The Black Forge Mills

by William P. Chipman

"Turning to the New Testament, we find its confirmation in the way Christ died, and in declarations like these: 'For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.' 'God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' 'He tasted death for every man.' 'He was made a curse for us.' Great as may be the mystery of it, here is an indisputable Scriptural fact. Those who have accepted it, and used it according to direction, and with the proper instrument of faith, have found it to accomplish their purpose, just as much as the subtle and mysterious current you call electricity when properly used produces its expected results. Take him at his word, and see if he does not do just as he promises.

"Pardon me for speaking plainly, but do not hope to go to Jesus, feeling that you are Mr. Grafton, the leading and most influential merchant of Easton, and that you would like to have him do you the honor of becoming your substitute. But go to him as Mr. Grafton the sinner, who must perish except he shall save, and there humbly plead his own promise, 'in nowise to cast out them that come unto him.'"

It was a plain, bold speech; but Ray, with no thought of anything but this man's great need, spoke with all that earnestness and eloquence for which he was noted, and Mr. Grafton listened with the profoundest attention. They had now reached the academy, and Mr. Grafton stopped.

"Light is coming," he said. "It ought to, with such plain preaching as you have done. God bless you, and please pray for me." And he turned and walked rapidly away.

The very next evening, however, he was at the meeting; and, rising, he made an humble confession of Christ, that touched every heart there. This was not entirely unexpected to Ray, though, for that afternoon, when he had gone at the usual hour to teach his pupils, he had been greeted by Louis, with the words:

"Oh, Mr. Branford, my papa loves Jesus now, and he is going to attend the same chapel where you go; and Aunt Amy will go too, and they say Susie and I may join the Sunday-school. Aren't you glad?"

Ray was indeed glad; and not long after Mr. Grafton and his sister united with that young, struggling church. They came there, moreover, to be earnest workers for the Master, and their great wealth from that hour was also consecrated to the Master's use.

So busy now was Ray with his studies and his work for the Lord, that almost before he could realize it was possible the last of May had come, and with it the closing examinations of the year. When these were over, it was found that Ray not only led his class, but that he held the highest rank ever attained by any graduate of the institution. Edward Lawton ranked second, and once more the two friends were brought into the same relation at their graduation—Edward taking the salutatory and Ray the valedictory.

Mr. Phillips, the principal, had looked forward to this commencement with commendable pride. He felt that his two leading scholars would honor him and the institute not only by their high scholarship and their earnest Christian character, but also as eloquent and forcible speakers. Particularly was this true of Ray. He had already developed rare ability as a writer and a speaker. His thoughts were always fresh and original, and his language appropriate and well chosen, while he possessed a voice of marked richness, flexibility, and power. He knew that the fame of both these lads had already gone out from the school, and would doubtless draw a host of the friends of the academy together on the graduating day.

Nor was he mistaken. The day dawned as bright and beautiful as a June day well could, and the audience filled the academic hall to its fullest capacity. Among those who were gathered there might have been noticed quite a number who are old friends of the reader. From Afton there were Mrs. Lawton and Daisy, Mr. and Mrs. Carleton, Mr. and Mrs. George Woodhull, Jacob Woodhull, Miss Squire and her eccentric father, who had lost none of his interest in Ray. Mr. Greenough, Mr. Shephard, Mr. Bacon, Dr. Gasque, and Sailor Jack had also come. From Wenton were all the Branfords, and with them was Captain Tom, who had arrived from his first voyage as commander of a ship, just in time to run up with the others to Easton. All of these, of course, had special reasons for being interested in the two who bore off the chief honors of the day.