, that if the class is to be informally organized in the manner -proposed by Brother Buffle, that at least the creed of our church be -appended to the document to which signatures are to be affixed." - -"Mr. Chairman," exclaimed Mr. Alleman (Principal of the Valley Rest -Academy, and suspected of certain fashionable heresies), "I object. In -our congregation--here in this small gathering, in fact--is a large -sprinkling of gentlemen who are not members of the church, and who do -not accept our creed, though they enjoy worshiping with us: Brother -Humbletop's resolution, if put into effect, would exclude from the -proposed teachings the very class of men that we profess to believe are -most in need of religious instruction. The churches are so rigid that a -thinking man can scarcely gain admission to them without lying, actually -or constructively: don't let us, in a class like that proposed, follow -the example of the Pharisees, those very flowers of orthodoxy--and 'lay -on men's shoulders burdens grievous to be borne.' If our religion is -what we claim it is, let us open our gates wide enough to admit every -one who is at all interested to study God's ways as made known through -the scriptures." - -"Don't trouble yourself," said Captain Maile, who was as dyspeptic in -body as in mind, but was also a keen observer of human nature; "I don't -see but saints need converting as badly as sinners do, and there's -enough of _them_ to keep you busy. We sinners can find a gathering place -somewhere else--perhaps the sexton will think the furnace-room the -proper place for us--and we'll take Christian hospitality and -great-heartedness as our first subject for discussion." - -"You won't do anything of the kind," exclaimed Squire Woodhouse, one of -the old settlers who had joined himself to the Second Church to avoid -being tormented about what some of the members of the First Church -termed his rationalism. "You're going to meet with us, blow us up all -you like, teach us anything you can, and make us better in any way you -know how to. God Almighty's kingdom isn't any four-acre lot with a high -stone wall and a whole string of warnings to trespassers; his kingdom -takes in all out-doors; every man alive is his child, and got a right to -come and go in his Father's house, even if he don't sit on the same -style of chair or creep under the same kind of bedclothes that his -brothers do. If he don't like the meat, or bread, or dessert that -somebody else is eating, the table's so full of other good things that -he _can't_ go hungry unless he insists upon it. There isn't one of you -but's got more religion and brains than any of the twelve apostles ever -had; but none of _them_ were ever turned out of _the_ Bible class, -though one of them, who was a thief, was man enough to stay away of his -own accord, and voluntarily go to judgment." - -"Churches wouldn't be near so full if all thieves followed Judas's -example," was the ungracious remark with which Captain Maile received -this handsome speech; a hearty laugh took the sting out of the captain's -insinuation, however. Meanwhile Mr. Buffle had torn a leaf out of a -hymn-book, scrawled a form of agreement thereupon, and passed it around -for signatures. When the paper reached Dr. Humbletop, that gentleman -said: - -"Brethren, I sign this paper in the hope that we shall work together for -the honor and glory of God; but I distinctly avow and reserve the right -to withdraw at any time, should such time come, when my conscience -forbids me any longer to attend." - -Several others, among them Insurance President Lottson and Mr. Stott, -the well-to-do builder, announced the same reservation, but no one -entirely declined to sign. Then Mr. Buffle moved the election of a -teacher, and the choice fell upon Deacon Bates, a man of unabused -conscience, pure life, extreme orthodoxy, and an aimless curiosity -(which he mistook for thought) about things Biblical and spiritual. Then -Mr. Buffle arose and said: - -"Mr. Chairman--Mr. Teacher, I mean--time is money in the church as well -as in the world. It's only 12.30; Sunday-school won't be out until 1.30. -I move we select a lesson, and go right to work." - -The motion was put and carried, and in a second Dr. Humbletop was upon -his feet. - -"I propose," said he, "that after the offering of a prayer--an -essential which seems to have been overlooked by our brethren so zealous -in good works--that we proceed to the consideration of the Epistle of -Paul to the Romans. Let us sit at the feet of one, the latchet of whose -shoes no other theologian was ever worthy to unloose, and let us there -seek those truths which shall make us wise unto salvation. Let us make -ourselves fully acquainted with God's plan for the redemption of sinful -man." - -"I move as a substitute," said Mr. Alleman, "that we begin with the -Sermon on the Mount, and learn from the Master instead of the servant." - -The place was a church and the occasion was the study of the Scriptures. -But the attendants were only human and they recognized the conditions -necessary to a fight with many indications of satisfaction; faces -lightened up, eyes rapidly increased in luster, and lips unconsciously -parted in the manner natural to persons who are gradually abandoning -themselves to the influence of an impending pleasure. Men sitting to -the right, left, and front of the apparent contestants twisted their -necks until their eyes commanded the scene; while good old Major Brayme, -who was rather deaf, and had got into a corner for his neuralgia's sake, -scented the battle afar off and limped around to a front seat. - -"The question is on the amendment," said the leader, "unless some -brother has still another amendment to offer." - -Nobody spoke; as Captain Maile afterward explained, "'twasn't anybody -else's fight." Besides, Valley Rest was peopled by the race peculiar to -all other portions of this terrestrial ball, and one of the instincts of -that race, whether savage or civilized, is that it is far more pleasing -to be a spectator than a participant in an altercation. - -"Mr. Leader," said Mr. Alleman after a moment of silence, "in support of -my amendment I wish to say that no one more enthusiastically admires -than I do the remarkable, almost unique, logical ability of the apostle; -but the very reason which prompted him to give forth that wonderful -letter to the Romans is the one which I offer in opposition to our -studying that same epistle. Paul was originally a shrewd man of the -world, and his conversion did not deprive him of his common sense and -tact. Writing to the church at Rome--a church whose members, judging by -the Roman mental constitution, must have been gained through appeals -logical rather than emotional--he met them upon their own ground, and -taught them and grounded them in belief through those faculties in them -which were most easily reached, and which, more than any others, would -retain the impressions formed upon them. Of all that Paul taught we -profess to be convinced; of what Christ taught we are not so well -informed, for the reason that it is Paul, rather than Christ, who is -preached from the pulpit. But here we are in a world and a state of -society in which, for righteousness' sake, we are less helped by -logically drawn dogma than by earnest injunction and pure example. We -_do_ believe; what we need is to learn to lead the new life which that -belief implies; we need to have asserted, explained, and impressed upon -us the simple but comprehensive rules and gracious promises which Jesus -enounced during his life. The Sermon on the Mount begins with the -Beatitudes; which of us really _believes_ in them as we do in Paul's -argument to the Romans? It continues and concludes with a number of -moral injunctions, all of which we practically reject, or at least -neglect; yet these bear directly on our daily intercourse with our -fellow-men, and our daily acts of all sorts. Why, St. Paul himself -apparently preached after this same model when he had to talk to men of -the world whose intelligence was not confined to a single groove, for we -read that when he preached--talked--to Felix, the governor, he reasoned -of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come. Therefore I -move, for the good of those here assembled, and for the glory of God, -that this class proceed to the study of the Sermon on the Mount." - -There was a perceptible rustle and an active interchange of winks and -head-shakings as Mr. Alleman closed; but a dead silence was restored as -Dr. Humbletop slowly rose to his feet, cleared his throat, adjusted his -newly-polished glasses, and raised his voice. - -"My dear friends," said he, "having been an humble but earnest follower -of the Lord Jesus Christ for nearly half a century, I need not on this -occasion enter into a defense of myself against any possible insinuation -of lack of faith. Nor will any one doubt that I apprehend the great -value of the Sermon on the Mount; some of you will, perhaps, recall a -series of sermons which I preached a few years ago upon the Beatitudes. -But Jesus Christ was not merely a moral teacher; his great work was to -redeem the world from death by offering himself as a propitiation for -their sins, and submitting himself unto death, even the shameful death -of the cross. His teachings were great, he spake as man never spake -before, but all this is as naught compared with the great work which he -finished upon Calvary. It is _this_ that we need to study; it is for -this we should love and adore him. 'God so loved the world, that he gave -his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not -perish, but have eternal life.'" - -"I should like to ask Brother Humbletop if personal salvation is the -highest motive with which we should study the Bible?" said Mr. Alleman. - -It was evident that the question was a poser to the good doctor; the -very convexity and luster of his glasses served only to make his eyes -stare more aimlessly at nothing for a moment or two. He recovered -himself, however, and replied: - -"God, in his generosity, and doubtless in view of the needs of sinful -humanity, has ordered that the salvation of mankind should have been the -principal object of Christs coming upon earth; I am not here to -criticise my Maker." - -"And you know that no one else is," remarked Mr. Alleman, with not -inexcusable acerbity. - -"Question!" exclaimed several voices. The leader put the question, and -the amendment of Mr. Alleman was adopted by a considerable majority. -Again Dr. Humbletop got upon his feet. - -"My dear friends," said he, "I regret at this early hour to part from an -association from which I had fondly hoped to derive spiritual benefit, -but my sense of duty impels me to take such a step; the vote of the -class seems to indicate an estimate of Christ to which I should never -dare to commit myself--an estimate against which I must always protest. -Personally, I hold you all in high esteem; you shall always be -remembered by me at the throne of grace, but upon the prime essential of -Christian fraternity we seem hopelessly at variance. In one way I doubt -not that your deliberations will tend toward good, but that way is not -the best way, and I must therefore regret it. I shall consider it my -duty to take steps toward the organization of a class upon what I -conceive to be a Christian basis, and in that class I shall always be -ready to heartily welcome any of you. Salvation through the atonement of -Christ is the central truth of the Bible; a body of students who examine -the Word from any other standpoint may be perfectly sincere and in -earnest, and they may constitute what may without unkind meaning be -called a Scripture Club, but they can never claim to be regarded as a -Bible class, in the proper acceptation of the term." - -The doctor gathered his cloak, hat, and cane, and retired with a -graceful but dignified bow; the class rose to its feet in some -confusion, and Squire Woodhouse exclaimed: - -"Scripture Club, eh? Well, its a good name." - -"That's so," said Mr. Alleman; "let's adopt it, and show the blessed old -man that names can't change natures." - -A general assent was sounded; not so noisy a one, perhaps, as that with -which the Dutch patriots of three hundred years ago accepted the -designation of "Beggars," cast at them by Spain, and destined to recoil -upon those who bestowed it; but the acclamation was nevertheless more -earnest and demonstrative than is common in churches, and it was perhaps -well that in the midst of it the dismissal of the Sunday-school -compelled parents who were members of the "Club" to hurry out in search -of their children. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -SOME SPIRITUAL DIFFERENCES. - - -The next meeting of the Scripture Club of Valley Rest was impatiently -looked forward to by all the club members. Although there were at that -time plenty of political theories to quarrel over, two or three fine -projects for new lines of lake navigation, and at least a dozen for -making of the neighboring city the greatest Western rival to New York, -conversation on these subjects was only fitful on the boats which -carried the business men of Valley Rest between their homes and the -city. Before the second Sunday of the existence of the class, each -member had in mind at least one religious topic upon which he wanted -full, exhaustive, and decisive discussion; he also in his innermost -heart, and sometimes on his lips, had the settled conviction that he -was just the man to speak the decisive word, and thus readjust human -thought to the newly-discovered requirements of eternal truth. - -Nor was excitement on religious topics confined to the members of the -club. Not a day of the week passed without bringing to Deacon Bates a -new candidate for admission. First came Mr. Hopper, who took -enthusiastic delight in whatever was new, whether in religion, politics, -medical theories, or popular smoking tobaccos. As Mr. Hopper was a rich -man, good Deacon Bates hastily assured him that the class would be -delighted to have him as a member, and Mr. Hopper graciously responded -by offering to read at the very first meeting a seventeen-page paper, -from a very heavy but comparatively new quarterly, on "The True Location -of the Holy Sepulchre." Then came Mr. Jodderel, who had once defrayed -the entire cost of producing a bulky pamphlet, the motive of which was -the probable final settlement of all departed spirits, in renewed -bodies, on some one of the terrestrial globes which he believed had been -in preparation from the foundation of the world. Mr. Jodderel more than -hinted that he would like to see considerable attention given to this -topic in the new class, and though good Leader Bates trembled at the -thought, having heard the same subject discussed in season and out of -season ever since Mr. Jodderel had made the coming peerless city of the -West his place of business, he was true to the sentiment which had led -to the formation of the class, and therefore gave Mr. Jodderel a hearty -fraternal welcome. Then, like Nicodemus, there came by night, and from -fear of the orthodox, Brother Prymm, to whom the slightest letter of the -law was of more importance than the whole of the spirit thereof. He had -made the matter of joining the class a subject of special prayer, he -said, and had made up his mind that if it were really the intention of -the members to encourage free speech and honestly search for the actual -truth regarding the will of God, it was his duty to join the class, and -serve his blessed Master to the extent of his poor abilities. Mr. Maddle -came next, and Leader Bates' heart gladdened to receive him, for Mr. -Maddle was one of the most successful organizers in the State; he had -planned and executed at least two remarkably successful campaigns in the -local political field, and had reorganized, out of nothing, more than -one shapeless business enterprise so admirably that the backers thereof -could not learn what they had expended, nor could the creditors discern -what they themselves had received. With such a man behind him, Leader -Bates rose superior to his own fears of the possible disintegration -which the diversity of views of his fellow-members had seemed to make -possible. And then, as if providentially sent to give the class the -impress and protection of the highest order of mentality, came Dr. -Fahrenglohz, Ph.D., Göttingen, who had additional repute as being a -good physician and a man who always paid his bills. All these were -present at the opening hour of the next meeting, and with them came -several people of the class which yields capital listeners, and proves -the wondrous capacity of the human mind for absorbing information -without ever being moved to lend any of it again to others. - -The meeting was opened with prayer. Deacon Bates remarked prefatorily -that such would be the proper thing in a class composed of adults, and -then he looked around hesitatingly for the proper man to make the first -formal committal of the class into the hands of the Lord; but Squire -Woodhouse saved him the trouble by springing to his feet and -volunteering to Heaven an address so concise that there remained nothing -unsaid. Then Bibles were distributed, and opened at the fifth chapter of -Matthew's Gospel, and every one looked unspeakably profound, though Mr. -Hopper had the presence of mind to place his hand beneath his -coat-tails and take hold of the review containing the paper on "The True -Location of the Holy Sepulchre," so as to be ready in case occasion -offered. - -"Let us begin with the beatitudes," said the leader. "'Blessed are the -poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' By the way, I -would suggest that each member speaks in the order of his sitting. Mr. -Lottson," continued Deacon Bates, addressing the insurance president, -"whom do you suppose Jesus referred to as 'the poor in spirit'?" - -"Before answering that question," said Mr. Lottson, "I think attention -should be called to a passage in the opening of the chapter. It is said -that 'When he was set, _his disciples_ came unto him. And he opened his -mouth and taught _them_, saying,' etc. Now, before we try to understand -this beautiful succession of blessings, we should realize whom they were -spoken to--to the disciples, who had left all and followed him, and -therefore to a set of men to whom he could say things which it would be -nonsensical for him to say to the common people and business men around -him. The disciples were out of business, and lived on their friends--it -was right enough for them to do so under the circumstances, but for this -very reason Jesus told them the things which nobody else could -understand. This sermon was preached to self-forgetting preachers, not -to men who had to make their living and take the world as they found it; -and I suppose the first beatitude meant to them just what it said. -_They_ were poor in spirit--any man has to be, if he be willing to go -around without a cent in his pocket--but to pay them for it he gave them -the kingdom of heaven, that is, the church of which Christ is prophet, -priest, and king. It's the greatest charge in the world; all business -enterprises are nothing in comparison with it; but Jesus showed his -divine nature by giving them this, for while they managed it splendidly, -it's the only great affair in the world that a lot of poor-spirited men -could manage without running it into the ground." - -"That depends upon what 'poor in spirit' means," remarked Squire -Woodhouse. "President Lottson seems to think it's the same thing as -mean-spirited, but if it is, I can tell him that there's more money for -that kind of chaps in other businesses. Now I'm a farmer--my principal -crop is hay, and when my barn burned down last winter with eleven tons -loose and forty odd tons pressed, and I went to the insur----" - -"The members will please speak as called upon," said the leader, whose -watchful ear imagined it detected a personality in the immediate future -of the Squire's address. Squire Woodhouse subsided after a soft whisper -to his right-hand neighbor, which caused that gentleman to notice that -President Lottson's face was flushing a little, and his lips touching -each other more firmly than usual. - -"It seems to me," said Mr. Radley, who was next called upon, "that the -passage means just what it says. The kingdom of heaven means the place -we all hope to get to some day, and the poor in spirit are the people -who aren't touchy and don't put on airs Christ was a man of this kind -himself, and he knew by experience what he was talking about." - -"Then how did he come to call a lot of good church members vipers?" -demanded Squire Woodhouse, before the leader could bring him to order. - -"Because they _were_ vipers," answered Mr. Radley. "Being poor in -spirit--humble--doesn't need to keep anybody from telling the truth. -It's your _high_-spirited chaps that do most of the lying in the -world--they do in business circles anyway." - -"Next," said Deacon Bates, and Captain Maile lifted up his voice. - -"Judging by the notions most people have of the kingdom of heaven," said -he, "I don't think anybody but poor-spirited people can ever want to go -there." - -Next in order came Mr. Jodderel, and, as he afterward told his wife, he -breathed a small thank-offering to Heaven for preparing so perfect an -occasion for the presentation of his own theological pet. - -"I don't wonder," he said, "that my military friend turns up his nose at -the home-made heaven of most people, but I want him to understand that -it was no such place that the Lord was talking about. What did he mean -when he said, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, and inherit the kingdom -prepared for you from the foundation of the world'? What sensible man -imagines that the kingdom he spoke of meant any such place as Christians -talk about, or even the place where the Lord himself is? It can't be the -latter, for _that_ wasn't prepared from the foundation of the world; it -existed long before, and didn't need any preparation. If he prepared the -kingdom from the foundation of the world, and made the sun, moon, and -stars when he founded the world--a fact which I fully and implicitly -believe because it is recorded in the inspired Word--the kingdom must be -in some other sphere. And if, as astronomers say, and I have no reason -to doubt, these spheres are worlds, a great deal like ours, we will have -material bodies when we go to them." - -"And poor spirits?" queried the insurance president. - -"Yes!" exclaimed Mr. Jodderel fearlessly. "We can't go there without -first dying here, and I never yet saw a man on his death-bed who thought -a high spirit, or what men call a high spirit, had ever done him any -good." - -President Lottson tried to swallow a sigh which was a little too quick -for him; he had once or twice imagined himself on his own death-bed, and -had gained thereon some practical intimations which he had made haste to -forget when he got back to business. Mr. Prymm, who sat next to Mr. -Jodderel, cleared his throat and said: - -"I think we owe Mr. Lottson our thanks for calling our attention to an -important fact which has escaped general notice. The sermon _was_ -undoubtedly preached to the disciples, and should be considered -accordingly; a great many mistakes of interpretation are doubtless due -to the habit of Christians in taking to themselves every saying of the -Lord and his prophets. I confess that the view advanced is so new a one -to me that I am unable at present to express any opinion upon it, but I -derive already this benefit from it--I learn anew how necessary it is to -pay close attention to the letter of the Word." - -"Then," said young Mr. Waggett, who sat next Mr. Prymm, and who was -principally remarkable for undeviating devotion to Number One, "then the -passage has nothing to do with the great affair of the salvation of our -own souls." - -"Supposing it hasn't," said Squire Woodhouse, in spite of the warning -glance of the leader, "Sunday isn't a business day, and if we want to -talk about some of our best friends then there's no harm in doing so, -nor any time wasted either." - -"Brother Scott," said Deacon Bates. The young lawyer, who had been -exerting over himself a degree of control that was simply terrible, -considering his temptations to interruption, said: - -"May it please the class: There are some evident misunderstandings -abroad. Mr. Lottson's position is untenable, as the context of the same -sermon proves; no examination, according to the rules of evidence, can -fail to prove that the sermon was addressed to the whole people. The -passage cannot mean literally what it says, as Mr. Radley thinks, -because literally it is illogical, and had such been its intention it -could never have been accepted by that consistent apologist for the -integrity of the Scriptures, the Apostle Paul, whose mind was so -marvelously under control of the legal instinct. Captain Maile's -assumption as to the general idea of heaven is utterly without support -from fact; for poverty of spirit is not the prevailing characteristic of -those whose opinions of heaven are verbally made manifest. As for Mr. -Jodderel's proposition, it involves the literal accuracy of the Book of -Genesis, which many orthodox Christians are unprepared to admit. Mr. -Prymm's notion that the sayings of Jesus may be wrongly taken by -individuals, as applying to themselves, is not in accordance with -logical deductions from other portions of Holy Writ. And how can Mr. -Waggett sustain his position that there is _any_ eternal truth that is -not necessary to salvation?" - -A soft chorus of long-drawn breaths followed the delivery of this -speech, and then Squire Woodhouse said: - -"Well, now that you've knocked all the rest down, what are you going to -do yourself?" - -"That," replied Lawyer Scott, evidently pleased by the compliment but -puzzled by the question, "cannot be answered as easily as it is asked, -and I must beg the gentleman's indulgence until I have time to prepare -my case." - -Mr. Buffle, founder of the class, was next in order, and admitted that -he could not see that Jesus, being a clear-headed man, could ever have -meant anything but what he said. He, Mr. Buffle, always said what he -meant, no matter whether he was talking to preachers, shippers, or the -deck-hands on his own boats; he had found that if a man said exactly -what he meant, the stupidest of people could understand him, while -smarter people needed no more. He would consider himself a fool if he -talked over the head of any one who was listening to him, and of course -Jesus couldn't have been foolish. He was very glad, though, to listen to -the many different views that had been advanced on the subject; they -proved just what he had always believed, that men would learn more about -a thing by hearing all sides of it than he could from the smartest -talker alive who knew only one side. He liked the liberality of the -members of the class; it was what he _called_ liberality, to listen to -various views courteously, even if you couldn't accept them all or make -them agree. - -The question had now reached Dr. Fahrenglohz, and the members, both -liberal and narrow, prepared for something terrible. They knew, in -general, that he believed nothing that they themselves did; how then -could his own ideas be anything but dreadful? - -The doctor looked mildly from behind his very convex glasses, and said: - -"Jesus was a mystic. From the spiritual plane on which he lived it was -impossible for him to descend. He could say only that which he believed. -Pure-minded and wholly regardless of ordinary earthly interests, he -could not be a utilitarian, in the vulgar acceptation of the word. What -thought he, what thinks any philosopher, of how his theories may affect -the world? It is his duty to discover the truth, help or hinder -whomsoever it may, and to speak it as he understands it, not in such -fragments as other people may comprehend it. What did Buddha and Brahma? -They spoke, they gave forth that which originated with them." - -"And what did it all amount to?" asked Squire Woodhouse. "Business don't -amount to a row of pins among _their_ followers, according to the -_Missionary Herald_, and virtue is worse off yet." - -The doctor smiled condescendingly. "'He that hath ears to hear, let him -hear' as _your_ prophet says. Is virtue and good business always to be -found with those who sit under the words of Jesus?" - -"N-no," said the Squire, "and that's just what we're driving at. If the -words are understood--and followed--men can't help being good and -successful." - -"And so there is all the more need of careful, prayerful study of the -words," remarked Mr. Prymm. - -There was general disappointment, among those who had yet to speak, at -the lack of any startling heresy in the doctor's utterances. Builder -Stott in particular had felt that he might have an opportunity of -defending the faith which he so unhesitatingly accepted, at no matter -what intellectual difficulties, by abusing some heterodox utterance of -the doctor; but the doctors statements had seemed to him to resemble -either a sphere--and a hollow one--from which all projectiles would -glance harmlessly, or mere thin air, in which there was nothing to aim -at. So he could do nothing but assert his own orthodoxy. - -"I believe everything that Jesus said was meant just as it was spoken," -said he; "whether what we call common sense has got anything to do with -it or not, is none of our business. Of course we can't live up to it -all--we're born in sin and shapen in iniquity; our hearts are deceitful -above all things and desperately wicked--but what we can't do, he did -for us, by dying on the cross. _We_ can never act according to his -teachings--we'd go to the poor-house or into our coffins as soon as we -attempted it. If we _could_ do it, there wouldn't have been any need of -an atonement." - -"Then the atonement is an excuse for rascality, is it?" asked Captain -Maile. The Captain's own house had been erected by Builder Stott, and -many had been his complaints of features which had proved not in -accordance with the spirit of the contract. - -Leader Bates felt extremely uncomfortable; he never had liked -personalities, and hated them all the worse when they interfered with -that heavenly feeling which was to him the principal object of all -religious meetings. He made haste to call upon Mr. Alleman, and that -gentleman replied: - -"Mr. Leader, there can be no doubt that this passage was spoken to -living men, about living interests, and that it not only can be lived up -to by the exercise of such qualities as men already have, but that it -_must_ be treated and respected as truth if men do not wish the disgrace -and penalties of hypocrisy. Of what consequence is it to true -righteousness if men will or will not reconcile scriptural injunctions -with business desires? Bring business up to truth, not truth down to -business, is the earthly application of Christ's teachings." - -"That," said Builder Stott, "may be all right in running a first-class -academy, but you can't run the building business on any such basis." - -The hour for dismission was reached at that instant, with Mr. Hopper -still nervously shaking the coat-tail pocket which contained the review -with the article on the "True Location of the Holy Sepulchre." Two or -three of the members departed, but the greater number stood about and -discussed the discussion. - -"Well, everybody had a chance to speak his mind," said Mr. President -Lottson. - -"That's so," said Mr. Buffle, founder of the class, rubbing his hands -enthusiastically. "Nobody was afraid of his neighbor's opinions." - -"There seemed a general disposition to view the subject from all -points," remarked Mr. Prymm. - -"Not much regard paid to evidence," said young Lawyer Scott, "but still -an evident willingness to open the case fairly." - -"There was not a proper interest displayed in the future location of the -soul," complained Mr. Jodderel; "still the members acted like good -listeners." - -"There was a little too much talking back," said Mr. Radley; "men should -be more careful about treading on each other's corns. But there was a -real, liberal spirit shown throughout, and that's what religious -societies need." - -"Men shouldn't _have_ corns, if they don't want them trodden on," said -Captain Maile. "I won't complain, though--I never saw so little -narrowness in so large a religious gathering." - -"I take great delight in recalling the conference we have had," said Dr. -Fahrenglohz. "I supposed, when I heard of this association, that it -would not bear the test of differences of opinions, but I am grateful -for the respect shown to me, and pleased at the courtesy displayed -toward others." - -Squire Woodhouse waited until Mr. Alleman disappeared, and then burst -into a small group exclaiming: - -"Now, I like Alleman first rate--all of my children go to his -academy--but I _do_ wonder whether he could run a farm with those -notions of his? I'm glad the class listened respectfully, though--it -showed that nobody was afraid that a little liberality would hurt any -one." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -FREE SPEECH. - - -The members of the Scripture Club did not put off their holy interest -with their Sunday garments, as people of the world do with most things -religious. When the little steamboat _Oakleaf_ started on her Monday -morning trip for the city, the members of the Scripture Club might be -identified by their neglect of the morning papers and their tendency to -gather in small knots and engage in earnest conversation. In a corner -behind the paddle-box, securely screened from wind and sun, sat Mr. -Jodderel and Mr. Prymm, the latter adoring with much solemn verbosity -the sacred word, and the former piling text upon text to demonstrate the -final removal of all the righteous to a new state of material existence -in a better ordered planet. In the one rocking-chair of the cabin sat -insurance President Lottson, praising to Mr. Hopper, who leaned -obsequiously upon the back of the chair and occasionally hopped -vivaciously around it, the self-disregard of the disciples, and the -evident inability of anyone within sight to follow their example. The -prudent Waggett was interviewing Dr. Fahrenglotz, who was going to -attend the meeting of a sort of Theosophic Society, composed almost -entirely of Germans, and was endeavoring to learn what points there -might be in the Doctor's belief which would make a man wiser unto -salvation, while Captain Maile stood by, a critical listener, and -distributed pitying glances between the two. Well forward, but to the -rear of the general crowd, stood Deacon Bates in an attitude which might -have seemed conservative were it not manifestly helpless, Mr. Buffle -with the smile peculiar to the successful business man, Lawyer Scott, -with the air of a man who had so much to say that time could not -possibly suffice in which to tell it all, Squire Woodhouse, who was in -search of a good market for hay, Principal Alleman, who was in chase of -an overdue shipment of text-books, and Mr. Radley, who with indifferent -success was filling the self-assigned roll of moderator of the little -assemblage. - -"Nothing settled by the meeting?" said Mr. Buffle, echoing a despondent -suggestion by Deacon Bates. "Of course not. You don't suppose that what -theologians have been squabbling over for two thousand years can be -settled in a day, do you? We made a beginning and that's a good half of -anything. Why, I and every other man that builds boats have been hard at -work for years, looking for the best model, and we haven't settled the -question yet. We're in earnest about it--we can't help but be, for -there's money in it, and while we're waiting we do the next best -thing--we use the best ones we know about." - -"Don't you think you'd get at the model sooner, if some of you weren't -pig-headed about your own, and too fond of abusing each other's?" asked -Mr. Radley. - -"Certainly," admitted Mr. Buffle, "and that's why I wanted us to get up -a Bible-class like the one we have. If everybody will try to see what's -good in his neighbors theories and what's bad in his own, his -fortune--his religion, I mean--is a sure thing. Fiddling on one string -always makes a thin sort of a tune." - -"There were a good many small tunes begun yesterday, then," observed -Squire Woodhouse. - -"Well," said Mr. Buffle, "I thought something of the kind, myself, but a -man can't break an old habit to pieces all at once. Things will be -different before long, though." - -"There is no reason why they shouldn't," said Principal Alleman, -"excepting one reason that's stronger than any other. You can't get to -the bottom of any of the sayings of Christ, the Prophets or the -Apostles without finding that they mean, Do Right. And when you reach -that point, what is in the man and not what is in the book comes into -play, or, rather, it always should but seldom does." - -"I suppose that's so," said Mr. Buffle, soberly. - -"In and of ourselves we can do nothing," remarked Deacon Bates. - -"It's very odd, then, that we should have been told to do so much," -replied Principal Alleman. - -"It was to teach us our dependence upon a higher power," said Deacon -Bates, with more than his usual energy. - -"Are we only to be taught, and never to learn, then?" asked Principal -Alleman. "Some of my pupils seem to think so, but those who depend least -upon the teacher and act most fully up to what they have been taught are -the ones I call my best scholars." - -Deacon Bates's lower lip pushed up its neighbor; in the school-room, the -Principal's theory might apply, but in religion it was different, or he -(Deacon Bates) had always been mistaken, and this possibility was not to -be thought of for an instant. Fortunately for his peace of mind, the -boat touched her city dock just then, and from that hour until five in -the afternoon, when he left his store for the boat, religious theories -absented themselves entirely from Deacon Bates's mind. - -The last meeting of the class was still the most popular subject of -conversation among the members, however, and interest of such a degree -could not help be contagious. Other residents of Valley Rest, -overhearing some of the chats between the members, expressed a desire to -listen to the discussions of the class, and to all was extended a hearty -welcome, without regard to race, color, or previous condition of -religious servitude, and all were invited to be doers as well as -hearers. So at the next session appeared ex-Judge Cottaway, who had -written a book and was a vestryman of St. Amos Parish, Broker Whilcher, -who worshipped with the Unitarians but found them rather narrow, and -Broker Whilcher's bookkeeper, who read Herbert Spencer, and could not -tell what he himself believed, even if to escape the penalty of death. -Various motives brought men from other churches, including even one from -Father McGarry's flock, and all of them were assured that they might say -whatever they chose, provided only that they believed it. - -"Shall we continue our consideration of last Sunday's lesson?" asked -Deacon Bates, after the opening prayer had been offered. "We have some -new members, and should therefore have some additional views to -consider." - -"Let's hear everybody," said Captain Maile. "If we talk as long about -this verse as we'll _have_ to talk before we reach any agreement, we'll -all die before we can reach the square up-and-down verses that are -further along in this same sermon." - -"If the class has no objection to offer, we will continue our study of -the third verse of the fifth chapter of Matthew, and those who spoke on -last Sunday will allow the newer members and others an opportunity to -make their views known." As Deacon Bates spoke, his eye rested warningly -on Mr. Jodderel. - -"I think," said Mr. Jodderel, "that the new members ought to know what -ideas have already been presented, so as to throw any new light upon -them, if they can. The nature of the kingdom of heaven, now, is the most -important question suggested by the lesson, and----" - -"It won't be of the slightest consequence to anyone," interrupted -Principal Alleman, "unless they first comply with the condition which -the verse imposes upon those who want to reach the kingdom." - -"I wouldn't be too sure of that," remarked President Lottson, "while -Jesus said that the poor in spirit should have the kingdom of heaven, He -didn't say that no one else should share it with them. What is written -doesn't always express all that is meant." - -"It doesn't in insurance policies, anyhow," said Squire Woodhouse, "when -my barn burned----" - -"Time is precious, my brethren," said Deacon Bates hastily, scenting a -personality, "I will therefore ask Judge Cottaway for his opinion of the -passage." - -"I think," said the Judge, with that impressive cough which is the -rightful indulgence of a man who has written a volume on the rules of -evidence, "that 'poor in spirit' undoubtedly means unassuming, rightly -satisfied with what is their due, mindful of the fact that human nature -is so imperfect that whatever a man obtains is probably more than he -deserves. They can not be the meek, for special allusion is made to the -meek in this same group of specially designated persons. Neither can it -refer to people who are usually called poor-spirited persons, to wit, -those who are too devoid of what is commonly designated as spirit, for -these are properly classified as peace-makers, and have a similar though -not identical blessing promised to them." - -"The class owes its thanks to the Judge for his clear definition of the -term 'poor in spirit," said Mr. Jodderel, "and if he can be equally -distinct upon the expression 'kingdom of heaven' he will put an end to a -great deal of senseless blundering." - -"I know of but one definition," said the Judge, "heaven is the abode of -God and the angels, and of those who are finally saved." - -"Ah, but _where_ is it? _that's_ the question this class wants -answered," said Mr. Jodderel, twisting his body and craning his head -forward as he awaited the answer. - -"Really," said the Judge, "you must excuse me. I don't know where it is, -and I can't see that study as to its locality can throw any light upon -the lesson." - -This opinion, delivered by an ex-Judge, who had written a book on rules -of evidence, would have quieted almost anyone else, and the members' -faces expressed a sense of relief as they thought that Mr. Jodderel also -would be quieted. But Mr. Jodderel was not one of the faint-hearted, and -in his opinion faint-heartedness and quietness were one and the same -thing. - -"No light upon the lesson?" echoed Mr. Jodderel. "Why, what is the Bible -for, if not to inform us of our destiny? What is this world but a place -of preparation for another? And how can we prepare ourselves unless we -know what our future place and duty is to be?" - -"Next!" exclaimed Deacon Bates with more than his usual energy, and Mr. -Jodderel sank back into his chair and talked angrily with every feature -but his mouth, and with his whole body besides. "Mr. Whilcher has some -new ideas to present, no doubt," continued the leader, bracing himself -somewhat firmly in his chair, for the Deacon naturally expected an -assault from a man of Mr. Whilcher's peculiar views. - -"Poverty of spirit seems to me to be old English for modesty," said Mr. -Whilcher, "We know very little, comparatively, of the great designs of -God, and about as little of the intentions of our fellow-men, so we -should be very careful how we question our maker or criticise our -neighbors. No human being would appreciate divine perfection if he saw -it; no man can give his fellow-men full credit for what they _would_ do, -if they were angels, and are sorry because they can't do. I think the -passage means that only by that modesty, that self-repression, by which -alone a man can accept the inevitable as decreed by God, and forbear -that fault-finding which comes fully as easy as breathing, can a man be -fitted for the companionship of the loving company which awaits us all -in the next world." - -"Whereabouts?" asked Mr. Jodderel. - -Half-a-dozen members filibustered at once, and Mr. Jodderel was -temporarily suppressed, after which Squire Woodhouse remarked: - -"Well, now, that sounds first rate--I never knew before that Unitarians -had such good religion in them--no harm meant, you know, Whilcher." - -"Now let us hear from Mr. Bungfloat," said Deacon Bates. - -Mr. Bungfloat, bookkeeper to Mr. Whilcher, hopelessly explored his -memory for something from Herbert Spencer that would bear upon the -subject, but finding nothing at hand, he quoted some expressions from -John Stuart Mills' essay on "Nature," and was hopelessly demoralized -when he realized that they did not bear in the remotest manner upon the -topic under consideration. Then Deacon Bates announced that the subject -was open for general remark and comment. Mr. Jodderel was upon his feet -in an instant, though the class has no rule compelling the members to -rise while speaking. - -"Mr. Leader," said he, "everybody has spoken, but nobody has settled -the main question, which is, where is the 'kingdom of heaven?' Everybody -knows who the poor in spirit are; any one who didn't know when we began -has now a lot of first class opinions to choose from. But where and what -is heaven--_that_ is what we want to know." - -A subdued but general groan indicated the possibility that Mr. Jodderel -was mistaken as to the desires of the class. Meanwhile, young Mr. Banty, -who had been to Europe, and listened to much theological debate in cafés -and beer-gardens, remarked. - -"I'm not a member of this respected body, but I seem to be included in -the chairman's invitation. I profess to be a man of the world--I've been -around a good deal--and I never could see that the poor in spirit -amounted to a row of pins. If they're fit for heaven they ought to be -fit for something on this side of that undiscovered locality." - -"Discovered millions upon millions of times, bless the Lord," -interrupted Squire Woodhouse. - -"Well, the discoverers sent no word back, at any rate," said young Mr. -Banty, "so there's one view which I think ought to be considered; isn't -it possible that Jesus was mistaken?" - -Mr. Prymm turned pale and Deacon Bates shivered violently, while a low -hum and a general shaking of heads showed the unpopularity of young Mr. -Banty's idea. - -"The class cannot entertain such a theory for an instant," answered -Deacon Bates, as soon as he could recover his breath, "though it -encourages the freest expression of opinion." - -"Oh!" remarked Mr. Banty, with a derisive smile. The tone in which this -interjection was delivered put the class upon its spirit at once. - -"Our leader means exactly what he says," said Mr. Jodderel; "any honest -expression of opinion is welcome here." - -"If such were not the case," said Mr. Prymm, "a rival class would not -have been formed." - -"And none of us would have learned how many sides there are to a great -question," said Mr. Buffle. - -"Larger liberty wouldn't be possible," said Builder Stott. "Why, I've -just had to shudder once in awhile, but the speakers meant what they -said, and I rejoiced that there was somewhere where they could say it." - -"I've said everything _I've_ wanted to," remarked Squire Woodhouse. - -"That's so," exclaimed insurance President Lottson. - -"I havn't seen any man put down," testified Captain Maile, "and I don't -yet understand what to make of it." - -"Nobody could ask a fairer show," declared Mr. Radley. - -"The utmost courtesy has been displayed toward me," said Dr. -Fahrenglotz, "although I am conscious my views are somewhat at variance -with those of others." - -"The nature of proof has not been as clearly understood as it should -have been," said young Lawyer Scott; "but no one has lacked opportunity -to express his sentiments." - -"So far from fault being found with the freedom of speech," said Mr. -Alleman, "the sentiment of the class is, I think, that the expression of -additional individual impressions would have been cordially welcomed, as -they will also hereafter be." - -Young Mr. Banty felt himself to be utterly annihilated, and the pillars -of the class looked more stable and enduring than ever, and felt greatly -relieved when the session ended, and they could congratulate each other -on the glorious spirit of liberty which had marked their collective -deliberations. And when Squire Woodhouse dashed impetuously from the -room, and returned to report that Dr. Humbletop's class consisted of -one solitary pupil, several of the members unconsciously indulged in -some hearty hand-shaking. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A SOLEMN HOUR COMPLETELY SPOILED. - - -The Scripture Club of Valley Rest, on the fourth day of its assembling, -found itself a fixed and famous institution. Some of the members had at -first regretted that no one of the smaller rooms in the church edifice -was unoccupied at the hour of session; but this regret was soon -abandoned, for the reason that neither the pastors study nor the regular -Bible class-room, had either been available at the noon-day hour, would -have been large enough to accommodate the class and its visitors. The -main audience-room was the only one which was adequate to the -requirements of the class. When the benediction was pronounced after the -morning sermon, a large portion of the congregation remained, and, -instead of chatting leisurely with the occupants of neighboring pews -and preventing the exit of unsociable people, they hurried to the seats -nearest the corner occupied by the class. Even then, those who came last -were occasionally compelled to exclaim "Louder!" for the attendants of -the Second Church did not compose the entire body of hearers. Members of -the five other churches in the town, though loath to depart from their -denominational associations and pride so far as to worship elsewhere, -were not only without scruples against listening to an informal body -like the Scripture Club, but hurried from their own places of worship to -the Second Church, and some of them were suspected even of staying away -from their own services in order to reach the Scripture Club in time to -secure good seats. - -The effect of all this upon the Club was stimulating in high degree. Its -first effect was to decrease whatever tendency to personality existed; -whatever might be the week-day opinions of the members about each -other, on Sunday every one tacitly agreed to the application of the -Satanic rule that religion is religion, and business is business. Some -special effort was necessary to bring Squire Woodhouse to forget, for an -hour in the week, his burned barn and the action of President Lottson's -insurance company; but finally the Squire's pride closed his lips upon -this tender subject. Members, who before had possessed no religious -ideas excepting those they had adopted at second-hand, now began to -think for themselves, and being men of natural wits well sharpened by -business experience, they speedily developed theories of their own, and -strengthened their own pet positions. The few religious books of -reference in the village library--many of them having once been gladly -given to the library by the very men who now sought them--were in demand -at early morn and dewy eve, pastors' libraries were ransacked, and some -members even consulted booksellers, and purchased works bearing upon -their own special lines of thought and belief. Respect for the ideas of -others did not necessarily imply assent, so discussion was frequent and -animated. Champions of the faith--as delivered unto themselves--were -numerous, and assailants of the truth as held by the orthodox were in -sufficient numbers to keep their antagonists from lapsing into a -condition of mere assertion. And over and around everything, like a -glorious halo, was the assurance, always prominent, that free speech -would not only be welcomed, but that the lack of it, from any motive of -fear or conservatism, would greatly be regretted by every member. - -The discussion of the first beatitude consumed the time of four entire -sessions, and during all these days it was in vain that Mr. Hopper -carried the review containing the paper on "The True Location of the -Holy Sepulchre." When, on the fifth day, Deacon Bates asked whether any -other members had anything to say on the subject under consideration, -Captain Maile made answer: - -"Call it a drawn fight, and give it up at that; if any man here _had_ -been whipped, he wouldn't know it." - -"Oh, come, come!" said Squire Woodhouse, "I'll join issue with you on -that. _I_ want to know what 'poor in spirit' means, and have a share in -the kingdom of heaven----" - -"But you don't want to know where or what the kingdom is," interrupted -Mr. Jodderel. - -"Yes, I do; but I want first to know what poor in spirit means. I feel -pretty sure about it now, but----" - -"That's it, exactly," said Captain Maile. "But--but you don't want to be -anything that interferes with business. Give us something easier, Mr. -Leader." - -There were some indignant whispers of dissent, but none of them were -audible enough to attract the attention of the class, and Deacon Bates -read the next verse. - -"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted," read Deacon -Bates. "Brother Prymm, will you open the discussion of this beatitude?" - -"There is none other more precious to the earthly nature," said Mr. -Prymm, "and yet the passage proves the comprehensiveness peculiar to -inspired words. Sin and perplexity are the lot of all mortals, and they -bring trouble with them; but the single sorrow which raises man up to -God, and brings God down to man, is mourning. It may be done from sinful -causes--upon earth--but whatever the cause, the act itself shows us how -near God is to us, and what are his sentiments usward. He knows from the -greatness and purity of his own nature how intense this sentiment may -be, and his sympathy shows itself so tenderly in no other way as by this -promise, that he will come to his children and comfort them when they -are in sorrow. What an evidence of the need of a God does this promise -afford! Where else can we turn for true comfort when in trouble? -Earthly friends lack that knowledge of us from which alone true sympathy -can come; the pleasure of the flesh can give us nothing better than -temporary forgetfulness; but the divine sympathy is perfect in its -knowledge, timely and appropriate in its expression, and incalculable in -its force and endurance." - -"I am glad to offer my weak testimony in support of the remarks of -Brother Prymm," said Builder Stott, who came next in the order of -rotation. "I have had my sad experiences in this world,--all of you have -had yours, I suppose,--but it seems to me that mine have been peculiar. -I've trusted men and been swindled by them. I've been abused for things -that I never thought of doing. I've lost dear ones that left places that -have never been filled and never can be, and I have found no one whose -words could be more than a mockery--one that wasn't intended, of course, -but that hurt just as badly as if it had. It has been only when on my -knees, or praying silently as I walked the street, that I found a -sympathizing friend. There can be no doubt in _me_ about what that -passage means--I know all about it by blessed experience." - -"So do I," said Mr. Buffle. "I've been what men call fortunate in this -world's affairs, but if any one here thinks that money can buy exemption -from misery, I want to tell him that he's greatly mistaken. I lost a -child two or three years ago--some of you remember her; I'd have changed -places with the cheapest workman in my shipyard--yes, the most miserable -beggar in the street--if by doing so I could have brought her back -again. But money couldn't do it, and, as our friend Stott has just -remarked, the best of earthly friends couldn't take the sting away. I -can't say that God's comfort came just when I most wanted it, but God is -good and wise; he sent it when he thought best, and it was full of -blessing when it came. It doesn't heal wounds to be comforted by -Heaven--the wounds remain as tender as ever; but the pain and the -feeling of hopelessness depart, and a man is made to feel like the -wounded soldier, or the wrecked, starved sailor when help comes--he -_knows_ he has a friend to lean upon." - -Mr. Buffle felt for his handkerchief and applied it to his eyes; an -operation which, in spite of his great-heartedness, he seldom had -occasion to perform in public: meanwhile Broker Whilcher said: - -"I don't agree with every one here, as most of you know; but the -beautiful promise which forms the subject of our lesson to-day has been -fulfilled to me. I can't explain how, but I profess to be too much of a -man to deny what I learn by experience, even when I can't ascertain who -my teacher is. My own great ups and downs of life have been principally -social, and, as has been remarked by others, they are the hardest of any -to bear. And somehow--I wish I _could_ learn how--I have been helped, -soothed, sustained, whenever I could abandon myself to the influence of -whatever higher power it is that looks to the hearts of men and sees -that they are not entirely crushed." - -"The older a man grows in years and experience," said Judge Cottaway, -without his official cough, "the greater his experience of sorrow. The -exercise of wisdom may prevent some troubles that carelessness and -ignorance may induce, but even then there is more of misery in life than -any human influences can avert. I believe, after much deliberation upon -the evidence adduced from the affairs of men, that the Comforter is also -the one who afflicts in many cases; but so certain am I of his wisdom -and goodness that I would never avert his chastening hand. The cry of -Christ in the garden, 'O, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup -pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt,' should be -the sentiment of every one that is in affliction. That more bitter cry -that was sounded from the Cross may also be, without sin, re-echoed by -the human soul in trouble; but every one learns, by blessed experience, -that the soul is never forsaken, and that our sorrows are known to -Heaven better than they are to ourselves." - -Mr. Jodderel sat next, and Squire Woodhouse whispered to his nearest -neighbor: - -"Too bad; he'll bring in the kingdom of heaven and pit it against the -Ring." But to the astonishment of every one, Mr. Jodderel said only: - -"No one knows more of this blessed Comforter than I. My childish days -were heavily clouded; I was abused in youth; I am misunderstood now; I -have lost dear ones; a long procession has preceded me to the grave, -each member of it leaving my heart more lonely than before, and the time -has come when I am too old to search for new friends and dear ones. But -upon my knees, or as I commune with him upon my bed in the night season, -or when I read his precious promises given by word of mouth or through -his holy prophets, I find consolation and hope and cheer, and forget -that I am a lonely old man in an unsympathetic world." - -"Captain Maile?" said Leader Bates, and the ex-warrior responded: - -"Everything I have heard this morning agrees with my own experience, and -no matter what doubters may say and hypocrites may help them to make -people believe, I can never forget the special blessings I have received -in affliction, and when I have least expected them." - -Squire Woodhouse sat next to Captain Maile, and joined in the general -acknowledgment by saying: - -"You all know me, my friends; you know I've often had a pretty hard row -to hoe, for often it's been in a shape that hoeing couldn't help. But -when the worst has come, and I couldn't do anything but stand still and -endure it; when I couldn't shake it off, or forget it, or improve it -any way, there came in just when I couldn't expect it, or see how it -could happen even with God managing it; when every one I leaned on -failed me, and I had to shut myself up in my own miserable heart--then -there came a visitor that made himself at home, helped me, changed me, -made a new man of me, and showed me that the worst chance of man is the -best one for God--blessings on his holy name forever." - -Then Dr. Fahrenglotz said: - -"For myself, I have no family ties. I never knew my parents, for they -entered into the unknowable while I was yet a babe; I have had neither -brother nor sister, but I have had friends, and they have passed away, -leaving my heart as empty as if it had never contained any other -denizen. I have felt the last pulsation of the heart-dealings of many of -you, and have watched you afterward with a solicitude which it might -have seemed officious for me to have expressed. And to myself and to -others I have known true, mysterious comfort to come, I know not from -where; the great outer, the intangible envelope of the human heart, is -hidden from my sight and thought; but from it I know there comes a -subtle mystery whose influence transcends that of mortals, and which -influence is tender, soothing, and lasting--an influence which I cannot -characterize more aptly than to say that it must come from some one or -some principle of nature akin to that of Him whom most religious bodies -denominate The Great Physician." - -"Excuse me, gentlemen," said young Mr. Banty, who had come in late, and -had, sorely against his will, been compelled to occupy a seat among -those whom he called "the Saints;" "Excuse me; I didn't come in to say -anything to-day, but, things going as they are, I can't be quiet. I went -abroad a year ago; most of you know why. There was a lady in the -question. She died; I suppose it was best for her, for I didn't, in the -slightest degree, begin to be fit for her, but her death didn't hurt me -any the less. I haven't, since then, been as good a man as I should have -been. I don't mind saying that the ways in which I've tried to forget my -trouble haven't been such as have done me any good. But as everybody -else has opened his heart to-day, I wouldn't be a bit of a man if I kept -mine shut. I want to say that when I have a quiet hour, and get to -thinking about that girl, there's something happens that I don't -understand, but I'm very thankful for. I got to be a great deal less -despairing, though, at the same time, I think a great deal more tenderly -about _her_. I lose my ugliness at losing her; I see how much better it -was for _her_; I see how things had better go as they should than as _I_ -want them, and I come out of that time less willing to go on a spree, -less anxious to see the boys, and more anxious to go on thinking than to -do anything else." - -The order of rotation demanded that the next speaker should be Mr. -Alleman, and that gentleman remarked: - -"I am heartily glad to see that there is one ground upon which all of us -can meet. Those of you who know me know what frequent occasion I have -had to learn all that you have learned of the unspeakable power of a -comforting God. I have instinctively passed the greater portion of my -life in my affections, for I know of no other sentiment which is so -all-comprehensive; and through these I have found daily new causes for -mourning. We are informed by Jesus that the greatest of all commandments -is that enjoining love toward God, and that the second is like unto it, -'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' To try to fulfill this -command is to have constant incentives to mournfulness. Every day I have -them, from some cause heretofore unexpected, and the causes involve so -many other people in troubles, which might be avoided, and for which I -can blame only myself, that but for the presence of the Comforter I -would be driven to despair or madness. What a tremendous responsibility -rests upon us, my friends, in this our greatest relation to humanity, -and how impossible it would be to endure it unless aided by a power -greater than our own. I cannot, by any words, express my satisfaction at -hearing so many men, and, in other religious matters, men of such -differing views, testify to the unfailing promptness of the Great -Sympathizer. And I should be glad to hear a wider expression of -experiences, and assure myself that, in troubles outside the range -purely personal, my fellow-beings enjoy the comfort that I do. I am -confident that the recital of such experiences would strengthen every -one for greater works of humanity and love." - -There was a dead silence for several minutes, and the leader finally -relieved the uncomfortable sensation of the members by asking: - -"Has any one any other remarks to offer?" - -No one responded. - -"The next lesson, which we will hardly have time to begin to-day, will -be upon the third beatitude," said Deacon Bates. "The class may consider -itself dismissed, I suppose." - -"Now, _wasn't_ that just like Alleman?" asked Squire Woodhouse of -Captain Maile. "We were having the most heavenly time I ever did know -inside of a church, and he utterly ruined it." - -"The rest of you didn't act a bit as if you'd ruined yourselves, did -you?" asked the Captain, in reply. - -"Why, how?" asked the Squire. - -"Eyes have they, but they see not," answered the Captain, starting -abruptly for his carriage. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -FAMILIAR SOUNDS. - - -The members of the club spent a whole week in trying to recover from the -bad effects of Mr. Alleman's peculiar and untimely harangue, and even -then they did not succeed. - -"We were getting into such an unusual, such a heavenly state of mind," -explained Mr. Hopper, "and the Lord knows that heavenly states of mind -are scarce enough anywhere under the best of circumstances. We were -forgetting all the tricks, the games that had been come upon us in the -discussion of other points on which the brethren had made up their -minds, and picked out their trees to hide behind; and we were having -just the happy, quiet, sympathetic time which a man knows how to -appreciate when he's knocked about the world for a little while, when -all of a sudden Alleman must come in, and spring some of his peculiar -notions upon us. I don't see why the Lord lets such men torment the -world about religious affairs. They're good enough in every other way." - -Other members of the class wondered also; and when, on the following -Sunday, Deacon Bates asked if any one else had any remarks to make on -the late lesson, nobody answered. So the leader read: - -"'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.' Judge -Cottaway"--the Deacon had skillfully inveigled the Judge into a front -seat before the discussion began, so as to have a strong and respectable -opening--"we would be glad to learn your views of this passage." - -"I take it to mean," answered the Judge, "that meekness is a virtue so -highly esteemed by the Almighty, that he offers, as an incentive to its -cultivation, the most highly valued of earthly inducements. Meekness -seems to be the antithesis, the exact opposite of strife, and so much -of strife is so causeless and harmful, yet so attractive to the ordinary -mind, that those who indulge in it are by this passage warned by -implication. Meekness is not a virtue of such greatness as poverty of -spirit, as may be inferred from the smaller reward promised to those who -practice it, and----" - -"I want to correct the gentleman right there," exclaimed Mr. Jodderel. -"What earth are they to inherit? _This_ earth? Why, everybody laughs at -that notion. A man's got to fight awfully hard to get anything in this -world, and harder yet to keep whatever he gets. The path of meekness -leads but to the poor-house. The earth alluded to evidently means the -new earth, which, in the Revelation, John beheld, in connection with the -new heaven. That new earth appeared after the destruction of the old -one; and for what could it have appeared but to be populated by the -redeemed spirits from this? _That_ was the kingdom of heaven, and the -text before us evidently refers to it. 'The meek shall inherit the -earth;' the apostles, to whom this passage was spoken, needed no more -definite expression about the matter, of which the Master doubtless had -spoken many times with them. The whole passage seems to me an exact -repetition of the one before it, just to give emphasis to the first." - -"I wonder if that's exactly straight?" remarked Squire Woodhouse, more -with the air of a man in a soliloquy than one asking a question. "If -there _is_ a way of inheriting the earth, or even a little piece of it, -I'd like to know all about it; but if its only the next world that the -passage refers to----" - -"If it refers only to the next world, you're not in such a hurry to -understand it," interrupted Captain Maile. - -"We--ell," drawled the Squire, "that isn't exactly the way I was going -to finish off, but I guess it's pretty near the truth. It _don't_ sound -well either, does it?" - -"Brother Prymm?" said Deacon Bates, and the champion of orthodoxy -responded to the invitation by saying, - -"The meek are undoubtedly those who follow the non-resistant injunctions -which are found everywhere in the New Testament; they are the men who -when one cheek is struck turn the other also, who render not railing for -railing." - -"And who, when the coat is taken, will offer the cloak also," added -Captain Maile. - -"Certainly," said Mr. Prymm, with rather a wry face, "though I cannot, -with any present light, see how the latter course would be practical and -judicious. The other injunctions are but amplifications of the inspired -saying, 'A soft answer turneth away wrath,' but how property rights can -be maintained at all, if the injunction quoted by Captain Maile were -followed, I am unable to see." - -"It wouldn't work in the steamboat business," declared Mr. Buffle. "It's -hard enough to get the worth of your money, even when men promise to -pay; but if a man were to understand that by stealing one of my -tug-boats he would have a right to expect a first-class lake packet as a -present, I'd have to go out of business within a fortnight." - -"I'm inclined to think the passage in question must be an interpolation -by one of Christ's reporters," said President Lottson, who had been -taking a cautious course of Matthew Arnold. - -"Why, if _I_ were to live up to that injunction," said Builder Stott, -"folks would want to modify their house plans every day. In fact they do -it now. The moment I try to oblige a man by giving a little more than -his contract calls for, he wants something else. Women in particular are -perfectly awful that way; they----" - -"Ladies are present," remarked Lawyer Scott, who was considerable of a -ladies' man. - -"Just think of a broker trying to do business in that way!" exclaimed -Broker Whilcher. - -"Or a man whose principal crop is hay," said Squire Woodhouse. - -"Or an importer of English cutlery," suggested Mr. Jodderel. "Still, the -passage ought either to be explained away or lived up to, for if going -contrary to business rules is necessary to inherit the new earth--it's -contrary to sense that _this_ earth can be got hold of by any such -unbusiness-like operation--the new earth, otherwise the kingdom of -heaven----" - -"Members will please bear in mind the rule that remarks are to be made -in regular order," interposed the leader hastily. "We will hear from -Brother Hopper." - -"I suppose meekness means patience," said the gentleman addressed, -nervously clutching his coat-tail pocket with its precious contents; -"not getting into a stew about everything, in fact; but how a man is to -be so, when everything goes on the way it shouldn't, is more than _I_ -can tell, and how they're going to get the earth for their pains is a -bigger puzzle yet." - -Mr. Lottson being called upon, said: - -"I can only repeat about this passage my remarks upon the one which -preceded it. It means exactly what it says, but it means it only in a -spiritual sense, and only to those to whom it was said--to the disciples -of Christ, and those whose conditions of life are equally admirable and -peculiar. The disciples were meek--all but Peter, that is--and _he_ -stopped being a man of the world after he learned that he couldn't be -that and a consistent disciple too. And look at the result! Haven't the -disciples of Christ inherited the earth? Hasn't the blood of the martyrs -been the seed of the Church? Hasn't the non-resistent, patient, -self-sacrificing course of Christian missionaries led to the conversion -of powerful heathen nations, opened avenues of trade between them and -Christian countries----" - -"Which have straightway been traveled over by men who rob the heathen, -poison them with rum, and kill them off with the popular vices of -civilization," interrupted Captain Maile. - -"Opened avenues of trade between them and Christian countries," resumed -President Lottson, as if no interruption had occurred, "created a demand -for the Bible and the school, discouraged war, extended the area of -production, established representative governments in the place of -irresponsible despotisms, brought from foreign lands, to study our -institutions, men whose fathers and grandfathers were brutal savages, -and hastened the coming of the day when at the name of Jesus every knee -shall bend and every tongue confess him Lord? Business alone could never -have done this; it required a special development of mind, and to those -whom he had created for this purpose Jesus enounced this promise, which -was the only one that in the nature of things could be made to them -about earthly interests." - -"I declare!" whispered Squire Woodhouse to Mr. Buffle, "Lottson did that -splendidly. If it wasn't for the way he treated me about that barn I -should say that Lottson ought to have gone into the ministry." At the -same moment Deacon Bates called Mr. Prymm to the chair, took the floor -himself, and said: - -"There was a remark dropped by Mr. Lottson, and followed up in his -excellent speech, which I am certain conceals a truth which is not -clearly enough realized. If it was, a number of puzzling questions that -have been before the class could have easily been answered. He said the -passage should be taken in a spiritual sense. It certainly should. God -is a Spirit; our own spirits are our only immortal parts; everything -else in us and everything around us is transient and perishable. The -meek should be meek in a spiritual way; they should not be puffed up -with knowledge, or what they think to be such, but should in humility -open their hearts to the influences of the Holy Spirit. Business has -nothing to do with our eternal welfare; it is only one of the necessary -but transient affairs of our perishable, material bodies; but the things -unseen are eternal. If we would constantly keep this fact in our minds -I am sure many of our present difficulties in studying the Scriptures -would disappear. This earth is not our abiding place; our time here is -but short; 'A thousand years are but as a day in His sight;' heaven is -our final and eternal home, and it was to instruct us how to prepare our -souls for the future state of existence that the prophets spoke and -Jesus came to earth." - -"According to that, it don't matter how we do business," said Squire -Woodhouse; "every man can be just as sharp and underhanded as he -pleases. Well, it's a comfortable belief, but I think you're mistaken, -Deacon, about its being lost sight of; I think pretty much everybody -lives up to it, as far as business goes." - -"Dr. Fahrenglotz," remarked the leader, in evident confusion at the -moral deduced from his theory. - -"Although not attaching to the words that degree of authority that some -do," said the Doctor, "their unselfish tendency and their moral beauty -convince me that they have an important meaning. That they can apply to -the common affairs of life I cannot believe, for the theory is contrary -to reason and experience. They probably refer to some coming state of -society when the application of true reason shall have raised men above -their present physical and moral level, and enabled them to translate -the mystic sayings of the worlds great seers." - -"Then the passage doesn't command anything that's really essential to -salvation?" asked young Mr. Waggett. - -"Oh, no, certainly not," said Captain Maile. "Nothing does, or if it -does, our business is to get around it somehow, and look at some other -side of it." - -The leader called upon Mr. Alleman, who said: - -"The simple fact that this saying was given is sufficient excuse and -command to follow it, no matter what it brings us or takes from us. As, -however, the material bearing of the passage has attracted more -attention to-day than the manifest desire of Christ, I wish to recall to -notice the peculiar wording. Jesus does not say that the meek shall earn -or acquire the earth, but that they shall inherit it. An inheritance is -something that the child obtains from the parent through love and -affection. The passage means: 'Be meek, not given to strife, not -stirring up wrath, attending to your own affairs, not assuming to be -better or more deserving than others;' and God, who owns the earth and -all that is in it, who makes man his steward, who pulleth down one and -setteth up another, who knows the uses of property better than we do, -and who sooner or later puts it into proper hands, will _give_ you the -earth. Be meek, and trust to God for appreciation, even upon earth." - -"One o'clock," observed President Lottson, and the session closed. - -"Now _wasn't_ that just like Alleman?" asked Squire Woodhouse of Mr. -Jodderel. "Beautiful idea--perfectly heavenly; but nothing in it that a -man can take hold of without running the risk of losing some of his -property. He'd better not talk that way before the city booksellers, if -he don't want to have to pay cash for every bill of books he buys." - -And Captain Maile walked out singing to himself, but in a tone loud -enough to be offensive, the old song beginning, - - - "Whip the devil around the stump." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -BUILDER STOTT SAVES THE FAITH. - - -The Scripture Club proceeded promptly to work on the ensuing Sunday. Too -many men had brought to the previous meeting ideas which they could not -find time to express; so on the second Sunday in which the nature and -reward of the meek were considered, the members who had not expressed -their views, with several who had, made haste to occupy front seats, so -as to be sure of opportunities to speak. - -Among these was Squire Woodhouse. He had several times ruined the -regularity of the proceedings of other meetings, but still he was -unsatisfied. He had not expressed his own views in full, partly because -he had not been asked to do so, but principally because he had had no -settled views to express. Now, however, the case was different. He had -leisurely pondered over everything that he had heard in the class, he -had admired each original idea with the true American heartiness toward -new notions, he had endeavored to reconcile them with his unformulated -but still very positive preconceived religious opinions, and his honesty -had finally triumphed over his theology and his sophistry. When he came -to church, therefore, he neglected his own pew and took the front seat -and the extreme right end thereof, so when Deacon Bates opened the -exercises of the class immediately after service, it was impossible not -to call upon Squire Woodhouse first of all. The Squire cleared his -throat, waved his head about in a dissatisfied manner, and finally said: - -"This thing of being meek grows pretty big when you think about it for a -little while, and the worst of it is that everything else in the chapter -is only a chip out of the same block. All of it--being meek and -everything else--seems to come in the end to just this: you mustn't be -like folks in general, particularly like business men. I confess that I -don't know exactly how to do it all, but it seems to me it must be done -by any one who believes that Jesus Christ had the right to say all that -he did. I _don't_ know how to be meek about the way I was -swindled--treated, I mean--by the insurance companies when my barn -burned down----" - -"Personal!" whispered Mr. Prymm. - -"I don't care if it _is_ personal," said Squire Woodhouse. "I'm trying -to point a moral, and it isn't my fault if other folks get in the way -and get hurt. I don't know how to be meek when I'm abused, but----" - -"It isn't required of you," said Mr. Jodderel. "You're expected to take -care of what has been intrusted to you in your capacity as a steward of -the Lord." - -Many were the affirmative shakes of head which followed this remark. - -"I suppose I am," said the Squire, "and so long as I am a human being I -won't be likely to forget it; but whether when I get mad over being -swindled the anger all comes from my feeling of being deprived of the -Lord's property, I'm not so sure: I've a suspicion that more of it comes -from the heart of Squire Woodhouse than from the kingdom of heaven." - -"Not a bit of it," said Mr. Hopper, finding at last a subject upon which -he could speak from the abundance of his heart. "Aren't you working for -the good of your family, and don't St. Paul say that the man who don't -look out for his family is worse than an infidel?" - -"Yes," said the Squire meditatively; "but he don't tell you to boil over -when there's nothing to be gained by it, and when getting mad makes you -uninteresting to everybody, not excepting yourself. He doesn't tell you -to let your suspicions manage your wits, and determine what sort of a -man your neighbor is. The man who gets the best of me in a trade may be -a scoundrel; I've always made it a rule to think so, in fact; but when -I come to think of it, I remember that I've sometimes made a hard, sharp -trade myself without meaning anything wrong." - -"You never carried back the unfair gains, though, when you saw what -you'd done, did you?" asked Captain Maile. - -"Well, no; not that I can recollect. I _have_ tried to make it up to the -man in some way or other, though." - -"Taking pains to tell him why you were trying to do it?" asked the -Captain. - -"No--no, I can't say that I did--I don't know that I ever succeeded in -doing it, any how," said the Squire honestly. "I'd think it over, off -and on, and before I'd know it, the whole thing would fall out of my -mind." - -"So all you did was to ease your conscience--sing it to sleep, so to -speak," continued the Captain. "You gave him all the good feeling you -could, which you couldn't help giving any way, because you're naturally -a good-hearted fellow, and then when you'd comforted yourself your work -stopped." - -"That's about the truth of the matter," replied the Squire, "though I -didn't mean to out with it all so plainly before folks." - -"Then," asked the Captain, "what's the moral difference between you and -a rascal?" - -"Sh--h--h--h" arose in chorus, even President Lottson taking part in the -remonstrance. - -"There isn't any," said the Squire stoutly, "if everybody's a rascal -that's called one. But anybody that has the honest feelings _I_ have, -and that loves the square thing so much, and likes so much to see it -done, _isn't_ a rascal, and as I've had the kind of experiences I've -told about, I don't see why other men that have had others like them, -and that are called ugly names by me as well as everybody else, mayn't -be just as right at heart as I am. After this I'm going to believe them -so, any how." - -There was a general nod of assent, and President Lottson arose, went -around to where the Squire was sitting, and offered his hand to the -loser of the barn. The Squire took it, rather gingerly at first, but -finally gave it a squeeze so hearty that President Lottson winced and -drew his hand away. - -"There!" exclaimed Captain Maile; "everything is all right now, of -course. Goodness don't consist in doing right, but only in feeling -right. Not what you do, but what you believe is what saves a man." - -"Such is the decree of God and the decision of the Church," remarked Mr. -Prymm. - -"Then what saints the devils must be!" observed the Captain; "for _they_ -believe, though, to be sure, they tremble." - -Another murmur of dissent was heard, and young Mr. Waggett hastened to -throw a small quantity of oil on the troubled waters by remarking that -whatever was sufficient to salvation was the fulfillment of God's plan -as revealed in the holy Scriptures. - -"I'm not through yet," said the Squire. "I was coming to that point. Of -course, other men make blunders very much like mine. I ought to be meek -about judging them--I ought to forgive them their trespasses as I hope -to have mine forgiven. But if there's so much excuse to think bad of men -for what they do and don't do, we ought to put the cause out of the way, -as well as to be patient with others as we'd have them patient with us. -If I've had reason so many times to think the worst about church -members, I suppose that sinners--sinners outside of the Church--must see -them to be just as bad as I do. And if they do, what inducement is there -for sinners to come into the Church?" - -"Salvation!" promptly answered young Mr. Waggett. - -"That's no moral inducement," said the Squire; "it's a selfish one." - -"Oh, oh, oh!" exclaimed Builder Stott, supported by a sympathetic -sensation which was manifested by most of the members, while Mr. -Jodderel sprang to his feet and said--shouted, almost: - -"Mr. Chairman, I protest against this drifting away from the subject by -talking all sorts of new-fangled notions that----" - -"Free speech is the rule of this class," said Captain Maile. "_You've_ -given us a great deal about the kingdom of heaven that nobody ever heard -of before, that's as unheard of in the Bible or the Church----" - -"It _is_ in the Bible," said Mr. Jodderel; "you'll find it in the -prophets and apostles from beginning to end." - -"I would suggest," said Mr. Prymm, in the most measured and soothing of -tones, "that Brother Woodhouse should remember that we have but a single -hour in the week to talk upon these subjects, and that however deeply he -may be interested in his own peculiar views, it would be well to let all -who are present have an opportunity to offer their views." - -"Yes, let's get away from morality as soon as we can," said Captain -Maile. "What's Sunday good for, if you can't in it get away from these -enraging affairs of the week? Nine-tenths of the moral questions in the -world are started by business; and who has any right to drag business -into the Lord's house on Sunday, and just after a sermon, too?" - -Faces confused, awry, angry, and merry, showed that the Captain had -aroused a great deal of feeling, which, in sentiment, was not a unit. -Deacon Bates would have ordered the immediate relief of the class from -extraneous subjects; but he had, from the beginning of the services, -groaned over the fact that next to Squire Woodhouse sat Mr. Jodderel, -and no one else could be called upon without destroying that rule of -rotation upon which the leader generally depended for relief. Silently -resolving to pack the front seats on the succeeding Sunday, he said, in -tones so subdued as to be almost pathetic: - -"Brother Jodderel." - -The members looked resignedly into each other's eyes; Mr. Stott turned -to the table of Hebrew weights and measures in his Bible, and tried to -lose himself in them; Broker Whilcher began slyly ciphering on a card, -doubtless to solve some problem of the market; Mr. Alleman buried -himself in a school report from some other town; Mr. Hopper re-read to -himself the paper on "The True Location of the Holy Sepulchre;" and Mr. -Buffle dropped into gentle slumber. - -"I want to say," said Mr. Jodderel, "that you can't rightly know how to -be meek until you know what's to be required of you in the earth which -the meek are to inherit, and you can't know that without knowing where -and what that earth is. Now, it _can't_ mean this earth, for if the meek -inherited it, it would be stolen away from them precious quickly. What -happens to a meek man when somebody hits him without knocking the -meekness out of him?--he gets hit again. What happens to him if -somebody tries to swindle him out of his property, and he don't show -that he won't endure imposition?--he'll be cheated out of every cent. So -the meekness that _we_ think about is evidently not the thing for the -earth that's to be inherited, and the question is, what is? And that -brings us back to the question, What sort of a land are we going to -inherit? It----" - -"If it is to be the abode of the finally saved and redeemed," said Mr. -Radley, "I really don't see that meekness can be enjoined upon its -inhabitants, unless we are all mistaken about the nature of the change -that will take place after death. Our mental condition will be -determined for us, and we can't do better on this earth than act -according to what seems the highest order of goodness. I should really -like to ask the gentleman if the next world is all that we are to think -of while we remain in this one, and whether we are not to guide -ourselves somewhat by the rights of other people as well as by our own -desires?" - -"This earth is not our abiding place," quoted Mr. Prymm; "we have a -home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." - -"Certainly," said Mr. Jodderel; "that's correct; it _is_ in the -heavens--in the sky--the air above us, in which are suspended all the -planetary bodies, one of which----" - -"The gentleman has lost sight of my question," said Mr. Radley. - -"So will everybody else," remarked Captain Maile. "If you press that -question, you'll ruin the interest of this meeting. We didn't come here -to learn what we ought to do; we're here to study out what's to be done -for us." - -"Not a bit of it," said Mr. Buffle, who has slowly awakened from his -nap. "_I'm_ not, any way. I'm as fond as any one else of getting -anything; but I've already been blessed with more than I deserve, and I -want to know what God's will concerning me is on earth as well as in -heaven." - -"Always providing it don't cost you anything," said Captain Maile. - -"Nonsense," replied Mr. Buffle, rather angrily. "I never refused to -spend money on any really useful charity." - -Several members softly responded, "That's true." - -"Yes," said Captain Maile; "you occasionally spend a penny out of a -dollar, so to speak, and you deserve credit for it, for very few other -men of means go so far; you're ahead of your day and generation. When I -carry around a subscription paper for anything, your name always has a -handsome sum after it. But do you really mean that you are going through -this Sermon on the Mount--if we live long enough to get through it, -which is very unlikely at the present rate of progress--and practically -agree to what it says?" - -Mr. Buffle was cornered; but blessed be corners! There are no other -positions in life from which a man can obtain so good a view of -himself. Mr. Buffle studied the back of the seat in front of him for a -few seconds; looked rather blank, then very modest, then very manly, -raised his head, and said: - -"Yes, I do." - -"Good!" was the only word Captain Maile uttered, while Mr. Jodderel -shook his head dismally, and exclaimed: - -"Here we are, away from the subject again, Mr. Leader!" - -"We can hurry back to it, if the gentleman will answer my question," -observed Mr. Radley. - -"It's one o'clock," remarked Builder Stott. - -The members arose, and most of them departed as soon as possible, while -President Lottson turned to Stott, and said: - -"You did that just in time." - -"Well," said Stott modestly, "something had to be done. This old fight -between faith and works has played the mischief wherever it's come up -among men, and I'm not going to sit still and see it break up an -interesting class like this. I've no other chance to study the Bible -except here, and I'm not going to have it ruined by a lot of theorists -getting into a row. I'm afraid it's too late, though. Buffle got some -new notion into his head when Maile cornered him there; and he never -lets go of any thought that strikes him as good. The first thing you'll -hear of will be another subscription list, with his name at the head, -and he'll go into it with all his might, like he did about the building -of this church; and everybody will be worried by him, and he'll drag it -in here, and act as if the Bible wasn't anything but a code of every-day -morals." - -"And forget all about the gospel-plan of salvation," said young Mr. -Waggett. - -"And the kingdom of heaven," suggested Mr. Jodderel. - -"And the atonement, the central truth of the Scriptures," remarked Mr. -Prymm; "the vicarious efficacy of the atonement." - -"And you'll shut your ears and eyes for fear you might be converted and -healed," said Captain Maile. - -And the lingerers went straightway every man to his own house. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -FREE SPEECH BECOMES ANNOYING. - - -As the next meeting of the Scripture Club was about to open, certain -members noticed that Mr. Jodderel had taken a seat which would entitle -him to be the first person called upon for an opinion, and that he was -divesting his pockets of a large number of books, most of them in faded -and unconventional bindings. The members glanced at each other in -terror, and when the opening prayer was concluded, Mr. Radley promptly -exclaimed: - -"Mr. Leader, the New Testament contains eight thousand verses, lacking -two. With occasional quadrennial exceptions, there are but fifty-two -Sundays in a year. We have already consumed, on an average, two Sundays -to a verse; at this rate we will need more than three hundred years to -get through the New Testament. Certain chapters, like the first chapter -of Matthew and the third chapter of Luke, may form exceptions; but as no -man here can expect to live through much more than one-tenth of the time -necessary to consider all the Gospels and Epistles, and as, even at the -rate of a verse to a day, we would need to have our lives extended to -several times the average longevity of mortals, I move that no single -verse of Scripture shall be allowed to monopolize the attention of this -class for more than one Sunday." - -"I second the motion," said Mr. Alleman. - -"Mr. Leader!" exclaimed Mr. Jodderel, "I object. We have spent two -Sundays in considering the third beatitude, and we know no more about -the whereabouts of the kingdom of heaven than when we began. If the -proposed resolution takes effect now, and we find each verse of the -Gospel as interesting as those already studied, no one knows how many -of us may go from our deathbeds to the bar of God without knowing what -to expect thereafter." - -"And as God is only our Father, and the maker of the universe, and as we -profess only to believe that he is wiser and more loving than any -earthly parent, we daren't trust him to make the matter plain in the -next world," observed Captain Maile. - -"Question!" exclaimed every one who had perceived Mr. Jodderel's -collection of books. - -The question was put and carried, with but two dissenting voices, that -of young Mr. Waggett being one of them. Then the Leader read the verse: - -"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for -they shall be filled;" and he asked Mr. Jodderel to open the discussion. -The gentleman addressed maintained a sulky silence for about two -minutes, and finally remarked: - -"This class seems bound to drift from spiritual interests to temporal -ones. The discussion of the most important question suggested by -revelation has been prevented by an almost unanimous vote, and now we -are expected to consider righteousness--mere morality--and its rather -dubious earthly reward. Filled? Why, certainly they will be filled. In -this late day and age no man studies the moral law without learning more -than his mind can hold. Righteousness is good; it is necessary; men need -to learn about it, and others need to teach it, but it's an awful -come-down for the great fact of a life beyond the grave." - -"Certainly," said Captain Maile. "Righteousness is full of annoying -little bothers about what ought to be done for other people, while the -kingdom of heaven consists only of what is to be done for ourselves. The -Bible is crammed full of these tormenting hints, and they always appear -just when a man would rather think about something else; being given by -divine command, though, as the majority of the class believe they are, -I suppose they must be talked about in one way or another." - -"They certainly should," said Broker Whilcher, who had been attracted to -Mr. Jodderel's side by the array of books which that gentleman had begun -to bring into line. "I have a sad reputation in point of orthodoxy, but -what Captain Maile admits in sarcasm, _I_ declare in the most solemn -earnest. Morality is the order of things, and to a sinner like me, it -seems to be a matter of prime importance. The interest which some of the -members display in the nature of the kingdom of heaven is quite natural -and proper; but how they propose to get there without morality, or, if -they please, righteousness, is a puzzle to any man who reads the Bible -and notices the importance attached to right conduct." - -Deacon Bates promptly called President Lottson to the chair, took the -floor himself, during an animated buzz by the class, and delivered with -rapidity and emphasis the following speech: - -"The method of reaching the better world, other than that of mere right -doing, is rightly a matter of wonder to those who do not accept the -inspired Word as a divinely designed and revealed plan for the salvation -of sinful man. But if any of the good Book has binding force, all of it -has; it stands or falls as a whole. We are informed by the apostle whose -writings fill half of the New Testament, that 'The law of the Spirit of -life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin, which is -death. For what the law'--that is, the law of righteousness--'for what -the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, -sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, -condemned the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be -fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' -And again we are told--oh, blessed assurance to those who find the law -of righteousness impossible to fulfill!--that 'Abraham believed God, and -it was imputed unto him for righteousness.' And we are also told, by -the Saviour himself, that 'God so loved the world that he gave his only -begotten Son, that whoso believeth in him shall not perish but have -eternal life.' The law cannot be fulfilled by man; we are all imperfect; -even when we will to do right the flesh wars against the spirit, and -ignorance hinders men of the best intentions from doing what they would -do. No man can be saved through the law; excepting Jesus Christ, 'there -is no other name under heaven whereby mankind can be saved.' I hope I -have answered the gentleman's question in a manner distinct enough to be -understood by him and such others here present to whom the Gospel plan -of salvation is not as plain as it should be." - -Deacon Bates resumed the chair, and Broker Whilcher replied: - -"The explanation is perfectly satisfactory, as an answer to my question; -but it seems to me rather strange that any one should be willing to -enter without effort when everybody is plainly told the desires of the -king and benefactor whom they expect to meet." - -Builder Stott sat next, and hastened to the rescue of faith from a -freethinker like Mr. Whilcher. - -"Suppose we do right always," said he, "what does it amount to? Our -righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight, according to the inspired -Word, and there's very little to hope for from anything so worthless. -Nobody knows, even when he's doing his best, whether he is right or -wrong. Even Satan sometimes appears as an angel of light. I can remember -many a time when I've done what seemed to be exactly the right thing, -and I not only went without any credit for it, but it seemed to make -everything else go wrong. I begin to think the Lord knows his own -business best, and that we can't meddle with it without getting into -trouble." - -"Getting into trouble is an excuse for not trying to do right, is it?" -asked Captain Maile. - -"No, it isn't," replied Mr. Stott quite testily; "but a man can do a -great deal of trying without succeeding, and without finding what is the -proper thing to do. If we always knew just what was right, we should -never get into trouble." - -"I should like to ask the gentleman if Christ, the apostles, and -prophets never got into trouble?" said Mr. Alleman. - -"I suppose they did," replied Mr. Stott, in visible embarrassment; -"but--but that was divinely ordained for the benefit of sinful man." - -"I should like also to ask if the gentleman considers the servant above -his master, and free from responsibility for his conduct?" - -"No, of course not," said Mr. Stott, "but----" - -Mr. Stott's expression remained unfinished for so long a time that Mr. -Buffle took pity upon him, and remarked: - -"It seems to me that unless hungering and thirsting after righteousness -is a special virtue, it would not have been brought into this small -group of qualities for which special blessings are promised. If it is of -so much consequence, we ought, in gratitude to God, to be anxious to -learn just what righteousness is. What we are to get for practicing it -isn't of so much consequence. And as there aren't many of us who have -had so much reason to study the meaning of the word as our friend Judge -Cottaway has, I think the class will be willing to waive the regular -order of answering for once, and hear from the Judge his opinion of this -important word." - -Every one looked at the Judge, and Deacon Bates remarked that he would -assume that Mr. Buffle expressed the sentiments of every one. - -"Righteousness," said the Judge, with his regulation court-room air, -"has but one meaning. Philologically, legally, morally, and spiritually -it means right doing. Legally, righteousness consists in obeying the -law, and, by implication, refraining from offending the law. Morally, -it is the very highest attainment possible to man; in its fulfillment -every ordinary duty of man toward man is accomplished. Spiritually, -either under the old dispensation or the new, its range of application -is increased and its nature strengthened and elevated. By no correct -line of reasoning, nor by any honest interpretation of the letter and -spirit of the Scriptures, can the imperative obligation of man to do -righteousness be set aside. Because the term is frequently used as a -synonym for piety, there is no excuse for substituting religious belief -for it, for true piety must include righteousness, and has no foundation -without it. The religious sentiment may suddenly take possession of a -man who has previously been unrighteous; but it is reputable and -valuable only so far as it induces its subject to attain, not only to -negative righteousness, the refraining from misconduct, which the law -holds to be sufficient, but also to that positive, active virtue, -enjoined by all the inspired teachers, which shall make a man actively -virtuous, and from higher motives than that of merely escaping penalties -and gaining rewards. Christ himself said of the moral law that every jot -and tittle of it should be fulfilled." - -"And it _was_ fulfilled, on the Cross, when he cried, 'It is finished,'" -interrupted Builder Stott. - -"That's so," said young Mr. Waggett, now thoroughly aroused. "If it -hadn't been, we never could have been saved." - -"If the gentlemen really infer from Christ's last words that he meant to -set aside the moral law," resumed Judge Cottaway, "the Church has been -making a sad blunder during the twenty centuries which have followed the -scene on Calvary. During all these years, she has been a teacher of -morality; she has restrained, sometimes by persuasion, oftener by -authority, sometimes by mistaken methods, sometimes in too lukewarm a -manner, the baser passions of mankind, and encouraged the nobler -qualities. In legal righteousness, the ancient Romans surpassed the -world, and gave the models of all codes in operation to-day in the -civilized world. And yet righteousness among the Romans, while wise, was -often vindictive, and always wholly selfish. The smallest, most ignorant -community in our neighborhood to-day has a higher, purer conception and -practice of morality than the central city of the world had in the time -of Christ, and though it is not under the special direction of the -Church, its growth can be traced back to no other source." - -"I've often heard," said Mr. Jodderel, "that so an Episcopalian admits -the authority and divine origin of his Church, he can believe anything -he pleases, and the address we have just listened to convinces me that -the statement is true. Why, gentlemen, while nobody has a higher respect -for Judge Cottaway's character and attainments than I have, it seems to -me that he isn't much different from a Unitarian or any other -freethinker that imagines he has some hold upon religion. Why, -gentlemen, what's the good of Christ having lived and died at all, if -we're still in bondage under the law? I don't mean that we're not to do -right when we can--I want to do right as much as any man ever did--but -if I've got to be bothered about all the little points that the Scribes -and Pharisees fussed over, I don't see how much better off I am than -they were." - -"The gentleman is better off, as he expresses it," said the Judge, -"because he has the benefit of the clearer light which Christ shed upon -the law, and because through the life and death of Christ he has -incentives to that love for the Source of all goodness which enables a -man to overcome difficulties which, to the merely selfish moralist, are -utterly insurmountable. It is thus that love becomes the fulfillment of -the law, for it enables the weakest man to overcome his worst -inclinations." - -"What becomes, then, of the doctrine of justification by faith--the -corner-stone of all Protestantism?" asked President Lottson. - -"It remains as strong as ever," answered the Judge. "All are forgiven, -our misdeeds committed in ignorance, when--mark the condition--when we -are honest in intention and effort. 'The just'--the righteous, that is, -those who do right to the best of their knowledge--'shall live by -faith.' I would remind the gentleman that Christian theology, of every -school, is based principally upon the principles laid down by that -masterly jurist, the Apostle Paul, and that he makes of faith not the -master but the subordinate of love. 'And now abideth faith, hope, love, -these three; but the greatest of these is love.'" - -"You can't go back on Paul," remarked Squire Woodhouse, "but it's often -seemed to me that religious people treat Paul a great deal as the boys -treat my orchard; they steal the apples they like the looks of best, but -the best I've got are really the least handsome, and I generally have -the full crop to myself." - -Some one reminded the Leader that it was one o'clock, and the class -arose. - -"I'm going into Humbletop's class after this," said Builder Stott to -President Lottson. "I was a little doubtful when this class was started -whether it wouldn't sooner or later run things into the ground, and now -it _has_ done it. Cottaway is a dangerous man, for all his knowledge and -squareness. There are men here, members of our Church, that'll be as -likely as not to swallow all that he said, and then what'll their faith -amount to? I say that if any such nonsense gets a hold in this church it -ought to be made a matter of discipline." - -"I think _I_ shall remain with the class," said President Lottson. -"There is a great deal of what is said here that I can't approve of, but -that is all the more reason that somebody with a cool head and quick -wits should be on hand to prevent the orthodox faith from going to -ruin." - -"I was very much interested in your remarks," said Broker Whilcher to -the Judge. "Matthew Arnold has put forth some of the same views." - -"I am glad to hear it," replied the Judge. "They will save him from -drifting into vacuity, and they will convince his readers of his honesty -of purpose. I wish only that I could believe that such views had as -strong a hold upon the Church as they have upon the outside world. -Verily, Christ never spoke a truer saying than that 'a man's foes shall -be they of his own household.'" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -AFTERMATH. - - -The closing of that session of the Scripture Club, in which the nature -and reward of righteousness was discussed, did not end the consideration -of the subject. Mr. Radley himself determined that, at the next meeting, -some one should move the rescinding of his own resolution to allow but -one Sunday to a verse of Scripture; and several other members, among -them Squire Woodhouse, Mr. Buffle, and Mr. Alleman, determined to put -the resolution to death at the first opportunity. In the mean time, no -member of the class, who went to and from the city on the little steamer -_Oak-leaf_, nor any one who had occasion to visit the local post-office, -was allowed to forget the subject, which, not for the first time, caused -such widely differing theories to be offered. - -"You didn't have an opportunity to express your opinions last Sunday?" -said Squire Woodhouse to Mr. Alleman, at the post-office on Monday -evening, while the latter awaited the opening of the mail, and the -former lay in wait for some one upon whom to expend his pent-up -energies. - -"No," replied the teacher; "and I doubt whether the expression of them -would have done any good. Men are always willing enough to be observers -of a quarrel; but to take part in one generally passes for a sign of bad -breeding, and the care that men have for the results of their bringing -up is, under such circumstances, admirable beyond expression." - -"Oh, you're not exactly fair, I think," said the Squire. "Every member -of that class thinks the case of faith _vs._ works is his own; he must -be interested in one side or the other, for he believes eternity depends -upon it." - -"I don't see why any one should have such an idea," said Mr. Alleman. -"It doesn't make the slightest difference which side they take, if they -really believe as they claim to do." - -"Goodness!" exclaimed the Squire. "Why, are _you_ going over to the -defense of faith against works? You, who have always been preaching up -good works as the whole end of life? I'm afraid _I've_ been in too much -of a hurry, for I've been drifting over to your side very, very fast -during the past two or three weeks." - -"I've not changed my principles in the least," replied Mr. Alleman. -"Either belief includes the other, if a man is really sincere in the -belief itself." - -"Well," said the Squire, with humility, "you scholarly fellows can do -sums in your heads at a rate that no common man's ciphering can equal. I -thought I'd heard a great deal on this subject, both before I -experienced a change and after, but I never could see that there could -be any agreement between the two. One set of men say that faith is -everything; another say that works are the thing; both sets make faces -when they pass each other on Sunday on their way to their separate -churches, and, if I read the religious papers correctly, it's the -subject of the greatest religious fighting in the world." - -"The fighting is between the men, not the ideas," said Mr. Alleman. - -"Having withdrawn from the class," remarked Dr. Humbletop, who also was -present, "or, I might say, having never belonged to it, I don't know -that I have any right to take part in your conversation, but as this is -not a stated session of the class----" - -"Even if it was, Doctor, you'd be free to say whatever you liked," -interrupted the Squire. "Free speech is the rule of the class on -Sundays, and we certainly aren't going to be any narrower out of school -than in it. Besides, you've been to a theological seminary, and know the -ins and outs of this question. Now, I want to know if I'm not right and -Alleman wrong?" - -"You certainly are correct in your assumptions," replied the reverend -doctor. "The Church, or, more properly speaking, the world and the -Church, have always been at war upon this important issue. It has been -the cause of battles in which precious human blood was shed, as well as -of struggles in which words, fiercer than spears and darts, have been -the weapons used, and souls instead of bodies were to be counted among -the killed and wounded." - -"And the Church," remarked young Mr. Waggett, as he tore the wrapper -from a religious newspaper, which the postmaster had just handed him, -"our Church has decided in favor of justification by faith, as the only -sure way of salvation. Other churches----" - -"There are no other churches," said Dr. Humbletop. "There are societies, -containing many well-meaning persons, which have works as a basis of -organization. They have built edifices for worship, founded colleges and -schools for the education of youth in their ideas, established -newspapers, settled persons who, by courtesy, are called pastors, and -formed societies which do much toward the amelioration of the physical -condition of unfortunate humanity. The respect which they manifest -toward portions of the Word of God renders it impossible to deny that -they possess religious feeling and aspiration; but to admit that they -constitute a portion of the body of which Christ is the head, is -impossible. These persons, individually and in their associated -capacity, war against the distinctive doctrine of the Church, which is, -that Christ died for all men to make atonement for sin, that all men may -become partakers in the benefits of this saving act by acknowledging him -to be their Lord and Saviour." - -"There--I told you so," said the Squire to the teacher. - -"The Doctor has suggested a point of difference between the two great -sections of the Protestant Church," said Mr. Alleman; "but that was not -the subject upon which we were talking." - -"Why, yes, it was," said Builder Stott, who had been listening, while -pretending to be otherwise engaged. "I heard every word of it." - -Mr. Alleman gave an impatient start. "I said the disagreement was -between men, and not between ideas. Our good champion of orthodoxy, the -Doctor, cannot, with due respect to his Maker, admit that there are any -works of real value that are not prompted by a true belief in the -principles enounced by Jesus. Faith implies trust; trust of the inferior -in the superior signifies a willingness to be guided: the guidance of a -Being in whose wisdom and love we have unlimited confidence _must_ be -followed, if we really believe His utterances, and believe our own -nature to be as imperfect and sinful as we profess to think it is." - -"Ah!" said Dr. Humbletop, "theories of human action may be very -beautiful, but that very imperfection and sinfulness of man makes them -of no effect. Logically, Mr. Alleman is perfectly correct, and, from his -very assertions, the Church deduces the argument whereby she brings -reason to the support of inspiration. Man is so imperfect, so sinful, so -depraved, that, when he would do good, evil is ever present with him. -This condition of man shows the absolute need of a Saviour, and, of -course, a loving God will not allow his children to lack anything which -they really need. Thus the need and the existence of a Saviour are -established, by their interdependence upon each other." - -"That is hardly the point of our conversation," said Mr. Alleman. "The -question between us was, whether there was not a similar interdependence -between faith and works; whether, as either of them logically implies -the other, either is not logically inclusive of the other." - -"Works include faith?" exclaimed Builder Stott. "Well, excuse me, but my -time is valuable, and I guess I'll be moving. I always like to get hold -of a real idea about religion, but that notion is too far-fetched for -anything. Why, according to you, a Unitarian or a heathen, if he does -good, is a child of God and a partaker of the promises. Christ might as -well not have lived and died, if that is all his work amounted to." - -Mr. Stott started, and Squire Woodhouse exclaimed, "Why don't you keep -him?" - -"Because," said Mr. Alleman, with a peculiar smile, "I'm occasionally -orthodox enough to believe that some men are predestinated to -destruction, and that men, like Stott, who never follow Christ's -teachings and dread them as they do Satan, are among the number. -Honestly, now, Squire Woodhouse, can you see how a sincere attempt to -fulfill the moral injunctions of Jesus Christ and his apostles can fail -to lead a man to faith in Christ and the Father? When a system of -morality is given, which, in terms and results, is so far above the -morality of the world that the world shrinks from it, yet which in -practice proves to be correct, do you suppose it is possible to doubt -the higher inspiration of the giver? Did any mere law-giver ever enjoin -unselfishness? Is unselfishness natural? Does not its practice, and the -spiritual influence which is felt in return for its practice, raise a -man to a plane of wisdom, tenderness, and strength, such as has never -been reached in any other way? Have not honest disbelievers in great -numbers, when they have attempted a higher morality than that of the -world in general, fallen back upon Christ as their only available -teacher, and been led to him, either by desperation or sympathy, or -both?" - -The Squire had not read as much as Mr. Alleman in the controversial -theological literature of the day, and he could not reply from actual -knowledge, but he said: - -"I don't know, but I'll take your word for it. I know that although I'm -a church member, and pretend to be led by the Spirit, there have been -only once in a while times when I've got outside of business rules about -matters of time and money, and that, when these times have come, I've -felt nearer to God than I've ever done even when I've been in trouble." - -"Then you understand my meaning," said Mr. Alleman. "There is no -difference between faith and works, providing both are rendered in -sincerity, for neither of them can help leading to the other. And as you -have seen the truth of this fact by personal experience, you are just -the man who should support me in the effort which I hope to make next -Sunday to impress this truth upon the class, not for the sake of -presenting a new theory for discussion, but to join conflicting ideas -for the good of man and the glory of God." - -"I frankly admit," said Dr. Humbletop, "that friend Alleman's idea is a -beautiful one--so beautiful that it could not have been conceived -without inspiration from on high. But should it prevail in society -instead of being confined to the individual breast, its results can -hardly fail to be disastrous. What will restrain depraved humanity from -neglecting the offer of salvation by faith in Christ, and devote itself -to working out its own salvation? How many souls will be lost if the -fear of eternal suffering is not held before them, and if they attempt -to begin through work, and finish ere the blessed time of change comes?" - -"If they can trust to God's mercy while they are mere beggars for help," -said Mr. Alleman, "they can certainly do it while they are endeavoring -to help themselves and Him. Unless," continued Mr. Alleman, with an -impatient gesture, "unless God can seem to you to be nothing but a -vengeful monster--unless he has at some unknown time withdrawn all his -merciful promises to those who do righteousness and walk uprightly." - -"My dear young friend," said Dr. Humbletop, who had slowly been dropping -his head backward and adding intensity to the solicitude expressed by -his stare, "do you know that you have taken upon yourself the authority -to urge men from the new dispensation back to the old, and thus to set -back the work of grace for two thousand years? Do you not know that the -law alone was found to be insufficient?" - -"Do _you_ not know," said Mr. Alleman, "that by that assertion you -impugn the wisdom of the Almighty?" - -"God forbid!" exclaimed the doctor, starting backward so abruptly that -he nearly overturned the post-office stove. "The law was given as it was -on account of the hardness of men's hearts, as Christ himself expressly -states." - -"True," said Mr. Alleman, "and 'the times of this ignorance God winked -at, but now commandeth all men to repent.' When the law was insufficient -to the needs of mankind, God sent another law-giver in the person of -Christ. And men might have obeyed him to a greater extent than they do, -had not the Church taken the position that the need of man was of more -consequence than duty to God, and that saving one's self--which human -selfishness is abundantly able to look out for without being urged to -it--is of more consequence than complying with the desires of Christ, -and through Christ, God." - -"Salvation possible through human selfishness!" ejaculated Dr. -Humbletop. - -"That's the sentiment which the church most appeals to," said Mr. -Alleman. - -"The central truth of inspiration, revelation, and the atonement only a -concession to the fears and personal desires of mankind!" continued the -doctor. "Oh, horrible, horrible!" - -"It _is_ horrible," said Mr. Alleman, "that a strong organization like -the Church, with respectability, morality, tradition, and authority on -its side, should teach such a doctrine; but your own sermons, which I -have found to be models of logic, though based upon false premises, -prove the truth of your condensation of my statements. Men are urged, -not to righteousness as taught by prophets, apostles, and the Master -himself, but to take the best possible care of Number One--urged to -something which the most miserable savage alive knows is dictated by the -strongest instinct of his nature. What must Christ, remembering the -intensity and agony of his earthly efforts, think of the Church?" - -Dr. Humbletop assumed, slowly, his pulpit manner, and at length replied: - -"My dear friend--for dear I must call you in remembrance of your many -self-denying efforts for the good of mankind--I must decline to discuss -this subject any further with you. For two thousand years the Church of -Christ has endured, and guided itself according to the words of Christ -himself--" - -"All of his words, or only such of them as have been fullest of promise -of safety?" interrupted Mr. Alleman. - -"All of them," boldly replied the doctor. "The Church has taught -everything that Christ did. I, myself, have preached from every verse of -Christ's sermon on the Mount." - -"But you have carefully avoided the literal meanings of these verses in -nearly every instance," said Mr. Alleman. - -"I have attached to each one such meaning as the Spirit has indicated to -me," said the doctor, with rather chilling dignity. "And I would further -say that I have treated them according to the habit of the Church during -the nineteen centuries that have nearly elapsed since Christ appeared. -If I had taught from my own understanding alone, I might have had -misgivings; but with countless prophets, apostles, and martyrs to whom -to look for example, I have felt secure in my position. You cannot, -therefore, expect me to accept your views as opposed to those of the -whole body of Christian teachers. The experience of the world is always -of value in teaching the teacher what to do and say, and that -experience--" - -"Is always based upon selfishness," interrupted Mr. Alleman. - -"And that experience," continued Dr. Humbletop, "has been that the -atonement made by Christ is the all in all of Scripture." - -The doctor called for his letters, bowed in a dignified manner to Mr. -Alleman and the Squire, and departed. - -Let no one blame Dr. Humbletop for his lack of clear vision. A more -honest, conscientious, and generous soul could not be found in Valley -Rest. Receiving an income which to many of his acquaintances would have -seemed insufficient to a man of good breeding and refined tastes, he -found ways of devoting more than a tithe of it to charities either -private or public. He was always ready to forego his own tastes and -inclinations in order to visit the sick, counsel the troubled, or pray -with the dying; his voice and vote were never lacking in affairs of -public interest, and they were always used in the interest of the -highest morality. But the doctor had been born and bred under a -religious system which he had been taught was to be accepted, not -changed, and not even to be questioned. To him, as to the wise Solomon, -the law of the Lord was perfect, the difference between the two men -being that the doctor found the whole law in the letter of a single -department of it, instead of in the Spirit, and that this peculiarity of -his mind had come to him by birth, been strengthened by a special -education, and established by habit. Whenever he for a moment questioned -his belief, he very naturally contemplated the many generations of wiser -men who had accepted beliefs like his own, and in their wisdom and their -interpretation of Scripture his soul rested. - -And yet Squire Woodhouse was moved to say to Mr. Alleman: - -"It seems to me the doctor begs the question." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE DOCTRINE OF INSURANCE. - - -Conversation upon the lesson of the previous Sunday was not confined to -the quartette that met at the village post-office. Most of the members -of the club went to the city on Monday morning on the little steamer -_Oak-leaf_. The radicals among them were eager for a renewal of the -fray, and the orthodox were not at all averse to displaying their -defensive abilities. Indeed, President Lottson stood at the wharf, -newspaper in hand, for the express purpose of encountering Broker -Whilcher, and provoking him to make an attack. The broker finally -appeared, accompanied by his wife and children; but the presence of -non-combatants did not discourage the Soldier of the Cross, who had been -too long in the insurance business to be willing to lose any chance of -strengthening his own protection against risk in another world. Broker -Whilcher met him boldly; he sent his _impedimenta_ promptly to the -rear--to wit, the ladies' saloon--and prepared for the combat which he -knew was approaching. - -"I suppose you think you whipped us yesterday," said President Lottson, -by way of opening shot. - -"It was too clear a case to depend upon supposition only," said the -broker; "but if you've any doubts on the subject I've no objections to -helping defeat you again." - -"Seriously, Whilcher," said the president, leading his antagonist to a -_tête-à-tête_, "do you realize what comes of all this nonsense? You -profess to be a free-thinker, so I won't ask you to meet me on my own -ground, which is that the new dispensation furnishes a substitute for -the old; I'll only ask you to look at the matter from your own -rationalistic point of view. A man must live up to his beliefs, if he -_is_ a man." - -"True enough," replied the broker. "I wish your parson would admit the -same, and preach accordingly. I wouldn't be cheated quite so often by -his parishioners." - -"Business is business," said the president. "You don't ever let any of -the theories of your new-fashioned philosophy stand in the way of your -making a good trade, do you?" - -"No, I can't say that I do," replied the broker. - -"And yet," said Mr. Lottson, "you believe in the theory of the reign of -law--a law which cannot be broken without danger of severe penalty. Now -whether Christ was God or only man, you've got to obey the law under -penalty of punishment, unless there is some other way of satisfying it. -Therefore, why not accept a belief that leaves you as free to believe in -the law, to admire its wisdom and beauty, as you are now? Putting the -thing in a business light, you change no beliefs--you simply take on a -new one." - -"I'll profess to believe nothing but what I understand," declared the -broker. - -"You believe in geography, don't you?" asked the president, "and in -history, astronomy, chemistry, zoölogy--all the sciences, in fact? You -swear by Darwin, yet you certainly don't pretend to understand all that -he writes about." - -"I accept his conclusions, because I believe in his wisdom and honesty," -said the broker. "Of course I don't profess to be able to follow him -through his scientific experiments." - -"Exactly," said the president. "And you believe that Christ and the -apostles were honest, don't you?" - -"Yes--as honest as _human_ beings ever are," said the broker. - -"That means as honest as Darwin and Spencer, then," said Mr. Lottson. -"Then why not believe them as well as your scientific teachers?" - -"Because----" said Mr. Whilcher, and hesitated. - -"Because other people _do_," continued Lottson, "and it wouldn't seem -scholarly to accept that which was taught and accepted by men whose -demonstrations were not made by the assistance of material things. If -you stick to your ideas, men will hold you to them. You can't live up to -them in your business; you'll lose money if you try it, and you'll be -called a fool for your pains. Why don't you be consistent? There's no -consistency between morals and business excepting through the medium of -the Christian belief. Believe what you choose so long as you believe in -a First Cause, be one of us, accept the promises that were made to -provide for your condition as well as that of every other man that finds -a constant disagreement between life and law. Then you'll at least have -done what is the business duty of every man--you'll have provided -against the dangers which you don't fear, and yet daren't defy for fear -they may exist." - -"That's a cold-blooded way of putting it, any way," remarked the -broker, after a moment or two of thought, which was apparently amusing. - -"I don't deny it," said the president, "but reason is always -cold-blooded. You don't pretend that in your darling scientific hobbies -it's anything else, do you? You free-thinkers claim to monopolize -reason; but you can't help seeing that religion deals in it just as much -as science does, and that it leads men to the church as truly as it does -to the study. And I want it to lead you to us, as it is bound to do if -you're as fair as you pretend to be." - -"You want me to be a religionist, do you?" asked Whilcher; "a shouting, -sentimental exhorter! What a fine reputation you want me to make--and -lose--among my friends!" - -"I don't want you to do anything of the sort," said the president. "Did -you ever hear of _me_ shouting or exhorting?" - -Mr. Whilcher laughed long and loud at the mere thought, as would any -other of the president's acquaintances have done. The president colored -a little and contemplated the matting of the cabin floor, but replied: - -"It's nothing to my discredit, nor anything to laugh about. Because -excitable people get into the church, drawn there by appeals to their -emotional nature, it doesn't prove that noise and talk are necessary -results of religion. You don't find any nonsense of that kind in St. -Paul's Epistles, do you? _He_ was a man after my own heart--a fellow who -believed that the laborer was worthy of his hire, who kept himself -before the people, who talked solid sense, and explained how easy it was -for every man to take advantage of the sacrifice that was made for him. -You know the little company there is in the city that insures against -accidents? I don't believe you'd lend twenty-five cents on the dollar on -its stock--I'll sell you some of their certificates cheaper than that, -if you ever want any--but whenever you make a trip out of town I -understand you take out one of their policies." - -"So I do," said the broker. "It costs very little, and it covers a good -deal, and may come handy in case of trouble." - -"That's exactly the argument in favor of your joining the church," said -the president, "excepting that in the latter case a great deal more is -promised and the cost is nothing at all." - -"Excepting church dues," said the broker, with a quizzical smile. - -"Well," said the president, "that's true, but what do they amount to in -a question of risk?" - -Broker Whilcher reflected profoundly for several moments, and at last -said: - -"Lottson, I'm inclined to do it; if any one had ever talked solid sense -to me about religion I should have been in the Church before. Still, how -am I going to solemnly declare before a body of people that I believe -things which I really don't believe at all?" - -"You must believe them before you declare any belief, and believe them -for the reason that you believe thousands of other things--because you -are told that they are true. You believe many a thing on the word of -worse men than those who wrote the Gospels and Epistles, for these men -showed no sign of being on the make, while your business informants do. -You are to believe them for lack of any definite information to the -contrary, and because there was no selfish object in the eye of any man -who gave the words upon which these beliefs are founded." - -"I declare, I'll do it!" exclaimed the broker; "but say, Lottson, do you -get a commission on church members as you do on insurance risks? Because -if you do--halves!" - -"Nonsense!" laughed the president. "You'll have to go before the -examining committee this week, for next Sunday is the first of the -month, and the regular day for the reception of new members." - -"Examining committee!" exclaimed the broker. "Whew! I guess I'll change -my mind." - -"Don't be afraid," said the president. "I'm a member of the committee, -myself, and when I take a candidate in hand, the others are pretty sure -to let him alone. I've been in business long enough to know how to treat -a man according to his style, I fancy." - -The new candidate laughed heartily to himself, stared at the president -so intently that he embarrassed the latter; then he shook his head with -the air of a man to whom a new revelation had come, and he put a cigar -in his mouth and started forward for a contemplative smoke. - -As for President Lottson, he quoted to himself, with intense -satisfaction, the passage: - -"Whoso shall convert a sinner from the error of his ways shall save a -soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." - -Then he searched the boat diligently for Captain Maile, and when he had -found him he told him the news with evident exultation, and the captain -replied: - -"Another crooked stick reserved unto the final burning." - -"See here, Maile," said Mr. Lottson, "this is nonsense, and you're the -last man who should be guilty of it. Your father and grandfather were -among the founders of the church in this section of country." - -"That's true," said the captain, "and to save the family reputation from -disgrace, I've had to spend some of the money they left me in trying to -undo some of the mischief they did." - -"Then you're a fool," said the president. "That may sound like plain -talk, but it's true; you should have learned, as your ancestors did, -that religion is one thing and business is another." - -"Oh, I've learned it," said the captain, "and I've also learned that the -devil, if there is a devil, is the father of that precious notion, and -that it's worth millions to him. Do you suppose I think any more of men -because they belong to the church? Do you imagine I look over your -policies any less carefully than I do those of Bennett, who don't -believe in God, devil, or anybody else? Do you suppose I'll take -Whilcher's word a minute quicker when he gets into the church than I do -now? Not a bit of it. The church is the hope of the honest and the mask -of the rascally. How did you like the way the lesson went yesterday?" - -"I liked the way it ended better than anything else," said the -president. - -"I knew you would," said the captain; "and if they spring a -reconsideration on you next Sunday, _won't_ you be disgusted!" - -Mr. Buffle had approached the couple as they conversed, and said: - -"Gentlemen, what do you think of yesterday's exercises?" - -"Both dissatisfied," promptly replied the captain. "Lottson don't like -the way they began, and I'm sorry that they ended when they did." - -"I'm counting noses to see if we can't secure a reconsideration," said -Mr. Buffle. "I don't like the way in which the main question was dodged, -and I want to hear more of it." - -"Then you'd better go over to the Unitarian Church," said President -Lottson. "They'll talk morality to you there to your heart's content." - -"They will in our church, too," replied Mr. Buffle, "unless prevented by -trickery. One would suppose that morality was something to be afraid of -by the way people dodge talking about it." - -Mr. Lottson assumed a very high-toned air, and replied: - -"It isn't that morality is feared, but that when men fall to talking -about it they forget that there is anything higher." - -"Perhaps it's because they never talk about it excepting at the -beginning," said Mr. Buffle, "and they're anxious to begin at the -bottom, as men have to do in business and everything else, if they -really want to learn. I begin to think it's a subject about which there -isn't much known. It's often seemed to me in churches that men are very -much like the apprentices in my ship-yard; the first thing these boys -want to do is to paint the names and designs on the paddle-boxes, -though that's the very last thing we generally attend to. Not one in a -hundred of them are ever anxious to know how keels are laid and hulls -are shaped." - -"That's only business; isn't it, Lottson?" asked Captain Maile. -"Business and religion are two very different things, and a smart man -like you, Buffle, ought to know it, and not go about arranging for -Sunday exercises to torment men into thinking what they ought to do, -instead of letting them enjoy a day of holy rest and delight in the -contemplation of what they're going to get when they can't stay here any -longer to get for themselves." - -Mr. Lottson turned abruptly away, and remarked to Mr. Prymm that Captain -Maile was the most hardened scoffer he had ever known. He also informed -Prymm of the movement in favor of a reconsideration of the lesson of the -previous Sunday. - -"I shall oppose it," said Mr. Prymm with more than his ordinary -decision. "I entered the class with the hope of learning something of -God's will as revealed by the Scriptures; but if it is the desire of the -remaining members, or a majority of them, that we shall linger for weeks -over single verses, I shall find it more convenient and profitable to -devote the corresponding hour of every Sabbath to private study and -contemplation." - -"I suppose," said President Lottson, noting the approach of Judge -Cottaway and Deacon Bates elbow to elbow, the latter looking very solemn -and the judge exceedingly bored, "I suppose it will be like Cottaway to -insinuate that the matter should be talked over and over again until -doomsday. It takes a lawyer to string a subject out until he doesn't -know the end of it when he sees it." - -"Lawyers like the judge have some faculties which we might imitate with -profit," said Mr. Buffle. "They believe in listening to all the evidence -and determining accordingly. Evidence seems a something which the -members of this class are afraid of, and practice based upon it is -still more terrifying. Ah, good morning, judge--we want to have another -talk next Sunday on the subject of yesterday's lesson, and knowing your -experience in sifting evidence, we would be very grateful if you would -charge your conscience with the case, and become responsible for it." - -"If the rule can be suspended, I shall be glad to throw upon it such -light as I can," said the judge. - -"We were talking, gentlemen," said Deacon Bates, "upon the spiritual -significance of righteousness. I suggested, and the judge was pleased to -agree with me, that righteousness had a spiritual as well as a merely -moral significance." - -"It certainly has," said President Lottson promptly, "and if for a while -we could divest ourselves of the materialistic notions which prevail as -badly in the Church as out of it, we would obtain some new light on this -subject which is so puzzling when considered only by the human mind. We -would realize that with the prince of this world Christ has nothing to -do; that while in the world we are under the dominion of the world." - -"And that our real life does not begin until we are with God," said -Deacon Bates, by way of supplement. "This world is a place of -preparation for another, and it is what we are to do and be in that -blessed sphere that Christ came to teach us. The things of this world -are really the unreal--only the things which are unseen are eternal. How -much righteousness had the crucified thief who rebuked his fellow for -reviling Christ? Yet to him were spoken the words which every Christian -longs to hear, 'This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.' Belief in -Christ, longing for him and his glory, are what should occupy our -thoughts while on earth." - -"And do it so closely that we shall have an opportunity to follow him. -Of course when a man believes in a presidential candidate, he believes -and does nothing else. He doesn't vote for him, act according to his -political theories, spend money for him, or any such nonsense. He merely -believes in him, and does or leaves undone everything else, feeling sure -that it's the candidate's business to make everything come right. That -isn't the way you gentlemen talked last campaign, though." - -The deacon smiled pityingly. "There you go again," said he, "mixing the -temporal and the spiritual, though they're not the slightest bit alike." - -"Certainly not," said Captain Maile; "so it's heretical to try to bring -heavenly influences to bear upon earthly things. You want people to -understand that God is not God of the living, but of the dead, though -that wasn't the way Christ said it when he was alive." - -Each man put on a pugnacious face, and betook himself to his own -reflections, and these lasted until the boat touched her pier in the -city. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -A DECISIVE BATTLE. - - -When the Scripture Club assembled on the following Sunday, it was in a -manner somewhat more quiet and less cordial than usual. Mr. Jodderel -volunteered the opening prayer, and then Deacon Bates began to read the -fifth beatitude, when Mr. Radley said: - -"Mr. Leader, a majority of the class would like to hear a further -discussion of the last subject. As the original mover of the resolution -restricting the class to one Sunday to a verse, which motion I made with -the almost unanimous support of the class, it is fitting that I should -take the initiative in securing a further hearing upon any subject of -which the majority have not heard enough. I therefore move that the -rule referred to be rescinded for one Sunday, and that we continue the -discussion of the fourth beatitude." - -"Second the motion," said Squire Woodhouse. - -"Mr. Leader," exclaimed Mr. Jodderel, "I object. The time of this class -should be spent upon the consideration of subjects according to their -relative importance. If the nature and whereabouts of the Kingdom of -Heaven is worth only a single hour of discussion, this minor question of -righteousness certainly isn't entitled to any more. I must oppose the -resolution." - -"It was apparently very unwise to adopt such a rule," remarked Mr. -Prymm, "if only to be rescinded or suspended whenever the curiosity of -any of the members may desire it. We are adults instead of children, and -cannot afford, for the sake of consistency, the abrogation of this rule, -especially when every one present has unlimited informal and social -opportunities for discussion, as, indeed, they have already been doing -all week long." - -Mr. Prymm looked appealingly toward President Lottson, but that -gentleman seemed in the depths of a gloomy reverie, and unwilling to be -disturbed. For Mr. Lottson's convert had relapsed; he had, before the -evening on which the examining committee met, dropped a note to Mr. -Lottson, saying that the longer he meditated upon the matter the more he -felt that the proposed action would be hypocritical; that if the church -would not detect the hypocrisy, the rest of the world would, and he -preferred to retain the respect of his friends. This note of Broker -Whilcher's had not only inflicted disappointment upon President Lottson, -but it had brought him some tormenting anxieties. If Whilcher, who was a -shrewd observer of men, really meant what he said, was it not possible -and probable that he, President Lottson, who believed all that he had -asked the broker to believe, and very little more, might also be looked -upon as a hypocrite? He knew that his reputation in his own church was -not all that he could have wished it to be; but, looked at in sober -earnest, his church, to his eyes, consisted of such of its members as -were city business men, like himself; there was still another element in -the church, however, and it was numerically the largest, which judged a -man by his professions, and Mr. Lottson trusted that among these he -still retained his respect. But then came a more annoying thought. -Business was business, and business men would take no man's word any the -more implicitly because he was a church member. Could it be possible -that among these he passed not only for a business man of ordinary -morality, but as a hypocrite too? Was he not really honest in his -beliefs? He certainly was; he could lay his hand on his heart and swear -honestly that every religious belief he possessed he had acquired by the -exercise of his best logical faculties. Why, then, should he be -considered hypocritical? Could it be possible that the world saw -something more in the Bible than church members like himself did? -Certainly not. How could the world do anything of the sort? It had never -studied the Bible as he had done, and as fathers of the faith, with whom -he had never for a moment dared to compare himself, had done. And then -to have a prolonged consideration of the late lesson go on in his -hearing while he felt as he did! It was unendurable. He would have -departed silently and without explanation, and betaken himself to Dr. -Humbletop's class, had he not previously informed Builder Stott that he -would remain and look after orthodox interests in the club. - -But as he reached this point of his reflections, Mr. Prymm's remarks -ended, and his eye caught Mr. Prymm's, and the exasperating character of -the doctrine of non-paying works seemed more unendurable to him than -ever, so he controlled himself, rose to his feet, and said: - -"Mr. Leader, in the interest of Christianity, as defined by the Master, -I also object to the further consideration of this subject, if it is -urged with the spirit that has been manifested. Christ said, 'My yoke is -easy and my burden is light,' but some of the members of this class -remind me of the Pharisees of whom Christ said that 'they bound upon -men's shoulders burdens grievous to be borne.' If religion was made for -anything, it was made for belief and use in this present world; I -object, therefore, to its being made to appear so unlovely and severe -that those who most need it are frightened from it. Those of us who -believe would never have done so had we supposed that men would be -allowed to set aside Christ's merciful words, and establish the -commandments--the notions--of men in their place. I believe as -thoroughly in righteousness as any man, but I don't care to sit here and -listen to its meaning being changed by men who care more for their own -opinions than they do for the commandments of God. And so I shall vote -against the resolution, and ask all others to do so, if they believe in -the righteousness of God instead of that of man." - -"I don't see why it's a Scriptural subject at all," said Mr. Hopper, -relinquishing for a moment his hold upon the review containing the -article on "The True Location of the Holy Sepulchre." "It was announced -by Jesus, I know; but it was before he made that atonement which set -aside mere human righteousness as a requisite to salvation. I move we -drop the subject." - -"The gentleman's motion is not in order, unless in the form of an -amendment," said Deacon Bates. - -"Mr. Hopper's suggestion that this beatitude was given before the -atonement was made," said young Mr. Waggett, "is so original and so full -of practical interest that I should like to hear a further discussion of -the subject, if only to see whether this point cannot be -substantiated--or, rather, whether it can be successfully opposed." - -President Lottson leaned over the back of young Mr. Waggett's chair, -and whispered: - -"Don't make an ass of yourself. _I_ can see where this thing is bound to -lead us, if you can't; vote the other way when the question is put." - -A moment or two of silence ensued, and then Deacon Bates put the -question to vote. A strong response of "Ay!" was soon followed by an -equally noisy "No!" and some one called for a rising vote. Up rose Judge -Cottaway, Squire Woodhouse, Broker Whilcher, Mr. Radley, Principal -Alleman, Mr. Buffle, Lawyer Scott, Dr. Fahrenglotz, and Captain Maile, -nine in all, while for the negative there were but seven votes, Mr. -Bungfloat and young Banty keeping their seats during both votes, the -former with a helpless expression of countenance, and the latter with a -contemptuous smile. - -"The ayes have it," said the leader, and Builder Stott, who, until that -moment, had listened at the key-hole, hurried off to Dr. Humbletop's -class-room and stated that the club was determined on carrying free -speech into the ground and the club with it. - -"Mark my words," said the builder, "the Scripture Club is as good as -dead." - -The discussion was opened by Judge Cottaway, according to the special -request of the founder of the club, and the old jurist spoke as follows: - -"Estimated according to the rules of evidence, the requirement for -righteousness never ends in the Holy Scriptures, and never can end while -the Church hold the revealed will of God as an authoritative rule of -guidance. The law was the topic of lawgivers, prophets, the Psalmist, -the wise Solomon, and all of them regarded it as the only substitute for -the personal presence and command of God. Christ never failed to hold it -up for reverence and obedience, excepting when minor points of it were -of less vital importance than that of those for whose direction it was -given." - -"That's it, exactly," interrupted Mr. Jodderel. "The law was made for -man, not man for the law, and when man can't live according to the law, -the law must give way, as it did by express command when Christ -condemned the Jews for rebuking the disciples when they plucked corn on -the Sabbath day." - -"I imagine that it was more for the sake of rebuking hypocrisy than to -defend the improvidence of his disciples that Christ spoke as he did on -the occasion referred to," said the judge. "But he declared the binding -force of the law more than once, and he not only urged it upon the -people, but increased its scope and severity by explaining that -obedience should not be only to the letter, but to the spirit of the -heavenly commands. Mercy, love, and compassion are not at all -inconsistent with the closest application of the law, though men have -strangely come to imagine that they are. In this same matchless sermon -we are studying you will find his definition of some methods of -violating the seventh commandment. The spiritual rule from which Christ -deduced these conclusions may be applied to all the other commandments -with results equally startling. 'Thou shalt not steal,' is the simple -letter of the eighth commandment, but according to the new method -prescribed by Christ for the translation of the law according to Moses, -to deprive a man of his peace, of his patience, of his faith in mankind, -even if done in ways permissible in business circles, is as truly theft -as is the depriving a man of his money by actual robbery. And as I am a -member of the bar, as I have been a law-maker, and an adjudicator of -legal questions, I feel that I am severe upon no one more than my own -old self, when I say that to recover the amount of a debt by legal means -which compel the debtor to part with property of value several times -greater than that of the property upon which the debt is based, is theft -of the most heinous description, for even under the most merciful -construction of the most careless law, the only theft at all pardonable -is that of small amounts in cases of dire necessity; whereas my -experience in legal collections is that not once in a hundred times are -they made excepting of men in the direst distress, and of utter -inability to pay." - -"But Christ mercifully forbore to give such interpretations to all the -commandments," said Mr. Jodderel, "and I have always thought his -refraining from doing so was one of the sure proofs of his divinity. Of -course he saw the people around him--his own disciples, even--doing -hundreds of things that were wrong; but he knew their natures were too -feeble to live up to the holy ideas which were natural enough to _Him_, -so he said little, except to exhort them to sin no more." - -"Very true," said the judge, "but since then the Christian world has had -the benefit of nearly twenty centuries of growth under the instructions -of Christ. Men have grown less animal, more intellectual; less brutal, -more spiritual. The passions and appetites that once seemed -uncontrollable have come more and more under restraint under the -influence of generations of right living. Men nowadays endure physical -discipline from which the ascetics of Christ's time, or even of the -middle ages, would have shrunk with fear. The world is lamentably full -of wickedness and weakness, but it has now what it did _not_ have when -Moses gave his law--it has in every community one or more men who show -by right living what a perfect control man may exert over his lower -faculties, or, rather, over the lower developments of faculties which in -the clearer light of to-day develop into noble virtues. But the stronger -sins die hardest, so to-day we find, in communities where murder is -unheard of, Sabbath-breaking unknown, profanity unspoken, and the -greater crimes mentioned in the Decalogue seldom or never brought to -light--in such localities we find the greed of gain made the excuse of -unfair dealings between man and man; it stirs up strife more vicious -than that which took place when the civilized world was one grand camp, -and when to kill a man for his possessions was a deed praiseworthy -rather than otherwise, especially when the victim might, with any -excuse, be called an enemy." - -"One might suppose, from the judge's remarks, that the world had but one -sin--and only one virtue," said Mr. Jodderel. - -"According to Scripture," exclaimed the judge, "there _is_ but one -virtue, for it includes all others. Its name is Love--will the gentleman -remember that the assertion is Christ's, and not mine? There is more -than one sin, truly; but not one of the dreadful number could exist were -the one virtue practiced as it should be. And this brings me back to the -leading idea of the lesson, from which I have unintentionally been -diverted toward specialties. And yet, I know not how better to explain -the nature of righteousness according to the law, than to continue in -use the illustration that I have been using--the treatment, by each -other, of men in their business affairs. For there are but few relations -of men that cannot be classified under business heads. By implication, -sins against self and nature belong in the same category, for the man -who impairs in any way his own physical and mental capital, injures to a -greater or less extent the whole community in which he resides. To save -man and to bless him is the whole aim of the law, for it is only by man -in his proper condition that God can be fully glorified. Thus regarded, -the way of righteousness can never seem hard, tiresome, or narrow--it is -rather the only highway which is always delightful. The promise given, -therefore, in this beatitude is the most precious in the whole Bible, -for there is no good it does not include, nor any evil which it does not -help us to shun." - -"That's the first satisfactory description I ever heard of the law," -remarked Mr. Radley. "I wonder why other men--preachers, even--never -talk about it in the same way." - -"They'd lose all their wealthy pew-holders if they did," answered -Captain Maile. - -"Not all," said Mr. Buffle, "at least, not if _I'm_ as well off in this -world's goods as I think I am. And I don't propose to forget what I have -heard." - -"It is very evident, however," said President Lottson, "that Christ knew -that this idea of the law--which I admit to be as sound as it is -beautiful--could never be fulfilled by man, or he would never have -considered it necessary to make an atonement for sin, and urge people to -accept it, instead of trying to be saved by righteousness alone. The -gentleman lays great stress upon the failings of business men. They -exist about as he has painted them, but had he spent his own life in -business instead of among the abstractions of a learned profession, he -would see the other side of the case, which is that business is selfish, -that it cannot be otherwise, and that man's only hope lies in Christ's -promises." - -"Only hope of what?" asked Squire Woodhouse. - -"Of salvation, of course," replied the president. - -"Then, what about the world?" asked Mr. Radley. "Is nothing to be done -_here_ for God--and man? Did we come into the world for no purpose but -to get out of it in the best shape we can? Has God no purposes to -fulfill here, or did he only make this wonderful combination of beauty -and utility, that we call the world, to be a mere stage for blundering -and wrong-doing?" - -"No," answered young Mr. Waggett; "it is to fit us all for entrance to -the glorious company of angels, prophets, and martyrs." - -"We had better all die in infancy then," said Mr. Radley, "before we've -been unfitted for such society, and been compelled to begin all over -again. What a contemptible blunderer God must be, if the common -religious idea of the use of the world is correct!" - -"Gentlemen," said Mr. Alleman, "it seems to me that this class has by -this time plainly indicated its religious measure. We have met together -many times; we have expressed our own views, and listened to many -others; we have individually indicated considerable ability and -ingenuity; but I am unable to discover that even a respectable minority -have changed their beliefs. Of the sincerity of belief of those who have -spoken there can be no doubt; but something more than ability and -sincerity is necessary to retain usefulness for a body of men, who are -determined to approach intellectually no nearer to each other. As we -cannot agree intellectually, why can we not do so morally, and establish -for the class a higher motive than can be furnished by religious -curiosity or tenacity of special theological opinions? Free speech has -been the distinctive feature of the class, but all that freedom of -expression can gain for us has already been gained. Why cannot we, -therefore, form a new and solemn compact that we will, each one -according to his own special religious belief and light, strictly order -our lives according to the moral ideas which we all admit are found in -the Bible and are above criticism?" - -"What!" exclaimed Mr. Jodderel, "and turn a religious organization into -a society for the encouragement of mere morality? None for me!" - -"I should consider such a course as religiously suicidal, if not -blasphemous," declared Mr. Prymm. - -"The man who does it can bid good-bye to his property," said Mr. Hopper, -"and I, for one, am determined to give a good account of my -stewardship." - -"He can bid good-bye to his chance of salvation, too," said young Mr. -Waggett, "if he's not going to think more of it than he does of mere -morality." - -"Good-bye to his fun, too," suggested young Mr. Banty. - -"If we cannot leave all to follow Him," remarked Deacon Bates, who had -once felt himself called to mission work, but successfully resisted the -call, "it would certainly be unseemly to do so for the sake of mere -worldly righteousness." - -"'Twould revolutionize society," said Lawyer Scott, "and no man should -attempt such a thing without the most careful preparation." - -"Doesn't Herbert Spencer say something about morality being at the top -of everything?" asked Mr. Buffle of Broker Whilcher. - -"Ye--es," said the broker; "but he considers that it's wrong to -sacrifice one's business, as I'd have to do to live according to the -plan suggested." - -"If Christ had intended that morality should have been so much," said -President Lottson, "he would have talked more about it, and less about -other things. He knew what the world needed, what it could stand, and -what it couldn't." - -"As if he wasn't all the while insisting upon morality," exclaimed Mr. -Alleman. "Captain Maile, you're certainly with us! You've always talked -as if you were." - -The captain made a wry face. - -"I've talked against hypocrisy--that's what I've done," said he. "I've -got no special religious belief myself, but I hate to see holes in those -of other people." - -"I," said Dr. Fahrenglotz, "would yield adherence to such a system, were -it not that men disagree as to what morality is, and I do not wish to -subject myself to any arbitrary rule or agreement. The soul of man -should be free." - -Judge Cottaway arose and gave his hand to Mr. Alleman, and several -members affected to consider this action as a sign that the meeting had -adjourned. The party dispersed more rapidly than it had ever done -before, and left the judge, the principal, the Squire, Mr. Buffle, and -Mr. Radley talking to each other. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -CONCLUSION. - - -When next the Scripture Club convened there were visible some vacant -places. Mr. Alleman was not there, and Mr. Prymm had betaken himself to -Dr. Humbletop's class, where he might study the Word of God without -perplexing annoyances from those who could not, for even an hour in a -week, and that hour on the Sabbath day, let the world out of their -thoughts. Several of the members had endeavored to dissuade Mr. Prymm -from his intention, but he remained firm. Broker Whilcher went back to -his Unitarian brethren, but even among them he was noted as having lost -his old interest in the brotherhood of man and the rights of humanity. -Young Mr. Banty drifted off to nowhere in particular; but for weeks he -told to every irreligious acquaintance the story of the difficulties in -the Scripture Club, and great was the sinful hilarity excited thereby. - -The difference of opinion on the subject of righteousness had upon the -class an effect so peculiar that Dr. Fahrenglotz did not hesitate to -express an opinion that free speech was a dead letter, and he thereafter -took pains to absent himself from the company of the assumed custodians -thereof, although he was frequently and earnestly besought to favor the -club with the pure logical aspect of questions, the import of which the -members had first obscured by much sophistry. - -Judge Cottaway, Squire Woodhouse, Principal Alleman, Mr. Radley, and the -founder of the class contracted a habit of meeting informally at each -other's residence, and as subscription papers increased in numbers soon -after, there was little or no curiosity manifested by their late -associates to know what was talked about at these meetings. It was a -noteworthy fact, and the subject of much dismal head-shaking among the -churchly, that these five men represented four different denominations, -and that they finally deprived Father McGarry's flock of a member who -had several times listened to the discussions of the club in its earlier -days, whom they failed to provide with a new denominational faith in -place of his old one. - -As for Captain Maile, he was thereafter the most shamefaced and silent -man at Valley Rest. He was by no means the first man who had mistaken -the critical faculty for character; but he was not a man of large -information in the history of the world outside of Valley Rest, so he -spent several years of his life in indignant yet humble -self-questionings as to his peculiar mental organization. He finally -admitted to himself that to keep his fault-finding disposition under -control, he must devote more persistent attention to it than he had ever -given his better self before. Several years later he identified himself -closely with all the practical work of the Second Church, and -distinguished himself as being the man of all others who could accept -advice without showing impatience. - -But the remainder of the club remained faithful, and they devoted -themselves to study with an earnestness that was simply magnificent. -They would divide each lesson into sections, and assign a section to -each member, which member would in turn collect and present to the class -all available information upon the subject, and some of the young lady -attendants pronounced some of these addresses more interesting than -sermons. Mr. Jodderel naturally took in charge all topics relating to -the future state of existence, and as the class imposed no arbitrary -distinctions as to time, he found no cause to complain. To President -Lottson fell the duty of enlightening the class upon the geography of -Palestine, and so thoroughly did he do his work that one of his papers -was asked for publication, and copies of it were accepted with thanks by -several learned societies. Mr. Prymm, who finally came back to the -class after having been assured that for months it had discussed no -subject not purely scriptural, made some remarks upon the atonement -which were finally collected in a volume entitled "A Layman's Views of -Christ's Great Work," and the book received many carefully worded -non-committal notices from the religious press, though the bulk of the -edition still remains in the storehouse of the publisher. Young Mr. -Waggett kept an observant eye for all topics bearing literally upon the -subject of salvation. Mr. Hopper found at last an opportunity to read -his long-cherished essay upon "The True Location of the Holy Sepulchre," -with many notes, suggestions, and emendations by himself. And the class -grew in membership and in the number of listeners, and there was never -heard in it a personality or a revival of old disputes which had time -and again rended the church. Nothing was said in its whole subsequent -history which could cast discredit upon the daily life of any member, -or cause Satan to feel any serious apprehensions for the continued -activity of his own business. - - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Scripture Club of Valley Rest, by -John Habberton - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SCRIPTURE CLUB OF VALLEY REST *** - -***** This file should be named 54627-8.txt or 54627-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/6/2/54627/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/54627-8.zip b/old/54627-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 52a1b5d..0000000 --- a/old/54627-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54627-h.zip b/old/54627-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 465d1b3..0000000 --- a/old/54627-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54627-h/54627-h.htm b/old/54627-h/54627-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 1a98e30..0000000 --- a/old/54627-h/54627-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4022 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Scripture Club of Valley Rest, by John Habberton. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} - p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - } - h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } - #id1 { font-size: smaller } - - - hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; - } - - hr.smler { - width: 15%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 42.5%; - margin-right: 42.5%; - clear: both; - } - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: right;} - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 0px; - } /* page numbers */ - - .center {text-align: center;} - .smaller {font-size: smaller;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .box {max-width: 35em; margin: 1.5em auto;} - .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} - .right {text-align: right;} - .left {text-align: left;} - - .poem {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} - .poem br {display: none;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem div {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Scripture Club of Valley Rest, by John Habberton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Scripture Club of Valley Rest - or Sketching of Everybody's Neighbours - -Author: John Habberton - -Release Date: April 29, 2017 [EBook #54627] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SCRIPTURE CLUB OF VALLEY REST *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="box"> -<h2>VALUABLE BOOKS</h2> - -<p class="bold">PUBLISHED BY</p> - -<p class="bold2">G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS,</p> - -<p class="bold">New York.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p><b>I. Tent Life in Siberia.</b> <span class="smcap">Adventures Among the Koraks and other Tribes in -Kamchatka and Northern Asia.</span> Fifth Edition. 12mo, cloth extra</p> - -<p class="right">2 00</p> - -<blockquote><p>"We strongly recommend this book as one of the most entertaining -volumes of travel that have appeared for some years."—London -Athenæum.</p></blockquote> - -<p><b>II. Travels in Portugal.</b> By <span class="smcap">John Latouche</span>. With Photographic -Illustrations. Octavo, cloth extra</p> - -<p class="right">3 50</p> - -<blockquote><p>"A delightfully written book, as fair as it is pleasant. * * * -Entertaining, fresh, and as full of wit as of valuable -information."—London Spectator.</p></blockquote> - -<p><b>III. The Abode of Snow.</b> <span class="smcap">A Tour through Chinese Tibet, the Indian -Caucasus, and the Upper Valleys of the Himalaya.</span> By <span class="smcap">Andrew Wilson</span>. -Square octavo, cloth extra, with map</p> - -<p class="right">2 25</p> - -<blockquote><p>"There is not a page in this volume which will not repay perusal. * -* * The author describes all he meets with on his way with -inimitable spirit."—London Athenæum.</p></blockquote> - -<p><b>IV. The Life and Journals of John J. Audubon, the Naturalist.</b> Comprising -Narratives of his Expeditions in the American Forests, &c. 12mo, cloth -extra, with Portrait</p> - -<p class="right">2 25</p> - -<blockquote><p>"It is a grand story of a grand life; more instructive than a -sermon; more romantic than a romance."—Harpers' Magazine.</p></blockquote> - -<p><b>V. Notes on England and Italy.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Nathaniel Hawthorne</span> (wife of the -Novelist). Third edition. 12mo, cloth</p> - -<p class="right">2 00</p> - -<p>Illustrated Edition, with 12 Steel Plates. Octavo, cloth extra, gilt -edges</p> - -<p class="right">5 00</p> - -<blockquote><p>"One of the most delightful books of travel that have come under -our notice."—Worcester Spy.</p> - -<p>"The grace and tenderness of the author of the 'Scarlet Letter' is -discernable in its pages."—London Saturday Review.</p></blockquote> - -<p><b>VI. Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland in 1803.</b> By <span class="smcap">Dorothy -Wordsworth</span> (Sister of the Poet). Edited by <span class="smcap">Principal Shairp</span>, LL.D. 12mo, -cloth extra</p> - -<p class="right">2 50</p> - -<blockquote><p>"The volume glistens with charming passages, showing how rich in -'Wordsworthian' fancy was this modest sister."—London Athenæum.</p></blockquote> - -<p><b>VII. Bayard Taylor's Travel.</b> Complete in 10 Vols. Containing works upon -Africa; Egypt; Iceland; California and Mexico; Greece and Russia; India, -China and Japan; Palestine, Asia Minor, Sicily and Spain; Sweden, -Denmark and Lapland; Europe, &c., &c. Per volume</p> - -<p class="right">1 50</p> - -<p>Or, 11 Volumes, neatly put up in box</p> - -<p class="right">16 50</p> - -<blockquote><p>"There is no romance to us quite equal to one of Bayard Taylor's -books of travel."—Hartford Republican.</p></blockquote> - -<p>☛ PUTNAM'S NEW CATALOGUE will be forwarded to any address -on receipt of stamp.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h2>RECENT PUBLICATIONS</h2> - -<p class="bold">OF</p> - -<p class="bold2">G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>DODGE. <span class="smcap">The Plains of the Great West, and their Inhabitants.</span> A vivid and -picturesque description of the Western plains of the American Continent, -including accounts of the game, a careful topographical record, notes of -emigration, &c., &c., and an exhaustive account of the life and habits -of the Indians (both the "reserved" and the "unreserved"), their customs -in fighting, hunting, marriage, death, clothing, religious beliefs and -rites, &c., &c., with some suggestions for the treatment of the Indian -question. By <span class="smcap">Richard Irving Dodge</span>, Colonel in the U.S. Army. 1 large -octavo volume very fully illustrated, $4.00</p> - -<blockquote><p>Colonel Dodge has, during many years, held positions of -responsibility on the Western frontier, and has enjoyed exceptional -opportunities for obtaining an intimate knowledge of the life and -habits of the Indians, and of the features of the great plains in -which they live, and the record of his experiences and observations -will be found not only most fascinating reading, but a trustworthy -and authoritative guide on the subjects of which it treats.</p></blockquote> - -<p>VAN LAUN. <span class="smcap">The History of French Literature.</span></p> - -<p>By <span class="smcap">Henri Van Laun</span>, Translator of Taine's "History of English -Literature," the Works of Molière, etc., etc.</p> - -<blockquote><p>Vol. I.—FROM ITS ORIGIN TO THE RENAISSANCE.<br /> -Vol. II.—FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO LOUIS XIV.<br /> -Vol. III.—FROM LOUIS XIV. TO NAPOLEON III. (<i>In preparation.</i>)</p></blockquote> - -<p>8vo, cloth extra, each, $2.50.</p> - -<blockquote><p>We have to deal with a people essentially spirited and -intellectual, whose spirit and intellect have been invariably the -wonder and admiration, if not the model and mould, of contemporary -thought, and whose literary triumphs remain to this day among the -most notable landmarks of modern literature. * * * <i>Extract from -Author's Preface.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p>THE BEST READING. <span class="smcap">A Classified Bibliography for Easy Reference.</span> With -Hints on the Selection of Books, the Formation of Libraries, on Courses -of Reading, etc. 15th Edition. Entirely re-written and brought down to -August, 1876, with the addition of priced lists of the best books in -French, German, Spanish and Italian Literature. 8vo, paper, $1.25; -cloth, $1.75.</p> - -<blockquote><p>"By far the best work of the kind."—<i>College Courant.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p>THE SELECT BRITISH ESSAYISTS. A series planned to consist of half a -dozen volumes, comprising the Representative Papers of <i>The Spectator</i>, -<i>Tatler</i>, <i>Guardian</i>, <i>Rambler</i>, <i>Lounger</i>, <i>Mirror</i>, <i>Looker-On</i>, etc., -etc. Edited, with Introduction and Biographical Sketches of the Authors, -by <span class="smcap">John Habberton</span>.</p> - -<blockquote><p>Vol. I.—THE SPECTATOR. By <span class="smcap">Addison</span> and <span class="smcap">Steele</span>. Square rómo, -beautifully printed, and tastefully bound in cloth extra, $1.25</p></blockquote> - -<blockquote><p>This series has been planned to preserve, and to present in a form -at once attractive and economical, the permanently valuable -portions of those standard productions of the Essayists, which, as -well for the perfection of their English style, as for the sterling -worth of their matter are deservedly perennial.</p></blockquote> - -<blockquote><p>Vol. 2. SIR ROGER DE COVERLY PAPERS. From <i>The Spectator.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p>One volume, 16mo, $1.00.</p> - -<blockquote><p>"Mr. Habberton has given us a truly readable and delightful -selection from a series of volumes that ought possibly never to go -out of fashion, but which by the reason of their length and -slightly antiquated form there is danger of our -overlooking."—<i>Liberal Christian.</i></p></blockquote> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="Brother Humbletop Withdraws" /></div> - -<p class="bold"><span class="smcap">Brother Humbletop Withdraws.</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<h1>THE<br /><br />SCRIPTURE CLUB<br /><br /><span class="smcap">Of Valley Rest</span></h1> - -<p class="bold">OR</p> - -<p class="bold">SKETCHES OF EVERYBODY'S<br />NEIGHBOURS</p> - -<p class="bold"><span class="smcap">By the Author of</span><br /> -"<i>The Barton Experiment</i>," "<i>Helen's Babies</i>," <i>Etc.</i></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold">NEW YORK<br />G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS<br />182 <span class="smcap">Fifth Avenue</span>.<br />—<br />1877</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER I.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td><span class="smaller">Page</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Liberal Movement</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER II.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Some Spiritual Differences</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER III.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Free Speech</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER IV.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Solemn Hour Completely Spoiled</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER V.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Familiar Sounds</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER VI.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Builder Stott Saves the Faith</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER VII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Free Speech Becomes Annoying</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER VIII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Aftermath</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER IX.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Doctrine of Insurance</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER X.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Decisive Battle</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XI.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Conclusion</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_183">183</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2"><span class="smcap">Scripture Club.</span></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I.</span> <span class="smaller">A LIBERAL MOVEMENT.</span></h2> - -<p>The success of the Second Church of Valley Rest was too evident to admit -of doubt, and there seemed to be no one who begrudged the infant society -its prosperity. Most of its members had come to the village from that -Western city known to all its inhabitants as being the livest on the -planet, and they had brought their business wits with them. At first -they worshiped with the members of the First Church, established forty -years before, and with an Indian or two still among its members; but it -soon became evident to old members and new that no single society could -be of sufficient<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> theological elasticity to contain all the worshipers -who assembled in the old building. There were differences of opinion, -which, though courteously expressed, seemed great enough to claim -conscientious convictions for their bases; so with a Godspeed as hearty -as their welcome had been, the newer attendants organized a new society. -They were strong, both numerically and financially, so within a year -they had erected and paid for a costly and not hideous church building, -settled a satisfactory pastor, and organized a Sunday-school, three -prayer-meetings, and a sewing society. The activity of the new church -became infectious, and stimulated the whole community to good works; -occasionally one of the other societies would endeavor to return some of -the spiritual favors conferred by the Second Church, but so leisurely -were the movements of the older organizations that before they could -embody a suggestion in an experience the new church would have discerned -it afar off and put it into practical operation.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p><p>It was in the rapid manner alluded to that the Second Church came -finally by a feature which long and gloriously distinguished it. It was -11.50 by the church clock one Sunday morning when Mrs. Buffle, wife of -the great steamboat owner, who made his home at Valley Rest, noticed her -husbands face suddenly illumine as if he had just imagined a model for -the best lake packet that ever existed; it was only 12.10, by the same -time-piece, when about thirty of the solid members of the church, -remaining after service, gathered in a corner of the otherwise vacant -building, and agreed to Mr. Buffle's proposal that there should be -organized a Bible class especially for adults.</p> - -<p>"When you think of it," explained the projector, "it really seems as if -there'd be no end to its usefulness. I call myself as orthodox a man as -you can find in any church, anywhere, but there's lots of things in the -Bible that I'm not posted on. I suppose it's the same with all of you; -each of you may have thought a great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> deal on some single subject, but -you're not up in everything—you haven't sat under preachers who talk -about everything."</p> - -<p>"There aren't many preachers who <i>dare</i> to preach about everything," -remarked young lawyer Scott, who had in marked degree the youthful -appetite for the strongest mental food, and the youthful assumption that -whatever can be swallowed is bound to be digested.</p> - -<p>"Nor that dares to say what he really believes," added Captain Maile, -who had that peculiar mind, not unknown in theology and in politics, -which loves a doubt far more dearly than it does a demonstration.</p> - -<p>"Preachers are like the rest of us," said Mr. Buffle; "they haven't time -to study everything, and they have to take a good deal on the say-so of -somebody else; a good many things they may be mistaken about, but they'd -better have <i>some</i> idea on a subject than none at all; once get a notion -into their heads and it'll roll around and make them pay attention to it -once in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> while. And that's just what <i>we</i> need, I think, and it's what -brought this Bible class idea into my mind. Each of us will express our -minds on whatever may be the subject of the day's lesson, and we'll -learn how many ways there are of looking at it. No one of us may change -his mind all at once, but if he gets out of his own rut for an hour in a -week, he'll find it a little wider and no less safer when he drops into -it again."</p> - -<p>"And perhaps he may get it so wide that there'll be room enough in it -for three or four, or half-a-dozen Christians to walk in it side by -side, without kicking each other, or eyeing each other suspiciously," -suggested Brother Radley, whose golden text always was, "It is good for -brethren to dwell together in unity."</p> - -<p>"<i>That's</i> it!" exclaimed Mr. Buffle, his eyes brightening suddenly. -"That's it! But I don't intend to do all the talking, gentlemen. I -suggest that such of us as like the idea sign our names to an agreement -to meet every Sunday<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> for the purpose specified, and that we immediately -afterward proceed to elect a teacher."</p> - -<p>"I don't wish to dampen any honest enthusiasm for Biblical research;" -said Dr. Humbletop, a genial ex-minister; "but from some remarks which -have been made it would seem as if doubt—perhaps honest, but doubt for -all that—were to have more to do than faith with the motive of the -proposed association. What we <i>need</i>—what <i>I</i> feel to need, at least, -and what I believe is the case with all who are here present—is to be -rooted and grounded in the faith which we profess. I would move, -therefore, that if the class is to be informally organized in the manner -proposed by Brother Buffle, that at least the creed of our church be -appended to the document to which signatures are to be affixed."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Chairman," exclaimed Mr. Alleman (Principal of the Valley Rest -Academy, and suspected of certain fashionable heresies), "I object. In -our congregation—here in this small<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> gathering, in fact—is a large -sprinkling of gentlemen who are not members of the church, and who do -not accept our creed, though they enjoy worshiping with us: Brother -Humbletop's resolution, if put into effect, would exclude from the -proposed teachings the very class of men that we profess to believe are -most in need of religious instruction. The churches are so rigid that a -thinking man can scarcely gain admission to them without lying, actually -or constructively: don't let us, in a class like that proposed, follow -the example of the Pharisees, those very flowers of orthodoxy—and 'lay -on men's shoulders burdens grievous to be borne.' If our religion is -what we claim it is, let us open our gates wide enough to admit every -one who is at all interested to study God's ways as made known through -the scriptures."</p> - -<p>"Don't trouble yourself," said Captain Maile, who was as dyspeptic in -body as in mind, but was also a keen observer of human nature; "I don't -see but saints need converting as badly as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> sinners do, and there's -enough of <i>them</i> to keep you busy. We sinners can find a gathering place -somewhere else—perhaps the sexton will think the furnace-room the -proper place for us—and we'll take Christian hospitality and -great-heartedness as our first subject for discussion."</p> - -<p>"You won't do anything of the kind," exclaimed Squire Woodhouse, one of -the old settlers who had joined himself to the Second Church to avoid -being tormented about what some of the members of the First Church -termed his rationalism. "You're going to meet with us, blow us up all -you like, teach us anything you can, and make us better in any way you -know how to. God Almighty's kingdom isn't any four-acre lot with a high -stone wall and a whole string of warnings to trespassers; his kingdom -takes in all out-doors; every man alive is his child, and got a right to -come and go in his Father's house, even if he don't sit on the same -style of chair or creep under the same kind of bedclothes that his -brothers do. If he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> don't like the meat, or bread, or dessert that -somebody else is eating, the table's so full of other good things that -he <i>can't</i> go hungry unless he insists upon it. There isn't one of you -but's got more religion and brains than any of the twelve apostles ever -had; but none of <i>them</i> were ever turned out of <i>the</i> Bible class, -though one of them, who was a thief, was man enough to stay away of his -own accord, and voluntarily go to judgment."</p> - -<p>"Churches wouldn't be near so full if all thieves followed Judas's -example," was the ungracious remark with which Captain Maile received -this handsome speech; a hearty laugh took the sting out of the captain's -insinuation, however. Meanwhile Mr. Buffle had torn a leaf out of a -hymn-book, scrawled a form of agreement thereupon, and passed it around -for signatures. When the paper reached Dr. Humbletop, that gentleman -said:</p> - -<p>"Brethren, I sign this paper in the hope that we shall work together for -the honor and glory<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> of God; but I distinctly avow and reserve the right -to withdraw at any time, should such time come, when my conscience -forbids me any longer to attend."</p> - -<p>Several others, among them Insurance President Lottson and Mr. Stott, -the well-to-do builder, announced the same reservation, but no one -entirely declined to sign. Then Mr. Buffle moved the election of a -teacher, and the choice fell upon Deacon Bates, a man of unabused -conscience, pure life, extreme orthodoxy, and an aimless curiosity -(which he mistook for thought) about things Biblical and spiritual. Then -Mr. Buffle arose and said:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Chairman—Mr. Teacher, I mean—time is money in the church as well -as in the world. It's only 12.30; Sunday-school won't be out until 1.30. -I move we select a lesson, and go right to work."</p> - -<p>The motion was put and carried, and in a second Dr. Humbletop was upon -his feet.</p> - -<p>"I propose," said he, "that after the offering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> of a prayer—an -essential which seems to have been overlooked by our brethren so zealous -in good works—that we proceed to the consideration of the Epistle of -Paul to the Romans. Let us sit at the feet of one, the latchet of whose -shoes no other theologian was ever worthy to unloose, and let us there -seek those truths which shall make us wise unto salvation. Let us make -ourselves fully acquainted with God's plan for the redemption of sinful -man."</p> - -<p>"I move as a substitute," said Mr. Alleman, "that we begin with the -Sermon on the Mount, and learn from the Master instead of the servant."</p> - -<p>The place was a church and the occasion was the study of the Scriptures. -But the attendants were only human and they recognized the conditions -necessary to a fight with many indications of satisfaction; faces -lightened up, eyes rapidly increased in luster, and lips unconsciously -parted in the manner natural to persons who are gradually abandoning -themselves to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> influence of an impending pleasure. Men sitting to -the right, left, and front of the apparent contestants twisted their -necks until their eyes commanded the scene; while good old Major Brayme, -who was rather deaf, and had got into a corner for his neuralgia's sake, -scented the battle afar off and limped around to a front seat.</p> - -<p>"The question is on the amendment," said the leader, "unless some -brother has still another amendment to offer."</p> - -<p>Nobody spoke; as Captain Maile afterward explained, "'twasn't anybody -else's fight." Besides, Valley Rest was peopled by the race peculiar to -all other portions of this terrestrial ball, and one of the instincts of -that race, whether savage or civilized, is that it is far more pleasing -to be a spectator than a participant in an altercation.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Leader," said Mr. Alleman after a moment of silence, "in support of -my amendment I wish to say that no one more enthusiastically<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> admires -than I do the remarkable, almost unique, logical ability of the apostle; -but the very reason which prompted him to give forth that wonderful -letter to the Romans is the one which I offer in opposition to our -studying that same epistle. Paul was originally a shrewd man of the -world, and his conversion did not deprive him of his common sense and -tact. Writing to the church at Rome—a church whose members, judging by -the Roman mental constitution, must have been gained through appeals -logical rather than emotional—he met them upon their own ground, and -taught them and grounded them in belief through those faculties in them -which were most easily reached, and which, more than any others, would -retain the impressions formed upon them. Of all that Paul taught we -profess to be convinced; of what Christ taught we are not so well -informed, for the reason that it is Paul, rather than Christ, who is -preached from the pulpit. But here we are in a world and a state of -society in which,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> for righteousness' sake, we are less helped by -logically drawn dogma than by earnest injunction and pure example. We -<i>do</i> believe; what we need is to learn to lead the new life which that -belief implies; we need to have asserted, explained, and impressed upon -us the simple but comprehensive rules and gracious promises which Jesus -enounced during his life. The Sermon on the Mount begins with the -Beatitudes; which of us really <i>believes</i> in them as we do in Paul's -argument to the Romans? It continues and concludes with a number of -moral injunctions, all of which we practically reject, or at least -neglect; yet these bear directly on our daily intercourse with our -fellow-men, and our daily acts of all sorts. Why, St. Paul himself -apparently preached after this same model when he had to talk to men of -the world whose intelligence was not confined to a single groove, for we -read that when he preached—talked—to Felix, the governor, he reasoned -of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> Therefore I -move, for the good of those here assembled, and for the glory of God, -that this class proceed to the study of the Sermon on the Mount."</p> - -<p>There was a perceptible rustle and an active interchange of winks and -head-shakings as Mr. Alleman closed; but a dead silence was restored as -Dr. Humbletop slowly rose to his feet, cleared his throat, adjusted his -newly-polished glasses, and raised his voice.</p> - -<p>"My dear friends," said he, "having been an humble but earnest follower -of the Lord Jesus Christ for nearly half a century, I need not on this -occasion enter into a defense of myself against any possible insinuation -of lack of faith. Nor will any one doubt that I apprehend the great -value of the Sermon on the Mount; some of you will, perhaps, recall a -series of sermons which I preached a few years ago upon the Beatitudes. -But Jesus Christ was not merely a moral teacher; his great work was to -redeem the world from death by offering himself as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> propitiation for -their sins, and submitting himself unto death, even the shameful death -of the cross. His teachings were great, he spake as man never spake -before, but all this is as naught compared with the great work which he -finished upon Calvary. It is <i>this</i> that we need to study; it is for -this we should love and adore him. 'God so loved the world, that he gave -his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not -perish, but have eternal life.'"</p> - -<p>"I should like to ask Brother Humbletop if personal salvation is the -highest motive with which we should study the Bible?" said Mr. Alleman.</p> - -<p>It was evident that the question was a poser to the good doctor; the -very convexity and luster of his glasses served only to make his eyes -stare more aimlessly at nothing for a moment or two. He recovered -himself, however, and replied:</p> - -<p>"God, in his generosity, and doubtless in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> view of the needs of sinful -humanity, has ordered that the salvation of mankind should have been the -principal object of Christs coming upon earth; I am not here to -criticise my Maker."</p> - -<p>"And you know that no one else is," remarked Mr. Alleman, with not -inexcusable acerbity.</p> - -<p>"Question!" exclaimed several voices. The leader put the question, and -the amendment of Mr. Alleman was adopted by a considerable majority. -Again Dr. Humbletop got upon his feet.</p> - -<p>"My dear friends," said he, "I regret at this early hour to part from an -association from which I had fondly hoped to derive spiritual benefit, -but my sense of duty impels me to take such a step; the vote of the -class seems to indicate an estimate of Christ to which I should never -dare to commit myself—an estimate against which I must always protest. -Personally, I hold you all in high esteem; you shall <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>always be -remembered by me at the throne of grace, but upon the prime essential of -Christian fraternity we seem hopelessly at variance. In one way I doubt -not that your deliberations will tend toward good, but that way is not -the best way, and I must therefore regret it. I shall consider it my -duty to take steps toward the organization of a class upon what I -conceive to be a Christian basis, and in that class I shall always be -ready to heartily welcome any of you. Salvation through the atonement of -Christ is the central truth of the Bible; a body of students who examine -the Word from any other standpoint may be perfectly sincere and in -earnest, and they may constitute what may without unkind meaning be -called a Scripture Club, but they can never claim to be regarded as a -Bible class, in the proper acceptation of the term."</p> - -<p>The doctor gathered his cloak, hat, and cane, and retired with a -graceful but dignified bow; the class rose to its feet in some -confusion, and Squire Woodhouse exclaimed:</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p><p>"Scripture Club, eh? Well, its a good name."</p> - -<p>"That's so," said Mr. Alleman; "let's adopt it, and show the blessed old -man that names can't change natures."</p> - -<p>A general assent was sounded; not so noisy a one, perhaps, as that with -which the Dutch patriots of three hundred years ago accepted the -designation of "Beggars," cast at them by Spain, and destined to recoil -upon those who bestowed it; but the acclamation was nevertheless more -earnest and demonstrative than is common in churches, and it was perhaps -well that in the midst of it the dismissal of the Sunday-school -compelled parents who were members of the "Club" to hurry out in search -of their children.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II.</span> <span class="smaller">SOME SPIRITUAL DIFFERENCES.</span></h2> - -<p>The next meeting of the Scripture Club of Valley Rest was impatiently -looked forward to by all the club members. Although there were at that -time plenty of political theories to quarrel over, two or three fine -projects for new lines of lake navigation, and at least a dozen for -making of the neighboring city the greatest Western rival to New York, -conversation on these subjects was only fitful on the boats which -carried the business men of Valley Rest between their homes and the -city. Before the second Sunday of the existence of the class, each -member had in mind at least one religious topic upon which he wanted -full, exhaustive, and decisive discussion; he also in his innermost -heart, and sometimes on his lips, had the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> settled conviction that he -was just the man to speak the decisive word, and thus readjust human -thought to the newly-discovered requirements of eternal truth.</p> - -<p>Nor was excitement on religious topics confined to the members of the -club. Not a day of the week passed without bringing to Deacon Bates a -new candidate for admission. First came Mr. Hopper, who took -enthusiastic delight in whatever was new, whether in religion, politics, -medical theories, or popular smoking tobaccos. As Mr. Hopper was a rich -man, good Deacon Bates hastily assured him that the class would be -delighted to have him as a member, and Mr. Hopper graciously responded -by offering to read at the very first meeting a seventeen-page paper, -from a very heavy but comparatively new quarterly, on "The True Location -of the Holy Sepulchre." Then came Mr. Jodderel, who had once defrayed -the entire cost of producing a bulky pamphlet, the motive of which was -the probable final settlement of all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> departed spirits, in renewed -bodies, on some one of the terrestrial globes which he believed had been -in preparation from the foundation of the world. Mr. Jodderel more than -hinted that he would like to see considerable attention given to this -topic in the new class, and though good Leader Bates trembled at the -thought, having heard the same subject discussed in season and out of -season ever since Mr. Jodderel had made the coming peerless city of the -West his place of business, he was true to the sentiment which had led -to the formation of the class, and therefore gave Mr. Jodderel a hearty -fraternal welcome. Then, like Nicodemus, there came by night, and from -fear of the orthodox, Brother Prymm, to whom the slightest letter of the -law was of more importance than the whole of the spirit thereof. He had -made the matter of joining the class a subject of special prayer, he -said, and had made up his mind that if it were really the intention of -the members to encourage free speech and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>honestly search for the actual -truth regarding the will of God, it was his duty to join the class, and -serve his blessed Master to the extent of his poor abilities. Mr. Maddle -came next, and Leader Bates' heart gladdened to receive him, for Mr. -Maddle was one of the most successful organizers in the State; he had -planned and executed at least two remarkably successful campaigns in the -local political field, and had reorganized, out of nothing, more than -one shapeless business enterprise so admirably that the backers thereof -could not learn what they had expended, nor could the creditors discern -what they themselves had received. With such a man behind him, Leader -Bates rose superior to his own fears of the possible disintegration -which the diversity of views of his fellow-members had seemed to make -possible. And then, as if providentially sent to give the class the -impress and protection of the highest order of mentality, came Dr. -Fahrenglohz, Ph.D., Göttingen, who had additional repute as being a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> -good physician and a man who always paid his bills. All these were -present at the opening hour of the next meeting, and with them came -several people of the class which yields capital listeners, and proves -the wondrous capacity of the human mind for absorbing information -without ever being moved to lend any of it again to others.</p> - -<p>The meeting was opened with prayer. Deacon Bates remarked prefatorily -that such would be the proper thing in a class composed of adults, and -then he looked around hesitatingly for the proper man to make the first -formal committal of the class into the hands of the Lord; but Squire -Woodhouse saved him the trouble by springing to his feet and -volunteering to Heaven an address so concise that there remained nothing -unsaid. Then Bibles were distributed, and opened at the fifth chapter of -Matthew's Gospel, and every one looked unspeakably profound, though Mr. -Hopper had the presence of mind to place his hand beneath<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> his -coat-tails and take hold of the review containing the paper on "The True -Location of the Holy Sepulchre," so as to be ready in case occasion -offered.</p> - -<p>"Let us begin with the beatitudes," said the leader. "'Blessed are the -poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' By the way, I -would suggest that each member speaks in the order of his sitting. Mr. -Lottson," continued Deacon Bates, addressing the insurance president, -"whom do you suppose Jesus referred to as 'the poor in spirit'?"</p> - -<p>"Before answering that question," said Mr. Lottson, "I think attention -should be called to a passage in the opening of the chapter. It is said -that 'When he was set, <i>his disciples</i> came unto him. And he opened his -mouth and taught <i>them</i>, saying,' etc. Now, before we try to understand -this beautiful succession of blessings, we should realize whom they were -spoken to—to the disciples, who had left all and followed him, and -therefore to a set of men to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> whom he could say things which it would be -nonsensical for him to say to the common people and business men around -him. The disciples were out of business, and lived on their friends—it -was right enough for them to do so under the circumstances, but for this -very reason Jesus told them the things which nobody else could -understand. This sermon was preached to self-forgetting preachers, not -to men who had to make their living and take the world as they found it; -and I suppose the first beatitude meant to them just what it said. -<i>They</i> were poor in spirit—any man has to be, if he be willing to go -around without a cent in his pocket—but to pay them for it he gave them -the kingdom of heaven, that is, the church of which Christ is prophet, -priest, and king. It's the greatest charge in the world; all business -enterprises are nothing in comparison with it; but Jesus showed his -divine nature by giving them this, for while they managed it splendidly, -it's the only great affair in the world that a lot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> of poor-spirited men -could manage without running it into the ground."</p> - -<p>"That depends upon what 'poor in spirit' means," remarked Squire -Woodhouse. "President Lottson seems to think it's the same thing as -mean-spirited, but if it is, I can tell him that there's more money for -that kind of chaps in other businesses. Now I'm a farmer—my principal -crop is hay, and when my barn burned down last winter with eleven tons -loose and forty odd tons pressed, and I went to the insur——"</p> - -<p>"The members will please speak as called upon," said the leader, whose -watchful ear imagined it detected a personality in the immediate future -of the Squire's address. Squire Woodhouse subsided after a soft whisper -to his right-hand neighbor, which caused that gentleman to notice that -President Lottson's face was flushing a little, and his lips touching -each other more firmly than usual.</p> - -<p>"It seems to me," said Mr. Radley, who was next called upon, "that the -passage means just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> what it says. The kingdom of heaven means the place -we all hope to get to some day, and the poor in spirit are the people -who aren't touchy and don't put on airs Christ was a man of this kind -himself, and he knew by experience what he was talking about."</p> - -<p>"Then how did he come to call a lot of good church members vipers?" -demanded Squire Woodhouse, before the leader could bring him to order.</p> - -<p>"Because they <i>were</i> vipers," answered Mr. Radley. "Being poor in -spirit—humble—doesn't need to keep anybody from telling the truth. -It's your <i>high</i>-spirited chaps that do most of the lying in the -world—they do in business circles anyway."</p> - -<p>"Next," said Deacon Bates, and Captain Maile lifted up his voice.</p> - -<p>"Judging by the notions most people have of the kingdom of heaven," said -he, "I don't think anybody but poor-spirited people can ever want to go -there."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p><p>Next in order came Mr. Jodderel, and, as he afterward told his wife, he -breathed a small thank-offering to Heaven for preparing so perfect an -occasion for the presentation of his own theological pet.</p> - -<p>"I don't wonder," he said, "that my military friend turns up his nose at -the home-made heaven of most people, but I want him to understand that -it was no such place that the Lord was talking about. What did he mean -when he said, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, and inherit the kingdom -prepared for you from the foundation of the world'? What sensible man -imagines that the kingdom he spoke of meant any such place as Christians -talk about, or even the place where the Lord himself is? It can't be the -latter, for <i>that</i> wasn't prepared from the foundation of the world; it -existed long before, and didn't need any preparation. If he prepared the -kingdom from the foundation of the world, and made the sun, moon, and -stars when he founded the world<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>—a fact which I fully and implicitly -believe because it is recorded in the inspired Word—the kingdom must be -in some other sphere. And if, as astronomers say, and I have no reason -to doubt, these spheres are worlds, a great deal like ours, we will have -material bodies when we go to them."</p> - -<p>"And poor spirits?" queried the insurance president.</p> - -<p>"Yes!" exclaimed Mr. Jodderel fearlessly. "We can't go there without -first dying here, and I never yet saw a man on his death-bed who thought -a high spirit, or what men call a high spirit, had ever done him any -good."</p> - -<p>President Lottson tried to swallow a sigh which was a little too quick -for him; he had once or twice imagined himself on his own death-bed, and -had gained thereon some practical intimations which he had made haste to -forget when he got back to business. Mr. Prymm, who sat next to Mr. -Jodderel, cleared his throat and said:</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p><p>"I think we owe Mr. Lottson our thanks for calling our attention to an -important fact which has escaped general notice. The sermon <i>was</i> -undoubtedly preached to the disciples, and should be considered -accordingly; a great many mistakes of interpretation are doubtless due -to the habit of Christians in taking to themselves every saying of the -Lord and his prophets. I confess that the view advanced is so new a one -to me that I am unable at present to express any opinion upon it, but I -derive already this benefit from it—I learn anew how necessary it is to -pay close attention to the letter of the Word."</p> - -<p>"Then," said young Mr. Waggett, who sat next Mr. Prymm, and who was -principally remarkable for undeviating devotion to Number One, "then the -passage has nothing to do with the great affair of the salvation of our -own souls."</p> - -<p>"Supposing it hasn't," said Squire Woodhouse, in spite of the warning -glance of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> leader, "Sunday isn't a business day, and if we want to -talk about some of our best friends then there's no harm in doing so, -nor any time wasted either."</p> - -<p>"Brother Scott," said Deacon Bates. The young lawyer, who had been -exerting over himself a degree of control that was simply terrible, -considering his temptations to interruption, said:</p> - -<p>"May it please the class: There are some evident misunderstandings -abroad. Mr. Lottson's position is untenable, as the context of the same -sermon proves; no examination, according to the rules of evidence, can -fail to prove that the sermon was addressed to the whole people. The -passage cannot mean literally what it says, as Mr. Radley thinks, -because literally it is illogical, and had such been its intention it -could never have been accepted by that consistent apologist for the -integrity of the Scriptures, the Apostle Paul, whose mind was so -marvelously under control of the legal <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>instinct. Captain Maile's -assumption as to the general idea of heaven is utterly without support -from fact; for poverty of spirit is not the prevailing characteristic of -those whose opinions of heaven are verbally made manifest. As for Mr. -Jodderel's proposition, it involves the literal accuracy of the Book of -Genesis, which many orthodox Christians are unprepared to admit. Mr. -Prymm's notion that the sayings of Jesus may be wrongly taken by -individuals, as applying to themselves, is not in accordance with -logical deductions from other portions of Holy Writ. And how can Mr. -Waggett sustain his position that there is <i>any</i> eternal truth that is -not necessary to salvation?"</p> - -<p>A soft chorus of long-drawn breaths followed the delivery of this -speech, and then Squire Woodhouse said:</p> - -<p>"Well, now that you've knocked all the rest down, what are you going to -do yourself?"</p> - -<p>"That," replied Lawyer Scott, evidently pleased by the compliment but -puzzled by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> question, "cannot be answered as easily as it is asked, -and I must beg the gentleman's indulgence until I have time to prepare -my case."</p> - -<p>Mr. Buffle, founder of the class, was next in order, and admitted that -he could not see that Jesus, being a clear-headed man, could ever have -meant anything but what he said. He, Mr. Buffle, always said what he -meant, no matter whether he was talking to preachers, shippers, or the -deck-hands on his own boats; he had found that if a man said exactly -what he meant, the stupidest of people could understand him, while -smarter people needed no more. He would consider himself a fool if he -talked over the head of any one who was listening to him, and of course -Jesus couldn't have been foolish. He was very glad, though, to listen to -the many different views that had been advanced on the subject; they -proved just what he had always believed, that men would learn more about -a thing by hearing all sides of it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> than he could from the smartest -talker alive who knew only one side. He liked the liberality of the -members of the class; it was what he <i>called</i> liberality, to listen to -various views courteously, even if you couldn't accept them all or make -them agree.</p> - -<p>The question had now reached Dr. Fahrenglohz, and the members, both -liberal and narrow, prepared for something terrible. They knew, in -general, that he believed nothing that they themselves did; how then -could his own ideas be anything but dreadful?</p> - -<p>The doctor looked mildly from behind his very convex glasses, and said:</p> - -<p>"Jesus was a mystic. From the spiritual plane on which he lived it was -impossible for him to descend. He could say only that which he believed. -Pure-minded and wholly regardless of ordinary earthly interests, he -could not be a utilitarian, in the vulgar acceptation of the word. What -thought he, what thinks any philosopher, of how his theories may affect -the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> world? It is his duty to discover the truth, help or hinder -whomsoever it may, and to speak it as he understands it, not in such -fragments as other people may comprehend it. What did Buddha and Brahma? -They spoke, they gave forth that which originated with them."</p> - -<p>"And what did it all amount to?" asked Squire Woodhouse. "Business don't -amount to a row of pins among <i>their</i> followers, according to the -<i>Missionary Herald</i>, and virtue is worse off yet."</p> - -<p>The doctor smiled condescendingly. "'He that hath ears to hear, let him -hear' as <i>your</i> prophet says. Is virtue and good business always to be -found with those who sit under the words of Jesus?"</p> - -<p>"N-no," said the Squire, "and that's just what we're driving at. If the -words are understood—and followed—men can't help being good and -successful."</p> - -<p>"And so there is all the more need of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>careful, prayerful study of the -words," remarked Mr. Prymm.</p> - -<p>There was general disappointment, among those who had yet to speak, at -the lack of any startling heresy in the doctor's utterances. Builder -Stott in particular had felt that he might have an opportunity of -defending the faith which he so unhesitatingly accepted, at no matter -what intellectual difficulties, by abusing some heterodox utterance of -the doctor; but the doctors statements had seemed to him to resemble -either a sphere—and a hollow one—from which all projectiles would -glance harmlessly, or mere thin air, in which there was nothing to aim -at. So he could do nothing but assert his own orthodoxy.</p> - -<p>"I believe everything that Jesus said was meant just as it was spoken," -said he; "whether what we call common sense has got anything to do with -it or not, is none of our business. Of course we can't live up to it -all—we're born in sin and shapen in iniquity;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> our hearts are deceitful -above all things and desperately wicked—but what we can't do, he did -for us, by dying on the cross. <i>We</i> can never act according to his -teachings—we'd go to the poor-house or into our coffins as soon as we -attempted it. If we <i>could</i> do it, there wouldn't have been any need of -an atonement."</p> - -<p>"Then the atonement is an excuse for rascality, is it?" asked Captain -Maile. The Captain's own house had been erected by Builder Stott, and -many had been his complaints of features which had proved not in -accordance with the spirit of the contract.</p> - -<p>Leader Bates felt extremely uncomfortable; he never had liked -personalities, and hated them all the worse when they interfered with -that heavenly feeling which was to him the principal object of all -religious meetings. He made haste to call upon Mr. Alleman, and that -gentleman replied:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Leader, there can be no doubt that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> this passage was spoken to -living men, about living interests, and that it not only can be lived up -to by the exercise of such qualities as men already have, but that it -<i>must</i> be treated and respected as truth if men do not wish the disgrace -and penalties of hypocrisy. Of what consequence is it to true -righteousness if men will or will not reconcile scriptural injunctions -with business desires? Bring business up to truth, not truth down to -business, is the earthly application of Christ's teachings."</p> - -<p>"That," said Builder Stott, "may be all right in running a first-class -academy, but you can't run the building business on any such basis."</p> - -<p>The hour for dismission was reached at that instant, with Mr. Hopper -still nervously shaking the coat-tail pocket which contained the review -with the article on the "True Location of the Holy Sepulchre." Two or -three of the members departed, but the greater number stood about and -discussed the discussion.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p><p>"Well, everybody had a chance to speak his mind," said Mr. President -Lottson.</p> - -<p>"That's so," said Mr. Buffle, founder of the class, rubbing his hands -enthusiastically. "Nobody was afraid of his neighbor's opinions."</p> - -<p>"There seemed a general disposition to view the subject from all -points," remarked Mr. Prymm.</p> - -<p>"Not much regard paid to evidence," said young Lawyer Scott, "but still -an evident willingness to open the case fairly."</p> - -<p>"There was not a proper interest displayed in the future location of the -soul," complained Mr. Jodderel; "still the members acted like good -listeners."</p> - -<p>"There was a little too much talking back," said Mr. Radley; "men should -be more careful about treading on each other's corns. But there was a -real, liberal spirit shown throughout, and that's what religious -societies need."</p> - -<p>"Men shouldn't <i>have</i> corns, if they don't want them trodden on," said -Captain Maile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> "I won't complain, though—I never saw so little -narrowness in so large a religious gathering."</p> - -<p>"I take great delight in recalling the conference we have had," said Dr. -Fahrenglohz. "I supposed, when I heard of this association, that it -would not bear the test of differences of opinions, but I am grateful -for the respect shown to me, and pleased at the courtesy displayed -toward others."</p> - -<p>Squire Woodhouse waited until Mr. Alleman disappeared, and then burst -into a small group exclaiming:</p> - -<p>"Now, I like Alleman first rate—all of my children go to his -academy—but I <i>do</i> wonder whether he could run a farm with those -notions of his? I'm glad the class listened respectfully, though—it -showed that nobody was afraid that a little liberality would hurt any one."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III.</span> <span class="smaller">FREE SPEECH.</span></h2> - -<p>The members of the Scripture Club did not put off their holy interest -with their Sunday garments, as people of the world do with most things -religious. When the little steamboat <i>Oakleaf</i> started on her Monday -morning trip for the city, the members of the Scripture Club might be -identified by their neglect of the morning papers and their tendency to -gather in small knots and engage in earnest conversation. In a corner -behind the paddle-box, securely screened from wind and sun, sat Mr. -Jodderel and Mr. Prymm, the latter adoring with much solemn verbosity -the sacred word, and the former piling text upon text to demonstrate the -final removal of all the righteous to a new state of material existence -in a better<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> ordered planet. In the one rocking-chair of the cabin sat -insurance President Lottson, praising to Mr. Hopper, who leaned -obsequiously upon the back of the chair and occasionally hopped -vivaciously around it, the self-disregard of the disciples, and the -evident inability of anyone within sight to follow their example. The -prudent Waggett was interviewing Dr. Fahrenglotz, who was going to -attend the meeting of a sort of Theosophic Society, composed almost -entirely of Germans, and was endeavoring to learn what points there -might be in the Doctor's belief which would make a man wiser unto -salvation, while Captain Maile stood by, a critical listener, and -distributed pitying glances between the two. Well forward, but to the -rear of the general crowd, stood Deacon Bates in an attitude which might -have seemed conservative were it not manifestly helpless, Mr. Buffle -with the smile peculiar to the successful business man, Lawyer Scott, -with the air of a man who had so much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> to say that time could not -possibly suffice in which to tell it all, Squire Woodhouse, who was in -search of a good market for hay, Principal Alleman, who was in chase of -an overdue shipment of text-books, and Mr. Radley, who with indifferent -success was filling the self-assigned roll of moderator of the little -assemblage.</p> - -<p>"Nothing settled by the meeting?" said Mr. Buffle, echoing a despondent -suggestion by Deacon Bates. "Of course not. You don't suppose that what -theologians have been squabbling over for two thousand years can be -settled in a day, do you? We made a beginning and that's a good half of -anything. Why, I and every other man that builds boats have been hard at -work for years, looking for the best model, and we haven't settled the -question yet. We're in earnest about it—we can't help but be, for -there's money in it, and while we're waiting we do the next best -thing—we use the best ones we know about."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p><p>"Don't you think you'd get at the model sooner, if some of you weren't -pig-headed about your own, and too fond of abusing each other's?" asked -Mr. Radley.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," admitted Mr. Buffle, "and that's why I wanted us to get up -a Bible-class like the one we have. If everybody will try to see what's -good in his neighbors theories and what's bad in his own, his -fortune—his religion, I mean—is a sure thing. Fiddling on one string -always makes a thin sort of a tune."</p> - -<p>"There were a good many small tunes begun yesterday, then," observed -Squire Woodhouse.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Mr. Buffle, "I thought something of the kind, myself, but a -man can't break an old habit to pieces all at once. Things will be -different before long, though."</p> - -<p>"There is no reason why they shouldn't," said Principal Alleman, -"excepting one reason that's stronger than any other. You can't get to -the bottom of any of the sayings of Christ,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> the Prophets or the -Apostles without finding that they mean, Do Right. And when you reach -that point, what is in the man and not what is in the book comes into -play, or, rather, it always should but seldom does."</p> - -<p>"I suppose that's so," said Mr. Buffle, soberly.</p> - -<p>"In and of ourselves we can do nothing," remarked Deacon Bates.</p> - -<p>"It's very odd, then, that we should have been told to do so much," -replied Principal Alleman.</p> - -<p>"It was to teach us our dependence upon a higher power," said Deacon -Bates, with more than his usual energy.</p> - -<p>"Are we only to be taught, and never to learn, then?" asked Principal -Alleman. "Some of my pupils seem to think so, but those who depend least -upon the teacher and act most fully up to what they have been taught are -the ones I call my best scholars."</p> - -<p>Deacon Bates's lower lip pushed up its neighbor; in the school-room, the -Principal's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> theory might apply, but in religion it was different, or he -(Deacon Bates) had always been mistaken, and this possibility was not to -be thought of for an instant. Fortunately for his peace of mind, the -boat touched her city dock just then, and from that hour until five in -the afternoon, when he left his store for the boat, religious theories -absented themselves entirely from Deacon Bates's mind.</p> - -<p>The last meeting of the class was still the most popular subject of -conversation among the members, however, and interest of such a degree -could not help be contagious. Other residents of Valley Rest, -overhearing some of the chats between the members, expressed a desire to -listen to the discussions of the class, and to all was extended a hearty -welcome, without regard to race, color, or previous condition of -religious servitude, and all were invited to be doers as well as -hearers. So at the next session appeared ex-Judge Cottaway, who had -written a book and was a vestryman of St. Amos <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>Parish, Broker Whilcher, -who worshipped with the Unitarians but found them rather narrow, and -Broker Whilcher's bookkeeper, who read Herbert Spencer, and could not -tell what he himself believed, even if to escape the penalty of death. -Various motives brought men from other churches, including even one from -Father McGarry's flock, and all of them were assured that they might say -whatever they chose, provided only that they believed it.</p> - -<p>"Shall we continue our consideration of last Sunday's lesson?" asked -Deacon Bates, after the opening prayer had been offered. "We have some -new members, and should therefore have some additional views to -consider."</p> - -<p>"Let's hear everybody," said Captain Maile. "If we talk as long about -this verse as we'll <i>have</i> to talk before we reach any agreement, we'll -all die before we can reach the square up-and-down verses that are -further along in this same sermon."</p> - -<p>"If the class has no objection to offer, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> will continue our study of -the third verse of the fifth chapter of Matthew, and those who spoke on -last Sunday will allow the newer members and others an opportunity to -make their views known." As Deacon Bates spoke, his eye rested warningly -on Mr. Jodderel.</p> - -<p>"I think," said Mr. Jodderel, "that the new members ought to know what -ideas have already been presented, so as to throw any new light upon -them, if they can. The nature of the kingdom of heaven, now, is the most -important question suggested by the lesson, and——"</p> - -<p>"It won't be of the slightest consequence to anyone," interrupted -Principal Alleman, "unless they first comply with the condition which -the verse imposes upon those who want to reach the kingdom."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't be too sure of that," remarked President Lottson, "while -Jesus said that the poor in spirit should have the kingdom of heaven, He -didn't say that no one else should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> share it with them. What is written -doesn't always express all that is meant."</p> - -<p>"It doesn't in insurance policies, anyhow," said Squire Woodhouse, "when -my barn burned——"</p> - -<p>"Time is precious, my brethren," said Deacon Bates hastily, scenting a -personality, "I will therefore ask Judge Cottaway for his opinion of the -passage."</p> - -<p>"I think," said the Judge, with that impressive cough which is the -rightful indulgence of a man who has written a volume on the rules of -evidence, "that 'poor in spirit' undoubtedly means unassuming, rightly -satisfied with what is their due, mindful of the fact that human nature -is so imperfect that whatever a man obtains is probably more than he -deserves. They can not be the meek, for special allusion is made to the -meek in this same group of specially designated persons. Neither can it -refer to people who are usually called poor-spirited persons, to wit, -those who are too <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>devoid of what is commonly designated as spirit, for -these are properly classified as peace-makers, and have a similar though -not identical blessing promised to them."</p> - -<p>"The class owes its thanks to the Judge for his clear definition of the -term 'poor in spirit," said Mr. Jodderel, "and if he can be equally -distinct upon the expression 'kingdom of heaven' he will put an end to a -great deal of senseless blundering."</p> - -<p>"I know of but one definition," said the Judge, "heaven is the abode of -God and the angels, and of those who are finally saved."</p> - -<p>"Ah, but <i>where</i> is it? <i>that's</i> the question this class wants -answered," said Mr. Jodderel, twisting his body and craning his head -forward as he awaited the answer.</p> - -<p>"Really," said the Judge, "you must excuse me. I don't know where it is, -and I can't see that study as to its locality can throw any light upon -the lesson."</p> - -<p>This opinion, delivered by an ex-Judge, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> had written a book on rules -of evidence, would have quieted almost anyone else, and the members' -faces expressed a sense of relief as they thought that Mr. Jodderel also -would be quieted. But Mr. Jodderel was not one of the faint-hearted, and -in his opinion faint-heartedness and quietness were one and the same -thing.</p> - -<p>"No light upon the lesson?" echoed Mr. Jodderel. "Why, what is the Bible -for, if not to inform us of our destiny? What is this world but a place -of preparation for another? And how can we prepare ourselves unless we -know what our future place and duty is to be?"</p> - -<p>"Next!" exclaimed Deacon Bates with more than his usual energy, and Mr. -Jodderel sank back into his chair and talked angrily with every feature -but his mouth, and with his whole body besides. "Mr. Whilcher has some -new ideas to present, no doubt," continued the leader, bracing himself -somewhat firmly in his chair, for the Deacon naturally expected an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> -assault from a man of Mr. Whilcher's peculiar views.</p> - -<p>"Poverty of spirit seems to me to be old English for modesty," said Mr. -Whilcher, "We know very little, comparatively, of the great designs of -God, and about as little of the intentions of our fellow-men, so we -should be very careful how we question our maker or criticise our -neighbors. No human being would appreciate divine perfection if he saw -it; no man can give his fellow-men full credit for what they <i>would</i> do, -if they were angels, and are sorry because they can't do. I think the -passage means that only by that modesty, that self-repression, by which -alone a man can accept the inevitable as decreed by God, and forbear -that fault-finding which comes fully as easy as breathing, can a man be -fitted for the companionship of the loving company which awaits us all -in the next world."</p> - -<p>"Whereabouts?" asked Mr. Jodderel.</p> - -<p>Half-a-dozen members filibustered at once,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> and Mr. Jodderel was -temporarily suppressed, after which Squire Woodhouse remarked:</p> - -<p>"Well, now, that sounds first rate—I never knew before that Unitarians -had such good religion in them—no harm meant, you know, Whilcher."</p> - -<p>"Now let us hear from Mr. Bungfloat," said Deacon Bates.</p> - -<p>Mr. Bungfloat, bookkeeper to Mr. Whilcher, hopelessly explored his -memory for something from Herbert Spencer that would bear upon the -subject, but finding nothing at hand, he quoted some expressions from -John Stuart Mills' essay on "Nature," and was hopelessly demoralized -when he realized that they did not bear in the remotest manner upon the -topic under consideration. Then Deacon Bates announced that the subject -was open for general remark and comment. Mr. Jodderel was upon his feet -in an instant, though the class has no rule compelling the members to -rise while speaking.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Leader," said he, "everybody has spoken, but nobody has settled -the main question, which is, where is the 'kingdom of heaven?' Everybody -knows who the poor in spirit are; any one who didn't know when we began -has now a lot of first class opinions to choose from. But where and what -is heaven—<i>that</i> is what we want to know."</p> - -<p>A subdued but general groan indicated the possibility that Mr. Jodderel -was mistaken as to the desires of the class. Meanwhile, young Mr. Banty, -who had been to Europe, and listened to much theological debate in cafés -and beer-gardens, remarked.</p> - -<p>"I'm not a member of this respected body, but I seem to be included in -the chairman's invitation. I profess to be a man of the world—I've been -around a good deal—and I never could see that the poor in spirit -amounted to a row of pins. If they're fit for heaven they ought to be -fit for something on this side of that undiscovered locality."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p><p>"Discovered millions upon millions of times, bless the Lord," -interrupted Squire Woodhouse.</p> - -<p>"Well, the discoverers sent no word back, at any rate," said young Mr. -Banty, "so there's one view which I think ought to be considered; isn't -it possible that Jesus was mistaken?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Prymm turned pale and Deacon Bates shivered violently, while a low -hum and a general shaking of heads showed the unpopularity of young Mr. -Banty's idea.</p> - -<p>"The class cannot entertain such a theory for an instant," answered -Deacon Bates, as soon as he could recover his breath, "though it -encourages the freest expression of opinion."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" remarked Mr. Banty, with a derisive smile. The tone in which this -interjection was delivered put the class upon its spirit at once.</p> - -<p>"Our leader means exactly what he says,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> said Mr. Jodderel; "any honest -expression of opinion is welcome here."</p> - -<p>"If such were not the case," said Mr. Prymm, "a rival class would not -have been formed."</p> - -<p>"And none of us would have learned how many sides there are to a great -question," said Mr. Buffle.</p> - -<p>"Larger liberty wouldn't be possible," said Builder Stott. "Why, I've -just had to shudder once in awhile, but the speakers meant what they -said, and I rejoiced that there was somewhere where they could say it."</p> - -<p>"I've said everything <i>I've</i> wanted to," remarked Squire Woodhouse.</p> - -<p>"That's so," exclaimed insurance President Lottson.</p> - -<p>"I havn't seen any man put down," testified Captain Maile, "and I don't -yet understand what to make of it."</p> - -<p>"Nobody could ask a fairer show," declared Mr. Radley.</p> - -<p>"The utmost courtesy has been displayed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> toward me," said Dr. -Fahrenglotz, "although I am conscious my views are somewhat at variance -with those of others."</p> - -<p>"The nature of proof has not been as clearly understood as it should -have been," said young Lawyer Scott; "but no one has lacked opportunity -to express his sentiments."</p> - -<p>"So far from fault being found with the freedom of speech," said Mr. -Alleman, "the sentiment of the class is, I think, that the expression of -additional individual impressions would have been cordially welcomed, as -they will also hereafter be."</p> - -<p>Young Mr. Banty felt himself to be utterly annihilated, and the pillars -of the class looked more stable and enduring than ever, and felt greatly -relieved when the session ended, and they could congratulate each other -on the glorious spirit of liberty which had marked their collective -deliberations. And when Squire Woodhouse dashed impetuously from the -room,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> and returned to report that Dr. Humbletop's class consisted of -one solitary pupil, several of the members unconsciously indulged in -some hearty hand-shaking.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV.</span> <span class="smaller">A SOLEMN HOUR COMPLETELY SPOILED.</span></h2> - -<p>The Scripture Club of Valley Rest, on the fourth day of its assembling, -found itself a fixed and famous institution. Some of the members had at -first regretted that no one of the smaller rooms in the church edifice -was unoccupied at the hour of session; but this regret was soon -abandoned, for the reason that neither the pastors study nor the regular -Bible class-room, had either been available at the noon-day hour, would -have been large enough to accommodate the class and its visitors. The -main audience-room was the only one which was adequate to the -requirements of the class. When the benediction was pronounced after the -morning sermon, a large portion of the congregation remained, and, -instead of chatting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> leisurely with the occupants of neighboring pews -and preventing the exit of unsociable people, they hurried to the seats -nearest the corner occupied by the class. Even then, those who came last -were occasionally compelled to exclaim "Louder!" for the attendants of -the Second Church did not compose the entire body of hearers. Members of -the five other churches in the town, though loath to depart from their -denominational associations and pride so far as to worship elsewhere, -were not only without scruples against listening to an informal body -like the Scripture Club, but hurried from their own places of worship to -the Second Church, and some of them were suspected even of staying away -from their own services in order to reach the Scripture Club in time to -secure good seats.</p> - -<p>The effect of all this upon the Club was stimulating in high degree. Its -first effect was to decrease whatever tendency to personality existed; -whatever might be the week-day<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> opinions of the members about each -other, on Sunday every one tacitly agreed to the application of the -Satanic rule that religion is religion, and business is business. Some -special effort was necessary to bring Squire Woodhouse to forget, for an -hour in the week, his burned barn and the action of President Lottson's -insurance company; but finally the Squire's pride closed his lips upon -this tender subject. Members, who before had possessed no religious -ideas excepting those they had adopted at second-hand, now began to -think for themselves, and being men of natural wits well sharpened by -business experience, they speedily developed theories of their own, and -strengthened their own pet positions. The few religious books of -reference in the village library—many of them having once been gladly -given to the library by the very men who now sought them—were in demand -at early morn and dewy eve, pastors' libraries were ransacked, and some -members even consulted booksellers, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>purchased works bearing upon -their own special lines of thought and belief. Respect for the ideas of -others did not necessarily imply assent, so discussion was frequent and -animated. Champions of the faith—as delivered unto themselves—were -numerous, and assailants of the truth as held by the orthodox were in -sufficient numbers to keep their antagonists from lapsing into a -condition of mere assertion. And over and around everything, like a -glorious halo, was the assurance, always prominent, that free speech -would not only be welcomed, but that the lack of it, from any motive of -fear or conservatism, would greatly be regretted by every member.</p> - -<p>The discussion of the first beatitude consumed the time of four entire -sessions, and during all these days it was in vain that Mr. Hopper -carried the review containing the paper on "The True Location of the -Holy Sepulchre." When, on the fifth day, Deacon Bates asked whether any -other members had anything to say on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> subject under consideration, -Captain Maile made answer:</p> - -<p>"Call it a drawn fight, and give it up at that; if any man here <i>had</i> -been whipped, he wouldn't know it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, come, come!" said Squire Woodhouse, "I'll join issue with you on -that. <i>I</i> want to know what 'poor in spirit' means, and have a share in -the kingdom of heaven——"</p> - -<p>"But you don't want to know where or what the kingdom is," interrupted -Mr. Jodderel.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do; but I want first to know what poor in spirit means. I feel -pretty sure about it now, but——"</p> - -<p>"That's it, exactly," said Captain Maile. "But—but you don't want to be -anything that interferes with business. Give us something easier, Mr. -Leader."</p> - -<p>There were some indignant whispers of dissent, but none of them were -audible enough to attract the attention of the class, and Deacon Bates -read the next verse.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p>"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted," read Deacon -Bates. "Brother Prymm, will you open the discussion of this beatitude?"</p> - -<p>"There is none other more precious to the earthly nature," said Mr. -Prymm, "and yet the passage proves the comprehensiveness peculiar to -inspired words. Sin and perplexity are the lot of all mortals, and they -bring trouble with them; but the single sorrow which raises man up to -God, and brings God down to man, is mourning. It may be done from sinful -causes—upon earth—but whatever the cause, the act itself shows us how -near God is to us, and what are his sentiments usward. He knows from the -greatness and purity of his own nature how intense this sentiment may -be, and his sympathy shows itself so tenderly in no other way as by this -promise, that he will come to his children and comfort them when they -are in sorrow. What an evidence of the need of a God does this promise -afford! Where else can we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> turn for true comfort when in trouble? -Earthly friends lack that knowledge of us from which alone true sympathy -can come; the pleasure of the flesh can give us nothing better than -temporary forgetfulness; but the divine sympathy is perfect in its -knowledge, timely and appropriate in its expression, and incalculable in -its force and endurance."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to offer my weak testimony in support of the remarks of -Brother Prymm," said Builder Stott, who came next in the order of -rotation. "I have had my sad experiences in this world,—all of you have -had yours, I suppose,—but it seems to me that mine have been peculiar. -I've trusted men and been swindled by them. I've been abused for things -that I never thought of doing. I've lost dear ones that left places that -have never been filled and never can be, and I have found no one whose -words could be more than a mockery—one that wasn't intended, of course, -but that hurt just as badly as if it had. It has been only when on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> my -knees, or praying silently as I walked the street, that I found a -sympathizing friend. There can be no doubt in <i>me</i> about what that -passage means—I know all about it by blessed experience."</p> - -<p>"So do I," said Mr. Buffle. "I've been what men call fortunate in this -world's affairs, but if any one here thinks that money can buy exemption -from misery, I want to tell him that he's greatly mistaken. I lost a -child two or three years ago—some of you remember her; I'd have changed -places with the cheapest workman in my shipyard—yes, the most miserable -beggar in the street—if by doing so I could have brought her back -again. But money couldn't do it, and, as our friend Stott has just -remarked, the best of earthly friends couldn't take the sting away. I -can't say that God's comfort came just when I most wanted it, but God is -good and wise; he sent it when he thought best, and it was full of -blessing when it came. It doesn't heal wounds to be comforted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> by -Heaven—the wounds remain as tender as ever; but the pain and the -feeling of hopelessness depart, and a man is made to feel like the -wounded soldier, or the wrecked, starved sailor when help comes—he -<i>knows</i> he has a friend to lean upon."</p> - -<p>Mr. Buffle felt for his handkerchief and applied it to his eyes; an -operation which, in spite of his great-heartedness, he seldom had -occasion to perform in public: meanwhile Broker Whilcher said:</p> - -<p>"I don't agree with every one here, as most of you know; but the -beautiful promise which forms the subject of our lesson to-day has been -fulfilled to me. I can't explain how, but I profess to be too much of a -man to deny what I learn by experience, even when I can't ascertain who -my teacher is. My own great ups and downs of life have been principally -social, and, as has been remarked by others, they are the hardest of any -to bear. And somehow—I wish I <i>could</i> learn how—I have been helped, -soothed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> sustained, whenever I could abandon myself to the influence of -whatever higher power it is that looks to the hearts of men and sees -that they are not entirely crushed."</p> - -<p>"The older a man grows in years and experience," said Judge Cottaway, -without his official cough, "the greater his experience of sorrow. The -exercise of wisdom may prevent some troubles that carelessness and -ignorance may induce, but even then there is more of misery in life than -any human influences can avert. I believe, after much deliberation upon -the evidence adduced from the affairs of men, that the Comforter is also -the one who afflicts in many cases; but so certain am I of his wisdom -and goodness that I would never avert his chastening hand. The cry of -Christ in the garden, 'O, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup -pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt,' should be -the sentiment of every one that is in affliction. That more bitter cry -that was sounded from the Cross may also be, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>without sin, re-echoed by -the human soul in trouble; but every one learns, by blessed experience, -that the soul is never forsaken, and that our sorrows are known to -Heaven better than they are to ourselves."</p> - -<p>Mr. Jodderel sat next, and Squire Woodhouse whispered to his nearest -neighbor:</p> - -<p>"Too bad; he'll bring in the kingdom of heaven and pit it against the -Ring." But to the astonishment of every one, Mr. Jodderel said only:</p> - -<p>"No one knows more of this blessed Comforter than I. My childish days -were heavily clouded; I was abused in youth; I am misunderstood now; I -have lost dear ones; a long procession has preceded me to the grave, -each member of it leaving my heart more lonely than before, and the time -has come when I am too old to search for new friends and dear ones. But -upon my knees, or as I commune with him upon my bed in the night season, -or when I read his precious promises given by word of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> mouth or through -his holy prophets, I find consolation and hope and cheer, and forget -that I am a lonely old man in an unsympathetic world."</p> - -<p>"Captain Maile?" said Leader Bates, and the ex-warrior responded:</p> - -<p>"Everything I have heard this morning agrees with my own experience, and -no matter what doubters may say and hypocrites may help them to make -people believe, I can never forget the special blessings I have received -in affliction, and when I have least expected them."</p> - -<p>Squire Woodhouse sat next to Captain Maile, and joined in the general -acknowledgment by saying:</p> - -<p>"You all know me, my friends; you know I've often had a pretty hard row -to hoe, for often it's been in a shape that hoeing couldn't help. But -when the worst has come, and I couldn't do anything but stand still and -endure it; when I couldn't shake it off, or forget it, or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> improve it -any way, there came in just when I couldn't expect it, or see how it -could happen even with God managing it; when every one I leaned on -failed me, and I had to shut myself up in my own miserable heart—then -there came a visitor that made himself at home, helped me, changed me, -made a new man of me, and showed me that the worst chance of man is the -best one for God—blessings on his holy name forever."</p> - -<p>Then Dr. Fahrenglotz said:</p> - -<p>"For myself, I have no family ties. I never knew my parents, for they -entered into the unknowable while I was yet a babe; I have had neither -brother nor sister, but I have had friends, and they have passed away, -leaving my heart as empty as if it had never contained any other -denizen. I have felt the last pulsation of the heart-dealings of many of -you, and have watched you afterward with a solicitude which it might -have seemed officious for me to have expressed. And to myself and to -others I have known true,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> mysterious comfort to come, I know not from -where; the great outer, the intangible envelope of the human heart, is -hidden from my sight and thought; but from it I know there comes a -subtle mystery whose influence transcends that of mortals, and which -influence is tender, soothing, and lasting—an influence which I cannot -characterize more aptly than to say that it must come from some one or -some principle of nature akin to that of Him whom most religious bodies -denominate The Great Physician."</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, gentlemen," said young Mr. Banty, who had come in late, and -had, sorely against his will, been compelled to occupy a seat among -those whom he called "the Saints;" "Excuse me; I didn't come in to say -anything to-day, but, things going as they are, I can't be quiet. I went -abroad a year ago; most of you know why. There was a lady in the -question. She died; I suppose it was best for her, for I didn't, in the -slightest degree, begin to be fit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> for her, but her death didn't hurt me -any the less. I haven't, since then, been as good a man as I should have -been. I don't mind saying that the ways in which I've tried to forget my -trouble haven't been such as have done me any good. But as everybody -else has opened his heart to-day, I wouldn't be a bit of a man if I kept -mine shut. I want to say that when I have a quiet hour, and get to -thinking about that girl, there's something happens that I don't -understand, but I'm very thankful for. I got to be a great deal less -despairing, though, at the same time, I think a great deal more tenderly -about <i>her</i>. I lose my ugliness at losing her; I see how much better it -was for <i>her</i>; I see how things had better go as they should than as <i>I</i> -want them, and I come out of that time less willing to go on a spree, -less anxious to see the boys, and more anxious to go on thinking than to -do anything else."</p> - -<p>The order of rotation demanded that the next<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> speaker should be Mr. -Alleman, and that gentleman remarked:</p> - -<p>"I am heartily glad to see that there is one ground upon which all of us -can meet. Those of you who know me know what frequent occasion I have -had to learn all that you have learned of the unspeakable power of a -comforting God. I have instinctively passed the greater portion of my -life in my affections, for I know of no other sentiment which is so -all-comprehensive; and through these I have found daily new causes for -mourning. We are informed by Jesus that the greatest of all commandments -is that enjoining love toward God, and that the second is like unto it, -'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' To try to fulfill this -command is to have constant incentives to mournfulness. Every day I have -them, from some cause heretofore unexpected, and the causes involve so -many other people in troubles, which might be avoided, and for which I -can blame only myself, that but for the presence of the Comforter I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -would be driven to despair or madness. What a tremendous responsibility -rests upon us, my friends, in this our greatest relation to humanity, -and how impossible it would be to endure it unless aided by a power -greater than our own. I cannot, by any words, express my satisfaction at -hearing so many men, and, in other religious matters, men of such -differing views, testify to the unfailing promptness of the Great -Sympathizer. And I should be glad to hear a wider expression of -experiences, and assure myself that, in troubles outside the range -purely personal, my fellow-beings enjoy the comfort that I do. I am -confident that the recital of such experiences would strengthen every -one for greater works of humanity and love."</p> - -<p>There was a dead silence for several minutes, and the leader finally -relieved the uncomfortable sensation of the members by asking:</p> - -<p>"Has any one any other remarks to offer?"</p> - -<p>No one responded.</p> - -<p>"The next lesson, which we will hardly have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> time to begin to-day, will -be upon the third beatitude," said Deacon Bates. "The class may consider -itself dismissed, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"Now, <i>wasn't</i> that just like Alleman?" asked Squire Woodhouse of -Captain Maile. "We were having the most heavenly time I ever did know -inside of a church, and he utterly ruined it."</p> - -<p>"The rest of you didn't act a bit as if you'd ruined yourselves, did -you?" asked the Captain, in reply.</p> - -<p>"Why, how?" asked the Squire.</p> - -<p>"Eyes have they, but they see not," answered the Captain, starting -abruptly for his carriage.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V.</span> <span class="smaller">FAMILIAR SOUNDS.</span></h2> - -<p>The members of the club spent a whole week in trying to recover from the -bad effects of Mr. Alleman's peculiar and untimely harangue, and even -then they did not succeed.</p> - -<p>"We were getting into such an unusual, such a heavenly state of mind," -explained Mr. Hopper, "and the Lord knows that heavenly states of mind -are scarce enough anywhere under the best of circumstances. We were -forgetting all the tricks, the games that had been come upon us in the -discussion of other points on which the brethren had made up their -minds, and picked out their trees to hide behind; and we were having -just the happy, quiet, sympathetic time which a man knows how to -appreciate when he's knocked about the world for a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> while, when -all of a sudden Alleman must come in, and spring some of his peculiar -notions upon us. I don't see why the Lord lets such men torment the -world about religious affairs. They're good enough in every other way."</p> - -<p>Other members of the class wondered also; and when, on the following -Sunday, Deacon Bates asked if any one else had any remarks to make on -the late lesson, nobody answered. So the leader read:</p> - -<p>"'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.' Judge -Cottaway"—the Deacon had skillfully inveigled the Judge into a front -seat before the discussion began, so as to have a strong and respectable -opening—"we would be glad to learn your views of this passage."</p> - -<p>"I take it to mean," answered the Judge, "that meekness is a virtue so -highly esteemed by the Almighty, that he offers, as an incentive to its -cultivation, the most highly valued of earthly inducements. Meekness -seems to be the antithesis, the exact opposite of strife, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> so much -of strife is so causeless and harmful, yet so attractive to the ordinary -mind, that those who indulge in it are by this passage warned by -implication. Meekness is not a virtue of such greatness as poverty of -spirit, as may be inferred from the smaller reward promised to those who -practice it, and——"</p> - -<p>"I want to correct the gentleman right there," exclaimed Mr. Jodderel. -"What earth are they to inherit? <i>This</i> earth? Why, everybody laughs at -that notion. A man's got to fight awfully hard to get anything in this -world, and harder yet to keep whatever he gets. The path of meekness -leads but to the poor-house. The earth alluded to evidently means the -new earth, which, in the Revelation, John beheld, in connection with the -new heaven. That new earth appeared after the destruction of the old -one; and for what could it have appeared but to be populated by the -redeemed spirits from this? <i>That</i> was the kingdom of heaven, and the -text before us evidently refers to it. 'The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> meek shall inherit the -earth;' the apostles, to whom this passage was spoken, needed no more -definite expression about the matter, of which the Master doubtless had -spoken many times with them. The whole passage seems to me an exact -repetition of the one before it, just to give emphasis to the first."</p> - -<p>"I wonder if that's exactly straight?" remarked Squire Woodhouse, more -with the air of a man in a soliloquy than one asking a question. "If -there <i>is</i> a way of inheriting the earth, or even a little piece of it, -I'd like to know all about it; but if its only the next world that the -passage refers to——"</p> - -<p>"If it refers only to the next world, you're not in such a hurry to -understand it," interrupted Captain Maile.</p> - -<p>"We—ell," drawled the Squire, "that isn't exactly the way I was going -to finish off, but I guess it's pretty near the truth. It <i>don't</i> sound -well either, does it?"</p> - -<p>"Brother Prymm?" said Deacon Bates, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> the champion of orthodoxy -responded to the invitation by saying,</p> - -<p>"The meek are undoubtedly those who follow the non-resistant injunctions -which are found everywhere in the New Testament; they are the men who -when one cheek is struck turn the other also, who render not railing for -railing."</p> - -<p>"And who, when the coat is taken, will offer the cloak also," added -Captain Maile.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Mr. Prymm, with rather a wry face, "though I cannot, -with any present light, see how the latter course would be practical and -judicious. The other injunctions are but amplifications of the inspired -saying, 'A soft answer turneth away wrath,' but how property rights can -be maintained at all, if the injunction quoted by Captain Maile were -followed, I am unable to see."</p> - -<p>"It wouldn't work in the steamboat business," declared Mr. Buffle. "It's -hard enough to get the worth of your money, even when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> men promise to -pay; but if a man were to understand that by stealing one of my -tug-boats he would have a right to expect a first-class lake packet as a -present, I'd have to go out of business within a fortnight."</p> - -<p>"I'm inclined to think the passage in question must be an interpolation -by one of Christ's reporters," said President Lottson, who had been -taking a cautious course of Matthew Arnold.</p> - -<p>"Why, if <i>I</i> were to live up to that injunction," said Builder Stott, -"folks would want to modify their house plans every day. In fact they do -it now. The moment I try to oblige a man by giving a little more than -his contract calls for, he wants something else. Women in particular are -perfectly awful that way; they——"</p> - -<p>"Ladies are present," remarked Lawyer Scott, who was considerable of a -ladies' man.</p> - -<p>"Just think of a broker trying to do business in that way!" exclaimed -Broker Whilcher.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p><p>"Or a man whose principal crop is hay," said Squire Woodhouse.</p> - -<p>"Or an importer of English cutlery," suggested Mr. Jodderel. "Still, the -passage ought either to be explained away or lived up to, for if going -contrary to business rules is necessary to inherit the new earth—it's -contrary to sense that <i>this</i> earth can be got hold of by any such -unbusiness-like operation—the new earth, otherwise the kingdom of -heaven——"</p> - -<p>"Members will please bear in mind the rule that remarks are to be made -in regular order," interposed the leader hastily. "We will hear from -Brother Hopper."</p> - -<p>"I suppose meekness means patience," said the gentleman addressed, -nervously clutching his coat-tail pocket with its precious contents; -"not getting into a stew about everything, in fact; but how a man is to -be so, when everything goes on the way it shouldn't, is more than <i>I</i> -can tell, and how they're going to get the earth for their pains is a -bigger puzzle yet."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p><p>Mr. Lottson being called upon, said:</p> - -<p>"I can only repeat about this passage my remarks upon the one which -preceded it. It means exactly what it says, but it means it only in a -spiritual sense, and only to those to whom it was said—to the disciples -of Christ, and those whose conditions of life are equally admirable and -peculiar. The disciples were meek—all but Peter, that is—and <i>he</i> -stopped being a man of the world after he learned that he couldn't be -that and a consistent disciple too. And look at the result! Haven't the -disciples of Christ inherited the earth? Hasn't the blood of the martyrs -been the seed of the Church? Hasn't the non-resistent, patient, -self-sacrificing course of Christian missionaries led to the conversion -of powerful heathen nations, opened avenues of trade between them and -Christian countries——"</p> - -<p>"Which have straightway been traveled over by men who rob the heathen, -poison them with rum, and kill them off with the popular vices of -civilization," interrupted Captain Maile.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p><p>"Opened avenues of trade between them and Christian countries," resumed -President Lottson, as if no interruption had occurred, "created a demand -for the Bible and the school, discouraged war, extended the area of -production, established representative governments in the place of -irresponsible despotisms, brought from foreign lands, to study our -institutions, men whose fathers and grandfathers were brutal savages, -and hastened the coming of the day when at the name of Jesus every knee -shall bend and every tongue confess him Lord? Business alone could never -have done this; it required a special development of mind, and to those -whom he had created for this purpose Jesus enounced this promise, which -was the only one that in the nature of things could be made to them -about earthly interests."</p> - -<p>"I declare!" whispered Squire Woodhouse to Mr. Buffle, "Lottson did that -splendidly. If it wasn't for the way he treated me about that barn I -should say that Lottson ought to have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> gone into the ministry." At the -same moment Deacon Bates called Mr. Prymm to the chair, took the floor -himself, and said:</p> - -<p>"There was a remark dropped by Mr. Lottson, and followed up in his -excellent speech, which I am certain conceals a truth which is not -clearly enough realized. If it was, a number of puzzling questions that -have been before the class could have easily been answered. He said the -passage should be taken in a spiritual sense. It certainly should. God -is a Spirit; our own spirits are our only immortal parts; everything -else in us and everything around us is transient and perishable. The -meek should be meek in a spiritual way; they should not be puffed up -with knowledge, or what they think to be such, but should in humility -open their hearts to the influences of the Holy Spirit. Business has -nothing to do with our eternal welfare; it is only one of the necessary -but transient affairs of our perishable, material bodies; but the things -unseen are eternal. If we would constantly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> keep this fact in our minds -I am sure many of our present difficulties in studying the Scriptures -would disappear. This earth is not our abiding place; our time here is -but short; 'A thousand years are but as a day in His sight;' heaven is -our final and eternal home, and it was to instruct us how to prepare our -souls for the future state of existence that the prophets spoke and -Jesus came to earth."</p> - -<p>"According to that, it don't matter how we do business," said Squire -Woodhouse; "every man can be just as sharp and underhanded as he -pleases. Well, it's a comfortable belief, but I think you're mistaken, -Deacon, about its being lost sight of; I think pretty much everybody -lives up to it, as far as business goes."</p> - -<p>"Dr. Fahrenglotz," remarked the leader, in evident confusion at the -moral deduced from his theory.</p> - -<p>"Although not attaching to the words that degree of authority that some -do," said the Doctor, "their unselfish tendency and their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> moral beauty -convince me that they have an important meaning. That they can apply to -the common affairs of life I cannot believe, for the theory is contrary -to reason and experience. They probably refer to some coming state of -society when the application of true reason shall have raised men above -their present physical and moral level, and enabled them to translate -the mystic sayings of the worlds great seers."</p> - -<p>"Then the passage doesn't command anything that's really essential to -salvation?" asked young Mr. Waggett.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, certainly not," said Captain Maile. "Nothing does, or if it -does, our business is to get around it somehow, and look at some other -side of it."</p> - -<p>The leader called upon Mr. Alleman, who said:</p> - -<p>"The simple fact that this saying was given is sufficient excuse and -command to follow it, no matter what it brings us or takes from us. As, -however, the material bearing of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>passage has attracted more -attention to-day than the manifest desire of Christ, I wish to recall to -notice the peculiar wording. Jesus does not say that the meek shall earn -or acquire the earth, but that they shall inherit it. An inheritance is -something that the child obtains from the parent through love and -affection. The passage means: 'Be meek, not given to strife, not -stirring up wrath, attending to your own affairs, not assuming to be -better or more deserving than others;' and God, who owns the earth and -all that is in it, who makes man his steward, who pulleth down one and -setteth up another, who knows the uses of property better than we do, -and who sooner or later puts it into proper hands, will <i>give</i> you the -earth. Be meek, and trust to God for appreciation, even upon earth."</p> - -<p>"One o'clock," observed President Lottson, and the session closed.</p> - -<p>"Now <i>wasn't</i> that just like Alleman?" asked Squire Woodhouse of Mr. -Jodderel. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>"Beautiful idea—perfectly heavenly; but nothing in it that a -man can take hold of without running the risk of losing some of his -property. He'd better not talk that way before the city booksellers, if -he don't want to have to pay cash for every bill of books he buys."</p> - -<p>And Captain Maile walked out singing to himself, but in a tone loud -enough to be offensive, the old song beginning,</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>"Whip the devil around the stump."</div> -</div></div></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI.</span> <span class="smaller">BUILDER STOTT SAVES THE FAITH.</span></h2> - -<p>The Scripture Club proceeded promptly to work on the ensuing Sunday. Too -many men had brought to the previous meeting ideas which they could not -find time to express; so on the second Sunday in which the nature and -reward of the meek were considered, the members who had not expressed -their views, with several who had, made haste to occupy front seats, so -as to be sure of opportunities to speak.</p> - -<p>Among these was Squire Woodhouse. He had several times ruined the -regularity of the proceedings of other meetings, but still he was -unsatisfied. He had not expressed his own views in full, partly because -he had not been asked to do so, but principally because he had had no -settled views to express. Now, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>however, the case was different. He had -leisurely pondered over everything that he had heard in the class, he -had admired each original idea with the true American heartiness toward -new notions, he had endeavored to reconcile them with his unformulated -but still very positive preconceived religious opinions, and his honesty -had finally triumphed over his theology and his sophistry. When he came -to church, therefore, he neglected his own pew and took the front seat -and the extreme right end thereof, so when Deacon Bates opened the -exercises of the class immediately after service, it was impossible not -to call upon Squire Woodhouse first of all. The Squire cleared his -throat, waved his head about in a dissatisfied manner, and finally said:</p> - -<p>"This thing of being meek grows pretty big when you think about it for a -little while, and the worst of it is that everything else in the chapter -is only a chip out of the same block. All of it—being meek and -everything else—seems to come in the end to just this: you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> mustn't be -like folks in general, particularly like business men. I confess that I -don't know exactly how to do it all, but it seems to me it must be done -by any one who believes that Jesus Christ had the right to say all that -he did. I <i>don't</i> know how to be meek about the way I was -swindled—treated, I mean—by the insurance companies when my barn -burned down——"</p> - -<p>"Personal!" whispered Mr. Prymm.</p> - -<p>"I don't care if it <i>is</i> personal," said Squire Woodhouse. "I'm trying -to point a moral, and it isn't my fault if other folks get in the way -and get hurt. I don't know how to be meek when I'm abused, but——"</p> - -<p>"It isn't required of you," said Mr. Jodderel. "You're expected to take -care of what has been intrusted to you in your capacity as a steward of -the Lord."</p> - -<p>Many were the affirmative shakes of head which followed this remark.</p> - -<p>"I suppose I am," said the Squire, "and so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> long as I am a human being I -won't be likely to forget it; but whether when I get mad over being -swindled the anger all comes from my feeling of being deprived of the -Lord's property, I'm not so sure: I've a suspicion that more of it comes -from the heart of Squire Woodhouse than from the kingdom of heaven."</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it," said Mr. Hopper, finding at last a subject upon which -he could speak from the abundance of his heart. "Aren't you working for -the good of your family, and don't St. Paul say that the man who don't -look out for his family is worse than an infidel?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the Squire meditatively; "but he don't tell you to boil over -when there's nothing to be gained by it, and when getting mad makes you -uninteresting to everybody, not excepting yourself. He doesn't tell you -to let your suspicions manage your wits, and determine what sort of a -man your neighbor is. The man who gets the best of me in a trade may be -a scoundrel; I've always made it a rule to think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> so, in fact; but when -I come to think of it, I remember that I've sometimes made a hard, sharp -trade myself without meaning anything wrong."</p> - -<p>"You never carried back the unfair gains, though, when you saw what -you'd done, did you?" asked Captain Maile.</p> - -<p>"Well, no; not that I can recollect. I <i>have</i> tried to make it up to the -man in some way or other, though."</p> - -<p>"Taking pains to tell him why you were trying to do it?" asked the -Captain.</p> - -<p>"No—no, I can't say that I did—I don't know that I ever succeeded in -doing it, any how," said the Squire honestly. "I'd think it over, off -and on, and before I'd know it, the whole thing would fall out of my -mind."</p> - -<p>"So all you did was to ease your conscience—sing it to sleep, so to -speak," continued the Captain. "You gave him all the good feeling you -could, which you couldn't help giving any way, because you're naturally -a good-hearted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> fellow, and then when you'd comforted yourself your work -stopped."</p> - -<p>"That's about the truth of the matter," replied the Squire, "though I -didn't mean to out with it all so plainly before folks."</p> - -<p>"Then," asked the Captain, "what's the moral difference between you and -a rascal?"</p> - -<p>"Sh—h—h—h" arose in chorus, even President Lottson taking part in the -remonstrance.</p> - -<p>"There isn't any," said the Squire stoutly, "if everybody's a rascal -that's called one. But anybody that has the honest feelings <i>I</i> have, -and that loves the square thing so much, and likes so much to see it -done, <i>isn't</i> a rascal, and as I've had the kind of experiences I've -told about, I don't see why other men that have had others like them, -and that are called ugly names by me as well as everybody else, mayn't -be just as right at heart as I am. After this I'm going to believe them -so, any how."</p> - -<p>There was a general nod of assent, and President Lottson arose, went -around to where the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> Squire was sitting, and offered his hand to the -loser of the barn. The Squire took it, rather gingerly at first, but -finally gave it a squeeze so hearty that President Lottson winced and -drew his hand away.</p> - -<p>"There!" exclaimed Captain Maile; "everything is all right now, of -course. Goodness don't consist in doing right, but only in feeling -right. Not what you do, but what you believe is what saves a man."</p> - -<p>"Such is the decree of God and the decision of the Church," remarked Mr. -Prymm.</p> - -<p>"Then what saints the devils must be!" observed the Captain; "for <i>they</i> -believe, though, to be sure, they tremble."</p> - -<p>Another murmur of dissent was heard, and young Mr. Waggett hastened to -throw a small quantity of oil on the troubled waters by remarking that -whatever was sufficient to salvation was the fulfillment of God's plan -as revealed in the holy Scriptures.</p> - -<p>"I'm not through yet," said the Squire. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> was coming to that point. Of -course, other men make blunders very much like mine. I ought to be meek -about judging them—I ought to forgive them their trespasses as I hope -to have mine forgiven. But if there's so much excuse to think bad of men -for what they do and don't do, we ought to put the cause out of the way, -as well as to be patient with others as we'd have them patient with us. -If I've had reason so many times to think the worst about church -members, I suppose that sinners—sinners outside of the Church—must see -them to be just as bad as I do. And if they do, what inducement is there -for sinners to come into the Church?"</p> - -<p>"Salvation!" promptly answered young Mr. Waggett.</p> - -<p>"That's no moral inducement," said the Squire; "it's a selfish one."</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh, oh!" exclaimed Builder Stott, supported by a sympathetic -sensation which was manifested by most of the members, while Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -Jodderel sprang to his feet and said—shouted, almost:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Chairman, I protest against this drifting away from the subject by -talking all sorts of new-fangled notions that——"</p> - -<p>"Free speech is the rule of this class," said Captain Maile. "<i>You've</i> -given us a great deal about the kingdom of heaven that nobody ever heard -of before, that's as unheard of in the Bible or the Church——"</p> - -<p>"It <i>is</i> in the Bible," said Mr. Jodderel; "you'll find it in the -prophets and apostles from beginning to end."</p> - -<p>"I would suggest," said Mr. Prymm, in the most measured and soothing of -tones, "that Brother Woodhouse should remember that we have but a single -hour in the week to talk upon these subjects, and that however deeply he -may be interested in his own peculiar views, it would be well to let all -who are present have an opportunity to offer their views."</p> - -<p>"Yes, let's get away from morality as soon as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> we can," said Captain -Maile. "What's Sunday good for, if you can't in it get away from these -enraging affairs of the week? Nine-tenths of the moral questions in the -world are started by business; and who has any right to drag business -into the Lord's house on Sunday, and just after a sermon, too?"</p> - -<p>Faces confused, awry, angry, and merry, showed that the Captain had -aroused a great deal of feeling, which, in sentiment, was not a unit. -Deacon Bates would have ordered the immediate relief of the class from -extraneous subjects; but he had, from the beginning of the services, -groaned over the fact that next to Squire Woodhouse sat Mr. Jodderel, -and no one else could be called upon without destroying that rule of -rotation upon which the leader generally depended for relief. Silently -resolving to pack the front seats on the succeeding Sunday, he said, in -tones so subdued as to be almost pathetic:</p> - -<p>"Brother Jodderel."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p><p>The members looked resignedly into each other's eyes; Mr. Stott turned -to the table of Hebrew weights and measures in his Bible, and tried to -lose himself in them; Broker Whilcher began slyly ciphering on a card, -doubtless to solve some problem of the market; Mr. Alleman buried -himself in a school report from some other town; Mr. Hopper re-read to -himself the paper on "The True Location of the Holy Sepulchre;" and Mr. -Buffle dropped into gentle slumber.</p> - -<p>"I want to say," said Mr. Jodderel, "that you can't rightly know how to -be meek until you know what's to be required of you in the earth which -the meek are to inherit, and you can't know that without knowing where -and what that earth is. Now, it <i>can't</i> mean this earth, for if the meek -inherited it, it would be stolen away from them precious quickly. What -happens to a meek man when somebody hits him without knocking the -meekness out of him?—he gets hit again. What happens to him if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> -somebody tries to swindle him out of his property, and he don't show -that he won't endure imposition?—he'll be cheated out of every cent. So -the meekness that <i>we</i> think about is evidently not the thing for the -earth that's to be inherited, and the question is, what is? And that -brings us back to the question, What sort of a land are we going to -inherit? It——"</p> - -<p>"If it is to be the abode of the finally saved and redeemed," said Mr. -Radley, "I really don't see that meekness can be enjoined upon its -inhabitants, unless we are all mistaken about the nature of the change -that will take place after death. Our mental condition will be -determined for us, and we can't do better on this earth than act -according to what seems the highest order of goodness. I should really -like to ask the gentleman if the next world is all that we are to think -of while we remain in this one, and whether we are not to guide -ourselves somewhat by the rights of other people as well as by our own -desires?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p><p>"This earth is not our abiding place," quoted Mr. Prymm; "we have a -home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Mr. Jodderel; "that's correct; it <i>is</i> in the -heavens—in the sky—the air above us, in which are suspended all the -planetary bodies, one of which——"</p> - -<p>"The gentleman has lost sight of my question," said Mr. Radley.</p> - -<p>"So will everybody else," remarked Captain Maile. "If you press that -question, you'll ruin the interest of this meeting. We didn't come here -to learn what we ought to do; we're here to study out what's to be done -for us."</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it," said Mr. Buffle, who has slowly awakened from his -nap. "<i>I'm</i> not, any way. I'm as fond as any one else of getting -anything; but I've already been blessed with more than I deserve, and I -want to know what God's will concerning me is on earth as well as in -heaven."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p><p>"Always providing it don't cost you anything," said Captain Maile.</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," replied Mr. Buffle, rather angrily. "I never refused to -spend money on any really useful charity."</p> - -<p>Several members softly responded, "That's true."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Captain Maile; "you occasionally spend a penny out of a -dollar, so to speak, and you deserve credit for it, for very few other -men of means go so far; you're ahead of your day and generation. When I -carry around a subscription paper for anything, your name always has a -handsome sum after it. But do you really mean that you are going through -this Sermon on the Mount—if we live long enough to get through it, -which is very unlikely at the present rate of progress—and practically -agree to what it says?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Buffle was cornered; but blessed be corners! There are no other -positions in life from which a man can obtain so good a view of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> -himself. Mr. Buffle studied the back of the seat in front of him for a -few seconds; looked rather blank, then very modest, then very manly, -raised his head, and said:</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do."</p> - -<p>"Good!" was the only word Captain Maile uttered, while Mr. Jodderel -shook his head dismally, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Here we are, away from the subject again, Mr. Leader!"</p> - -<p>"We can hurry back to it, if the gentleman will answer my question," -observed Mr. Radley.</p> - -<p>"It's one o'clock," remarked Builder Stott.</p> - -<p>The members arose, and most of them departed as soon as possible, while -President Lottson turned to Stott, and said:</p> - -<p>"You did that just in time."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Stott modestly, "something had to be done. This old fight -between faith and works has played the mischief wherever it's come up -among men, and I'm not going to sit still and see it break up an -interesting class like this.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> I've no other chance to study the Bible -except here, and I'm not going to have it ruined by a lot of theorists -getting into a row. I'm afraid it's too late, though. Buffle got some -new notion into his head when Maile cornered him there; and he never -lets go of any thought that strikes him as good. The first thing you'll -hear of will be another subscription list, with his name at the head, -and he'll go into it with all his might, like he did about the building -of this church; and everybody will be worried by him, and he'll drag it -in here, and act as if the Bible wasn't anything but a code of every-day -morals."</p> - -<p>"And forget all about the gospel-plan of salvation," said young Mr. -Waggett.</p> - -<p>"And the kingdom of heaven," suggested Mr. Jodderel.</p> - -<p>"And the atonement, the central truth of the Scriptures," remarked Mr. -Prymm; "the vicarious efficacy of the atonement."</p> - -<p>"And you'll shut your ears and eyes for fear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> you might be converted and -healed," said Captain Maile.</p> - -<p>And the lingerers went straightway every man to his own house.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII.</span> <span class="smaller">FREE SPEECH BECOMES ANNOYING.</span></h2> - -<p>As the next meeting of the Scripture Club was about to open, certain -members noticed that Mr. Jodderel had taken a seat which would entitle -him to be the first person called upon for an opinion, and that he was -divesting his pockets of a large number of books, most of them in faded -and unconventional bindings. The members glanced at each other in -terror, and when the opening prayer was concluded, Mr. Radley promptly -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Leader, the New Testament contains eight thousand verses, lacking -two. With occasional quadrennial exceptions, there are but fifty-two -Sundays in a year. We have already consumed, on an average, two Sundays -to a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> verse; at this rate we will need more than three hundred years to -get through the New Testament. Certain chapters, like the first chapter -of Matthew and the third chapter of Luke, may form exceptions; but as no -man here can expect to live through much more than one-tenth of the time -necessary to consider all the Gospels and Epistles, and as, even at the -rate of a verse to a day, we would need to have our lives extended to -several times the average longevity of mortals, I move that no single -verse of Scripture shall be allowed to monopolize the attention of this -class for more than one Sunday."</p> - -<p>"I second the motion," said Mr. Alleman.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Leader!" exclaimed Mr. Jodderel, "I object. We have spent two -Sundays in considering the third beatitude, and we know no more about -the whereabouts of the kingdom of heaven than when we began. If the -proposed resolution takes effect now, and we find each verse of the -Gospel as interesting as those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> already studied, no one knows how many -of us may go from our deathbeds to the bar of God without knowing what -to expect thereafter."</p> - -<p>"And as God is only our Father, and the maker of the universe, and as we -profess only to believe that he is wiser and more loving than any -earthly parent, we daren't trust him to make the matter plain in the -next world," observed Captain Maile.</p> - -<p>"Question!" exclaimed every one who had perceived Mr. Jodderel's -collection of books.</p> - -<p>The question was put and carried, with but two dissenting voices, that -of young Mr. Waggett being one of them. Then the Leader read the verse:</p> - -<p>"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for -they shall be filled;" and he asked Mr. Jodderel to open the discussion. -The gentleman addressed maintained a sulky silence for about two -minutes, and finally remarked:</p> - -<p>"This class seems bound to drift from <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>spiritual interests to temporal -ones. The discussion of the most important question suggested by -revelation has been prevented by an almost unanimous vote, and now we -are expected to consider righteousness—mere morality—and its rather -dubious earthly reward. Filled? Why, certainly they will be filled. In -this late day and age no man studies the moral law without learning more -than his mind can hold. Righteousness is good; it is necessary; men need -to learn about it, and others need to teach it, but it's an awful -come-down for the great fact of a life beyond the grave."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Captain Maile. "Righteousness is full of annoying -little bothers about what ought to be done for other people, while the -kingdom of heaven consists only of what is to be done for ourselves. The -Bible is crammed full of these tormenting hints, and they always appear -just when a man would rather think about something else; being given by -divine command, though, as the majority of the class<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> believe they are, -I suppose they must be talked about in one way or another."</p> - -<p>"They certainly should," said Broker Whilcher, who had been attracted to -Mr. Jodderel's side by the array of books which that gentleman had begun -to bring into line. "I have a sad reputation in point of orthodoxy, but -what Captain Maile admits in sarcasm, <i>I</i> declare in the most solemn -earnest. Morality is the order of things, and to a sinner like me, it -seems to be a matter of prime importance. The interest which some of the -members display in the nature of the kingdom of heaven is quite natural -and proper; but how they propose to get there without morality, or, if -they please, righteousness, is a puzzle to any man who reads the Bible -and notices the importance attached to right conduct."</p> - -<p>Deacon Bates promptly called President Lottson to the chair, took the -floor himself, during an animated buzz by the class, and delivered with -rapidity and emphasis the following speech:</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p><p>"The method of reaching the better world, other than that of mere right -doing, is rightly a matter of wonder to those who do not accept the -inspired Word as a divinely designed and revealed plan for the salvation -of sinful man. But if any of the good Book has binding force, all of it -has; it stands or falls as a whole. We are informed by the apostle whose -writings fill half of the New Testament, that 'The law of the Spirit of -life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin, which is -death. For what the law'—that is, the law of righteousness—'for what -the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, -sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, -condemned the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be -fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' -And again we are told—oh, blessed assurance to those who find the law -of righteousness impossible to fulfill!—that 'Abraham believed God, and -it was imputed unto him for righteousness.' And we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> are also told, by -the Saviour himself, that 'God so loved the world that he gave his only -begotten Son, that whoso believeth in him shall not perish but have -eternal life.' The law cannot be fulfilled by man; we are all imperfect; -even when we will to do right the flesh wars against the spirit, and -ignorance hinders men of the best intentions from doing what they would -do. No man can be saved through the law; excepting Jesus Christ, 'there -is no other name under heaven whereby mankind can be saved.' I hope I -have answered the gentleman's question in a manner distinct enough to be -understood by him and such others here present to whom the Gospel plan -of salvation is not as plain as it should be."</p> - -<p>Deacon Bates resumed the chair, and Broker Whilcher replied:</p> - -<p>"The explanation is perfectly satisfactory, as an answer to my question; -but it seems to me rather strange that any one should be willing to -enter without effort when everybody is plainly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> told the desires of the -king and benefactor whom they expect to meet."</p> - -<p>Builder Stott sat next, and hastened to the rescue of faith from a -freethinker like Mr. Whilcher.</p> - -<p>"Suppose we do right always," said he, "what does it amount to? Our -righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight, according to the inspired -Word, and there's very little to hope for from anything so worthless. -Nobody knows, even when he's doing his best, whether he is right or -wrong. Even Satan sometimes appears as an angel of light. I can remember -many a time when I've done what seemed to be exactly the right thing, -and I not only went without any credit for it, but it seemed to make -everything else go wrong. I begin to think the Lord knows his own -business best, and that we can't meddle with it without getting into -trouble."</p> - -<p>"Getting into trouble is an excuse for not trying to do right, is it?" -asked Captain Maile.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p><p>"No, it isn't," replied Mr. Stott quite testily; "but a man can do a -great deal of trying without succeeding, and without finding what is the -proper thing to do. If we always knew just what was right, we should -never get into trouble."</p> - -<p>"I should like to ask the gentleman if Christ, the apostles, and -prophets never got into trouble?" said Mr. Alleman.</p> - -<p>"I suppose they did," replied Mr. Stott, in visible embarrassment; -"but—but that was divinely ordained for the benefit of sinful man."</p> - -<p>"I should like also to ask if the gentleman considers the servant above -his master, and free from responsibility for his conduct?"</p> - -<p>"No, of course not," said Mr. Stott, "but——"</p> - -<p>Mr. Stott's expression remained unfinished for so long a time that Mr. -Buffle took pity upon him, and remarked:</p> - -<p>"It seems to me that unless hungering and thirsting after righteousness -is a special virtue,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> it would not have been brought into this small -group of qualities for which special blessings are promised. If it is of -so much consequence, we ought, in gratitude to God, to be anxious to -learn just what righteousness is. What we are to get for practicing it -isn't of so much consequence. And as there aren't many of us who have -had so much reason to study the meaning of the word as our friend Judge -Cottaway has, I think the class will be willing to waive the regular -order of answering for once, and hear from the Judge his opinion of this -important word."</p> - -<p>Every one looked at the Judge, and Deacon Bates remarked that he would -assume that Mr. Buffle expressed the sentiments of every one.</p> - -<p>"Righteousness," said the Judge, with his regulation court-room air, -"has but one meaning. Philologically, legally, morally, and spiritually -it means right doing. Legally, righteousness consists in obeying the -law, and, by implication, refraining from offending the law. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>Morally, -it is the very highest attainment possible to man; in its fulfillment -every ordinary duty of man toward man is accomplished. Spiritually, -either under the old dispensation or the new, its range of application -is increased and its nature strengthened and elevated. By no correct -line of reasoning, nor by any honest interpretation of the letter and -spirit of the Scriptures, can the imperative obligation of man to do -righteousness be set aside. Because the term is frequently used as a -synonym for piety, there is no excuse for substituting religious belief -for it, for true piety must include righteousness, and has no foundation -without it. The religious sentiment may suddenly take possession of a -man who has previously been unrighteous; but it is reputable and -valuable only so far as it induces its subject to attain, not only to -negative righteousness, the refraining from misconduct, which the law -holds to be sufficient, but also to that positive, active virtue, -enjoined by all the inspired teachers, which shall make a man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> actively -virtuous, and from higher motives than that of merely escaping penalties -and gaining rewards. Christ himself said of the moral law that every jot -and tittle of it should be fulfilled."</p> - -<p>"And it <i>was</i> fulfilled, on the Cross, when he cried, 'It is finished,'" -interrupted Builder Stott.</p> - -<p>"That's so," said young Mr. Waggett, now thoroughly aroused. "If it -hadn't been, we never could have been saved."</p> - -<p>"If the gentlemen really infer from Christ's last words that he meant to -set aside the moral law," resumed Judge Cottaway, "the Church has been -making a sad blunder during the twenty centuries which have followed the -scene on Calvary. During all these years, she has been a teacher of -morality; she has restrained, sometimes by persuasion, oftener by -authority, sometimes by mistaken methods, sometimes in too lukewarm a -manner, the baser passions of mankind, and encouraged the nobler -qualities. In legal righteousness, the ancient Romans <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>surpassed the -world, and gave the models of all codes in operation to-day in the -civilized world. And yet righteousness among the Romans, while wise, was -often vindictive, and always wholly selfish. The smallest, most ignorant -community in our neighborhood to-day has a higher, purer conception and -practice of morality than the central city of the world had in the time -of Christ, and though it is not under the special direction of the -Church, its growth can be traced back to no other source."</p> - -<p>"I've often heard," said Mr. Jodderel, "that so an Episcopalian admits -the authority and divine origin of his Church, he can believe anything -he pleases, and the address we have just listened to convinces me that -the statement is true. Why, gentlemen, while nobody has a higher respect -for Judge Cottaway's character and attainments than I have, it seems to -me that he isn't much different from a Unitarian or any other -freethinker that imagines he has some hold upon religion. Why, -gentlemen, what's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> the good of Christ having lived and died at all, if -we're still in bondage under the law? I don't mean that we're not to do -right when we can—I want to do right as much as any man ever did—but -if I've got to be bothered about all the little points that the Scribes -and Pharisees fussed over, I don't see how much better off I am than -they were."</p> - -<p>"The gentleman is better off, as he expresses it," said the Judge, -"because he has the benefit of the clearer light which Christ shed upon -the law, and because through the life and death of Christ he has -incentives to that love for the Source of all goodness which enables a -man to overcome difficulties which, to the merely selfish moralist, are -utterly insurmountable. It is thus that love becomes the fulfillment of -the law, for it enables the weakest man to overcome his worst -inclinations."</p> - -<p>"What becomes, then, of the doctrine of justification by faith—the -corner-stone of all Protestantism?" asked President Lottson.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p><p>"It remains as strong as ever," answered the Judge. "All are forgiven, -our misdeeds committed in ignorance, when—mark the condition—when we -are honest in intention and effort. 'The just'—the righteous, that is, -those who do right to the best of their knowledge—'shall live by -faith.' I would remind the gentleman that Christian theology, of every -school, is based principally upon the principles laid down by that -masterly jurist, the Apostle Paul, and that he makes of faith not the -master but the subordinate of love. 'And now abideth faith, hope, love, -these three; but the greatest of these is love.'"</p> - -<p>"You can't go back on Paul," remarked Squire Woodhouse, "but it's often -seemed to me that religious people treat Paul a great deal as the boys -treat my orchard; they steal the apples they like the looks of best, but -the best I've got are really the least handsome, and I generally have -the full crop to myself."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p><p>Some one reminded the Leader that it was one o'clock, and the class -arose.</p> - -<p>"I'm going into Humbletop's class after this," said Builder Stott to -President Lottson. "I was a little doubtful when this class was started -whether it wouldn't sooner or later run things into the ground, and now -it <i>has</i> done it. Cottaway is a dangerous man, for all his knowledge and -squareness. There are men here, members of our Church, that'll be as -likely as not to swallow all that he said, and then what'll their faith -amount to? I say that if any such nonsense gets a hold in this church it -ought to be made a matter of discipline."</p> - -<p>"I think <i>I</i> shall remain with the class," said President Lottson. -"There is a great deal of what is said here that I can't approve of, but -that is all the more reason that somebody with a cool head and quick -wits should be on hand to prevent the orthodox faith from going to -ruin."</p> - -<p>"I was very much interested in your remarks," said Broker Whilcher to -the Judge.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> "Matthew Arnold has put forth some of the same views."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to hear it," replied the Judge. "They will save him from -drifting into vacuity, and they will convince his readers of his honesty -of purpose. I wish only that I could believe that such views had as -strong a hold upon the Church as they have upon the outside world. -Verily, Christ never spoke a truer saying than that 'a man's foes shall -be they of his own household.'"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII.</span> <span class="smaller">AFTERMATH.</span></h2> - -<p>The closing of that session of the Scripture Club, in which the nature -and reward of righteousness was discussed, did not end the consideration -of the subject. Mr. Radley himself determined that, at the next meeting, -some one should move the rescinding of his own resolution to allow but -one Sunday to a verse of Scripture; and several other members, among -them Squire Woodhouse, Mr. Buffle, and Mr. Alleman, determined to put -the resolution to death at the first opportunity. In the mean time, no -member of the class, who went to and from the city on the little steamer -<i>Oak-leaf</i>, nor any one who had occasion to visit the local post-office, -was allowed to forget the subject, which, not for the first time, caused -such widely differing theories to be offered.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p><p>"You didn't have an opportunity to express your opinions last Sunday?" -said Squire Woodhouse to Mr. Alleman, at the post-office on Monday -evening, while the latter awaited the opening of the mail, and the -former lay in wait for some one upon whom to expend his pent-up -energies.</p> - -<p>"No," replied the teacher; "and I doubt whether the expression of them -would have done any good. Men are always willing enough to be observers -of a quarrel; but to take part in one generally passes for a sign of bad -breeding, and the care that men have for the results of their bringing -up is, under such circumstances, admirable beyond expression."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you're not exactly fair, I think," said the Squire. "Every member -of that class thinks the case of faith <i>vs.</i> works is his own; he must -be interested in one side or the other, for he believes eternity depends -upon it."</p> - -<p>"I don't see why any one should have such an idea," said Mr. Alleman. -"It doesn't make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> the slightest difference which side they take, if they -really believe as they claim to do."</p> - -<p>"Goodness!" exclaimed the Squire. "Why, are <i>you</i> going over to the -defense of faith against works? You, who have always been preaching up -good works as the whole end of life? I'm afraid <i>I've</i> been in too much -of a hurry, for I've been drifting over to your side very, very fast -during the past two or three weeks."</p> - -<p>"I've not changed my principles in the least," replied Mr. Alleman. -"Either belief includes the other, if a man is really sincere in the -belief itself."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the Squire, with humility, "you scholarly fellows can do -sums in your heads at a rate that no common man's ciphering can equal. I -thought I'd heard a great deal on this subject, both before I -experienced a change and after, but I never could see that there could -be any agreement between the two. One set of men say that faith is -everything; another say that works are the thing; both sets make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> faces -when they pass each other on Sunday on their way to their separate -churches, and, if I read the religious papers correctly, it's the -subject of the greatest religious fighting in the world."</p> - -<p>"The fighting is between the men, not the ideas," said Mr. Alleman.</p> - -<p>"Having withdrawn from the class," remarked Dr. Humbletop, who also was -present, "or, I might say, having never belonged to it, I don't know -that I have any right to take part in your conversation, but as this is -not a stated session of the class——"</p> - -<p>"Even if it was, Doctor, you'd be free to say whatever you liked," -interrupted the Squire. "Free speech is the rule of the class on -Sundays, and we certainly aren't going to be any narrower out of school -than in it. Besides, you've been to a theological seminary, and know the -ins and outs of this question. Now, I want to know if I'm not right and -Alleman wrong?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p><p>"You certainly are correct in your assumptions," replied the reverend -doctor. "The Church, or, more properly speaking, the world and the -Church, have always been at war upon this important issue. It has been -the cause of battles in which precious human blood was shed, as well as -of struggles in which words, fiercer than spears and darts, have been -the weapons used, and souls instead of bodies were to be counted among -the killed and wounded."</p> - -<p>"And the Church," remarked young Mr. Waggett, as he tore the wrapper -from a religious newspaper, which the postmaster had just handed him, -"our Church has decided in favor of justification by faith, as the only -sure way of salvation. Other churches——"</p> - -<p>"There are no other churches," said Dr. Humbletop. "There are societies, -containing many well-meaning persons, which have works as a basis of -organization. They have built edifices for worship, founded colleges and -schools<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> for the education of youth in their ideas, established -newspapers, settled persons who, by courtesy, are called pastors, and -formed societies which do much toward the amelioration of the physical -condition of unfortunate humanity. The respect which they manifest -toward portions of the Word of God renders it impossible to deny that -they possess religious feeling and aspiration; but to admit that they -constitute a portion of the body of which Christ is the head, is -impossible. These persons, individually and in their associated -capacity, war against the distinctive doctrine of the Church, which is, -that Christ died for all men to make atonement for sin, that all men may -become partakers in the benefits of this saving act by acknowledging him -to be their Lord and Saviour."</p> - -<p>"There—I told you so," said the Squire to the teacher.</p> - -<p>"The Doctor has suggested a point of difference between the two great -sections of the Protestant Church," said Mr. Alleman; "but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> that was not -the subject upon which we were talking."</p> - -<p>"Why, yes, it was," said Builder Stott, who had been listening, while -pretending to be otherwise engaged. "I heard every word of it."</p> - -<p>Mr. Alleman gave an impatient start. "I said the disagreement was -between men, and not between ideas. Our good champion of orthodoxy, the -Doctor, cannot, with due respect to his Maker, admit that there are any -works of real value that are not prompted by a true belief in the -principles enounced by Jesus. Faith implies trust; trust of the inferior -in the superior signifies a willingness to be guided: the guidance of a -Being in whose wisdom and love we have unlimited confidence <i>must</i> be -followed, if we really believe His utterances, and believe our own -nature to be as imperfect and sinful as we profess to think it is."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Dr. Humbletop, "theories of human action may be very -beautiful, but that very imperfection and sinfulness of man makes them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -of no effect. Logically, Mr. Alleman is perfectly correct, and, from his -very assertions, the Church deduces the argument whereby she brings -reason to the support of inspiration. Man is so imperfect, so sinful, so -depraved, that, when he would do good, evil is ever present with him. -This condition of man shows the absolute need of a Saviour, and, of -course, a loving God will not allow his children to lack anything which -they really need. Thus the need and the existence of a Saviour are -established, by their interdependence upon each other."</p> - -<p>"That is hardly the point of our conversation," said Mr. Alleman. "The -question between us was, whether there was not a similar interdependence -between faith and works; whether, as either of them logically implies -the other, either is not logically inclusive of the other."</p> - -<p>"Works include faith?" exclaimed Builder Stott. "Well, excuse me, but my -time is valuable, and I guess I'll be moving. I always like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> to get hold -of a real idea about religion, but that notion is too far-fetched for -anything. Why, according to you, a Unitarian or a heathen, if he does -good, is a child of God and a partaker of the promises. Christ might as -well not have lived and died, if that is all his work amounted to."</p> - -<p>Mr. Stott started, and Squire Woodhouse exclaimed, "Why don't you keep -him?"</p> - -<p>"Because," said Mr. Alleman, with a peculiar smile, "I'm occasionally -orthodox enough to believe that some men are predestinated to -destruction, and that men, like Stott, who never follow Christ's -teachings and dread them as they do Satan, are among the number. -Honestly, now, Squire Woodhouse, can you see how a sincere attempt to -fulfill the moral injunctions of Jesus Christ and his apostles can fail -to lead a man to faith in Christ and the Father? When a system of -morality is given, which, in terms and results, is so far above the -morality of the world that the world shrinks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> from it, yet which in -practice proves to be correct, do you suppose it is possible to doubt -the higher inspiration of the giver? Did any mere law-giver ever enjoin -unselfishness? Is unselfishness natural? Does not its practice, and the -spiritual influence which is felt in return for its practice, raise a -man to a plane of wisdom, tenderness, and strength, such as has never -been reached in any other way? Have not honest disbelievers in great -numbers, when they have attempted a higher morality than that of the -world in general, fallen back upon Christ as their only available -teacher, and been led to him, either by desperation or sympathy, or -both?"</p> - -<p>The Squire had not read as much as Mr. Alleman in the controversial -theological literature of the day, and he could not reply from actual -knowledge, but he said:</p> - -<p>"I don't know, but I'll take your word for it. I know that although I'm -a church member, and pretend to be led by the Spirit, there have been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> -only once in a while times when I've got outside of business rules about -matters of time and money, and that, when these times have come, I've -felt nearer to God than I've ever done even when I've been in trouble."</p> - -<p>"Then you understand my meaning," said Mr. Alleman. "There is no -difference between faith and works, providing both are rendered in -sincerity, for neither of them can help leading to the other. And as you -have seen the truth of this fact by personal experience, you are just -the man who should support me in the effort which I hope to make next -Sunday to impress this truth upon the class, not for the sake of -presenting a new theory for discussion, but to join conflicting ideas -for the good of man and the glory of God."</p> - -<p>"I frankly admit," said Dr. Humbletop, "that friend Alleman's idea is a -beautiful one—so beautiful that it could not have been conceived -without inspiration from on high. But should it prevail in society -instead of being <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>confined to the individual breast, its results can -hardly fail to be disastrous. What will restrain depraved humanity from -neglecting the offer of salvation by faith in Christ, and devote itself -to working out its own salvation? How many souls will be lost if the -fear of eternal suffering is not held before them, and if they attempt -to begin through work, and finish ere the blessed time of change comes?"</p> - -<p>"If they can trust to God's mercy while they are mere beggars for help," -said Mr. Alleman, "they can certainly do it while they are endeavoring -to help themselves and Him. Unless," continued Mr. Alleman, with an -impatient gesture, "unless God can seem to you to be nothing but a -vengeful monster—unless he has at some unknown time withdrawn all his -merciful promises to those who do righteousness and walk uprightly."</p> - -<p>"My dear young friend," said Dr. Humbletop, who had slowly been dropping -his head backward and adding intensity to the solicitude <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>expressed by -his stare, "do you know that you have taken upon yourself the authority -to urge men from the new dispensation back to the old, and thus to set -back the work of grace for two thousand years? Do you not know that the -law alone was found to be insufficient?"</p> - -<p>"Do <i>you</i> not know," said Mr. Alleman, "that by that assertion you -impugn the wisdom of the Almighty?"</p> - -<p>"God forbid!" exclaimed the doctor, starting backward so abruptly that -he nearly overturned the post-office stove. "The law was given as it was -on account of the hardness of men's hearts, as Christ himself expressly -states."</p> - -<p>"True," said Mr. Alleman, "and 'the times of this ignorance God winked -at, but now commandeth all men to repent.' When the law was insufficient -to the needs of mankind, God sent another law-giver in the person of -Christ. And men might have obeyed him to a greater extent than they do, -had not the Church taken the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>position that the need of man was of more -consequence than duty to God, and that saving one's self—which human -selfishness is abundantly able to look out for without being urged to -it—is of more consequence than complying with the desires of Christ, -and through Christ, God."</p> - -<p>"Salvation possible through human selfishness!" ejaculated Dr. -Humbletop.</p> - -<p>"That's the sentiment which the church most appeals to," said Mr. -Alleman.</p> - -<p>"The central truth of inspiration, revelation, and the atonement only a -concession to the fears and personal desires of mankind!" continued the -doctor. "Oh, horrible, horrible!"</p> - -<p>"It <i>is</i> horrible," said Mr. Alleman, "that a strong organization like -the Church, with respectability, morality, tradition, and authority on -its side, should teach such a doctrine; but your own sermons, which I -have found to be models of logic, though based upon false premises, -prove the truth of your condensation of my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> statements. Men are urged, -not to righteousness as taught by prophets, apostles, and the Master -himself, but to take the best possible care of Number One—urged to -something which the most miserable savage alive knows is dictated by the -strongest instinct of his nature. What must Christ, remembering the -intensity and agony of his earthly efforts, think of the Church?"</p> - -<p>Dr. Humbletop assumed, slowly, his pulpit manner, and at length replied:</p> - -<p>"My dear friend—for dear I must call you in remembrance of your many -self-denying efforts for the good of mankind—I must decline to discuss -this subject any further with you. For two thousand years the Church of -Christ has endured, and guided itself according to the words of Christ -himself—"</p> - -<p>"All of his words, or only such of them as have been fullest of promise -of safety?" interrupted Mr. Alleman.</p> - -<p>"All of them," boldly replied the doctor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> "The Church has taught -everything that Christ did. I, myself, have preached from every verse of -Christ's sermon on the Mount."</p> - -<p>"But you have carefully avoided the literal meanings of these verses in -nearly every instance," said Mr. Alleman.</p> - -<p>"I have attached to each one such meaning as the Spirit has indicated to -me," said the doctor, with rather chilling dignity. "And I would further -say that I have treated them according to the habit of the Church during -the nineteen centuries that have nearly elapsed since Christ appeared. -If I had taught from my own understanding alone, I might have had -misgivings; but with countless prophets, apostles, and martyrs to whom -to look for example, I have felt secure in my position. You cannot, -therefore, expect me to accept your views as opposed to those of the -whole body of Christian teachers. The experience of the world is always -of value in teaching the teacher what to do and say, and that -experience—"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p><p>"Is always based upon selfishness," interrupted Mr. Alleman.</p> - -<p>"And that experience," continued Dr. Humbletop, "has been that the -atonement made by Christ is the all in all of Scripture."</p> - -<p>The doctor called for his letters, bowed in a dignified manner to Mr. -Alleman and the Squire, and departed.</p> - -<p>Let no one blame Dr. Humbletop for his lack of clear vision. A more -honest, conscientious, and generous soul could not be found in Valley -Rest. Receiving an income which to many of his acquaintances would have -seemed insufficient to a man of good breeding and refined tastes, he -found ways of devoting more than a tithe of it to charities either -private or public. He was always ready to forego his own tastes and -inclinations in order to visit the sick, counsel the troubled, or pray -with the dying; his voice and vote were never lacking in affairs of -public interest, and they were always used in the interest of the -highest morality. But the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> doctor had been born and bred under a -religious system which he had been taught was to be accepted, not -changed, and not even to be questioned. To him, as to the wise Solomon, -the law of the Lord was perfect, the difference between the two men -being that the doctor found the whole law in the letter of a single -department of it, instead of in the Spirit, and that this peculiarity of -his mind had come to him by birth, been strengthened by a special -education, and established by habit. Whenever he for a moment questioned -his belief, he very naturally contemplated the many generations of wiser -men who had accepted beliefs like his own, and in their wisdom and their -interpretation of Scripture his soul rested.</p> - -<p>And yet Squire Woodhouse was moved to say to Mr. Alleman:</p> - -<p>"It seems to me the doctor begs the question."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX.</span> <span class="smaller">THE DOCTRINE OF INSURANCE.</span></h2> - -<p>Conversation upon the lesson of the previous Sunday was not confined to -the quartette that met at the village post-office. Most of the members -of the club went to the city on Monday morning on the little steamer -<i>Oak-leaf</i>. The radicals among them were eager for a renewal of the -fray, and the orthodox were not at all averse to displaying their -defensive abilities. Indeed, President Lottson stood at the wharf, -newspaper in hand, for the express purpose of encountering Broker -Whilcher, and provoking him to make an attack. The broker finally -appeared, accompanied by his wife and children; but the presence of -non-combatants did not discourage the Soldier of the Cross, who had been -too long in the insurance business to be willing to lose any chance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> of -strengthening his own protection against risk in another world. Broker -Whilcher met him boldly; he sent his <i>impedimenta</i> promptly to the -rear—to wit, the ladies' saloon—and prepared for the combat which he -knew was approaching.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you think you whipped us yesterday," said President Lottson, -by way of opening shot.</p> - -<p>"It was too clear a case to depend upon supposition only," said the -broker; "but if you've any doubts on the subject I've no objections to -helping defeat you again."</p> - -<p>"Seriously, Whilcher," said the president, leading his antagonist to a -<i>tête-à-tête</i>, "do you realize what comes of all this nonsense? You -profess to be a free-thinker, so I won't ask you to meet me on my own -ground, which is that the new dispensation furnishes a substitute for -the old; I'll only ask you to look at the matter from your own -rationalistic point of view. A man must live up to his beliefs, if he -<i>is</i> a man."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p><p>"True enough," replied the broker. "I wish your parson would admit the -same, and preach accordingly. I wouldn't be cheated quite so often by -his parishioners."</p> - -<p>"Business is business," said the president. "You don't ever let any of -the theories of your new-fashioned philosophy stand in the way of your -making a good trade, do you?"</p> - -<p>"No, I can't say that I do," replied the broker.</p> - -<p>"And yet," said Mr. Lottson, "you believe in the theory of the reign of -law—a law which cannot be broken without danger of severe penalty. Now -whether Christ was God or only man, you've got to obey the law under -penalty of punishment, unless there is some other way of satisfying it. -Therefore, why not accept a belief that leaves you as free to believe in -the law, to admire its wisdom and beauty, as you are now? Putting the -thing in a business light, you change no beliefs—you simply take on a -new one."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p><p>"I'll profess to believe nothing but what I understand," declared the -broker.</p> - -<p>"You believe in geography, don't you?" asked the president, "and in -history, astronomy, chemistry, zoölogy—all the sciences, in fact? You -swear by Darwin, yet you certainly don't pretend to understand all that -he writes about."</p> - -<p>"I accept his conclusions, because I believe in his wisdom and honesty," -said the broker. "Of course I don't profess to be able to follow him -through his scientific experiments."</p> - -<p>"Exactly," said the president. "And you believe that Christ and the -apostles were honest, don't you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—as honest as <i>human</i> beings ever are," said the broker.</p> - -<p>"That means as honest as Darwin and Spencer, then," said Mr. Lottson. -"Then why not believe them as well as your scientific teachers?"</p> - -<p>"Because——" said Mr. Whilcher, and hesitated.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p><p>"Because other people <i>do</i>," continued Lottson, "and it wouldn't seem -scholarly to accept that which was taught and accepted by men whose -demonstrations were not made by the assistance of material things. If -you stick to your ideas, men will hold you to them. You can't live up to -them in your business; you'll lose money if you try it, and you'll be -called a fool for your pains. Why don't you be consistent? There's no -consistency between morals and business excepting through the medium of -the Christian belief. Believe what you choose so long as you believe in -a First Cause, be one of us, accept the promises that were made to -provide for your condition as well as that of every other man that finds -a constant disagreement between life and law. Then you'll at least have -done what is the business duty of every man—you'll have provided -against the dangers which you don't fear, and yet daren't defy for fear -they may exist."</p> - -<p>"That's a cold-blooded way of putting it, any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> way," remarked the -broker, after a moment or two of thought, which was apparently amusing.</p> - -<p>"I don't deny it," said the president, "but reason is always -cold-blooded. You don't pretend that in your darling scientific hobbies -it's anything else, do you? You free-thinkers claim to monopolize -reason; but you can't help seeing that religion deals in it just as much -as science does, and that it leads men to the church as truly as it does -to the study. And I want it to lead you to us, as it is bound to do if -you're as fair as you pretend to be."</p> - -<p>"You want me to be a religionist, do you?" asked Whilcher; "a shouting, -sentimental exhorter! What a fine reputation you want me to make—and -lose—among my friends!"</p> - -<p>"I don't want you to do anything of the sort," said the president. "Did -you ever hear of <i>me</i> shouting or exhorting?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Whilcher laughed long and loud at the mere thought, as would any -other of the president's acquaintances have done. The president<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> colored -a little and contemplated the matting of the cabin floor, but replied:</p> - -<p>"It's nothing to my discredit, nor anything to laugh about. Because -excitable people get into the church, drawn there by appeals to their -emotional nature, it doesn't prove that noise and talk are necessary -results of religion. You don't find any nonsense of that kind in St. -Paul's Epistles, do you? <i>He</i> was a man after my own heart—a fellow who -believed that the laborer was worthy of his hire, who kept himself -before the people, who talked solid sense, and explained how easy it was -for every man to take advantage of the sacrifice that was made for him. -You know the little company there is in the city that insures against -accidents? I don't believe you'd lend twenty-five cents on the dollar on -its stock—I'll sell you some of their certificates cheaper than that, -if you ever want any—but whenever you make a trip out of town I -understand you take out one of their policies."</p> - -<p>"So I do," said the broker. "It costs very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> little, and it covers a good -deal, and may come handy in case of trouble."</p> - -<p>"That's exactly the argument in favor of your joining the church," said -the president, "excepting that in the latter case a great deal more is -promised and the cost is nothing at all."</p> - -<p>"Excepting church dues," said the broker, with a quizzical smile.</p> - -<p>"Well," said the president, "that's true, but what do they amount to in -a question of risk?"</p> - -<p>Broker Whilcher reflected profoundly for several moments, and at last -said:</p> - -<p>"Lottson, I'm inclined to do it; if any one had ever talked solid sense -to me about religion I should have been in the Church before. Still, how -am I going to solemnly declare before a body of people that I believe -things which I really don't believe at all?"</p> - -<p>"You must believe them before you declare any belief, and believe them -for the reason that you believe thousands of other things—because you -are told that they are true. You <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>believe many a thing on the word of -worse men than those who wrote the Gospels and Epistles, for these men -showed no sign of being on the make, while your business informants do. -You are to believe them for lack of any definite information to the -contrary, and because there was no selfish object in the eye of any man -who gave the words upon which these beliefs are founded."</p> - -<p>"I declare, I'll do it!" exclaimed the broker; "but say, Lottson, do you -get a commission on church members as you do on insurance risks? Because -if you do—halves!"</p> - -<p>"Nonsense!" laughed the president. "You'll have to go before the -examining committee this week, for next Sunday is the first of the -month, and the regular day for the reception of new members."</p> - -<p>"Examining committee!" exclaimed the broker. "Whew! I guess I'll change -my mind."</p> - -<p>"Don't be afraid," said the president. "I'm a member of the committee, -myself, and when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> I take a candidate in hand, the others are pretty sure -to let him alone. I've been in business long enough to know how to treat -a man according to his style, I fancy."</p> - -<p>The new candidate laughed heartily to himself, stared at the president -so intently that he embarrassed the latter; then he shook his head with -the air of a man to whom a new revelation had come, and he put a cigar -in his mouth and started forward for a contemplative smoke.</p> - -<p>As for President Lottson, he quoted to himself, with intense -satisfaction, the passage:</p> - -<p>"Whoso shall convert a sinner from the error of his ways shall save a -soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."</p> - -<p>Then he searched the boat diligently for Captain Maile, and when he had -found him he told him the news with evident exultation, and the captain -replied:</p> - -<p>"Another crooked stick reserved unto the final burning."</p> - -<p>"See here, Maile," said Mr. Lottson, "this is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> nonsense, and you're the -last man who should be guilty of it. Your father and grandfather were -among the founders of the church in this section of country."</p> - -<p>"That's true," said the captain, "and to save the family reputation from -disgrace, I've had to spend some of the money they left me in trying to -undo some of the mischief they did."</p> - -<p>"Then you're a fool," said the president. "That may sound like plain -talk, but it's true; you should have learned, as your ancestors did, -that religion is one thing and business is another."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I've learned it," said the captain, "and I've also learned that the -devil, if there is a devil, is the father of that precious notion, and -that it's worth millions to him. Do you suppose I think any more of men -because they belong to the church? Do you imagine I look over your -policies any less carefully than I do those of Bennett, who don't -believe in God, devil, or anybody else? Do you suppose I'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> take -Whilcher's word a minute quicker when he gets into the church than I do -now? Not a bit of it. The church is the hope of the honest and the mask -of the rascally. How did you like the way the lesson went yesterday?"</p> - -<p>"I liked the way it ended better than anything else," said the -president.</p> - -<p>"I knew you would," said the captain; "and if they spring a -reconsideration on you next Sunday, <i>won't</i> you be disgusted!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Buffle had approached the couple as they conversed, and said:</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen, what do you think of yesterday's exercises?"</p> - -<p>"Both dissatisfied," promptly replied the captain. "Lottson don't like -the way they began, and I'm sorry that they ended when they did."</p> - -<p>"I'm counting noses to see if we can't secure a reconsideration," said -Mr. Buffle. "I don't like the way in which the main question was dodged, -and I want to hear more of it."</p> - -<p>"Then you'd better go over to the Unitarian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> Church," said President -Lottson. "They'll talk morality to you there to your heart's content."</p> - -<p>"They will in our church, too," replied Mr. Buffle, "unless prevented by -trickery. One would suppose that morality was something to be afraid of -by the way people dodge talking about it."</p> - -<p>Mr. Lottson assumed a very high-toned air, and replied:</p> - -<p>"It isn't that morality is feared, but that when men fall to talking -about it they forget that there is anything higher."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it's because they never talk about it excepting at the -beginning," said Mr. Buffle, "and they're anxious to begin at the -bottom, as men have to do in business and everything else, if they -really want to learn. I begin to think it's a subject about which there -isn't much known. It's often seemed to me in churches that men are very -much like the apprentices in my ship-yard; the first thing these boys -want to do is to paint the names and designs on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> paddle-boxes, -though that's the very last thing we generally attend to. Not one in a -hundred of them are ever anxious to know how keels are laid and hulls -are shaped."</p> - -<p>"That's only business; isn't it, Lottson?" asked Captain Maile. -"Business and religion are two very different things, and a smart man -like you, Buffle, ought to know it, and not go about arranging for -Sunday exercises to torment men into thinking what they ought to do, -instead of letting them enjoy a day of holy rest and delight in the -contemplation of what they're going to get when they can't stay here any -longer to get for themselves."</p> - -<p>Mr. Lottson turned abruptly away, and remarked to Mr. Prymm that Captain -Maile was the most hardened scoffer he had ever known. He also informed -Prymm of the movement in favor of a reconsideration of the lesson of the -previous Sunday.</p> - -<p>"I shall oppose it," said Mr. Prymm with more than his ordinary -decision. "I entered the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> class with the hope of learning something of -God's will as revealed by the Scriptures; but if it is the desire of the -remaining members, or a majority of them, that we shall linger for weeks -over single verses, I shall find it more convenient and profitable to -devote the corresponding hour of every Sabbath to private study and -contemplation."</p> - -<p>"I suppose," said President Lottson, noting the approach of Judge -Cottaway and Deacon Bates elbow to elbow, the latter looking very solemn -and the judge exceedingly bored, "I suppose it will be like Cottaway to -insinuate that the matter should be talked over and over again until -doomsday. It takes a lawyer to string a subject out until he doesn't -know the end of it when he sees it."</p> - -<p>"Lawyers like the judge have some faculties which we might imitate with -profit," said Mr. Buffle. "They believe in listening to all the evidence -and determining accordingly. Evidence seems a something which the -members<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> of this class are afraid of, and practice based upon it is -still more terrifying. Ah, good morning, judge—we want to have another -talk next Sunday on the subject of yesterday's lesson, and knowing your -experience in sifting evidence, we would be very grateful if you would -charge your conscience with the case, and become responsible for it."</p> - -<p>"If the rule can be suspended, I shall be glad to throw upon it such -light as I can," said the judge.</p> - -<p>"We were talking, gentlemen," said Deacon Bates, "upon the spiritual -significance of righteousness. I suggested, and the judge was pleased to -agree with me, that righteousness had a spiritual as well as a merely -moral significance."</p> - -<p>"It certainly has," said President Lottson promptly, "and if for a while -we could divest ourselves of the materialistic notions which prevail as -badly in the Church as out of it, we would obtain some new light on this -subject<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> which is so puzzling when considered only by the human mind. We -would realize that with the prince of this world Christ has nothing to -do; that while in the world we are under the dominion of the world."</p> - -<p>"And that our real life does not begin until we are with God," said -Deacon Bates, by way of supplement. "This world is a place of -preparation for another, and it is what we are to do and be in that -blessed sphere that Christ came to teach us. The things of this world -are really the unreal—only the things which are unseen are eternal. How -much righteousness had the crucified thief who rebuked his fellow for -reviling Christ? Yet to him were spoken the words which every Christian -longs to hear, 'This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.' Belief in -Christ, longing for him and his glory, are what should occupy our -thoughts while on earth."</p> - -<p>"And do it so closely that we shall have an opportunity to follow him. -Of course when a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> man believes in a presidential candidate, he believes -and does nothing else. He doesn't vote for him, act according to his -political theories, spend money for him, or any such nonsense. He merely -believes in him, and does or leaves undone everything else, feeling sure -that it's the candidate's business to make everything come right. That -isn't the way you gentlemen talked last campaign, though."</p> - -<p>The deacon smiled pityingly. "There you go again," said he, "mixing the -temporal and the spiritual, though they're not the slightest bit alike."</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," said Captain Maile; "so it's heretical to try to bring -heavenly influences to bear upon earthly things. You want people to -understand that God is not God of the living, but of the dead, though -that wasn't the way Christ said it when he was alive."</p> - -<p>Each man put on a pugnacious face, and betook himself to his own -reflections, and these lasted until the boat touched her pier in the city.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X.</span> <span class="smaller">A DECISIVE BATTLE.</span></h2> - -<p>When the Scripture Club assembled on the following Sunday, it was in a -manner somewhat more quiet and less cordial than usual. Mr. Jodderel -volunteered the opening prayer, and then Deacon Bates began to read the -fifth beatitude, when Mr. Radley said:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Leader, a majority of the class would like to hear a further -discussion of the last subject. As the original mover of the resolution -restricting the class to one Sunday to a verse, which motion I made with -the almost unanimous support of the class, it is fitting that I should -take the initiative in securing a further hearing upon any subject of -which the majority have not heard enough. I therefore move that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> the -rule referred to be rescinded for one Sunday, and that we continue the -discussion of the fourth beatitude."</p> - -<p>"Second the motion," said Squire Woodhouse.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Leader," exclaimed Mr. Jodderel, "I object. The time of this class -should be spent upon the consideration of subjects according to their -relative importance. If the nature and whereabouts of the Kingdom of -Heaven is worth only a single hour of discussion, this minor question of -righteousness certainly isn't entitled to any more. I must oppose the -resolution."</p> - -<p>"It was apparently very unwise to adopt such a rule," remarked Mr. -Prymm, "if only to be rescinded or suspended whenever the curiosity of -any of the members may desire it. We are adults instead of children, and -cannot afford, for the sake of consistency, the abrogation of this rule, -especially when every one present has unlimited informal and social -opportunities for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>discussion, as, indeed, they have already been doing -all week long."</p> - -<p>Mr. Prymm looked appealingly toward President Lottson, but that -gentleman seemed in the depths of a gloomy reverie, and unwilling to be -disturbed. For Mr. Lottson's convert had relapsed; he had, before the -evening on which the examining committee met, dropped a note to Mr. -Lottson, saying that the longer he meditated upon the matter the more he -felt that the proposed action would be hypocritical; that if the church -would not detect the hypocrisy, the rest of the world would, and he -preferred to retain the respect of his friends. This note of Broker -Whilcher's had not only inflicted disappointment upon President Lottson, -but it had brought him some tormenting anxieties. If Whilcher, who was a -shrewd observer of men, really meant what he said, was it not possible -and probable that he, President Lottson, who believed all that he had -asked the broker to believe, and very little more, might also be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> looked -upon as a hypocrite? He knew that his reputation in his own church was -not all that he could have wished it to be; but, looked at in sober -earnest, his church, to his eyes, consisted of such of its members as -were city business men, like himself; there was still another element in -the church, however, and it was numerically the largest, which judged a -man by his professions, and Mr. Lottson trusted that among these he -still retained his respect. But then came a more annoying thought. -Business was business, and business men would take no man's word any the -more implicitly because he was a church member. Could it be possible -that among these he passed not only for a business man of ordinary -morality, but as a hypocrite too? Was he not really honest in his -beliefs? He certainly was; he could lay his hand on his heart and swear -honestly that every religious belief he possessed he had acquired by the -exercise of his best logical faculties. Why, then, should he be -considered hypocritical? Could it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> be possible that the world saw -something more in the Bible than church members like himself did? -Certainly not. How could the world do anything of the sort? It had never -studied the Bible as he had done, and as fathers of the faith, with whom -he had never for a moment dared to compare himself, had done. And then -to have a prolonged consideration of the late lesson go on in his -hearing while he felt as he did! It was unendurable. He would have -departed silently and without explanation, and betaken himself to Dr. -Humbletop's class, had he not previously informed Builder Stott that he -would remain and look after orthodox interests in the club.</p> - -<p>But as he reached this point of his reflections, Mr. Prymm's remarks -ended, and his eye caught Mr. Prymm's, and the exasperating character of -the doctrine of non-paying works seemed more unendurable to him than -ever, so he controlled himself, rose to his feet, and said:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Leader, in the interest of Christianity,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> as defined by the Master, -I also object to the further consideration of this subject, if it is -urged with the spirit that has been manifested. Christ said, 'My yoke is -easy and my burden is light,' but some of the members of this class -remind me of the Pharisees of whom Christ said that 'they bound upon -men's shoulders burdens grievous to be borne.' If religion was made for -anything, it was made for belief and use in this present world; I -object, therefore, to its being made to appear so unlovely and severe -that those who most need it are frightened from it. Those of us who -believe would never have done so had we supposed that men would be -allowed to set aside Christ's merciful words, and establish the -commandments—the notions—of men in their place. I believe as -thoroughly in righteousness as any man, but I don't care to sit here and -listen to its meaning being changed by men who care more for their own -opinions than they do for the commandments of God. And so I shall vote -against the resolution, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> ask all others to do so, if they believe in -the righteousness of God instead of that of man."</p> - -<p>"I don't see why it's a Scriptural subject at all," said Mr. Hopper, -relinquishing for a moment his hold upon the review containing the -article on "The True Location of the Holy Sepulchre." "It was announced -by Jesus, I know; but it was before he made that atonement which set -aside mere human righteousness as a requisite to salvation. I move we -drop the subject."</p> - -<p>"The gentleman's motion is not in order, unless in the form of an -amendment," said Deacon Bates.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hopper's suggestion that this beatitude was given before the -atonement was made," said young Mr. Waggett, "is so original and so full -of practical interest that I should like to hear a further discussion of -the subject, if only to see whether this point cannot be -substantiated—or, rather, whether it can be successfully opposed."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p><p>President Lottson leaned over the back of young Mr. Waggett's chair, -and whispered:</p> - -<p>"Don't make an ass of yourself. <i>I</i> can see where this thing is bound to -lead us, if you can't; vote the other way when the question is put."</p> - -<p>A moment or two of silence ensued, and then Deacon Bates put the -question to vote. A strong response of "Ay!" was soon followed by an -equally noisy "No!" and some one called for a rising vote. Up rose Judge -Cottaway, Squire Woodhouse, Broker Whilcher, Mr. Radley, Principal -Alleman, Mr. Buffle, Lawyer Scott, Dr. Fahrenglotz, and Captain Maile, -nine in all, while for the negative there were but seven votes, Mr. -Bungfloat and young Banty keeping their seats during both votes, the -former with a helpless expression of countenance, and the latter with a -contemptuous smile.</p> - -<p>"The ayes have it," said the leader, and Builder Stott, who, until that -moment, had listened at the key-hole, hurried off to Dr. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>Humbletop's -class-room and stated that the club was determined on carrying free -speech into the ground and the club with it.</p> - -<p>"Mark my words," said the builder, "the Scripture Club is as good as -dead."</p> - -<p>The discussion was opened by Judge Cottaway, according to the special -request of the founder of the club, and the old jurist spoke as follows:</p> - -<p>"Estimated according to the rules of evidence, the requirement for -righteousness never ends in the Holy Scriptures, and never can end while -the Church hold the revealed will of God as an authoritative rule of -guidance. The law was the topic of lawgivers, prophets, the Psalmist, -the wise Solomon, and all of them regarded it as the only substitute for -the personal presence and command of God. Christ never failed to hold it -up for reverence and obedience, excepting when minor points of it were -of less vital importance than that of those for whose direction it was -given."</p> - -<p>"That's it, exactly," interrupted Mr. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>Jodderel. "The law was made for -man, not man for the law, and when man can't live according to the law, -the law must give way, as it did by express command when Christ -condemned the Jews for rebuking the disciples when they plucked corn on -the Sabbath day."</p> - -<p>"I imagine that it was more for the sake of rebuking hypocrisy than to -defend the improvidence of his disciples that Christ spoke as he did on -the occasion referred to," said the judge. "But he declared the binding -force of the law more than once, and he not only urged it upon the -people, but increased its scope and severity by explaining that -obedience should not be only to the letter, but to the spirit of the -heavenly commands. Mercy, love, and compassion are not at all -inconsistent with the closest application of the law, though men have -strangely come to imagine that they are. In this same matchless sermon -we are studying you will find his definition of some methods of -violating the seventh commandment. The spiritual rule<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> from which Christ -deduced these conclusions may be applied to all the other commandments -with results equally startling. 'Thou shalt not steal,' is the simple -letter of the eighth commandment, but according to the new method -prescribed by Christ for the translation of the law according to Moses, -to deprive a man of his peace, of his patience, of his faith in mankind, -even if done in ways permissible in business circles, is as truly theft -as is the depriving a man of his money by actual robbery. And as I am a -member of the bar, as I have been a law-maker, and an adjudicator of -legal questions, I feel that I am severe upon no one more than my own -old self, when I say that to recover the amount of a debt by legal means -which compel the debtor to part with property of value several times -greater than that of the property upon which the debt is based, is theft -of the most heinous description, for even under the most merciful -construction of the most careless law, the only theft at all pardonable -is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> that of small amounts in cases of dire necessity; whereas my -experience in legal collections is that not once in a hundred times are -they made excepting of men in the direst distress, and of utter -inability to pay."</p> - -<p>"But Christ mercifully forbore to give such interpretations to all the -commandments," said Mr. Jodderel, "and I have always thought his -refraining from doing so was one of the sure proofs of his divinity. Of -course he saw the people around him—his own disciples, even—doing -hundreds of things that were wrong; but he knew their natures were too -feeble to live up to the holy ideas which were natural enough to <i>Him</i>, -so he said little, except to exhort them to sin no more."</p> - -<p>"Very true," said the judge, "but since then the Christian world has had -the benefit of nearly twenty centuries of growth under the instructions -of Christ. Men have grown less animal, more intellectual; less brutal, -more spiritual. The passions and appetites that once<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> seemed -uncontrollable have come more and more under restraint under the -influence of generations of right living. Men nowadays endure physical -discipline from which the ascetics of Christ's time, or even of the -middle ages, would have shrunk with fear. The world is lamentably full -of wickedness and weakness, but it has now what it did <i>not</i> have when -Moses gave his law—it has in every community one or more men who show -by right living what a perfect control man may exert over his lower -faculties, or, rather, over the lower developments of faculties which in -the clearer light of to-day develop into noble virtues. But the stronger -sins die hardest, so to-day we find, in communities where murder is -unheard of, Sabbath-breaking unknown, profanity unspoken, and the -greater crimes mentioned in the Decalogue seldom or never brought to -light—in such localities we find the greed of gain made the excuse of -unfair dealings between man and man; it stirs up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> strife more vicious -than that which took place when the civilized world was one grand camp, -and when to kill a man for his possessions was a deed praiseworthy -rather than otherwise, especially when the victim might, with any -excuse, be called an enemy."</p> - -<p>"One might suppose, from the judge's remarks, that the world had but one -sin—and only one virtue," said Mr. Jodderel.</p> - -<p>"According to Scripture," exclaimed the judge, "there <i>is</i> but one -virtue, for it includes all others. Its name is Love—will the gentleman -remember that the assertion is Christ's, and not mine? There is more -than one sin, truly; but not one of the dreadful number could exist were -the one virtue practiced as it should be. And this brings me back to the -leading idea of the lesson, from which I have unintentionally been -diverted toward specialties. And yet, I know not how better to explain -the nature of righteousness according to the law, than to continue in -use the illustration that I have been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> using—the treatment, by each -other, of men in their business affairs. For there are but few relations -of men that cannot be classified under business heads. By implication, -sins against self and nature belong in the same category, for the man -who impairs in any way his own physical and mental capital, injures to a -greater or less extent the whole community in which he resides. To save -man and to bless him is the whole aim of the law, for it is only by man -in his proper condition that God can be fully glorified. Thus regarded, -the way of righteousness can never seem hard, tiresome, or narrow—it is -rather the only highway which is always delightful. The promise given, -therefore, in this beatitude is the most precious in the whole Bible, -for there is no good it does not include, nor any evil which it does not -help us to shun."</p> - -<p>"That's the first satisfactory description I ever heard of the law," -remarked Mr. Radley. "I wonder why other men—preachers, even—never -talk about it in the same way."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p><p>"They'd lose all their wealthy pew-holders if they did," answered -Captain Maile.</p> - -<p>"Not all," said Mr. Buffle, "at least, not if <i>I'm</i> as well off in this -world's goods as I think I am. And I don't propose to forget what I have -heard."</p> - -<p>"It is very evident, however," said President Lottson, "that Christ knew -that this idea of the law—which I admit to be as sound as it is -beautiful—could never be fulfilled by man, or he would never have -considered it necessary to make an atonement for sin, and urge people to -accept it, instead of trying to be saved by righteousness alone. The -gentleman lays great stress upon the failings of business men. They -exist about as he has painted them, but had he spent his own life in -business instead of among the abstractions of a learned profession, he -would see the other side of the case, which is that business is selfish, -that it cannot be otherwise, and that man's only hope lies in Christ's -promises."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p><p>"Only hope of what?" asked Squire Woodhouse.</p> - -<p>"Of salvation, of course," replied the president.</p> - -<p>"Then, what about the world?" asked Mr. Radley. "Is nothing to be done -<i>here</i> for God—and man? Did we come into the world for no purpose but -to get out of it in the best shape we can? Has God no purposes to -fulfill here, or did he only make this wonderful combination of beauty -and utility, that we call the world, to be a mere stage for blundering -and wrong-doing?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered young Mr. Waggett; "it is to fit us all for entrance to -the glorious company of angels, prophets, and martyrs."</p> - -<p>"We had better all die in infancy then," said Mr. Radley, "before we've -been unfitted for such society, and been compelled to begin all over -again. What a contemptible blunderer God must be, if the common -religious idea of the use of the world is correct!"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p><p>"Gentlemen," said Mr. Alleman, "it seems to me that this class has by -this time plainly indicated its religious measure. We have met together -many times; we have expressed our own views, and listened to many -others; we have individually indicated considerable ability and -ingenuity; but I am unable to discover that even a respectable minority -have changed their beliefs. Of the sincerity of belief of those who have -spoken there can be no doubt; but something more than ability and -sincerity is necessary to retain usefulness for a body of men, who are -determined to approach intellectually no nearer to each other. As we -cannot agree intellectually, why can we not do so morally, and establish -for the class a higher motive than can be furnished by religious -curiosity or tenacity of special theological opinions? Free speech has -been the distinctive feature of the class, but all that freedom of -expression can gain for us has already been gained. Why cannot we, -therefore, form a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> new and solemn compact that we will, each one -according to his own special religious belief and light, strictly order -our lives according to the moral ideas which we all admit are found in -the Bible and are above criticism?"</p> - -<p>"What!" exclaimed Mr. Jodderel, "and turn a religious organization into -a society for the encouragement of mere morality? None for me!"</p> - -<p>"I should consider such a course as religiously suicidal, if not -blasphemous," declared Mr. Prymm.</p> - -<p>"The man who does it can bid good-bye to his property," said Mr. Hopper, -"and I, for one, am determined to give a good account of my -stewardship."</p> - -<p>"He can bid good-bye to his chance of salvation, too," said young Mr. -Waggett, "if he's not going to think more of it than he does of mere -morality."</p> - -<p>"Good-bye to his fun, too," suggested young Mr. Banty.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p><p>"If we cannot leave all to follow Him," remarked Deacon Bates, who had -once felt himself called to mission work, but successfully resisted the -call, "it would certainly be unseemly to do so for the sake of mere -worldly righteousness."</p> - -<p>"'Twould revolutionize society," said Lawyer Scott, "and no man should -attempt such a thing without the most careful preparation."</p> - -<p>"Doesn't Herbert Spencer say something about morality being at the top -of everything?" asked Mr. Buffle of Broker Whilcher.</p> - -<p>"Ye—es," said the broker; "but he considers that it's wrong to -sacrifice one's business, as I'd have to do to live according to the -plan suggested."</p> - -<p>"If Christ had intended that morality should have been so much," said -President Lottson, "he would have talked more about it, and less about -other things. He knew what the world needed, what it could stand, and -what it couldn't."</p> - -<p>"As if he wasn't all the while insisting upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> morality," exclaimed Mr. -Alleman. "Captain Maile, you're certainly with us! You've always talked -as if you were."</p> - -<p>The captain made a wry face.</p> - -<p>"I've talked against hypocrisy—that's what I've done," said he. "I've -got no special religious belief myself, but I hate to see holes in those -of other people."</p> - -<p>"I," said Dr. Fahrenglotz, "would yield adherence to such a system, were -it not that men disagree as to what morality is, and I do not wish to -subject myself to any arbitrary rule or agreement. The soul of man -should be free."</p> - -<p>Judge Cottaway arose and gave his hand to Mr. Alleman, and several -members affected to consider this action as a sign that the meeting had -adjourned. The party dispersed more rapidly than it had ever done -before, and left the judge, the principal, the Squire, Mr. Buffle, and -Mr. Radley talking to each other.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI.</span> <span class="smaller">CONCLUSION.</span></h2> - -<p>When next the Scripture Club convened there were visible some vacant -places. Mr. Alleman was not there, and Mr. Prymm had betaken himself to -Dr. Humbletop's class, where he might study the Word of God without -perplexing annoyances from those who could not, for even an hour in a -week, and that hour on the Sabbath day, let the world out of their -thoughts. Several of the members had endeavored to dissuade Mr. Prymm -from his intention, but he remained firm. Broker Whilcher went back to -his Unitarian brethren, but even among them he was noted as having lost -his old interest in the brotherhood of man and the rights of humanity. -Young Mr. Banty drifted off to nowhere in particular; but for weeks he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> -told to every irreligious acquaintance the story of the difficulties in -the Scripture Club, and great was the sinful hilarity excited thereby.</p> - -<p>The difference of opinion on the subject of righteousness had upon the -class an effect so peculiar that Dr. Fahrenglotz did not hesitate to -express an opinion that free speech was a dead letter, and he thereafter -took pains to absent himself from the company of the assumed custodians -thereof, although he was frequently and earnestly besought to favor the -club with the pure logical aspect of questions, the import of which the -members had first obscured by much sophistry.</p> - -<p>Judge Cottaway, Squire Woodhouse, Principal Alleman, Mr. Radley, and the -founder of the class contracted a habit of meeting informally at each -other's residence, and as subscription papers increased in numbers soon -after, there was little or no curiosity manifested by their late -associates to know what was talked about at these meetings. It was a -noteworthy fact,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> and the subject of much dismal head-shaking among the -churchly, that these five men represented four different denominations, -and that they finally deprived Father McGarry's flock of a member who -had several times listened to the discussions of the club in its earlier -days, whom they failed to provide with a new denominational faith in -place of his old one.</p> - -<p>As for Captain Maile, he was thereafter the most shamefaced and silent -man at Valley Rest. He was by no means the first man who had mistaken -the critical faculty for character; but he was not a man of large -information in the history of the world outside of Valley Rest, so he -spent several years of his life in indignant yet humble -self-questionings as to his peculiar mental organization. He finally -admitted to himself that to keep his fault-finding disposition under -control, he must devote more persistent attention to it than he had ever -given his better self before. Several years later he identified himself -closely with all the practical work of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> Second Church, and -distinguished himself as being the man of all others who could accept -advice without showing impatience.</p> - -<p>But the remainder of the club remained faithful, and they devoted -themselves to study with an earnestness that was simply magnificent. -They would divide each lesson into sections, and assign a section to -each member, which member would in turn collect and present to the class -all available information upon the subject, and some of the young lady -attendants pronounced some of these addresses more interesting than -sermons. Mr. Jodderel naturally took in charge all topics relating to -the future state of existence, and as the class imposed no arbitrary -distinctions as to time, he found no cause to complain. To President -Lottson fell the duty of enlightening the class upon the geography of -Palestine, and so thoroughly did he do his work that one of his papers -was asked for publication, and copies of it were accepted with thanks by -several learned societies. Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> Prymm, who finally came back to the -class after having been assured that for months it had discussed no -subject not purely scriptural, made some remarks upon the atonement -which were finally collected in a volume entitled "A Layman's Views of -Christ's Great Work," and the book received many carefully worded -non-committal notices from the religious press, though the bulk of the -edition still remains in the storehouse of the publisher. Young Mr. -Waggett kept an observant eye for all topics bearing literally upon the -subject of salvation. Mr. Hopper found at last an opportunity to read -his long-cherished essay upon "The True Location of the Holy Sepulchre," -with many notes, suggestions, and emendations by himself. And the class -grew in membership and in the number of listeners, and there was never -heard in it a personality or a revival of old disputes which had time -and again rended the church. Nothing was said in its whole subsequent -history which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> could cast discredit upon the daily life of any member, -or cause Satan to feel any serious apprehensions for the continued -activity of his own business.</p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE END.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Scripture Club of Valley Rest, by -John Habberton - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SCRIPTURE CLUB OF VALLEY REST *** - -***** This file should be named 54627-h.htm or 54627-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/6/2/54627/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/54627-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/54627-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 89233bb..0000000 --- a/old/54627-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54627-h/images/frontis.jpg b/old/54627-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3ece7a8..0000000 --- a/old/54627-h/images/frontis.jpg +++ /dev/null |
