But there was one sad difference between them—Johnston was skeptically inclined. While the two men maintained the highest regard for each other, and frequently were associated together in their work, the subject of religion was one point on which, to the regret, possibly, of both parties, they were not in accord. Johnston’s skepticism however, was not of the positive sort. He represented the honest doubter rather than the avowed disbeliever. His wife was a devout Presbyterian, and while he could not subscribe to the tenets of the church, he never disparaged the church or its work. Every worthy cause found in him a sympathizer and liberal supporter. His honor and integrity were never questioned, and he enjoyed the full confidence and esteem of his fellows. It is a matter of satisfaction that such a life was not permitted to go out in the dark. And Newgent had the joy of finally leading him, just as his sun was sinking below the horizon, to a simple faith in Christ and a blessed assurance of his acceptance with God.
During his last illness, which covered a period of six months, the colonel was visited frequently by local ministers, but owing to his reputed skepticism and his high professional standing, the subject of religion was not pressed upon him. There is a tendency to fear big men in matters of religion not easily explained and not easily overcome, and it is quite probable that many a great life has ended without the consolations of religion that, were it not for this tendency, might have been led into the light as readily as a little child. Oh, how Christians fear the logic of the world, and yet, the sword of the Spirit is a greater weapon than all the world’s artillery!
Newgent visited him almost daily during this time, and on one occasion determined to broach the subject of religion. “Colonel,” he said, in his usual tactful manner, “while you are shut in here, would it not be a fine opportunity for you to read the Bible through?”
“Well,” he answered, “Laura and I tried it; we took it up by books, but we got stalled.” It was, of course, the colonel himself who “got stalled.” Laura, his wife, was a Christian, as has been noted, and her faith was not shaken by Scriptural difficulties.
“What was your trouble?” Newgent questioned, with a view to encouraging conversation along that channel.
“Well,” he said, “we got to the book of Job. I could not reconcile the book of Job with the idea that God is our Heavenly Father, full of love and mercy. If Job was God’s child and a good man, as the Bible says he was, how could a loving father allow a loving, obedient child to be so abused and tempted by the devil? I can’t see through it.”
After he had delivered his speech on the difficulties of the book of Job, and unburdened his mind somewhat, Newgent drew near to him, and speaking very simply but earnestly, said: “Colonel, you are a great lawyer, but you are only a child in the Bible. Your trouble is that you commenced at the wrong place. When, as a little child, you started to school, your teacher did not start you in the advanced studies. She put you in the A, B, C class. Now, don’t be in too big a hurry to get out of your A, B, C’s in the study of the Bible, for there is where you belong. I have been making a study of God’s Word for many years, and I want you to listen to me a while. I think we can get over the rough places after a while. Do you have any trouble with Jesus Christ? He was God’s dear son, yet he had to suffer more than any man, but his suffering was for others. So we learn from Job’s sufferings that he has helped millions to trust God in the dark.”
This was the colonel’s A, B, C lesson in religion. The visits and conversations were continued day after day, until a couple of days before his death, when the truths of the preceding lessons were clinched in the following conversation:
“Colonel,” said the preacher, resuming their lessons, “you had one of the best mothers in the world, did you not?” He admitted that he had.