Page:Free Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and Conduct.djvu/93

 impression that Death was too long in coming to fetch him, committed suicide by hanging himself in a coal-shed. His widow, nearly as aged as he was, went tottering feebly along to the clergyman of the parish, to relate the disaster and seek for help. The first thing the good minister told her was, that her husband, by committing suicide, had gone to hell. He then relaxed his sternness somewhat, and kindly said that, considering her age, infirmity and trouble, she "might call at the rectory every afternoon for the tea-leaves." This gracious invitation meant that the bereaved old creature could have, for her consolation, the refuse of the afternoon tea-pot after it had been well drained by this "Christian" gentleman, his wife and family! Of other help she got none, and life having become too hard for her to manage alone, despite the assistance of the clergyman's tea-leaves, she very soon, fortunately for herself, died of grief and starvation. "He that giveth to the poor" in this fashion, truly "lendeth to the Lord."

"Christianity" and "Christian" are beautiful words, emblematic of beautiful thoughts and beautiful deeds. The men who profess to teach the value of those thoughts, the influence of those deeds, should be capable in themselves of practically illustrating what they mean by their faith, in their own lives and actions. Inspired by the purest Creed that was ever taught to mankind for its better hope and enlightenment, they should express in their attitude to the world, a confident and constant joy and belief in God's goodness, and should remember that if He, their divine Master "so loved us," equally should they, His ordained min