AROUND OLD BETHANY

A Story of the Adventures of Robert and Mary Davis

By

R. L. BERRY

Publisher's Preface

This small volume was first published in the year of 1925, but it hasbeen out of print for many years. The present reprint edition is inresponse to requests for it to be in print again. 

The main characters in this true-to-life narrative are led to Biblesalvation, and then step by step into the various Bible doctrines, andfinally to establish a congregation of the Church of God after theNew Testament pattern. In the meantime, the snares of false doctrineswhich surrounded them were exposed and they were guided unerringly inthe truth of God's Word. 

May the Scriptural truths set forth in this narrative enlighten everyreader, and arm him with "the Sword of the Spirit, which is the wordof God, " to meet and refute the false teachings now abroad in ourland. 

 --Lawrence Pruitt Guthrie, Oklahoma May, 1968

Contents

Chapter

 1. Beginning the Search

 2. A Threatening Quarrel

 3. The Schoolhouse Debates

 4. The Schoolhouse Debates (Continued)

 5. The Schoolhouse Debates (Concluded)

 6. What Church Shall We Join?

 7. What Say the Scriptures?

 8. Robert Davis' Battles

 9. The Good Results of an Honest Confession

 10. False Guides Appear in Bethany

 11. Out of the Valley of the Shadow

 12. The Revival Meeting in Bethany

 13. The Babel of Tongues

 14. A Model Church Established

CHAPTER ONE

BEGINNING THE SEARCH

It was in the year of 1885 that the railroad was put through theparticular corner of Missouri that marks the scene where the events ofthis narrative took place. With the coming of the railroad, therecame an influx of new settlers, who were of various nationalitiesand conditions in life. There were Swedes from Malmo, Germans fromDresden, and Irishmen from Tyrone, all bent on founding a new home inthe new country. Besides these, there were Americans of many kinds andinclinations. All of these settlers brought with them the particularbrands of religion in which they had been brought up. The Swedes andGermans were Lutherans, but each nationality was of a differentsynod and had little agreement or fellowship. The Irishmen were RomanCatholics, while the Americans were divided up among the differentdenominations. No sooner had these settlers built themselves homesthan they started to build chapels and churches; it was a chapel ifits builders rebelled at calling a building a church, and it was achurch if its builders had no such scruples. No survey was made asan effort to find out how many churches were needed; indeed, eachdenomination erected a place of worship even if there was onlya handful represented in its membership. Those were the days ofunleavened bread and bitter herbs, when every denomination was full ofsectarian rivalry, and each of them claimed more or less of a monopolyupon the love and power of God. Revival-meetings were held frequently, sometimes contemporaneously, and the "doors of the church" were swungopen every Sunday for the admission of new members. 

The center of this settlement was Bethany, consisting of a fewstraggling huts on the north side of the railroad, and the businesssection and the more pretentious homes of the well-to-do on the southside. There was the usual run of stores. Most of them, however, were what were called "general stores, " which meant that they soldeverything from toothpicks to farm wagons and from handkerchiefs tocloaks and suits, besides groceries, shoes, and tinware. And it mustbe said also, for the sake of telling the truth, that they erectedmore church-buildings than they needed, because the same sectarianrivalry obtained there as in the country round about. It was commonfor members of one denomination to tell members of another that theothers' church was a thousand miles farther away from God than wastheirs. 

Into this corner of Missouri, and into this atmosphere ofdenominational rivalry came Robert Davis and his wife, Mary. As itwas, fortunately, both came of religious parents, and had had somereligious teaching at home and in Sunday-school. One of the firstthings that they did after they were married was to solemnly dedicatetheir home to God, promising Him that they would follow Christ tothe best of their knowledge and understanding. They began to attendchurch, now here, now there, and as a consequence, began to compareone denomination with another, with the result that they were throwninto confusion about which church to join; for they supposed it wastheir bounden duty to join one or the other of the denominationsrepresented there. 

"Which church do you like best, Robert?" Mary Davis asked one Sundayafternoon after they had come home from a Sunday-school session andservice at one of the churches. 

"I had not thought of it in that way, " he replied, "but I had beencomparing one with another, with the idea of finding which one isright. "

"You are right in that, I feel sure, " said Mary, "for really, what weshould strive for is to please God. But which one, then, do you thinkis right?"

"Really, I do not know, " he replied. "I am puzzled. I feel that weshould be identified with some church, and work to extend it, but itseems to me that one church has one Bible truth and emphasizes it, andanother has another Bible truth which it emphasizes, and so on, allaround. How does it seem to you?"

"That is the way I feel, " said Mary. 

"Suppose that we ask each church to give us a summary of its beliefs, and we shall then compare each one with the Bible, " suggested Robert. 

"Why, let's do that, " replied Mary. "I do want the truth. "

"So do I, " Robert said fervently. 

That night in prayer, special request was made to God for guidanceinto truth. "Oh, we must have Thy truth, O God, " they cried, "we willfollow it at any cost, if Thou wilt only make it clear. Help us instudying Thy Word. Make it plain to our minds. O Lord, guide us intoThy way. "

The next Sunday they began their investigation by asking the ministerof the church that they visited for a brief outline of its doctrinalbelief. They then bought a concordance and the search for truth wasbegun, which was to lead them into paths that they little dreamed ofthen, and into experiences that they could not at that time foresee. 

CHAPTER TWO

A THREATENING QUARREL

Among the old settlers in the vicinity to which Robert Davis andhis wife moved was Peter Newby and his family. They were of the oldpioneer type--rugged, honest, frugal, but they also were headstrong, stubborn, with very little give and take in their make-up. Peterclaimed to know the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. He couldtell the names of the cities and creeks of the Holy Land from Dan toBeersheba, and name the kings of Israel either backward or forward. He had the books of the Bible at the tip of his tongue, and could namethe apostles and prophets without hesitation. He was a noteddebater or arguer, and met all opponents, large or small, with equalconfidence. When reason and logical argument failed him, he relied ona stentorian voice and his power to bewilder. Few were able to holdtheir own with him in religious discussion. Most men feared his bitingsarcasm and insinuating irony. In fact, Mr. Newby had silenced nearlyevery opponent, and he stood out as the champion religious debater ofthe community, at the time of our narrative. He had vanquished all hisfoes, and now gloried in his supremacy. 

But, Robert Davis did not know all of this. He regarded Peter Newbyas a good citizen, and probably a good Christian. The next few months, however, put an entirely different face on the matter, especially onthe latter point. 

Besides Peter Newby and his wife, there were three grown sons oftheirs, of whom Jake, and also his wife, figure in this narrative. 

Jake Newby was a typical money-grubber, turning everything in theway of financial deals to his own favor. He owned a piece of propertywhich Robert Davis finally decided he would buy. After considerablenegotiation, a deal was made, Jake reserving the right to move certainsmall buildings off the property. Jake began, at once, to move thesestructures, and more too. There was a specially built chicken-housethat had not been reserved by Jake, but which he proceeded to movejust as if it had been. Robert and Mary Davis were there. 

"The chicken-house was not reserved by you, Jake, and you should notmove it, " said Robert. 

"Well, I intend to move it just the same. I need it, " said Jake. 

"But the contract does not provide for its removal, " replied Robert. 

"Shut up, " snarled Jake, "I guess I know what I'm doing, don't I? Itell you I'm going to move this house off. "

"You will not move it off, " said Robert, as he started toward Jake. 

At this Jake desisted, muttered a few words about getting even, and walked off, while, later on, Robert and Mary went home, ratherdistressed over the turn of affairs. 

CHAPTER THREE

THE SCHOOLHOUSE DEBATES

An apparently insignificant event happened about this time, that setin motion influences of great moment, the effects of which are stillto be felt and seen. Robert Davis' sister in Michigan was a regularsubscriber to a religious journal. At this time she felt led to sendthis paper to him. 

"Robert, here is a new kind of religious paper, " said Mary, whowas reading the first copy. "It has articles in it entitled, 'FullSalvation, ' 'Unity and Truth. ' How does that sound?" Turning a pageover, she read again:

"'A definite, heart-searching, non-sectarian religious weekly, published in the interests of the church of God. For the salvationof sinners, entire sanctification of believers, divine healing of thebody, and the unity of all true Christians in the faith once deliveredto the saints. '"

"My, that sounds interesting, " said Robert, "'Church of God'--I wonderwhat church that is. 'Entire sanctification'--what does that mean? Iheard Brother Jones say on last Sunday that sanctified people were thebiggest cranks on earth, and he warned the congregation to lock theirchicken and smoke houses whenever they came around. But, just seehere, 'divine healing. ' I wonder if that is Christian Science. Let meread that paper, " and he reached for it. 

Robert dropped down into the nearest chair and was soon absorbedin reading. He was gripped by a power he had never known before. He noticed at once a directness, a simplicity, a spiritual flavor, coupled with much quoting of proof-texts, that attracted his deepestattention. He read an article on Repentance, one on Sanctification, and two testimonies of divine healing. 

"Upon my word! If that isn't the plainest-spoken andeasiest-understood religious matter I have read in many a day, " saidRobert. "I wonder who sent it, and if any more will come. "

Next week another copy of the new paper came, and Robert read anarticle on "The Church of God, What It Is and What It Is Not. "

"Mary, this paper is providentially sent to us. We have just decidedto search for truth. My soul longs to know God's real truth, and Inotice this paper has much to say about the 'truth. ' We shall continueour investigation of the doctrines of the denominations and probablythis paper will help us, " said Robert. Before he laid the second issuedown, he read the following article on Truth:

"Unknowingly to himself, Pontius Pilate asked one of the greatest ofquestions when he asked Jesus Christ, 'What is truth?' Jesus was ontrial before him, and He had just said, in reply to another questionof Pilate's, 'Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witnessunto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice' (John18:37). And then Pilate asked, 'What is truth?' but he did not stop toget an answer. 

"The 'truth' to which Jesus often referred means righteousness, truereligion, the genuine revelation of the true plan of salvation. Thisis what the apostle John referred to when he said, 'For the truth'ssake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever' (2 John 2). The 'truth' in these texts is used in a broad sense to mean thewhole range of revealed religion, the whole system of New Testamentsalvation. 

"Vast importance is attached to this truth. Opposed to it are error, heresy, damnable doctrines of devils, human theories and philosophies, leading souls away from God and into perdition. The eternal destiny ofmen depends upon their finding and embracing the truth. 

"If so much depends upon our finding the truth and obeying it, theimportant question arises--how and where are we to find the truth? Andanother question follows: How are we to discern the truth when we seeit? It is a fact that most religious people believe that their systemof religion is right. They already think that it is the truth;even the most destructive doctrines are received as truth, and somescripture is misapplied or perverted to uphold them. By what means maythe false be determined and rejected, and the true be established andaccepted? These are very important questions. 

"There must be a starting-point. In the first place, 'What is truth?'as Pilate put it. 'Thy word is truth' (John 17:17) said Jesus. Thisis basic. The Word of God is truth. 'All scripture is given byinspiration of God' (2 Tim. 3:16). God, Jesus Christ, and the Bibleare truth. If we confirm to the divine will, we are bound to be right, and elected to eternal glory in the heavens; if not, we are doomed toeternal damnation. 

"But, there is no more striking fact than this, that spiritual truthsrequire more than intellect in order to grasp and comprehend them. 'For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of manwhich is in him?' (1 Cor. 2:11). A man knows the things of a manbecause he is a man. Common experiences join him to his fellows, andhe understands them. 'Even so the things of God knoweth no man, butthe spirit of God. .. . But the natural man receiveth not the things ofthe Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can heknow them, because they are spiritually discerned' (1 Cor. 2:11, 14). Man then, must get in contact with God, through the Holy Spirit, if heis to know spiritual truth. 

"Jesus tells just how to know the truth. 'If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether Ispeak of myself (John 7:17). The way to know is to obey. 'Howbeit whenhe, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth'(John 16:13). 

"The secret then is out, it is as plain as day. It is this--Jesusbrought the truth to the world, and the Holy Spirit is everywherepresent to lead men into that truth. Wherever and whenever a persondesires to know the truth that he may obey it, there the Spirit ofGod will be to enlighten and to lead. The Spirit will lead unerringlyevery soul who wants the truth and will submit to His leadership. Hewill lead the sinner to sincere and genuine repentance, the believerinto true sanctification, and also into the deeper experiences ofsanctification and love, and into a true Christian life. 

"There is a remarkable instance on record, showing what an honestdesire to know the truth will accomplish. Years ago a portion of thegospels was washed ashore in the East. The natives read and re-readthat portion over and over. What could it mean? It told of Jesus, butwho was Jesus? It spoke of His dying, but what for? And yet, so strongwas the impression this scrap of the gospel made, that regular periodswere set apart to worship the Being hinted at in that portion. Anhonest effort was made to do His will. After several years, God sentsome missionaries to that country, and it was to their surprise tofind a tribe open-hearted to receive the truth. 

"'Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace' (Job 22:21). 

"'Seek and ye shall find. ' May your search for truth be abundantlyrewarded. "

The next few months found Robert and Mary Davis searching theBible for the truth. Every sermon they heard they compared with theScriptures. Articles in their new paper helped them greatly. Theybought a book of Bible Readings, and made as thorough an investigationof Bible doctrine as they were capable of making. They made rapidprogress. They became believers in holiness and sanctification; forthe salvation theme held their interest most profoundly, and theybecame well acquainted with the proof-texts which supported thesedoctrines. The study of these texts brought great conviction to theirhearts, and both of them sought the Lord for forgiveness of theirsins, and both entered into the grace of conversion. The joy of thisexperience made their Bible study still more delightful. They had notbeen strangers to grace, but they had become slack and lukewarm, andwhen the light of God began to shine more brightly they felt that theyshould make sure work of it, and so they began at the bottom round ofthe ladder. They were glad afterwards that they had done this, becauseit gave them a sure starting-point. 

Along in the fall of the year, as Robert was breaking ground forwheat, he got an invitation to attend a neighborhood prayer meeting. 

"Good evening, neighbor, " said a voice, "don't you want to go to ourprayer meeting next Wednesday night?"

Robert looked up from his work and saw it was old Peter Newby. 

"Why, yes, I guess so. Sure, " said Robert. "What kind of a prayermeeting is it?"

"We have a good one, " said Peter, "come and see. "

"All right, we'll come, " said Robert. 

This prayer meeting was held at Fairmount school house, a fine schoolbuilding situated on the brow of a lilac-covered hill at the bottom ofwhich hill one of the finest and largest springs in the country gushedforth. It was, as stated, ostensibly a neighborhood prayer meeting, but Peter Newby just about dominated it, and was carrying it on justabout to suit himself. The method pursued was to read a chapter, andfollow with a free-for-all exposition of it. Everybody had a chanceto speak and expound the texts, whether he knew anything about them ornot. Some queer theories were advanced in these discussions, which wehave neither time nor inclination to speak of now. 

Robert Davis and Mary began to attend this prayer exposition meetingas soon as they could. The Book of Romans was being read and studiedat this time, and chapter 5 was up for discussion. After the readingof the chapter, Peter Newby, as usual, was on his feet ready to tellthe class all about it. He noticed Robert and Mary and, knowing thatthey were strangers, he put on his most condescending and insinuatingair. Raising himself to his full height, and giving his grizzled headjust the right angle for incisive speech, he said:

"What is the apostle Paul writing about? Now, if you want tounderstand what any given text means, you must know three things, myfriends. First you must know who was writing; second, you must knowto whom he was writing; and third, you must know what he was writingabout. " And then he cocked his head at a different angle, and shotglances around to see how his profound statement was being received. He looked especially at Robert and Mary, and some of the othersglanced first at them and then at Peter, to see if there was aprospect of striking fire. 

Giving his head a backward jerk, Peter continued:

"The apostle Paul was the writer of this epistle, and he was writingto the Romans. They were a Gentile church in Rome, and Paul waswriting about how Christians were to live. Now, see here friends, weare all sinners, every one of us, sinners saved by grace. Paul said inone place that he was the chief of sinners. I am a sinner, but I thankGod through Jesus Christ the Lord, that Christ died for us, and someday I expect to land in the glory world. I know there are some who saythat they can't sin, but I am sure I sin and they do, too. No one canlive without sin in this low land of sorrow. " And Peter again poisedhis head at a quizzical angle, and glanced around to see how his talkwas being taken. He paused a moment, and, before he knew it, Robertwas on his feet, saying:

"I beg to differ with the brother who has just spoken about thismatter of committing sin. Paul says, in the twentieth verse of thischapter, 'But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, ' and inverse 17, 'For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much morethey which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnessshall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. ' And the very first versesays, 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ. ' It is true that 'all have sinned, ' asverse 12 says, but Jesus came to save us from our sins. Did you neverread Matt. 1:21, 'And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shallsave his people from their sins'? Through Adam's sin we all becamesinners, Paul says, but through Christ 'shall many be made righteous. 'Through Adam we died in sin, through Christ we died to sin and liveunto righteousness. This chapter teaches very plainly that Jesus cameto bring grace sufficient to save us from our sins. " And Robert satdown. 

Peter Newby had been standing all this time. He looked at Robert veryquizzically. Here was a new type of opponent, one who spoke with theutmost frankness and confidence, and yet without the least taint ofbraggadocio. But Peter never had been beaten in debate or argument; sohe returned to the discussion with great vim and determination. 

"What does this young upstart know about the Scriptures? Why, I havebeen a student of the Scriptures for fifty long years, many yearsbefore this young man was born. I have heard many great preachers inmy time, and they all said that man was born unto sin as the sparksare to fly upward. 'He that saith he liveth and sinneth not is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ' This is what the Scriptures say. And Ihave read where Solomon said that 'there is no man that sinneth not, 'and did not John say, 'If we say that we have no sin, we deceiveourselves, and the truth is not in us'? Yes, he said that in 1 John1:8. Ah, young man, you have much to learn yet about the Scriptures. As long as we are in this old sinful flesh we will commit sin. " AndPeter sat down, with an air of triumph. 

Robert Davis arose immediately. Everybody present was on the tiptoeof expectation. What would his reply be? They had not long to wait. Turning directly to Peter Newby, he asked him a pointblank question:

"Sir, how much sin is there in this stove?" pointing to a stove thatstood there. 

"None, I suppose, " answered Peter, rather feebly, as if he feared atrap were being laid for him. 

"How much sin is there in the wood or stone of this house?" Robertasked Peter next. 

"None, I suppose, " he replied. 

"Well, then, " asked Robert, "how much sin will there be in this oldbody when it is dead?"

"I suppose there will be none, " Peter replied in a tone thatregistered defeat. 

"Well, then, will you make death the salvation from sin? You say thatas long as we are in what you call the 'old sinful flesh" we mustcommit sin, and yet you admit, as you must, that there will be nosin in the body when it is dead. Where, then, does sin reside? Jesusanswers this question once for all in Matthew 15:19, 20: 'For out ofthe heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. ' It is the heart that sins; 'thesoul that sinneth, it shall die, ' says the prophet Ezekiel in Ezek. 18:4. The body will die and return to dust from whence it came, butthese immortal souls of ours will live on eternally. It is the soulthat sins. When in our intentions we purpose to sin, we are guiltyof sin before God. He that searches the heart, who looks not as manlooks, who sees the secret motive, he knows when the will consents todo evil. Not a theft was ever committed, except that there was a willto steal; not an act of dishonesty, except that there was a will todeceive; not a lie was ever uttered, except there was a will to lie. It is our souls that must be saved. 'Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls' (1 Peter 1:9). 

"Our text says, 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peacewith God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ' I wish to publicly thank Godfor this peace in my soul. Jesus saves me from my sins. I know thatthe verse, 1 John 1:8, is a stumbling-block to many, yet it is simplewhen understood. John was stating fundamental propositions. He beganby saying that, 'if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, wehave fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ hisSon cleanseth us from all sin. ' Then, as if turning back to state thebasis, or antecedent of his remarks, he said, 'If we say that we haveno sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ' In otherwords, there was sin to be cleansed from the hearts of sinners, andto declare there was no sin to be cleansed from, was only to deceivethemselves. The same arrangement follows in verses 9 and 10, where thetruth is first stated that 'if we confess our sins, he is faithfuland just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from allunrighteousness, ' and then John stated the basis or antecedent offorgiveness, which is the fact that all have sinned. "

"Yes, yes, you can explain all you wish, young man, but you cannotget around those other texts I quoted. 'He that saith he liveth andsinneth not is a liar and the truth is not in him. ' That's Bible, Itell you, " said Peter with vigor. 

"Where is that in the Bible?" demanded Robert. 

"It is there somewhere. I will find it soon, " said Peter as he startedthumbing his Bible. The congregation waited in expectancy. 

"I will give you five dollars if you will find that in the Bible, "said Robert. 

"Oh, you don't think it is in the Bible? I will get it. Maybe I cannotfind it now but it is there, and I will find it, " said Peter. "Butwhat about Solomon's sayings, 'There is no man that sinneth not'?"

"Solomon lived a thousand years before Christ, Mr. Newby, and do younot think that Christ did something for us that the law could not do?'He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established uponbetter promises, ' says Paul, in Heb. 8:6. It was probably true that, in Solomon's day, no one lived free from committing sin, but sinceChrist came to redeem us from sin, we can be saved. Of course, anyonecan sin, and there is danger of sinning, but if we live close toJesus, He is able to keep us from falling, as Jude. 24, 25 says, "replied Robert, as he sat down again. 

Peter Newby closed the debate by saying: "Next week we shall study thesixth chapter of Romans. The young man who spoke tonight seems to knowconsiderable about the Scripture, so we shall appoint him leader. Iwill find that text he asked for. It is in my old Bible at home. " Andthe crowd dispersed. 

CHAPTER FOUR

THE SCHOOLHOUSE DEBATES (continued)

Robert Davis did much studying between the two prayer meeting nights. Peter Newby searched through his old Bible at home for "he that saithhe liveth and sinneth not is a liar, " but he could not find it. Thenearest text he could find that was like it was 1 John 1:8, and heknew that Robert Davis had already explained it. Peter studied hard, however. He found several texts, such as Prov. 20:9; Matt. 19:16, 17;Rom. 3:10; 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 7, and others, which he thought supportedhis theory that no one could live free from sin. He reckoned withouttaking his opponent into account, however, and came off worseconfounded in the second encounter than he did in the first. Romans 6was rather hard on Peter's theory, and he decided it would not pay himto say much about it. 

The prayer meeting was well attended on that night. The air was fullof expectancy. Peter's long supremacy in debating caused several towish secretly for him to be beaten; others took his side, and did allthat they could to encourage him. A few were interested for truth'ssake. After the chapter was read, Peter Newby was first on his feetand began his diatribe. 

"Verse 4 means water baptism, " he said, "and if a man is not baptizedhe cannot be saved. We go down into the water a sinner, and come upa Christian. Some of you people have never been baptized, and yet youclaim to be saved. 

"Now, last prayer meeting night, I promised to find that old familiartext, 'He that saith he liveth and sinneth not is a liar and the truthis not in him, ' but I have not found it yet. But I will find it, mindyou. Moreover, I have some texts that prove my contention that no onecan live free from sin while in this life. 

"Prov. 20:9: 'Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure frommy sin?' This text can mean only one thing, which is that no one canbe clean from sin. 

"Matt. 19:16, 17, 'There is none good but one, thatis God. ' Now, how can any man call himself good in the face of thisscripture?

"Read Rom. 3:10: 'As it is written, There is none righteous, no, notone. ' No, not one! Do you hear it? No, not one!" Peter shouted. 

"And Paul said that 'Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners;of whom I am chief' (1 Tim. 1:15). And if Paul was the chief ofsinners, do we think we can live free from sin? No, sir! we can not. And in Romans 7 he declared that he was carnal, sold under sin (Rom. 7:14). I tell you we cannot live better than Paul did. But I am aChristian, for I was baptized fifty years ago in the Big Sandy river, and the Scriptures say that he that 'believeth and is baptized' thesame shall be saved. " And Peter again resumed that air of triumph thatmade him famous throughout the community. Then he cast his eyes aroundthe audience, and poised his head at various angles, in token of hisvictory. 

"The brother has gone a long way from his text for his materialtonight, " said Robert Davis. "He took what we boys used to calla 'running jump. ' The text he quoted from Proverbs proves nothingwhatever against a holy life. No man can save himself, for salvationis by faith, not by works. But, again, let me remind Mr. Newby thatChrist has come since Solomon spoke, and surely Christ has donesomething for us. The other texts he quoted are easily explained. InMatt. 19:16, 17, Jesus was stating a primary truth, as all goodnesscomes from God, yet, he was trying to impress upon the young man thathe, Jesus, was God. No man is good in and of himself. God must comein before he is good. God's people are righteous, good. John says, 'He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous'(1 John 3:7). Now, let us read Rom. 3:10: 'There is none righteous, nonot one. ' I wish Mr. Newby would read the verses following the tenthverse. What kind of people was Paul writing of? Christians? What! DoChristians have a throat like an open sepulchre? Is their mouth fullof cursing and bitterness? Are their feet swift to shed blood? Howabout it, Mr. Newby? How about it friends? What is your verdict?"

"That cannot mean Christians, " said a voice from the back of the room. 

"Of course, it can not. Paul was describing the wayward sinner. As forPaul being actually the chief of sinners when he wrote 1 Tim. 1:15, itis preposterous. He does, indeed, speak in the present tense, 'Iam, ' but it is perfectly evident that he makes use of a rhetoricalexpression which is permissible, without being called in question asto his life. If he was, in reality, the chief of sinners at that time, he could hardly say, as he did, 'Ye are witnesses, and God also, howholily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you thatbelieve' (1 Thess. 2:10). And it is entirely inconsistent to believethat the Christ would permit a chief-sinner to be an ambassador forHim. Mr. Newby's text in Romans 7:14 will come up for discussion nextweek; so I will not speak of it now. 

"You did not find your text, Mr. Newby. The five dollars is readywhenever you find it, " said Robert Davis, as he sat down. 

All eyes were now upon Mr. Newby. Here was an opponent that was not tobe stampeded or intimidated, one who knew his ground, and kept closeto his texts. It was easy to see that Peter Newby was nonplused. Itusually had been easy for him to silence an opponent, or to get anexpression of agreement, so that he smarted under the feeling thathe was near to being defeated. His texts were gone. He had no moreto offer, and he hardly dared to expound any of Romans 6, so there hesat, red in the face, his right hand pulling nervously at his stubbywhite mustache. It was either rise or admit defeat. So Peter Newbyrose. His voice was cold and sinister. 

"I do not propose, friends, to be browbeaten by an upstart of apreacher. I tell you I have been a student of the Scriptures, and Ihave heard many learned ministers of the gospel preach, and I havenever heard one of them state that they lived free from sin. I try todo my best every day, but, I tell you, the devil is strong, and theflesh is weak, so I often fall into grievous sins and errors. But Ifeel that I am a Christian, nevertheless. I have been baptized, andknow that I believe. " And the old man sat down. 

"Well, we have not discussed our chapter very much, " said Robert. "Hasany one any explanation to give?"

People glanced at Peter, but it was evident that he was about throughfor the evening. Robert then rose, and said:

"Friends, this sixth chapter of Romans is full of proof-texts favoringholiness of life. Paul asks, 'Shall we continue in sin, that gracemay abound?' 'God forbid, ' he answers. And then Paul asks a mostsignificant and conclusive question, 'How shall we, that are dead tosin, live any longer therein?' Mark the words, 'dead to sin. ' Whatcould Paul mean, except that we are to become dead to sin?

"Now, notice verse 6, please, 'Knowing this, that our old man iscrucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, thathenceforth we should not serve sin. ' Crucifixion means death. The 'oldman, ' which means the old fleshly, sinful life, is to be killed, sothat he may no longer dominate the life. Praise God!"

When Robert said these last words all in the house looked at him. They were not used to such expressions. Robert was a little surprisedhimself, as that was the first time he had ever said them. But hisheart was full of heavenly joy. He knew God saved him. 

"Now, shall we notice verse 16 and down to the twentieth? Wenecessarily must serve God or Satan; we yield our members, such as thetongue or the hands, to do evil, or to do good. And to whom we yieldthese members, his servants we are. This is fundamental. A person whodoes right serves God; one who sins serves the devil. Nothing can beplainer than this. Suppose we read 1 John 3:8. 'He that committeth sinis of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For thispurpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the worksof the devil. ' This is plain teaching, yet it is entirely logical. Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. We cannot serve God andmammon at the same time. 

"And, could anything be more emphatic than these words, 'For when yewere the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness?' And these, 'But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye haveyour fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life' (v. 22). "

Peter Newby was plainly growing restive under these words of Robert's. He rose and said:

"I do not expect to sit here and be insulted by being called of thedevil, and so forth. There are many wise men who have expounded theScriptures, and they laid no claim to being saved from sin. There is alot for this young man to learn yet. "

After this the meeting was dismissed. But there were little groupsgathering here and there, talking about the debate. Peter Newby wasrapidly losing his prestige. Most of the people took sides and enjoyedthe conflict, while a few were interested in finding the truth. 

CHAPTER FIVE

THE SCHOOLHOUSE DEBATES (concluded)

The dust was wiped from more Bibles in the community around FairmountSchool following the debates between Peter Newby and Robert Davis thanfor many a day. Even old Mr. Stephenson, who was the most indifferentto the claims of religion, hunted a Bible, and declared he was goingto find out which one was right, Newby or Davis. Charley Moss, agoodhearted, but wild, wicked fellow, became interested also. Hebought his first New Testament and dedicated himself to the task ofreading it through. "I must find out, " said he, "what this young manDavis is talking about. His religion seems to be the real thing. "

The next prayer meeting night found the house packed to the limit. Conjectures and opinions as to how the debate would go were passedback and forth. Peter Newby's partisans rallied to his support. A fewwere inclined to accept Robert Davis' views, while the majority weremoved by morbid curiosity to watch the outcome of a verbal conflict. Peter Newby wore an air of entire confidence--on this occasion he hadthe seventh chapter of Romans back of him he thought. Nearly every oneelse who accepted the old theology of the community expected him to"clean up" his opponent in grand style that night. 

As for Robert Davis, the previous week had been one of prayer andstudy. He had first entered the prayer meeting with the intention tohelp along a good work. He had no intention of entering into debateor controversy with anyone. Now, as he viewed the matter, he wassurprised to find the role that he was playing. On the first night, hehad only intended to stand up for and express his convictions toward avery vital subject--that of living above sin. He had been a sinner, hehad now become soundly converted, had received light on sanctification(though he was not yet sanctified) and holy living, and his onlyobject had been to be loyal to the truth he had found. As it lookedto him now, he was one of the principals in a battle between truth anderror. He was very young in faith, and it is not to be wondered at ifhis zeal was greater than his knowledge. Day by day he prayed that thesaving truth of the gospel might be made plain to all, and that deadlyerror might be exposed, and its power to blind the people destroyed, completely and eternally. 

"Romans 7, " called out Peter Newby, who led off without consultinganybody. "Read the first verse, Mrs. Johnson. Everybody follow thereading. There are so many present tonight that only a small portionwill get to read. Pay strict attention. "

After the chapter was read, Peter began:

"Neighbors, " he said, "you have known me for a long time, and all ofyou know that I am fair and square to everybody. I try to treat myneighbors right. I have been a Christian a long time. I was baptizedfifty years ago in the Big Sandy River. Water baptism is essential tosalvation, so somewhere between the time I went down into the waterand came up out of it, I was converted. 

"Now we are studying the seventh chapter of Romans. Paul gives hisexperience in this chapter. Paul was a great man but he said that hewas 'carnal, sold under sin' (v. 14). Now my experience is just likePaul's. He says, 'For what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I, ' and then in verse 19, 'For the good that I would I do not:but the evil which I would not, that I do. ' This is my experience. I do many things I ought not to do, and I leave undone many things Iought to do. This old tongue of mine says many ugly things, and whenI get with wicked boys and men I crack my jokes too, and these handsoften do wrong, but, friends, I am trying in my weak way to serve theLord and to make heaven my home. But I do not expect to be better thanPaul. He said that when he would do good, evil was present with him. This is my experience. I would like to do good, but the flesh is tooweak, and there is too much sin in me. " Peter sat down. 

Robert Davis arose. Every eye was upon him. Bibles and Testamentswere opened. Old Mr. Stephenson was there with his Bible, and veryattentive was he. Charley Moss had his Testament open at the properplace. 

"At first glance, it may seem, " Robert said, "that Romans 7 upholds alife of more or less sinning in a Christian. A closer view, however, reveals that it does not. The first night that I was present atthese prayer meetings, Brother Newby laid down one sound method forinterpreting the Scriptures. He said, 'First, one should know who waswriting, second, one should know to whom he was writing, and third, one should know what he was writing about. ' This is a sound theory. Let us apply it to the text in question. First, who was writing? Paul. Second, to whom was he writing? To the Christians at Rome. Third, whatwas he writing about? His experience under the law. "

This assertion came like a thunderclap from a clear sky. Peter Newbysaw, at once, the significance of the statement, and he shifteduneasily in his seat. He riveted his eyes to the text, in an effort todiscover some point that would be in opposition to Robert's statement. The crowd looked open-mouthed. This was a new doctrine--they had neverheard it explained that way. The interest was intense. 

Continuing, Robert said: "This is made plain by the first few versesof the chapter. Please notice them--'Know ye not, brethren, (for Ispeak to them that know the law, ) how that the law hath dominion overa man as long as he liveth?' Then he shows in the verses followingthat Christians have 'become dead to the law' through Christ, and thatthey are married to Christ, and bring forth fruit unto God. 'But nowwe are delivered from the law, ' says Paul. 

"His whole argument, down to and including verse 6, is that we havedied to the law through crucifixion with Christ, and are thereforefree to marry another. We have become dead to the law, and since deathdissolves the marriage vow, we are, therefore, free from connectionwith the law, and are joined unto Christ. Beginning with verse 14 tothe end of the chapter, is given an explanation of how Paul's sinfulnature brought him into subjection to its demands. It is a cleartestimony of an honest man's experience under the old law. By that lawhe became aware of sin and felt its sinfulness, yet that law broughtno grace nor power to preserve him from violating its prohibitions. Hedesired to do good, but could not. Sin came to life and slew him. Paulwas condemned by the law, and yet he could not come from under thecondemnation. He was, so to speak, tied or married to a dead body, alaw or master which brought death, and he wondered where deliverancewould come from. 'Thank God, ' he says, 'it will come through JesusChrist the Lord. '

"This cannot be the experience of Christians, " said Robert. "If youwill just look at the second verse of chapter 8, you will find thesewords: 'For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made mefree from the law of sin and death. ' And verse 3 says, 'For what thelaw could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sendinghis own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, [or by asacrifice for sin] condemned sin in the flesh, ' and verse 4 states:'That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, ' etc. 

"Hence, it is evident that Christians are to live holy lives. Goddemands holiness of us. 'Be ye holy; for I am holy, ' says 1 Pet. 1:16. Yea, we are to repent and turn away from all sin, for Christ 'gavehimself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifyunto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works' (Titus 2:14). And 'the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to allmen, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, weshould live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world'(Titus 2:11, 12). "

The arrow of conviction shot deep down into many hearts as RobertDavis spoke these words. The truth he spoke commended itself totheir minds and consciences. Some rebelled, and rejected his soundarguments. Peter Newby especially was agitated. He felt himselfsinking into despair, as far as argument was concerned. Old Mr. Stephenson and Charley Moss trembled from head to foot. The Spirit ofGod was working powerfully in their and others' hearts. 

"I am not going to accept the interpretations placed upon this seventhchapter of Romans by the speaker, " said Peter, as he arose to reply. "Why? Because I never heard it explained that way. Why? Because Ihave heard Brother Peters preach from these texts, and he has alwaysdeclared a man could not keep from sin. Living free from sin! Whoeverheard of such a thing? It can't be done, that is all there is to it. We cannot keep from sin. Paul said sin was ever present with him, andI know it is with me. I try to do right, but sin gets the betterof me. I ask God to forgive me every time I pray. I tell you, a mansimply cannot live without committing sin. "

When Peter Newby sat down, Robert Davis arose again, and said:

"There is a text of scripture that says certain persons cannot ceasefrom sin. I do not say that anyone here fulfills the description inthat text. Peter says, in his Second Epistle, chapter two, verse 14:'Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin. ' As Isaid, I charge no man with this kind of character, and only read it togive you a Scriptural description of one who cannot live without sin. "

It was painfully evident that this was an unwise thing to say atthat particular time. Robert Davis was young, and full of zeal. Mostprobably he should not have uttered those words. Peter Newby waspowerfully affected. He felt as if his character had been scandalizedbefore the whole crowd. His face waxed red with an inner rage. Hisbody quivered and shook with excitement. No one had ever seen himquite so exercised. He arose slowly, but with extreme determination. Things had gone as far as they could without a physical clash. 

"Hold your place, young man, I will not allow anyone to insult me inthis manner. Be careful what you say. There will be another chapteradded to this if you are not careful. I will defend my honor, nomatter what it costs. " And he resumed his seat. 

The air was filled with intense excitement. A few words from RobertDavis would have struck fire, and he knew it. So he quietly sat stillwithout saying a word. The tenseness of the situation was painful. Just then Mary Davis started that old familiar song:

 "Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly, While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high. Hide me, O my Savior, hide, Till the storm of life is past, Safe into the haven guide, Oh, receive my soul at last. "

A few joined in toward the last half of the verse, and, as she beganon the second verse, the whole congregation sang with vigor:

 "Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on thee; Leave, oh, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust on thee is stayed, All my help from thee I bring, Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of thy wing. "

Robert and Mary Davis started for home as soon as they could. PeterNewby got into an argument with old Mr. Stephenson, who by this timehad become a sort of champion of Robert's and a crowd encircled them. Peter Newby found a match in the old man, for Mr. Stephenson, at thistime, while mentally convinced, was still unsaved, and could be aspersonal and ironical as Mr. Newby. They argued the point of a sinlesslife for an hour, mixed a good deal of personal invective into theargument, which drew from the crowd vociferous "ha! ha's!" and theyparted without feeling one whit better toward one another than theydid before. 

CHAPTER SIX

WHAT CHURCH SHOULD I JOIN?

The week following the events that took place at the schoolhouse wasan important one in the life of Robert and Mary Davis. Having puttheir hands to the plow, they could not look back. Already, they wereaware that the steps they had taken religiously were separating themfrom the people about them. Robert's bold stand for a holy Christianlife made him the butt of many a joke, and a laughing-stock. Theybegan to hunger for companionship and spiritual fellowship with thoseof like mind and hope. The gradual separation taking place, which wasthrowing over their neighbors a coldness toward them, accentuated thequestion of which church they were going to join. Their hearts werehungry for soul-food, for spiritual nurture; there was a longingwithin which was acutely felt, but which was unsatisfied. Theintensity of this desire for the fellowship of saints increased asRobert and Mary studied the Scriptures and beheld glimpses of the pathwhich was being so clearly marked out from therein. They were willingto be martyrs for the truth, but how their souls did long for someoneto whom they could unburden their hearts and in whom they couldconfide!

There is inherent in the human heart a desire for fellowship andcompanionship. God has recognized this desire. Jesus Christ soongathered around him chosen men, who were one with Him in heart andsoul, one with Him in His grand purpose to lift a world out ofsin. The story of Christ's and the apostles' lives reveals a mostremarkable affinity of spirit between Christ and them. They became somuch at one with Him that they gladly forsook every earthly prospect, and became willing to die for Him, even as He died for them. Jesusmade a class called his "disciples, " which was an inevitable resultof His salvation work. They were the members of the spiritual kingdomwhich He founded. They were the members of the church which He built. With His infinite love He had sought them, and with His atoning bloodHe had bought them. He found them dying, and He gave them life; Hefound them sinning and doomed to a devil's hell, and He redeemed them. Having received so richly of Christ's blessing, all these saved oneswere drawn into a unity of soul and heart unknown in any organizationof man. 

It was exactly for this that Robert and Mary Davis were longing, at the time of our narrative. They had expected soon after theirconversion, to join some denomination. They had purposely set outto see which church was right. They had supposed that it would be amatter of a few weeks only, and then they would be safely housed intheir church home. But the more they searched, and the more of theBible they read, the less inclined they were to join any of thechurches about them. God was leading them, but it was some time beforethe hand of the Lord was seen. 

There was an awakening over all the religious world in the latter partof the nineteenth century. Holiness, the key-note of Holy Scripture, was being taught. Out of that holiness awakening grew a reformationwhose standard was "Back to the Bible" in faith and practice. Robertand Mary Davis were strangers as yet to these grand movings of theblessed Holy Spirit, but that Spirit was leading them on unerringly. God desired to plant in Bethany His own glorious church, to be abeacon-light, an ark of salvation, to the people of that community. 

A series of events accelerated the progress of the Davis' toward theultimate truth. Their attendance at the various churches, and theirspiritual life, caused every pastor to consider them good prospectsfor membership. It so happened that during the few days that followedthe last debate at the schoolhouse, three different ministers visitedthem with this idea in mind. 

On one fine day, Pastor John B. Jones, of the M. E. Church, drove up. He was invited in, most cordially. After some casual remarks, PastorJones introduced the subject of joining church. 

"Do you contemplate uniting with any church in the near future?" heasked them. 

"Yes, it has been our intention to join soon, " said Robert. "May I aska few questions?"

"Certainly, " replied Mr. Jones. 

"Does the Methodist Church teach holiness?"

"John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, " said Mr. Jones, "taught holiness, and sanctification subsequent to regeneration. Butwe do not preach much on that subject now. "

"What I am thinking about, " said Robert, "is this: I am longing for areal church home, where I can feel at one with, and in fellowship withreal Christians. Pastor Jones, there are so many professing Christianswho are Christians only in name. I cannot fellowship them. They engagein questionable practices; they are dishonest and tricky; they usebad language; and their bent is more toward pleasure than religion. Mysoul really craves a church home. Can you offer me such where I shallhave the fellowship I crave?"

"We need just such members as you and Mrs. Davis would be, Mr. Davis, "said Pastor Jones. "Many of our members are not spiritual. I havetried to arouse them, but it seems in vain, but if we had more memberslike you, we should have a spiritual church. Old Mother Piercy claimssanctification, and there are three or four who are praying members. "

"I will pray about it, Mr. Jones, " said Robert. 

On the next day, Mr. Percy Johnson visited them on the same mission, and on the day following, Mr. Claude Perkins came. To them, Robertreplied much as he did to Mr. Jones. All of them deplored the lackof vital godliness in their churches and bewailed the lack ofspirituality among their numbers. It was a fact that on prayer meetingnights very few persons were out to either of their churches. On theoutside, Robert could discern little difference between the variousdenominations. He had learned that they held different doctrines, andhad different schemes of government, but as to the real church life, the heart and soul of them, he saw little difference. He was about todecide to join by casting lots, when something providentially startedhis mind along another line of thinking. 

Robert Davis suddenly bethought himself of the new religious paper. Those words which he read when he first saw a copy stood out beforehim again:

 "A Definite, Heart-Searching, Non-Sectarian Religious Weekly Published in the Interests of THE CHURCH OF GOD. "

"Mary, " Robert suddenly said to his wife, "there is beginning to formin my mind an idea of what a church ought to be. I suppose that textin the Acts that you read this morning for worship, and that religiouspaper, are responsible for it. These words paint a beautiful picture:

"'And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and ofone soul: neither said any of them that ought of these things which hepossessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with greatpower gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:and great grace was upon them all. '

"This, it seems to me, is the kind of church there ought to be today. Where is it? By the way, those words were written of the early church, were they not? Yes, for see here, in Acts 2:47 it says, 'And the Lordadded to the church daily such as should be saved. ' This descriptionis of the early church then. 

"They were united, with one heart and soul; one holy purpose animatedthem; one powerful motive brought them together. There were nodivisions among them, they all believed the same thing, and their holyfellowship was complete. Everyone knew them as the disciples of Jesus, and anyone under conviction of sin knew where to go for salvation. Itwas a pure church. I suppose that there was not a sinner who daredto profess very long among them. It was not a mixed multitude, partsaved, part unsaved, part trying to do God's will, and part with abent on pleasure and full of worldliness. They were all full of grace. They were humble, too, and consecrated. They were not classified asrich and poor--they were all brethren, and the wealthier members hada care for the poorer members' temporal welfare. What a contrast withthe churches as they exist today! My heart longs for a pure, unitedchurch which will bear the pure testimony to the world. "

"Mary, do you suppose that there is any church today like the earlychurch was?" asked Robert. 

"I do not know, " said Mary. "It may be that there is. "

"Do you suppose the 'church of God, ' in whose interests this paper isprinted, can be that pure apostolic church?" said Robert. "Whatshould the true church be called, anyway? This paper says it is'non-sectarian. ' What is a sect? What does 'non-sectarian' mean? Say, Mary, let us set this afternoon apart as a time of investigation ofwhat the Bible has to say about the church. What do you say?"

"Let us do that, " said Mary. "We have not read the Scriptures at allon this subject. Now, since we wish to find a church home, it would bewell to first search the Scriptures; probably the Bible will direct usin this most important step. "

CHAPTER SEVEN

WHAT SAY THE SCRIPTURES?

After dinner on that day, Robert and Mary Davis prayerfully andreverently began a study on the New Testament church. They had not, aswe have intimated before, made any particular effort to ascertainwhat the Scriptures had to say about this subject. It was not untilcircumstances forced the issue upon them that any particular concernabout it entered into their minds. On this day, however, they begana most earnest investigation of the matter. They had determinedbeforehand to accept whatever the Scriptures had to say about it, andto abide by their teachings. 

"I have a concordance ready, Mary, " said Robert, "so let us begin. MayGod direct us in this Bible study. "

"I shall bring the Scripture textbook and the Bible, " said Mary. "I amready. "

"I suppose that we may as well take the first text in theconcordance, " said Robert. "It is Matt. 16:18. "

"'And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock Iwill build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail againstit, '" read Mary. 

"I have heard a few discussions about the 'rock' of this text, " saidRobert. "Some affirm that it means Peter, others that it means Peter'sconfession, and still others that it means Christ. I do not know whichis right, but I believe Christ is the real rock. Anyway, Mary, itteaches that Christ did build a church, doesn't it? and that it shouldnot be overthrown. Read Acts 2:47. "

"'Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lordadded to the church daily such as should be saved, '" read Mary. "Thenthe church was built by this time, wasn't it? 'And the Lord added tothe church, ' Then I wonder if they joined the church? How did the Lordadd them?"

"I do not know, " said Robert, "maybe there was no joining in that day. It may be that as soon as they were saved they were counted membersof the church. There are several texts here in Acts about the church. 'There was a great persecution against the church which was atJerusalem, ' (Acts 8:1); they 'ordained them elders in every church'(Acts 14:23); Paul 'saluted the church' (Acts 18:22), etc. Well, therewas an early church, judging from these texts, which corroborates thewords of Jesus who said He would build a church. "

"What was the name of that church?" asked Mary. "Are there any textsthat show what it was called?"

"Let us see. Here is a text--Acts 20:28. See what that verse says, "replied Robert. 

"'Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, overwhich the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church ofGod, which he hath purchased with his own blood, '" said Mary. 

"Here is another text--1 Cor. 1:2, " said Robert. 

"'Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that aresanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that inevery place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirsand ours, '" read Mary. 

"Here is another with 'church of God' in it--1 Cor. 10:32, and anotherin Gal. 1:13; also one in I Tim. 3:5. All of these have 'churchof God' in them. Oh, yes, I skipped one text in I Cor. 15:9, " saidRobert. "That is a good name. It shows that it is God's church. "

"What have we learned so far?" asked Mary. "We have learned thatChrist built the church, and that it was named the church of God. Whatelse can we learn about it? I would like to know who the members were, and how they were made members. "

"Maybe there are Bible answers to these questions, " said Robert. "SeeCol. 1:24. "

"'Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which isbehind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church. ' This says the church is His body. Are there anytexts to explain that?" said Mary. 

"Try Col. 1:18, " said Robert. 

"'And he is the head of the body, the church, '" Mary read. 

"Read Eph. 1:22, 23, " said Robert. 

"'And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the headover all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of himthat filleth all in all. '"

"I guess we shall have to look up the word 'body' to find out justwhat it is, " said Robert. "Here is I Cor. 12:13. "

"'For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we beJews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all madeto drink into one Spirit. '"

"Try Romans 12:4, 5, " said Robert. 

"'For as we have many members in one body, and all members have notthe same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another. '"

"This makes it plainer, " said Robert. "As I see it now, Christ's bodyis the church, and the church is His people. That is logical. Justlike my body, it has a variety of members, yet it is just one body. SoPaul says the church is. "

"How do persons get into this church of God? Mr. Jones asked us tojoin the church. So did Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Johnson. They said thatthey would open the door and receive members. But, Robert, I feel, yes, thank the Lord, I know that I am saved, and yet I am not a memberof any church. How can this be?" asked Mary. 

"I do not know about that, Mary, " replied Robert. "Maybe you are achurch member, after all. Let us see another text. Yes, don't youremember Acts 2:47, which said that 'the Lord added to the churchdaily such as should be saved'? If salvation made them members thenwhy does not salvation make us members now? Why, Mary, surely itdoes. This must correspond with Paul's saying that we read from I Cor. 12:13, about the Spirit baptizing us all into one body. I begin tosee now that we get into the church that Jesus built by being savedthrough the Spirit, and that salvation makes us members of the church. Well, praise God for these truths! They fit right into my heart. "

"Now another point seems plain, " resumed Robert, "the church, in orderto be pure, must have only saved members. And Jesus would not add anybut saved members. I see that. "

"And more than that, " said Mary, "if Christ adds the members, thenevery Christian is bound to be a member, isn't he?"

"That must be right, " said Robert. 

"But that would make one big church, Robert, and you know everybodycannot see alike about the church, " said Mary. 

"Why not, Mary? If Jesus built a church, and if He adds the members, and if all the members are saved, and if the Spirit puts them all intoone body, and that body is the church, and if He named it, why thenwould it not be the right church? I do not see how anyone could be aChristian without being in this church, " said Robert. 

"Is not the church of God what Pastor Jones called the 'invisiblechurch' and are not all the denominations together the visiblechurch?" asked Mary. 

"Invisible church! Why, was all that early church invisible, Mary?Impossible! Paul persecuted the church, it says. There was somethingvisible to persecute, was there not? Paul wrote to the church atCorinth. Surely there was something to write to. What puzzles me, though, is where this church is today. It is plain enough that theearly New Testament church was visible, and that it was organized, andhad ministers and government. It had power and grace also, and itgrew rapidly, and spread over much of the Roman Empire even before thedeath of the apostles. But where is it now? This is a mystery to me, "and Robert was troubled. 

"What have we found so far through reading the Scriptures thisafternoon?" said Robert. "Let us make a summary of the points we havefound, and write them down. Get some paper, please, dear. Let us keepa record of our findings. We promised the Lord to abide by His words. Jesus said one time: 'Thy word is truth'; so, whatever the Scripturessay must be right. "

"Here is paper and pen and ink, " said Mary. 

"Very well, " said Robert, "thank you. Put down--

"1. Jesus Christ promised, or affirmed that He would build a church, one which was to be His church (Matt. 16:18). 

"2. That church was to stand forever (same text). 

"3. The Lord added members to that church (Acts 2:47). 

"4. Salvation made them members of the church (same text). 

"5. The name of that church is, or was, the church of God (Acts 20:28, and other texts). 

"6. The church of God was visible in New Testament times (1 Cor. 1:2). 

"7. The church was the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:24). 

"8. The Spirit placed every saved one in this one body (1 Cor. 12:13;Rom. 12:4, 5). 

"9. Hence, it must have contained all the Christians. 

"10. And, therefore, the apostolic church of true believers--thespiritual body of Christ; and the church-members--the collective bodyof worshippers, were identical. When you saw one, you saw the other. "

"That is as far as we have gone, Mary. But we are not through the NewTestament yet. I was just counting, and there are about one hundredtexts in which the word 'church' occurs. But, it seems to me we havelearned a great deal. I can see plainly enough that there was onlyone church in the early era of Christianity. All the ministers werewelcome in every congregation. They all went by one name. There wasprobably only one congregation in any one city. I do not know whetherthey had a class-book or not, but they were united in Christ. Well, fold that sheet up, Mary; that contains the summary of our work thisafternoon. We may derive some value from it later on. "

"But, I am really puzzled, " continued Robert. "Something certainly hashappened to the church since the apostles' day. It is all divided now. I believe some said that there are hundreds of denominations in theworld now. But I am determined on this--that I will not join anychurch until this mystery as to its history has been cleared up, andI can see definitely the will of God in the matter. It is possible, Mary, that this church of God, which this paper stands for, may bewhat we are looking for. It has a Bible name, which is one thingIn its favor. But we shall wait. I take my stand, here and now, Godhelping me, for Christ's pure church. I will look until my dyingday to find it on earth, and will pray Almighty God to establish acongregation of this church here in order that it may show forth whatGod can do for men. "

So powerfully was Robert moved that he proposed that they pray. Inprayer, Robert renewed his covenant to walk in all of God's light. 

"Dear heavenly Father, " he said, "we have been studying thy Word inan effort to find out which church we should join. Lead us, guide usaright in this matter, we pray. Our souls crave spiritual communionwith thy saints. Show us Thy people. Plant such a church as we havefound in the Scriptures and which we know existed in Bible times;plant a congregation of Thy church in our midst, O Father. Do notforsake us, but lead us. Amen. "

CHAPTER EIGHT

ROBERT DAVIS' BATTLES

A month passed away rapidly. Robert and Mary Davis were makingarrangements to occupy the property bought from Jake Newby. Ever sincethe little altercation over the removal of the chicken-house, Robert had not seen much of Jake. As for Jake, he continued sourand implacable. It was very hard for any Newby to take anything fromanyone, and yet, when they were on the right side of anything theywere bold champions for it. Some of the best improvements fosteredby the community had been initiated by them. Nevertheless, Robertconsidered it best to avoid any further rupture of their relations. 

Jake Newby felt keenly the outcome of the debates in the FairmountSchool. He did not like to see his father suffer a loss of hisprestige in the community. He nursed a secret grudge against Robert, and determined that if ever an opportunity presented itself to hisliking, he would do something to humble him. He chafed especiallyunder the implication that his father was not a Christian, and if onlyhe could cause a downfall to Robert he would get sweet revenge. 

Robert Davis was unaware of what was going on in Jake Newby's mind. Hehad not counted on any bitterness over their little dispute. 

A few days before Robert and Mary planned to move, Robert went over totheir new home to mow the yard and clean up a little. Jake Newby sawhim coming, and noticed that he was alone. 

"Now is my time, " muttered Jake to himself. So he strode over to whereRobert was. 

"Do you mean that I cannot have my chickenhouse, Robert Davis?" askedJake threateningly. 

"Jake, you know that the chickenhouse was not reserved in ourcontract, " said Robert. 

"You are a liar, " shouted Jake. 

"You are mistaken, Jake, " said Robert calmly, but feeling a strongimpulse to strike his opponent. 

"You are a liar, Davis, and you have insulted my father, " said Jake, at the same time shaking his finger dose to Robert's face. 

Instantly, Robert's powerful right arm shot a blow directly at Jake'sjaw. It caught him square on the chin, and Jake went sprawling overthe lawn. Jake arose, thoroughly angry. He rushed at Robert like ademon, but Robert quickly stepped to one side and caught Jake withanother blow. Jake then closed in on Robert and attempted to throw himdown. 

Over and across the lawn they surged, trampling under foot theshrubbery which Jake had planted to beautify the homestead. The menwere about equally matched in size and strength, but Robert's clearerbrain and strategy were too much for his opponent. 

At last they fell in a heap, with Jake on top, and he was rainingblows upon Robert's face in token of his victory, when all at onceRobert gave a sudden turn and landed Jake underneath before Jakewas aware of what was happening. But by this time Robert's heart wastalking to him about the fight, so he merely held Jake down until hegave up and promised to go home and not make trouble any more. Then helet him up. 

Jake shook himself, and started home. Robert was so upset that hecould not work. He sat down on the porch of the house and took asurvey of the affair. He became so engrossed in his study that he didnot hear the sound of falling footsteps, until they were close uponhim. He looked up quickly, and met the scornful gaze of Peter Newby'shazel eyes. 

"And so you have become a fighting holiness man have you? You were soholy a short time ago that you could insult an old man like me withyour insinuating remarks. Now, maybe you will believe me when I saythat man can't live without sinning, " said Peter disdainfully. 

Robert was so completely whipped by his own conscience that he felt noinclination to defend himself. Indeed, how could he defend himself?

"Now, young man, you ought to drop this holiness stuff, for there isnothing in it--all bunk. Living above sin are you? Ha! ha! ha!" andthe old man gave poor Robert an explosive horse-laugh. 

"Goodbye, holy Robert, " said Peter, as he drove away. 

Robert sat still on the porch. He began to wonder if this was the wayhe was going to dedicate his new home, and if he had destroyed hisinfluence in the community. What would Mary think of him! Good, quiet, godly Mary, who had always looked up to him as the embodiment of nobleand manly qualities. And Mary was cherishing a little one under herheart, and preparing to receive a priceless treasure. What kind of afather was he going to be, Robert asked himself. Shall I tell her, orshall I hide it? Swiftly the thoughts ran through his mind while big, cold drops of sweat stood out upon his forehead like beads of crystal. Never before had he felt so thoroughly miserable. In his youth, Roberthad never been quarrelsome, but he had accepted challenges wheneverthey were made. Since his conversion, however, he had lived aconsistent Christian life, and he had been very particular of hisconduct since God had shown him light on holiness and sanctification. 

"I will kneel down here and pray, " said Robert, out loud. Thisdecision was his response to grim Despair, who had now put in hisappearance with suggestions to give up all, go back into sin, quitprofessing, and be an open sinner. 

"Why try it any longer?" said Despair. "You can never face yourneighbors again. Give up. Give up. You have tried, and you havefailed. You are a failure. Your reputation is gone. You can never livefor Christ in this neighborhood. Get even with Newbys. "

No sooner did Robert resolve, with holy determination, to defeatDespair and pray, than he got upon his knees. And there, at thedoorway of his future home, he poured out his heart before AlmightyGod, and vowed he would not go back any farther than he was, and thathe would strive, with all his heart, to do God's will. 

As the sun began to go down behind the hills to the west of him, Robert started home. Flecks of cloudlets began to redden, and thedenser strata of clouds took on a deep purple, as the western skyblazed out in a marvel of beauty. And Robert thought, truly, that"the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth hishandiwork"; why could not man glorify Him better?

Mary saw at once that Robert wore a troubled expression on his face. Robert saw that Mary sensed that something was wrong. As soon as hecould, he went in and sat by Mary's side. 

"Mary, dear, I know that you will be ashamed of me, when I tell youwhat I have done, " said Robert. 

"My, Robert, what have you done?" cried Mary, "you look so troubledand gloomy. "

"Mary, I am sorry to tell you what I have done, but I will hidenothing and will tell you all about it, " said he. "You remember thatchickenhouse we prevented Jake from moving that day? Well, he met meat the place today and called me a liar and said that I had insultedhis father. Before I hardly knew what I was doing I hit Jake and wehad a fight. I finally beat him, and he promised to behave. I feltjust like giving up, Mary, and never trying to serve the Lord anymore. But I promise you, dear, that I will not go back. " And great bigtears of hearty contrition rolled down Robert's face, and Mary, alltears too, lovingly wiped his tears away. 

"I do not know if you can have confidence in me or not, Mary, afterthis, but I expect to rise above it, God helping me, " said Robert, when he could speak. 

"I recognize that I have done wrong, " he continued. "What shall I doabout it?"

"You must forgive Jake, and Mr. Newby too, Robert, " said Mary. "TheScriptures are plain: 'But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses' (Matt. 6:15). Can you forgive them?"

"Yes, by God's help, I forgive them. I do, " said Robert. 

"Should you not also make confession to Jake Newby for fighting him?"asked Mary. "And then give him that chickenhouse if he still demandsit. 'Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, givehim drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head'(Romans 12:20). And to break the power of the grudge, why not obeyMatt. 5:23, 24: 'Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, andthere remember that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave therethy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thybrother, and then come and offer thy gift. '"

"Well, Jake is not a brother, Mary, " said Robert, "but the Scripturespoint out the best way to recover. I feel so ashamed, Mary, afterstanding up for a holy life and then failing this way. But I feel thatfollowing the Word of truth will be the quickest way to recovery. Itis my ambition to be an example of God's keeping power. I wish to solive that holiness may be established as truth in this community. Iwant my life to tell for Jesus. "

Robert decided that the sooner he went the better it would be; sohe drove to Jake's house at once. Jake was greatly surprised to seeRobert drive up and greeted him very surlily. 

"Jake, I have come over to ask your forgiveness for striking andfighting you this afternoon. I did wrong. Pardon me. I am sorry I gaveway, Jake. And say, Jake, if you want that chickenhouse, just comeand get it. It is too small for the number of chickens Mary intendsto raise, anyway. You can have it, Jake, freely, gladly. What's achickenhouse between friends?

"The Lord made me feel very guilty over this affair, Jake, " continuedRobert. "At first I thought I would give up entirely, but Jake, I cannot do that. The Lord has done too much for me and my wife, and--well, others are counting on me. I want to make everything right;so you will feel perfectly free to visit me any time you wish. PraiseGod! I feel better, Jake. Will you forgive me?" And Robert stretchedout his hand toward Jake. Jake took it, and there, in that happytwilight hour, a grudge and a sin were laid in a grave of oblivion, never to be resurrected. 

CHAPTER NINE

THE GOOD RESULTS OF AN HONEST CONFESSION

The confession of Robert Davis to Jake Newby set Jake's householdall agog. They had never heard of such a thing before. When Jake hadarrived home from his encounter he had told Kate, his wife, all aboutit, coloring it in his own favor. 

"I went over to see Robert Davis and kindly asked him to let me havethe chickenhouse and to reprove him gently for the way he had treateddad, and, what do you think? he jumped on me as mad as he could be. I'll get even with Bob Davis, I will. The mean rascal, " said Jake. 

"Well, of all things, is that the way holiness men do? A pretty messfor Davis to get into, " said Kate. 

"I'll fix him. Wait till a good chance comes, and I will make himsorry enough, " said Jake. "Little good he can do in this neighborhood, living like that. "

"But Jake, you are a member of the church, and you must be careful howyou live, " said Kate. 

"Oh, yes, I suppose so, " said Jake laconically. 

But Jake's religion did not concern him very much. Everybody knewthat. His name was on the church book, and Jake paid a little money innow and then, but as for prayer or testimony, he had none, and as forvital, personal godliness and personal salvation, to these he was aperfect stranger. In fact, the denomination to which Jake belonged didnot believe in nor teach salvation from sin. Many others in it werejust like him. 

While the Newby family were discussing the fight, it was to theirgreat surprise to see Robert Davis come through the open gate. 

"Well, if there doesn't come Bob Davis now, " Kate exclaimed. "Whatdo you suppose he is after? Do you suppose he is going to renew thefight, Jake? Mercy me. Help!"

But Robert knocked quietly, and Jake opened the door, and beforeanyone else could speak Robert made his confession, while the Newbychildren and Kate looked on in amazement. After Jake and Robert shookhands, and the trouble was ended, a strange atmosphere pervaded theNewby home. They had never felt just like that before. There was apeace, an awe, a holy feeling such as people have sometimes at theheight of a revival meeting. If Jesus had suddenly appeared in personthere would not have been much more of a holy atmosphere than existedright there at that moment. They could hardly understand it. No doubtthe angels of heaven were there, and the Holy Spirit was present toexert his benign influence toward the salvation of that family. Katebegan to cry great big tears of joy. Jake sat down. 

"Jake, Bob Davis is a man, " said Kate. "That was the most open, honestconfession I ever heard. I do not know of any one who would do suchas he has done. There must be something to his religion. You know thefight you had with Tom Sawyer, and he is a deacon in First Church, Bethany. What came of it? Never a word of confession did he ever make. What kind of a man is Mr. Davis, anyway?"

"Something strange about Bob Davis, " said Jake. "Said I could havethat old chickenhouse if I wanted. I'd be a fool to take it now. "

"Jake, I believe Robert Davis is a real Christian, " said Kate, as asort of confession on her part. "Why, I do not know of a member ofour church that would do the manly thing that he has done, coming upwithout any self-justification and asking forgiveness for his wrong. I'm more convinced than I ever was before that Robert's doctrine isright, after all. Your dad would not own up like that even if he knewhe was in the wrong. I wish I had more of Robert's religion. "

"That is true. Kate, " said Jake. "Dad's either too hardheaded or hasnot enough religion to own up to a fault. "

"I begin to feel like I am not a Christian at all, Jake, " said Kate. "I could not do as Robert Davis has done. No, I couldn't. I'm not muchof a Christian. I believe we might as well quit our profession, Jake, if we can't live better than we are. " And more big, honest tearsrolled down Kate's cheeks. 

"Well, I have been baptized, " said Jake, and Pastor Sammons said waterbaptism was essential to salvation. I believed in Jesus Christ and wasbaptized. What else can I do? I live as good as any other member ofour church. I have been in good standing for ten years. I do not knowwhat else to do. The preacher thinks I am all right. "

"Yes, I know, " replied Kate, "the preacher thinks I am all right, too, but I know I am not. I just feel that I am not a real Christian. "

"Well, I must confess, " said Jake, "that Robert's confession putsreligion in a new light to me. With Robert religion is the main thing. He has family prayers night and morning; he is honest and scrupulous, and now when he sees he has done me a wrong he has come right overand made it right. I am not much of a Christian either, if that isChristianity. "

"Jake, what good is water baptism if our lives are not changed?" askedKate. "I have just been thinking of the members of our church, andI am not trying to ignore their good qualities, but I do not know ofmore than two or three that I would ask to pray for me if I were goingto die. They gossip, dress in all the latest fads, go to dances andtheaters, rarely attend church, and are just like the worldly peoplearound here who belong to no church. Is this Christianity? Why, Jake, when we had our bazaar, you remember, four of the sisters fell outand have not spoken to each other since. My, I never thought of thesethings before. I wonder what church Robert Davis belongs to?"

"He calls it the church of God, " replied Jake. 

"The church of God!" exclaimed Kate. "Why, what church is that? Inever heard of it. But that name sounds good. If it is as good as itsname it ought to be a good one. "

"I must confess, " said Jake, "that I never have enjoyed my religion. If it is the right kind it has done me very little good. But I can'tafford to drop it, for it's all I have--at least till I see somethingbetter. Robert and Mary Davis seem to enjoy their religion. I alwaysnoticed that. I believe I shall investigate the church of God. What doyou say to calling Robert and Mary over tomorrow night and talkingall these things over with them? Robert seems to know a lot about theBible. "

"Let us do that, " said Kate. 

Next morning Kate sent her son John to the Davis home with aninvitation to come and spend the evening. They were surprised to getthe invitation, but felt that it was their duty to go. 

During that day both Jake and Kate were in a very humble mood. PeterNewby came over during the day and Jake told him all about Robert'sconfession. Jake also expressed himself as being dissatisfied with hisreligion. 

"Ah, poof!" said Peter, "you are all right. Weren't you baptized, anddon't you believe in Christ? Don't give up your religion. Would you goback on your old dad and mammy like that? I hope I never see the day, Jake, when you will leave our church. Davis is no good. "

But Jake was so thoroughly awakened to his own sad state that hisfather's speech affected him very little. In fact, it sounded hollowand hypocritical to him. Jake knew, down in his heart, that Robert haddone the manly and Christian thing, and when he saw that his fatherdid not appreciate what Robert had done, it made him feel that hisfather was not much of a Christian either. Jake lost confidence in hisfather right there. 

Peter Newby sensed this change of attitude on Jake's part, and itfilled him with anger. Yet he knew that he dare not show it. But thefire in his bosom compelled him to speak out. 

"Jake, my son, " he said, trying hard to control his feelings, "I fearyou are being shaken in the faith, but I hope if you are dissatisfiedwith our church that you will not disgrace the family by joining thatholiness bunch. They are rotten. I know them of old. I would rathersee you dead than for you to go with Bob Davis. "

Jake saw that there was little use to discuss the matter; so hedesisted and turned the conversation to pigs. But Peter turned it backto religion. 

"If you go along with that Davis, " Peter said, "I will disown you asmy son. I will. After being a member of our church for ten years, thento own up that you are not a Christian--why, Jake, that will tear ourchurch to pieces. "

"But father, " said Jake, "suppose that I am not a real Christian, will it do me any good to continue to profess that I am? Is thatnot exactly what makes one a hypocrite? My soul longs for a realexperience. I know I am not ready to die or fit to live either. I mustget right with God. "

Peter Newby saw that it was useless to stay longer, so he rode away, feeling very angry at Jake for the mood he was in, and at himself fordisplaying such anger. 

Robert and Mary Davis went to Newbys' about nightfall and were given acordial reception. After all was ready they all met in the parlorand discussed religion. A great many texts were read and talked over. Water baptism was investigated. Robert proved by the Scriptures thatwater baptism is not a saving ordinance. 

"How could water baptism be a saving ordinance, " said Robert, "whenwe know that water cannot have any effect, one way or another, upona soul? And, if water baptism is essential to the obtaining ofsalvation, then two other things besides the blood of Jesus arenecessary whenever a soul is saved. One is water, enough to beimmersed in, according to your church doctrine, and the other is aman, or a preacher to baptize. Then, if one were out somewhere awayfrom water and a preacher, he could not be saved. This will never do. It places too much in the hands of men. Peter makes it plain--read 1Peter 3:21. 

"'The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (notthe putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a goodconscience toward God, ) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, '" readKate Newby. 

"This makes it plain, " said Robert. "Water cannot wash away sinsexcept in a figurative way. It is the blood that cleanses. Read Rev. 1:5 (last sentence), and Col. 1:15. "

"'Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his ownblood, '" read Mary Davis. "This is Rev. 1:5. Col. 1:14 says, 'In whomwe have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. '"

"Robert, what church do you belong to?" asked Jake finally. 

"I am not a member of any denomination, " said Robert, "but recentlythrough a study of the Bible, I have become convinced that thesedenominations are not right, and that we should get back to the Biblein name, faith, and practice. I do not see any church that tallieswith the church of the New Testament; so I am waiting and praying forGod to establish a real New Testament church in this community. By theway, Jake, we found that the Bible name for the church is the churchof God. We have had a religious paper coming to us, which is publishedin the interests of the church of God. Maybe this is what we arelooking for. Jake, let us seek for the truth. "

"I will, Robert, " said Jake. "I am dissatisfied with my religion. Really, I doubt if ever I was converted. "

"God bless you, Jake, " said Robert, "the Lord has a real experienceof salvation for you. Come to Him, repent, and believe. Get under theblood. Amen. "

After a blessed service of prayer and singing some of the good oldsoul-cheering songs, Robert and Mary Davis went home. 

It was the beginning of a new era in the Jake Newby home. 

CHAPTER TEN

FALSE GUIDES APPEAR IN BETHANY

It often happens when people become awakened to the fact that they arebelow the standard of Christianity and do not as yet see or know whatto do, that they become ensnared in destructive doctrines. Havingloosed from their old moorings and not having reached a peacefulhaven, they drift about, sometimes at the mercy of every wind thatblows. When the truth of the gospel begins to appear then the greatenemy, Satan, sows his tares, for the ground is then broken up. 

Robert Davis' debates at the schoolhouse, his confession, and hisprivate conversations on the Scriptures, were like rays of lightshooting through the rifts in the clouds of the sky. The town ofBethany had never heard such doctrines as Robert was upholding. Andeven to Robert himself they had not yet been formed into a coherentsystem of Bible teaching. Several things were still mysteries to him. 

Jake Newby and his family were in this partly awakened condition. Theyhad lost confidence in the church to which they belonged, but they didnot see the light clearly. They were seekers after the truth. 

On one day of the next week after the conversation in his home withthe Davis', Jake and Kate went to the railway station in Bethany tosee their Aunt Mellisa off. She had been visiting with her brother, Peter Newby, for a few days and was on her way home to Boston. 

While sitting in the station chatting and waiting for the train tocome, Kate Newby saw a wall-pocket in the waiting-room on which was aneat sign, "Take One, " filled with printed literature. She stepped tothe receptacle and took out two or three pieces of literature whichshe placed in her handbag, and she thought no more about it till shegot home and opened her bag to get her handkerchief. 

Something about the leaflet attracted her attention, and she sat downand read it. The pamphlet proclaimed the virtues of Christian Scienceto heal all kinds of mental and physical sicknesses and troubles. There is no sickness, sin or death, said the treatise. All of thesethings are errors of mortal mind. We are, it continued, to ignore andrepudiate these errors, for God is good and everything is good; God iseternal Mind, all-embracing, and there can be no death, and sin, andsickness in God. Material things, it said, are not important, thespiritual is the important. The basis of all things is the spiritual, hence we can count material things as immaterial and be all engrossedin God. The false notion that there is sickness, it said, has led manyto the grave, the false notion that there is a devil has led to theidea of sin. But sin and sickness are errors of the mortal mind, andwhen we get swallowed up in the one great mind (God), there will be nomore sickness, pain, sin, or death. Much more it said which space willnot permit us to narrate here. 

Kate Newby read on and on. She was longing for something better thanshe had. The arguments of the pamphlet seemed plausible to her, andshe embraced them. Seeing that the Christian Science text-book wasadvised, she ordered a copy of Mrs. Eddy's Science and Health. Whenit arrived she read it assiduously. She was getting very deep into themeshes of it. Her theology was undergoing a radical change. God, to her, was no longer personal, but the great Mind which isall-comprehensive. She tried to believe herself well, free, and happy, and she began to enjoy a measure of relief. But, at the same time, Kate Newby was growing more worldly; she began to lose her formerdistinctions of right and wrong, and the change was beginning to bemade manifest in many different ways. She began to ignore Jake and toshow an aversion to material things and she began to develop a sort ofovermystical attitude toward life in general. 

Finally, Jake asked her point-blank, "Kate, what is the matter withyou? You are acting so queer. "

"Well, Jake, I might as well tell you, " answered Kate. "I am aChristian Scientist. "

If Jake Newby had been hit with a cannon ball he would not have beenworse shocked. 

"Christian Science!" he echoed. "Of all things! Where did you get holdof that?"

Then she told him of getting the leaflet, then Science and Health, and how she had gradually been won to embrace it. Jake was clearlydisturbed, and started to argue with Kate, but she had the advantagein that he did not know anything about it. So Jake thought of RobertDavis. 

"Say, Robert, " said Jake to Robert the first time that they met afterhis talk with Kate about Christian Science, "do you know anythingabout Christian Science?"

"Indeed I do, " said Robert, "my mother once got somewhat entangled init, and through her efforts to get out I was led to study it. "

"Come over and talk to Kate, then, " said Jake. "She has taken up withit and it is ruining her. Please come over and talk with her about it. We must have help. "

"All right, I will come, " answered Robert. 

On the next evening Robert found time to go, and soon he and Kate weretalking on Christian Science while Jake and the others listened. 

"Now, I will read from Science and Health, " said Robert. "See if youcan understand it. See if it does not make you feel like scratchingyour head in order to help to comprehend it. 'What is man? Answer--Manis not matter, he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and othermaterial elements. The Scriptures inform us that man is made in theimage and likeness of God. Matter is not that likeness. The likenessof Spirit cannot be so unlike Spirit. Man is spiritual and perfect. .. . Man is incapable of sin, sickness, and death. The real man cannotdepart from holiness, nor can God, by whom man is evolved, engenderthe capacity or freedom to sin' (page 475). Can you understand that?"

"For the life of me, I can't, " said Jake, but, of course Jake couldnot be expected to understand it, thought Kate. 

"Now, here is another. 'Therefore the only reality of sin, sickness, or death is the awful fact that unrealities seem real to human, erring belief, until God strips off their disguise. They are not true, because they are not of God. We learn in Christian Science that allinharmony of mortal mind and body is illusion. ' Again, 'Sin, sickness, and death are to be classified as effects of error' (pages 472 and473)" read Robert. 

"I wonder what I am made of, " said Jake's boy, John, "if I have nobrain, blood, or bones. When the bay filly threw me last winter andbroke my arm I thought I was part bone. And a lot of blood ran from myfoot the time I cut it with the ax, at least they called it blood. "

"Now, let us get Mrs. Eddy's definition of God, " said Robert. "'Whatis God? Answer--God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. '"

"Let us notice her definition of Mind, " continued Robert. "'Mindis God, ' she says. Let us draw forth some of the Christian Scienceprinciples and stand them up for inspection. 

"1. Man is not matter; he has not brains, blood, or bones. 

"2. Man is incapable of sin. 

"3. Man is incapable of sickness. 

"4. Man is incapable of death. 

"5. Sin, sickness, and death are errors. 

"6. God is Mind, Principle. 

"7. Mind is God. 

"8. Sickness is a dream. 

"9. Sickness, sin, and death are 'mortal dreams. '

"10. 'There is no disease' (Science and Health, p. 421). 

"11. 'Death is the illusion' (Science and Health, p. 428). 

"Now, over and against these statements of Christian Science, let usplace the immutable Word of God. 

"1. Man is not matter; he is not brains, blood, or bones. 

"The very first word in inspiration contradicts this principle inChristian Science. 'In the beginning God created the heaven and theearth' (Gen. 1:1). The creation of man contradicts Christian Science. Listen--'And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, andbreathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a livingsoul. ' (Gen. 2:7). 

"So there is such a thing as man composed of matter such as body, andblood, and bones. 

"2. Man is incapable of sin. 

"Let us see what the Bible says of this proposition, " continuedRobert. 

"'For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God' (Rom. 3:23). 

"'Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures' (1 Cor. 15:3). 

"'He shall save his people from their sins' (Matt. 1:21). 

"3. Man is incapable of sickness. 

"'Is any sick among you' what shall he do?" asked Robert, quotingJas. 5:14, 15. "Let him deny that he is sick, and claim that he isincapable of being sick? No. 'Let him call for the elders . .. And theprayer of faith shall save the sick. '

"David said of the Lord, 'Who healeth all thy diseases' (Psa. 103:3). 

"4. Man is incapable of death. 

"It seems that no scripture is needed to refute this falsehood. Menof past ages are dead. Mrs. Eddy herself will die, all ChristianScientists die, for 'it is appointed unto men once to die, but afterthis the judgment. '"

"My, the Bible is hard on Christian Science doctrine, isn't it, "said Kate Newby. "I did not think to read and compare Mrs. Eddy'sstatements with the Bible. "

"Indeed it is, " said Robert Davis. "The Bible states facts as theyare. Man did sin, and all men have sinned. The plan of salvation, inall its vast provisions for men, came about because of man's need, because of man's fall. Man has sinned. Oh, it is all too plain todeny. The bruised and wounded hearts of mothers and wives, the bowedheads of grief-stricken fathers over the sins of their loved ones, prove all too painfully that sin is real. "

"I know it is, too, " said Jake Newby. "My heart yearns for deliverancefrom sin right now. Kate, turn from this deception. You see it is notright. It denies facts. "

"Now, as a matter of fact, " said Robert Davis, "mind has considerableinfluence over matter, but, after saying that, it is not necessary togo to the absurd extent as to deny that there is matter. "

"I see it now, " said Kate, "there is a subtle connection between mindand our bodies, but I see that if, because of that, I should denyfacts, my state would be no better and probably worse. I give up thewhole system as being contrary to reason, sense, and the Scriptures. "

A few days after this Robert was called to Kansas City on business, where he remained a week. Now, it so happened that while he was awayfrom home on this business trip, a colporteur of the Seventh-DayAdventists denomination came through the country and sold Mary Davisthe book entitled Daniel and the Revelation, also several tracts, oneof which was entitled "Who Changed the Sabbath?" Mary Davis hadnever before heard of anything on the Sabbath question, and whenthe colporteur told her about how the Sabbath had been changed fromSaturday to Sunday (according to Adventist theories), and howthey, the Adventists, were in a great reformation to restore theSabbath-day, she was considerably interested. Open-hearted fortruth, she was peculiarly susceptible at that time to the claims ofAdventism. 

Mary spent the next few days in reading her newly bought literature. It seemed plausible to her that if God gave the Ten Commandments as aperpetual covenant, the seventh day should still be kept. The more sheread the more she was convinced. By the time Robert returned shehad begun to count herself a seventh-day keeper. Robert Davis wassurprised beyond measure when he returned and found his house full ofAdvent literature. 

"Well, Mary dear, what does all this mean?" asked Robert kindly. 

"Why, Robert, " she said, "while you were gone a colporteur came herewith these books. He seemed so earnest and he talked for hours abouta reformation and how the Catholics had changed the Sabbath and abouthow God had set himself to restore the day to Christendom. I have beenreading the books and they make it very plain that we ought to keepSaturday. "

"Now, come here, dear, " said Robert, "let me point out to you thefalse and unscriptural position which these zealots hold. "

Mary felt a little indignant at this, but she complied, willing toknow the truth. However, she was secretly determined to keep theSabbath-day unless very good reasons were shown why she should not. 

"First, Mary, let me ask a few questions, " said Robert. "Did thecolporteur say anything about living holy or nearer to God?"

"No, " said Mary, "he talked almost exclusively about the Sabbath-day. "

"Very well, " said Robert. "Did he say the Ten Commandments were stillin full force?"

"Yes, he did, Robert, and he made it very plain that God's law couldnot change, " said Mary. 

"Did he say the Catholics changed the Sabbath-day from Saturday toSunday?" asked Robert. 

"Yes, he did, " replied Mary. 

"Now, Mary, get your Bible, please, " said Robert. "Turn to 2 Cor. 3, and begin reading with verse 7. "

"'But if the ministration of death, written and engraven with stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastlybehold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glorywas to be done away:'" read Mary. 

"You need not read the rest of the chapter now, " said Robert, "butthis verse and the verses following show beyond all question orargument that the Ten Commandments were a 'ministration of death' andwere abolished in Christ. That law was glorious, but that glory waseclipsed by the greater glory of the New Testament law. Now turn toGal. 4:21-31. Read verse 24 first. "

"'Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; theone from mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar, '"read Mary. 

"This passage proves, " said Robert, "that Paul was showing byAbraham's two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, Isaac by Sarah, and Ishmael byHagar, that the covenant at Sinai was to be cast out, just as Hagarand Ishmael were cast out of Abraham's home. The verse you readdeclares that the Ten Commandments, covenant, law, and all from Sinaicorrespond with Hagar. What happened to her? She was cast out. So theold Ten-Commandment law is cast out in favor of a better one. Now turnto Hebrews 8 and read the last verse. "

"'In that he saith, a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Nowthat which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. '"

"Plain enough, isn't it, Mary?" asked Robert. "God found fault withthe old covenant (see verse 7) and so he took it away. "

"But, Robert, " said Mary, "does this mean that it is right to lie, orsteal, or kill? If the Ten Commandments are done away with, how willthese sins be condemned?" And Mary was really puzzled about it. 

"Why, Mary, " said Robert, "the Ten Commandments did not make it wrongto lie and steal. It was always wrong to lie and steal even beforethere were any Ten Commandments. Wrong is wrong. Now in Christ's lawevery possible wrong is condemned. Do you see the point? Now, theSabbath-day law is the Fourth Commandment of the Ten. But that Sabbathlaw was given to the Jews only. They could keep it where they lived, but everybody can't keep it now at the same time even if they shouldwant to. "

"You see we live on a round earth, " continued Robert, "and the sunshines somewhere all the time. Now Israel could keep the seventh dayall right in Palestine, but suppose that they had been scattered overall the earth? Then a Jew in Australia would be keeping his Sabbathabout eighteen hours before his brother in California. The day beginsout in the Pacific Ocean, not because it really begins there, butbecause for the sake of convenience it was fixed to begin there. Thewhole arrangement is artificial. Now, would God put so much emphasison keeping a certain day under such circumstances? Adventists thinkit is very wrong to work on the Sabbath-day, yet some of them workas much as twelve hours while their brethren on the other side of theearth are keeping their Sabbath. It is impossible for all the earth tokeep the Sabbath at the same time. "

"Well, I never thought of that before, " said Mary, as her Adventismbegan to leave her about as quickly as it came. 

"Now the fact is, too, Mary, " said Robert, "that the Catholics didnot change the Sabbath-day. They may claim to have done so and theAdventists accept the claim, it appears, but the early Christianskept the first day of the week Sunday, long before there was any RomanCatholic Church or any pope at Rome. Adventists twist history herejust like they twist the Scriptures. "

"Listen here, dear, " continued Robert. "'I was in the Spirit on theLord's Day' (Rev. 1:10). What day was the Lord's Day? It was notSaturday, the Sabbath. Pentecost, that grand birthday of the church, was on Sunday (Acts 2:1-4). The disciples met to break bread on thefirst day of the week--Sunday (Acts 20:6, 7). The laying-by ofthe collection for the saints was made on the first day of theweek--Sunday (1 Cor. 16:1, 2). On the Sabbath-day Jesus lay cold indeath in the borrowed tomb while the sad and disconsolate disciplesmourned the death of the Prince of Israel, their Savior. But onSunday morning Christ arose triumphant (John 20:1) and in memory of itChristians began early to observe Sunday as a day of worship. "

"Mary, you were just about to be entangled with a yoke of bondage, a yoke of man's making, " said Robert. "This Sabbath doctrine of theAdventists is utterly man-made. In their writings the apostles didnot teach the keeping of it; so why go away back to bleak and smokingSinai for a law to keep when Jesus offers us a new covenant? Why thoseAdventists are trying to prop up a law that was old, and decayed, andready to vanish away in Paul's time. "

"Did Constantine make a Sunday law, Robert?" asked Mary. 

"Yes, he did. In A. D. 321, Constantine legalized the day of worshipthat the Christians already were using, " said Robert. "The Adventistsclaim that Constantine changed the day, but he did not. There is nohistory at all to support their theory. He was the first Christianemperor of Rome and simply gave legal sanction to a day already setapart for worship, which was Sunday. This was long before there wasany pope. "

"Well, I am very glad you came home when you did, " said Mary. "It wasa providence. I see the snare set for me, and I shall fly out from it, by God's grace. "

CHAPTER ELEVEN

OUT OF THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

Two months after Robert Davis arrived home, Mary took violently ill. First there was a high fever, then convulsions, then paralysis. Dr. Horton came at once to see what he could do. After a carefulexamination he said she had typhoid fever and progressive paralysisand that she was in grave danger. After a day or two she rallied, regained consciousness, and was able to converse with the family. Little Janet was just one month old the day Mary took sick, and Mrs. Jake Newby, now a very dear friend, took the child and nursed it. 

Mary knew, as well as anyone, that she was very ill. She talked itover with Robert. Together they most earnestly prayed that God wouldspare her life, for Robert's sake, and especially for little Janet'ssake. But though her mind remained remarkably clear, her body sankdeeper down into the jaws of death. Mary was led to consecrate all toGod; so in a very simple and humble way she resigned her all to Him. 

"The will of God be done, " she said, "whether I live or die, wake orsleep, I am the Lord's, body, soul, mind, will, all. Have Thine owndear way with me, Lord Jesus, work out Thy will in me. If I live Ishall be always all for Thee, if I die, I am Thine alone. Take from myheart every selfish desire and reign, dear Jesus, on Thy royal thronethere. Purge me pure, O Christ, so pure that I can come into Thyeffulgent presence without one fear, without one sin, but insteadwith great joy. I want to be able to greet Thee, blessed Christ, asmy dearest, sweetest friend without a doubt as to my entire acceptancewith Thee. Oh, come, Jesus, come in all Thy power to fully save me, just for Thine own dear sake. Amen, amen. "

Mary closed her eyes. She lay there, so quiet, as if the angel ofdeath had claimed her for His own. A sweet smile of satisfactionspread over her face. It seemed some angel voice had whisperedsomething ineffably sweet to her. Robert hardly knew what to do orto say. She lay there so motionless, so still, yet there was such asweet, holy awe, such a spiritual atmosphere, just as ii the roomwere full of angels, that it seemed he could not cry. Kate Newby wasgreatly affected. Her mind went back to that night in her home afterRobert Davis had made his confession. 

Then there came stealing over Mary's wan face a smile that broke intothe sweetest laughter. "Praise the Lord, " she said. 

"Is everything well with you, Mary?" Robert asked. 

"All is well, " she said. "I am ready to go, if the Lord calls for me. "

Mary continued very low for several days. She hung between life anddeath and at times it seemed that the thread would snap and her soulwould be released. All hope of recovery had fled. 

"Robert, Robert, come here, " she said one day. "I feel so happy. Iwonder if I am going to die! Heaven must be a beautiful place, Robert. I had the most wonderful dream or vision a while ago. I thought I wasin heaven and it was so rich and beautiful. I saw a little baby there;its wings were tinted in all the colors of the rainbow and its robeseemed to be of the finest, whitest silk. I just wanted to grasp thedear thing, but it eluded me and flew up into one of the trees oflife. 

"Robert, " she continued in a low voice, "what will you and Janet do ifI die? Oh, I hate to leave you here alone. Poor little Janet, she willnever have mother's hand to smooth away the care from her brow or towipe the tears from her innocent eyes. I would so like to stay. Poorlittle Janet! Bring her here, papa, and lay her down by my side so Ican see her, and I want to lay my hand on her sweet, velvet face. "

They brought Janet and laid her down on the bed by Mary and then Marylaid her hand over on the baby's face and caressing it softly said:

"Sweet little one, I love you. You are a part of me. Shall I leaveyou in this cold world with no mama to see after you? Poor child, whatwill you do? But Jesus will help you if He takes me away from you. OJesus, bless Janet, bless Papa, bless Kate, bless everybody. "

Mary lay there so quiet again. Tears were flowing from the eyes ofeveryone in the room. Robert could hardly restrain himself. He wasbroken-hearted. Kate Newby burst out in a cry of sorrow and sympathy. Then Mary, after a few moments, opened her eyes and said: "I have justbeen hearing the most wonderful music. Did you hear it, Robert? Itmust have been the angels, for they all had long white robes. Oh, itwas so pretty and lovely. " Then she sank away again. Everyone thoughtthat she would soon be gone, but as night wore on she still breathedand was no worse in the morning. The month before this sickness Roberthad hunted up one of the old religious papers which had then ceasedcoming, and had sent in his subscription. Two or three copies hadalready come. As Mary continued very low he had had time to read. Oneday his eyes were attracted to the testimony of a woman who had beenhealed. He also found a short article on healing in which it wasstated that any of the ministers of the church of God would be gladto pray for any sick person. It was evident that Mary was beyond thepower of medicine to heal. Dr. Horton had given her up and no moremedicine was being given her. 

"I wonder if any of the church of God ministers are near Bethany, "said Robert to himself. His eyes began to run over the pages insearch of a minister close enough to send for. Then he saw a meetingannounced for Sayersville, October 1-10. Sayersville was only fiftymiles north of Bethany. The minister in charge was D. W. Monteith. 

That same hour a telegram was sent as follows:

 "D. W. Monteith, Sayersville, Mo. 

 "Come at once Pray for my wife Very sick

 "Robert Davis, Bethany, Mo. "

Robert was at the station at seven o'clock the next morning to meetthe minister. He wondered just what kind of a man a church of Godminister would be. When they met he found a plain, neat-looking manwith a kind, strong face, ready to go to the bedside of his wife. 

"Be of good cheer, Brother Davis, " said the minister, "the Lord hasgreat power. He can raise up your wife. Up at Sayersville last weeka man was thrown from a train and seriously hurt, but the Lord healedhim. Have faith in God. "

Robert Davis thought he had never heard words so encouraging as those, nor had he seen a man who entered so heartily into his burdens. Here was a man from whom he felt the warm, free flow of Christianfellowship. 

When they drove up to the house Mary was awake. 

"Mary, dear, " said Robert, "this is Brother Monteith, a minister ofthe church of God. He has come to pray for you. "

"I'm so glad you have come, Brother, " said Mary. "We need yourprayers. "

"Are you all the Lord's, sister?" inquired the minister. 

"Oh, yes, all the Lord's, " she replied. "All given up, to go or tostay. But I wish so much to stay. See my little baby over here. "

The minister breathed a short prayer for guidance. "Is it your will toheal her, Lord?" he prayed. He felt an answer that God would raise herup. 

Then he took out a small vial of olive oil, anointed the brow of Marywith it, and said:

"In the name of Jesus Christ, we anoint you with this oil infulfillment of James 5:14, 15, 'Is any sick among you? let him call forthe elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing withoil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save thesick, and the Lord shall raise him up. ' Now, Lord, we claim thispromise in behalf of this woman. Inspire her faith. Send Thy healingvirtue. Destroy this disease and heal her for thy glory. Amen. 

"Now, sister, arise in the name of Jesus, " he said gently. 

The mighty power of God fell upon Mary Davis in a moment of time. She raised up in bed, lifted her hand toward heaven and said, "I amhealed. "

The news spread over the community rapidly. Several of the neighborshad been there when she was healed. They went home telling it to allthey met. Next day several people drove up to see what had happened. Mary was sitting up in a chair as happy as she could be and readyto tell all comers what great things the Lord had done for her. KateNewby said that she was very glad that she had dropped ChristianScience. "This is real divine healing, " she said. 

The healing of Mary Davis made a great stir in the neighborhood. Several preachers felt it their duty to warn people against divinehealing. It is mostly excitement, they said, when one is healed, asMary Davis was. Others ridiculed it. Some said that she never had beensick, but others knew that she had been sick, and a few gave God thepraise for the work done. 

But this healing attracted attention to the doctrines of holiness andthe church of God that Robert Davis had been talking about. It becamea topic of earnest discussion as to which church was right. Many wereasking, "I wonder if Davis is not right, after all, in claiming thatthere should be a better, purer, more powerful, more spiritual churchthan what we have here. "

As for Robert Davis, he determined to have a revival conducted byBrother Monteith. 

CHAPTER TWELVE

THE REVIVAL MEETING IN BETHANY

In three weeks the church of God revival was to begin in Bethany, according to previous arrangements made between Robert Davis andEvangelist Monteith. Meanwhile Robert Davis studied the churchquestion assiduously. His study of the Bible led him to accept theBible name--church of God--but he knew that the right name did notnecessarily make a church right that had adopted it. The church mustbe in and of itself the real church and then the name would naturallyapply to it. 

When the evangelist came, Robert asked him the very first day, "Brother Monteith, tell me about the church of God. I see by the Biblethat in the apostles' time there was one church called the churchof God, but what became of it? Where is it now? All I can see isa multitude of churches. Can you tell me what has happened to theapostolic church? Tell me the full history, please. "

"Very well, Brother Davis, I shall do the best that I can to give youa brief account of the church, " he said. "The church of God was builtby Jesus Christ, organized and filled with power by the Holy Ghost onthe day of Pentecost, and was then sent forth on her glorious missionof working with Christ to save a lost world. 

"The first step toward world evangelism followed the persecution ofthe church in Jerusalem when 'they that were scattered abroad wenteverywhere preaching the word. '

"The second step was taken when Paul and Barnabas, with Mark, setforth from Antioch in Syria on the first missionary tour of the earlychurch. On this tour several local churches of the general churchof God were raised up through the salvation of Jews and Gentiles inAntioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and other places in the Romanprovinces of Asia Minor. 

"The third great step was taken when Paul and his companions, on thesecond tour, crossed the Aegean to Europe and thus began the conquestof Europe for Jesus Christ. Local churches were planted inPhilippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth, to each of which Paul wroteepistles--Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and 1 and 2 Corinthians. Before Paul's death he had preached in Rome, the capital of theRoman Empire, one of the greatest empires of all time. While Paul wasestablishing congregations of the one church in the West, the otherapostles were raising up local congregations elsewhere. 

"Everywhere this church was known as the 'church of God. ' In thecentury after the apostles the name 'catholic' which means universal, was applied to it. There was one church. Congregations embracedthousands in some of the larger cities. Antioch in Syria is said tohave had thousands of Christians within its borders. 

"What a glorious church that early church was, Bro. Davis, you havealready seen in your Scripture investigation. With the breaking forthof the glorious light of the gospel there arose the true church ofGod, spotless in her purity, glorious in her power, and adorned withthe rich graces and gifts of the Spirit. And in three hundred yearsthis church broke down paganism and Constantine had made Christianitythe religion of the Roman Empire. 

"But this glorious church was not to remain glorious. Sad but true, there came an apostasy foretold by the apostles. Peter foretold it (2Pet. 2:1, 2). Paul foretold it (2 Thess. 2:3, 4). And notice how farshort some of the seven churches of Asia were before John's death(Rev. 2 and 3). Marsh's Church History says: 'Almost proportionatewith the extension of Christianity was the decrease in the churchof vital piety. A philosophizing spirit among the higher, and a wildmonkish superstition among the lower orders, fast took the place inthe third century of the faith and humility of the first Christians. Many of the clergy became very corrupt, and excessively ambitious. Inconsequence of this, there was an awful deflection of Christianity. 'Milner's Church History says: 'And if the faith of Christ was so muchdeclined (and its decayed state ought to be dated from about the year270), we need not wonder that such scenes as Eusebius hints at withoutany circumstantial details took place in the Christian world. '

"When Constantine made Christianity the religion of Rome theapostatizing processes were greatly accelerated. The constitution ofthe church was patterned after that of the civil government. The HolySpirit had to retire from the active government of the church becauseforms and legality had taken place. The Word of God ceased to haveauthority, its place being taken by the laws and decrees of thecouncils. The clergy arose to great power and pomp and there was along line of graduations made in the ministry, some of these officesgiven much more authority than others. "

"Is that the way the papacy was formed?" asked Robert. 

"Indeed it was, " said the preacher. "The chief minister of largecities obtained control of the ministry of that city and surroundingtowns. These chief ministers were called diocesans. Ministers in stillmore prominent places came to have a still wider authority andwere called metropolitans, those over large districts were calledpatriarchs, and so the grasping for supremacy went on. Whenthe Mohammedan conquest had reduced the importance of the otherpatriarchates, the conflict for supremacy lay between the Patriarchof Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople. At last the Patriarch ofRome gained the greater prestige and authority and was called pope, and became supreme head of the Western or Roman Catholic Church. 

"The great apostasy lasted twelve hundred and sixty years, or untilA. D. 1530. This time was foretold in Rev. 12:6; 14-17, where thewoman, under which figure the church is presented, fled into thewilderness for 1260 days or 'a time, and times, and half a time, ' andin chapter 13:1-10, the beast, under which figure Roman Catholicism isrepresented, had power to continue 'forty and two months, ' (forty-twomonths) or 1260 days, which, taking the usual Biblical method ofinterpreting prophetical time (see Dan. 4:25; Num. 14:34; and Ezek. 4:6) means 1260 years. 

"The Roman Catholic supremacy was broken by the sixteenth-centuryReformation. The Augsburg Confession of Faith, prepared by Melanchthonand Luther, was formed in A. D. 1530. This was the first Protestantcreed. 

"Then followed the great day of Protestantism when creeds anddenominations sprang up in every direction and upon many pretenses. God's sheep were scattered and divided, as it was foretold in Ezek. 34:11-25. The true church of Jesus Christ was lost sight of. It wasspoken of as the invisible church, while the denominations were thevisible churches. Men joined churches because they thought that it wasthe right thing to do. 

"About the year 1880, or 350 years after the Augsburg Confession, A. D. 1530, a deep conviction seized a number of earnest, sanctified peoplethat the denominational system was wrong, utterly unscriptural. Theybegan to preach a pure Bible church of which salvation alone makes menmembers. "

"When these prophets began to teach the unity of God's peoplethousands saw the wrong of remaining in the denominations; so theycame out. In fact, Brother Davis, God's sheep would naturally staytogether if they were not induced to separate. The denominations havegood Christians in them, but there are many members who do not have anexperimental knowledge of grace and these have led many churches intoworldliness and formality. "

"I see it, " said Robert. "The church was hidden down through theCatholic and Protestant ages and is just now again coming out andstanding aloof and clear for God and her blessed founder, JesusChrist. Oh, praise God! it is all so plain now. Thank God. "

On the third night of the meeting a mob formed to frighten theminister out of town and to destroy the meeting. Old Peter Newbyhelped organize it. The ammunition consisted of a vast assortment ofancient eggs, also stones, brickbats, and a few clubs and sticks. Themob stormed the house about the time of the close of a powerful sermonon A Better Testament. Windows crashed, portions of egg bespatteredmany, several persons were struck by missiles, and a great hubbub wascreated. The evangelist was the quietest person in the house, thoughhis clothing bore mute evidence that the egg-brigade had singled himout as their target. 

The mob did not come into the house; so after a few temporaryadjustments an altar call was given and seven came to the altar, amongwhom were old Mr. Stephenson and Charley Moss. 

On the next day rumors flew thick and fast. The wildest stories weretold. Some heard that the evangelist was killed, and great excitementstirred the whole community. That night some were too much afraidto go, others went out of sheer curiosity, while one partisan of theevangelist formed a band of men in favor of him, and they sent wordboth to the evangelist and to the mob leader that they would be onhand that night to protect the preacher. Needless to say everythingwas perfectly quiet and the meeting closed without furtherdisturbance. 

The last night Evangelist Monteith preached on The Judgment Day, andhe pictured the doom of sinners until the stillness of death pervadedthe room. Great conviction rested upon the people. At the altar callseveral went forward and found glorious peace at the foot of thecross. 

The last good-bys were said with eyes brimming with tears. 

"I shall see you again, God willing, " said the evangelist, and themeeting closed. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THE BABEL OF TONGUES

It is not every town that can boast of such a religious commotion asBethany had during the next three weeks. Rumors of a strange peoplefloated in from Piketon and Shenandoah, rumors of a strange doctrine, a new religion, a really strenuous religion that had left the oldconventional churches high and dry in their formality. The membersof the band who were holding the meeting could speak in "tongues, ""unknown tongues" at that. And the demonstrations were wonderful. Thenthe news came that they were coming to Bethany. 

They came. There was a band of six--two ministers, their wives, andtwo helpers. They rented the empty store building owned by MayorHempstead and began. The scenes enacted at the meeting were well-nighindescribable. Robert Davis attended one night, two weeks after themeeting had begun, and he said to Mary when he got home:

"Mary, I never saw such demonstrations in all my life before. Wouldyou believe it if I should tell you that I stood in front of the frontrow of seats about ten feet from the platform and that I could nothear a word that those on the platform were singing? It is a fact. The altar extended between the seats and platform and the seekers andthose talking to them were making such a noise that the singing couldno longer be heard. 

"Why did they make so much noise?" asked Mary. 

"I do not know, " replied Robert, "they seemed very much in earnest. Let me tell you something more. I saw young women jiggle and jerkall over until their hair was all thrown down, and their clothingdisarranged. Two or three men were running about on the platform asif they were mad, others danced more gracefully. One or two werebellowing. There were noises that were indescribable, screeches, howls, yells, and several gibbering syllables that no one understood. Some were shaking all over, some were lying prone and stiff, some werefalling down into various attitudes. Why, Mary, it was simply awful. You would never dream of sane people doing such things. "

Next morning Kate Newby came over. She came in dancing and talking inthe "unknown tongue. "

"Oh, I have got it, I have got it, " she exclaimed. 

"You have got what?" asked Robert. 

"I have got the Holy Ghost, I have the 'tongues, ' hallelujah!" shoutedKate. 

"What has it done for you?" asked Mary. 

"Oh, I have got it, I've got it!" was all the reply Kate would make. 

"Did you make a complete consecration to God? Did you seek Him for thecleansing power? Were you brought near to Him? Was your heart broughtvery humble and yielding to God? Tell me how you prayed and what yourfaith took in, " said Robert. 

"I have got it, I have got it, " was all Kate could say about her newexperience. She seemed to be very happy, yet she looked as if she werein a tremendous strain and lines were drawn in her face which denotedcare and anxiety. 

"My dear, did you come to the Lord for more of His grace?" asked Mary. "If so, we have a sure promise, but what is this 'tongues' that youhave received?"

"That is proof that I have the Holy Ghost, " said Kate. "Don't youknow that the apostles spoke in tongues?" But Kate did not know thetheology of the new religion very well. 

Robert Davis was determined to know the theological basis of the newoutburst, if it had any; so he went to see the ministers and askedthem for their doctrinal belief. 

"Very well, sir, sit down, " replied one of the ministers. 

"The first Scripture text is a prediction by Christ (Mark 16:17):'They shall speak with new tongues. ' The second is where the prophecywas fulfilled (Acts 2:4): 'And they were all filled with the HolyGhost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gavethem utterance. ' Next in Acts 10:46: 'For they heard them speak withtongues, and magnify God. '

"Now the doctrine is this: everybody must speak in tongues as theevidence of having received the Holy Spirit. This is the evidence. Doyou have the Holy Ghost? If so, then you have spoken in tongues. "

"But, " said Robert, "why should one manifestation of the Spirit be anymore of a witness than another manifestation?"

"Oh, you have got to get the 'tongues, '" replied the preacher. "Cometonight and seek the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah!"

But Robert noticed a peculiar accent to this "hallelujah, " andalso that every one present seemed to be moved by one dominating, overwhelming spirit or power. Among these people there seemed to bemore seeking for something to exhilarate them than seeking the faceof God for more grace and love. There was an amazing brazenness aboutmost of those who had the "tongues, " an air of superiority, a sort ofspiritual pride that disgusted him. When he attempted to reason withthem he found them unreasonably impervious to argument or logic. Hefinally concluded that the doctrine was based on a false claim, amisconception of Scripture. 

"No wonder, " he said to Mary when he got home, "that these people havegone far beyond the line of reasonableness, when one considers thatlaw of physics which says that the reaction goes about as far as theaction. The truth is, Mary, many churches have become so formal anddead that the cry of mankind is for life, freedom, spiritual power, spiritual joy, spiritual victory. No wonder the pendulum has swungover to the other extreme. The right place is in the middle, betweenthese two extremes. I believe we should go over and see Kate Newby. "

Kate Newby had yielded herself fully to the new religious idea. Katewas emotional. When a girl she was easily mesmerized and always tookeverything that was going, diseases and all. However, she was a goodwoman, and true, and conscientious. During the week after she got hernew experience she had dreams and visions, spoke in tongues, read theBible, shouted at every meeting, danced, and became a willing worker. 

Along toward the end of the week she began to feel depressed. Astray thought or two forced its way into her excited brain as to thepropriety of some of the demonstrations going on. There were someextremes which her soul could not approve. She began to pray earnestlyfor divine guidance. She remembered her excursion into the wilds offalse religion, into the Christian Science delusion. 

Kate was somewhat in this frame of mind when Robert Davis and Marywent over to visit her. At once she asked Robert what he thought ofthe "tongues. "

"Kate, " answered Robert, "if the Bible says that speaking in a tongueis the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit it is plain that allshould have that evidence. But listen, Kate, are you ready to believethat for all these years, yes for centuries back, God's children havenot had the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Can you believe that D. L. Moody and John Wesley and George Whitefield and men like them did nothave the Spirit?"

"Why, I never thought of that, Robert, " said Kate, "it does not lookreasonable, does it?"

"Let us note, Kate, " he continued, "that the Bible nowhere says orintimates that speaking in tongues is the essential evidence of thereception of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is a gift of theSpirit. Paul asks, 'Do all speak with tongues?' (1 Cor. 12:30). Theinference is plain that he did not think they did. These gifts aredistributed to advantage, being given to every man as God wills (1Cor. 12:4-11). The idea that speaking in tongues is the essentialevidence of the reception of the Holy Spirit is chiefly responsiblefor the fanatical extremism that these folks exhibit. Why, Kate Newby, you know that this is not New Testament Christianity, this wild, riotous, noisy thing! It cannot be. 

"You see, when one decides that he must speak in tongues as theevidence of the Holy Spirit's baptism, he becomes so eager to doso that he often receives a mental or spiritual deception which heconsiders the real evidence of the Holy Spirit baptism. "

"I am beginning to see the deception of it, " said Kate. "Yesterday, I believe the good Spirit of God was talking to me. I felt thatsomething was wrong. While I professed to be very happy, still therewas a feeling that I was not right after all. But I thrust the thoughtaside as not coming from God and held on. But, honestly, I am nothappy. I did not consecrate. I just fell in with the spirit of themeeting and got the 'tongues' in a few moments. I doubt if God had anyconnection with it at all. "

The next day the town marshall was called to the home of Mrs. JaneSmith. She had embraced the new religion and was losing her mind. Thenew teaching had so upset her that her weak mind could not stand thestrain. She was taken to the asylum, where she remains to this day. 

When Kate Newby heard of this she became more convinced that there wassomething wrong with the theory and she thoroughly renounced it. 

The "tongues" meeting left Bethany in the worst spiritual conditionthat town had ever been in. Families were torn apart, many personsbecame skeptics, and there were debates, and arguments, and violentclashes almost daily. 

It remained in this condition until the time when Evangelist Monteithbegan his second revival the next year. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

A MODEL CHURCH ESTABLISHED

Jesus Christ brought the grandest conception of human brotherhood thatthe world has ever heard. He intended to create a perfect society, and to establish principles of social justice in the earth. He plannedthat sin, with its accompanying maladjustments, should be destroyedand that man should live in harmony with man and with the infiniteCreator. Nothing less than the transformation of society was His goal. His plan of rejuvenation was based on the truth that all men are ofone blood, created by one God, whose children they all are by virtueof that creation. All should have equal claims upon His mercy, goodness, and love, and upon the material blessings which the earthaffords. Divisions into rank, classes, and strata are not the willof God. Jesus put all on one common level when He invited all to comeunto Him and rest, when He said, "Him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out" (John 6:37). 

This work of reforming society goes on like yeast working in dough, particle by particle, a little at a time, but at an accelerating rate. At first there were the twelve apostles and a few others. By and bythere were more. But always and ever Christ carries on His great workthrough His people. First one man is enlightened and saved; he thenbecomes a missionary to enlighten others. They in turn lead others toJesus until there are enough to establish a congregation of the churchof God at whatever point they live. This local congregation becomesthen, a model in miniature of what society would be if all wereChristians. Vast responsibilities rest upon a local congregation. Theyrepresent God. They show forth the power of God and exhibit to theworld the blessed state of the saved. They are responsible to maketheir society attractive, so that sinners may be convicted of theirlack and be persuaded to become members of it. The next several monthsof our narrative embraces the time when God raised up a church, asociety of the saved, in Bethany. 

One year after the "tongues" revival, Evangelist Monteith began thesecond revival of the church of God in Bethany. He was accompanied bythree helpers. Robert Davis and Mary were sanctified wholly. Soalso was Jake Newby and Kate, old Mr. Stephenson and Charley Moss. Thirty-five were converted, and twelve besides the ones named weresanctified. Mrs. Thomas Jones was healed of tuberculosis and Dr. Horton, who had been her physician for three years, met her one dayand was much surprised at her appearance. 

"Why, Mrs. Jones, whatever has happened to you?" he said, "you look sowell. "

"Hadn't you heard about my healing, Doctor?" she replied pleasantly. "At the meeting recently the Lord touched my body with His healingpower and I do not cough any more, the fever is gone, and I am gainingtwo pounds a week. "

"My, if you folks keep on I will starve to death practicing medicine, "said the Doctor. 

"Probably we shall not spend money for drugs, Doctor, but there willstill be things you can do for us, " said Mrs. Jones. "We are stillunder physical laws and your knowledge will be of great help to us inkeeping well. "

In the advertising matter which Robert Davis published at thebeginning of the second revival he publicly repudiated Mormonism, Russell's "No-hell-ism, " Adventism, and announced that the meetingwas under the auspices of the church of God. The meeting itself wasso sane, yet so spiritual, that it commended itself to every one whoattended. There were no excesses, and everything was done decently andin order. 

On Sunday, the last day of the meeting, the evangelist preached on"The Church, the House of God, " and in the afternoon he preached on"The Church, Its Divine Ordinances, " after which thirty-nine werebaptized in the river which flowed close by. The minister stood on thebanks and said:

"We have met here this beautiful afternoon, friends, to administer theordinance of baptism. Jesus commanded His ministers in Matt. 28:19and 20--'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in thename of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teachingthem to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. ' We gladlyobey the commands of our great Redeemer. 

"Baptism does not save the sinner, but it is the answer of a goodconscience, as Peter 3:21 says. Baptism represents our death to sinand our resurrection to righteousness. As Paul, the great apostlesays: 'Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with himthrough the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him fromthe dead. ' The whole idea of baptism is beautifully pictured in Romans6:3, 4, 'Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into JesusChrist were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with himby baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the deadby the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness oflife. '

"Once these dear ones were dead in sins, but through repentanceand faith they now are saved. They are, therefore, fit subjects forbaptism. "

It was a very solemn occasion. A holy awe covered the crowd, a holyatmosphere was prevalent among the people. One by one the ministerled the candidates down into the typical grave of water and when theyarose out of the water there were praises and thanks given unto Himwho had loved them and washed them from sin in His own blood. Soaffecting was this scene that three persons asked for prayer that theymight be saved. 

At 6:00 P. M. The ordinances of feet-washing and the Lord's Supper werecelebrated. When the congregation was assembled the minister said:

"Jesus, on the night of His betrayal, ate the last Passover supperin the upper room with His disciples. Before this supper was endedHe took a towel and washed the disciples' feet, and said: 'If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet: ye also ought to wash oneanother's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do asI have done unto you . .. If ye know these things, happy are ye ifye do them' (John 13:14, 15, 17). We shall follow Jesus in thisordinance. It symbolizes true Christian humility and service one toanother. It symbolizes one of the most tender relationships one personcan hold with another, that of mutual helpfulness in little things. Avery deep lesson it teaches, one that has not been very well learnedby Christians yet. "

Then they separated, the men going to one place, the women to another, and participated in the blessed ordinance. 

Afterward, they assembled for the Lord's Supper in remembrance ofChrist's death for them. 

The effects of this meeting on the people of the town were profound. Some wondered, some scoffed, some were deeply convicted, but many werestirred to the point of discussion and earnest Bible-searching to seeif these things were so. Mr. Johnson, the bookstore man, sold moreBibles the next month after the revival than he had in the wholeprevious year. 

The congregation raised up began at once to lay plans for a suitablechurch-building. A lot was donated by one of the new converts, andmany volunteered their services on the new building that was to beerected. 

The zeal of the church led them to hold meetings in the neighborhoodsurroundings, one of which was held in the neighborhood of theFairmount School, where the debates had taken place. Peter Newby hadspent considerable time in Bible study since those debates, but whathis conclusions were, no one knew. One Sunday the church announced anall-day meeting and basket dinner in a grove near Peter's house. Therewere many present, but one person, whose eye glistened with the fireof energy, was conspicuous. 

"Why, there is old Peter Newby, " said Mary to Robert, and they ranover and greeted him cordially. 

The evening was given over to a testimony and experience meeting. Manytestified to full salvation. It was to the surprise of Robert and MaryDavis, as well as the others, when Peter Newby arose and said:

"Friends, let me tell you something, " and he looked around in thatsame quizzical way and poised his head as he used to do. "I amconvinced. " And he stopped again. Everybody listened most attentively. "I fought Bob Davis over there ever since he came into thisneighborhood. I fought holiness. I fought divine healing. I foughtthe church of God. I really thought, friends, that the Bible said, 'Hethat saith he liveth and sinneth not is a liar and the truth is not inhim. ' But I never found it. " And the old man stopped again. 

"I have watched this church of God come up in this neighborhood, andI must confess it has done more for this community than anythingthat has ever happened to it since I have been here. It has liftedup several of my neighbors out of sin. It has brought peace to manyhomes. 

"I am sorry that I fought this work. God forgive me. I was wrong and Iwas stubborn. But I know now that if a man is a Christian he will notcommit sin. "

It was almost overwhelming to Robert and Mary Davis. Tears of joyflowed down their faces. They ran over to old Peter, grasped his arm, and said, "God bless you, Brother Newby, we knew you were honest atheart. "

That day Jake Newby recovered the confidence he used to have in hisfather. 

These were the beginnings of the church at Bethany, the church ofGod. A church-house was built and the church was organized by the HolySpirit into a working body of saints. Robert Davis soon afterward feltthe inspiration to teach and exhort and he was much used in this way. By and by he preached occasionally until his gifts were recognized bythe church through the laying on of the hands of the ministry. 

There was a true catholicity of spirit in this congregation whichcaused them to make all Christians feel at home there. They maintainedunity by keeping close to God. Their Sunday-school soon was thelargest in the town. Three missionaries went from it to foreign, heathen lands, and colporteurs carried the literature of the churchinto every home in the town. The reputation of the church spread farand wide. It became noted for the honesty and humility of its members. The business men of the town had the utmost confidence in the church. It became the greatest power for righteousness in the town, andevery one came to look upon it as the living exponent of the best andhighest in civic life and in social uplift as well as in religion. Zion became a praise in the earth, as the prophet had said. 

The events narrated occurred many years ago. Last summer there was areunion of the Davis family in the old home at Bethany. One son hadbecome a minister in the church, the other was the editor of the localnewspaper. One daughter was home on a furlough from China, while theother was married to a Christian brother of the town. Robert Davis, inthe meantime, had preached the whole gospel. He had been instrumentalin raising up several congregations. 

"Dad, what is the most interesting experience you ever had in yourlife?" asked Marie one day. 

"The most important experience of my life occurred right here, mygirl, when Janet was a baby, " he replied. "Here is where your motherand I first became seekers. Here I debated for the truth before Ifully understood it, but I felt it was essential to stand up for whatI knew was truth. Here your mother was healed when life seemed almostgone and the last ray of hope had died in the gathering darkness. HereI first learned of the church of God. Here that good religious paperfirst came to my notice, bringing rays of light to my mind and soul. 

"Those were the beginnings, humble ones indeed, but they were thebeginnings of my life of service. My days are about over. My work isabout done. My eyes are dim, and my strength is failing. My race willsoon be over. I have seen the church in Bethany grow into the place ofinfluence it now has, from the very humblest beginnings. I have seenthousands flee to the cross of Jesus for mercy and pardon, and I haveheard the shouts of hundreds that have been sanctified wholly. And Ihave seen many, many sick persons healed. 

"My children, be true to God, be true to the cause of truth. Carrythese precious truths to the next generation, unadulterated, as pureas they come from the Bible. Invest your all in God's cause; you willreceive a hundredfold now and hereafter. 

"May you ever champion the cause of truth which Jesus Christ came toestablish. The church He built shall stand till the mighty Gabrieldeclares that time shall be no longer, till the judgment-day comes, yea, and afterward she shall live in the heaven of heavens eternallywith her founder and Lord. 

"Press on, children, all heaven watches the race you run. Do notbecome negligent, nor worldly, nor lovers of luxury, nor of ease. Liveas good soldiers of Jesus Christ and be crowned victors and conquerorsat last. "

A holy awe filled the room as this aged saint gave them hisbenediction. And they said:

"By the grace of God, we will, Father. "