[A WORD IN SEASON.]
"YOU don't mean to say you are really going to hear that atheist lecturer, Jim," said a working man to his neighbour who had just entered his cottage after tea was over.
The two men had walked home from work together, and it was while they were on the way that Jim Parker had stated his intention of going to hear the so-called secularist, and asked his fellow-workman to accompany him. John Turner was not a little surprised when the latter made his appearance as he said "spruced up," to repeat the invitation.
"Yes, I am going, John," was the answer. "I always like to hear both sides of a question. Won't you go too?"
"Not I, Jim; I hope I've read my Bible to better purpose than that. I profess to believe, ay, and I do believe that it is God's Word, and if I were to go and hear that man it would be like saying that I'm willing to let somebody try and persuade me that it is not. Nay, nay, 'Let God be true, but every man a liar,' say I. I cannot afford to be reasoned or persuaded out of what is my greatest comfort, Jim."
"Why, you might be frightened that you would be persuaded out of your belief, if you were to go with me, John."
"And so I am, and I'm not ashamed to own it. I'm only an ignorant sort of fellow, with very little book learning, and this lecturing man is sure to be up to everything. He could make lots of statements that I could not contradict. At least I couldn't argue so as to show that he's wrong, even while I am certain in my own mind that he is. Where would be the use of a poor working man like me standing up and saying that yon atheist was going about to rob us working folks of the best riches we have? Even if they would let me do it, and say what a comfort it is to feel that God loves a poor sinner like me; that Jesus died for me, and the Holy Spirit has brought home the blessed lesson to my heart, that was ready to sink with shame and fear, till that message of pardon came to me—who would listen?"
"I don't suppose anybody would; because, you see, the folks are going to hear the other man tell a different tale, and they would not have him interrupted."
"No, I should have to sit and drink in poison, and see other people doing the same without being able to knock the cup away."