The Logic Of The Life.



"SIR," said a pious lad to his pastor one evening, "the fellows in our shop are always picking flaws with Christianity, and arguing against the Bible, and I don't know how to answer them."

"The best logic one can use," answered the pastor, "is the logic of the life. Give them that, and they can't gainsay you."

"The logic of the life?" asked the lad, not quite understanding what his pastor meant.

"I will tell you," said he. "There was once employed at a dye-house as wicked a set of fellows as could well be scoffers at religion, despisers of the word of God, swearing,  drinking, betting, fighting, gambling. 

At last, one of the number was drawn to a prayer-meeting, where the Spirit of God laid hold upon him. Poor John was almost in despair about his sins; but Jesus came and spoke peace to his soul.

"Light broke in upon him. He gave up his cups and drinking companions, brought home his wages, set up the family altar; and everything, within and without, wore an improved look. Two of his fellow-workers, seeing this change in him, attended meeting with him, and resolved to reform their ways."

John's religion was severely put to the test at the dye-house. The dyers ridiculed him, and brought all their infidelity to bear against him and his religion. Tom and George tried for a time to stand up for him, and withstand the ungodly storm from their persecuting associates; but, after a while, they gave up, grew ashamed of their religion, deserted John, and went back to their old ways. As for John, much as his patience was tried, he bore it all, watched over his weak points, clung closer to Jesus, and, stood firm as a rock. John did not undertake to say much; but his consistent Christian life was a powerful plea in behalf of his principles.

"One day, however, after his fellow-work-men had been boasting what good infidelity would do, and how much harm the Bible had done, John's soul was stirred within him; he turned round, and said firmly, 'Well, let us deal plainly in this matter, my friends, and judge of the tree by the fruit it bears. 

You call yourselves infidels. Let us see what your principles do. I suppose what they do on a small scale they will do on a large one.

"Now there are Tom and George; you have tried your principles on them, and know what they have done for them. When they tried to serve Christ, they were civil, good-good tempered, kind husbands and fathers. They were cheerful, hardworking, and ready to oblige. What have you made them? Look and see. They are cast down and cross; their mouths are full of cursing and filthiness; they are drunk every week; their children go half clothed; their wives are broken-hearted; their homes are wretched. 

That is what your principles have done.

"'Now I have tried Christ and his religion; and what has it done for me? You know what I used to be. I was ill humored, hateful, and hating. My wife was ill used. 

What has religion done for me? Am I not a better man than I was? Go and ask my neighbors. Ask my wife. Let my house bear witness.'

"John stopped. The dyers had not a word to say. He used a logic they could not answer, the logic of the life. If you cannot argue, you can act. If yon cannot reason with the enemies of the Bible, you can live out its blessed truths, and so,' with well-doing, put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.'" 




Golden Threads.