Words for the Wise | Page 6

and South-Sea Islanders he
took a warm interest, and could talk eloquently about the heathen.
Not far from Mr. Brian Rowley's place of business was the store of a
man named Lane, whose character had been cast originally in a
different mould. He was not a church-going man, because, as he said,
he didn't want to be "thought a hypocrite." In this he displayed a
weakness. At one time he owned a pew in the same church to which
Rowley was attached, and attended church regularly, although he did
not attach himself to the church, nor receive its ordinances. His pew
was near that of Mr. Rowley, and he had a good opportunity for
observing the peculiar manner in which the latter performed his
devotions. Unfortunately for his good opinion of the pious Sunday
worshipper, they were brought into rather close contact during the week
in matters of business, when Mr. Lane had opportunities of contrasting
his piety and charity. The want of agreement in these two pre-requisites
of a genuine Christian disgusted Lane, and caused him so much
annoyance on Sunday that he finally determined to give up his pew and

remain at home. A disposition to carp at professors of religion was
manifested from this time; the whole were judged by Rowley as a
sample.
One dull day a man named Gregory, a sort of busybody in the
neighbourhood, came into the store of Mr. Lane and said to
him--"What do you think of our friend Rowley? Is he a good
Christian?"
"He's a pretty fair Sunday Christian," replied Lane.
"What is that?" asked the man.
"A hypocrite, to use plain language."
"That's pretty hard talk," said Gregory.
"Do you think so?"
"Yes. When you call a man a hypocrite, you make him out, in my
opinion, about as bad as he can well be."
"Call him a Sunday Christian, then."
"A Sunday Christian?"
"Yes; that is, a man who puts his religion on every Sabbath, as he does
his Sunday coat; and lays it away again carefully on Monday morning,
so that it will receive no injury in every-day contact with the world."
"I believe with you that Rowley doesn't bring much of his religion into
his business."
"No, nor as much common honesty as would save him from perdition."
"He doesn't expect to be saved by keeping the moral law."
"There'll be a poor chance for him, in my opinion, if he's judged finally
by that code."
"You don't seem to have a very high opinion of our friend Rowley?"
"I own that. I used to go to church; but his pious face was ever before
me, and his psalm-singing ever in my ears. Was it possible to look at
him and not think of his grasping, selfish, overreaching conduct in all
his business transactions through the week? No, it was not possible for
me. And so, in disgust, I gave up my pew, and haven't been to church
since."
The next man whom Gregory met he made the repository of what Lane
had said about Rowley. This person happened to be a member of the
church, and felt scandalized by the remarks. After a little reflection he
concluded to inform Mr. Rowley of the free manner in which Mr. Lane
had spoken of him.

"Called me a hypocrite!" exclaimed the indignant Mr. Rowley, as soon
as he was advised of the free manner in which Mr. Lane had talked
about him.
"So I understand. Gregory was my informant."
Mr. Gregory was called upon, and confirmed the statement. Rowley
was highly indignant, and while the heat of his anger was upon him,
called at the store of Mr. Lane, in company with two members of his
church, who were not at all familiar with his business character, and,
therefore, held him in pretty high estimation as a man of piety and
sincerity.
The moment Mr. Lane saw these three men enter his place of business,
he had a suspicion of their errand.
"Can I have some private conversation with you?" asked Mr. Rowley,
with a countenance as solemn as the grave.
"Certainly," replied Mr. Lane, not the least discomposed. "Walk back
into my counting-room. We shall be entirely alone there. Do you wish
your friends present?"
"I do," was gravely replied; "I brought them for that purpose."
"Walk back, gentlemen," said Lane, as he turned to lead the way.
The four men retired to the little office of the merchant in the back part
of the store. After they were seated, Lane said:
"Well, Mr. Rowley, I am ready to hear what you have to say."
Mr. Rowley cleared his throat two or three times, and then said, in a
voice that indicated a good deal of inward disturbance:
"I understand that you have been making rather free