“Pride?” I gasped. “I didn’t think I had anything or had done anything to be proud over—that I know of.”
“I thought you did not see it,” he announced; “that is the deceitfulness of sin, it blinds us. That is why I came to you—to warn, you understand.”
“Then you will relieve the tension I am suffering from at this minute,” I retorted, “by telling me just what it is to which I am blind, and which is sinful. I am sure I stand ready to renounce anything that is liable to stand between me and God, Jason.”
His severe, but intensely spiritualized features relaxed at that declaration. He nodded his head and rubbed his pale hands.
“I am glad that you are open to the truth, Brother Priddy,” he crooned, with satisfaction. “I have especial reference to that watch-chain of yours and to that scarf-pin.”
“What!”
“That and that,” he reiterated, pointing first to my watch-chain and then to my scarf-pin.
“Nonsense,” I exclaimed. “What in the world are you making this bother over?”
“That watch-chain and the pin are ornaments and personal adornments, not necessary to the person. They are expressions of pride which lies in the heart to corrupt it. Therefore you will never find peace with God until you have discarded them.”
“Those things expressions of pride?” I gasped, “why, that chain is gold-plated and didn’t cost more than a dollar and a half, and as for the tie-pin!” I laughed. “Well, I paid ten cents for it, opals and all, in a Five and Ten Cent Store, Jason. Not much to grow proud over.”