CHAPTER III. THE INCIPIENT CHURCH.
Now that we were baptized we felt we were new men; at least we tried to feel so, and to appear so. Within a month we were to give up the humiliating name of the ''Freshies," and with the advent of vounger brothers below us, we thought we ought to behave more like men and less like children. Christians and Sophomores ought to be exemplars in conduct and scholarship to heathens and Freshmen. But heathenism and Freshmanism were not to be given up without due farewells to them. At the close of the term, therefore, the converted Freshmen assembled together, — it was not on a Sunday though, — and repeated on a grander scale than ever before a fefe of the two isms we were leaving behind us. Edwin was sent to the farm to procure the biggest squash he could find, together with a quantity of radishes, cabbages and tomatoes. Francis our Botanist knew where the dandalion leaves could be found, and I was sent with his tin-can to pick up the can-full of these delicious plants. Frederick who was a skilled Chemist and always foremost in both the theory and practice of the Culinary Science, was ready with his alkali, salts, and sugar; and Hugh contributed his proficiency in Mathematics and Physics by kindling the hottest fire for our purpose. The literary Paul was always lazy at such a time, though he was second to none w^hen the consumption began. When all was ready, a signal was given for the consumption, and the whole was dispatched in half an hour. 'Since then w^e tried to care less about our stomachs, and more about our souls.
Before entering into the description of the little ''church" we formed in our private rooms, I must notice here some of the personal traits of its members.
The eldest of us was Hugh. He was a Mathematician and Engineer; was alw^ays practical, and had solid cash in view, of course with Christian aim. He need not inquire much into the reasons of Christianity, provided it could make men fair and square in business. He hated meanness and hypocrisy of all sorts, and his tact in tricks, of which he had a fertile resource, often cropped out in the "church," inflicting peculiarly painful wounds upon his victims. He has ever been a reliable financial supporter of the church, has often been its treasurer, and calculated ''strength of materials" for our new church-building some years afterward.
Next in age came Edwin. He was a goodhearted fellow, foremost in everything, ready witli his tears when his sympathy was called for, and was always serviceable as "Commissioner for Arrangement." At Christmas, in Dedication services, he would often "forget his meals" to have all things look nice and pretty. Dig in theology was not his. Some stories from the illustrated religious papers impressed him more and drew more of his abundant tears than the best argument in "Butler's Analogy" or "Liddon's Bampton Lectures."
Francis had the roundest character among us, with "malice toward none, and charity toward all." "He is naturally good," we used to say, "and he need not exert himself to be good.'' His presence was peace, and when the incipient church was on the point of dissolution on account of personal animosities or odium theologicum among its members, he was the cynosure around which we began to revolve once more in peace and harmony. He turned to be the best Botanist in the country, and as a Christian layman his service has always been invaluable in the advancement of God's kingdom among his countrymen.
Frederick, like Hugh, was a practical man, but with shrewdness and insight uncommon with a boy of his age. His favorite study was Chemistry, and he became one of the foremost Technologists in the country. His literary accomplishment was considerable. He mastered German and French without the help of instructors and could enjoy Schiller, Milton and Shakespeare. He doubted some of the fundamental teachings of Christianity, but he early saw the impossibility of disposing of all such difficulties by applying himself at them. He pressed on with a "pure, spotless life" in view, and as far as human judgement goes, he attained it. His too-much practical common-sense was sometimes not very congenial with the boyish air of the ^'church." Still he bore, and we bore, and for four long years, he very seldom was absent from the meeting.
Paul was a ''scholar." He often suffered from neuralgia, and was near-sighted. He could doubt all things, could manufacture new doubts, and must test and prove everything before he could accept it. Thomas he should have surnamed himself. But with his spectacles and all his assumed scholarly airs, he was a guileless boy at heart; and he could join with his comrades in a fete champetre under cherry-blossoms in a Sabbath afternoon, after that very morning having cooled the enthusiasm of the ^'church" with his gloomy and intricate doubts about Providence and Predestination.
Charles was a compound character. He was second only to Frederick in his shrewd common sense, but was more like Paul in his intellectual attitude toward Christianity. He like many other ardent youths tried to comprehend God and Universe by the aid of his intellect, and to conform himself to the very letter of God's eternal law by his own efforts; in which failing, he oscillated to an entirely different aspect of Christianity, and settled in his faith in the ''gospel of good works." He turned to be a learned engineer, and his sympathy in substantial forms can always be relied upon when some practical good is contemplated either within or without the church.
Jonathan need not confess himself, as he is the subject of our study in this little volume.
Such were ''the seven" that formed the little ^^church." With us joined for the first two years one S., "Kahau" we nicknamed him, for he appeared as stub and acute as that monkey tribe. He was baptized a year before us, and had more of Christian experience than any one of ''the seven."
The Juniors had their religious meetings by themselves, and we, the Christian Sophomores, assembled by ourselves, but in the Sunday evening both joined together for the study of the Bible. It was generally acceded, however, that the Sophomores were more earnest than the Juniors, and our meeting was often coveted by the more earnest among the latter.
Our Sunday services were conducted on this wise: The little church was entirely democratic, and every one of us stood on the same ecclesiastical footing as the rest of the members. This we found to be thoroughly Biblical and Apostolic. The leadership of the meeting therefore devolved upon each one of us in turn. He was to be our pastor, priest, and teacher, — even servant, — for the day. He was responsible for calling us together at the appointed time, his room was to be our church, and he must look how w^e were to be seated there. He alone could sit upon a stool, and his people sat before him in the true oriental fashion, upon blankets spread upon the floor. For our pulpit the mechanical Hugh fitted up a flourbarrel which we covered with a blue blanket. Thus dignified, the pastor opened the service with a prayer, which was followed by reading from the Bible. He then gave a little talk of his own, and called up each of his sheep to give a talk of /n's ow^n in turn. Sometime after we were baptized, Paul made a motion that some eatables be introduced to our meetings to serve as ^^attractions," to which we all agreed. Therefore, the first thing on a Sunday morning was for the pastor of the day to make collections for this purpose, and to provide for the meeting some sweet things. Frederick favored the quality, but Hugh and Charles urged upon the quantity of these '^attractions," but we left the selection to the choice of the pastor. Thus provided, with water and tea besides, the service began; and when the pastor finished his talk, his helper distributed the cakes equally among the mem^bers; and ^'talks" went on as we helped ourselves with these refreshments. Each one made his own characteristic talk. Hugh's favorite book was "Nelson on Infidelity," and he condemned unbelief with his usual hatred against unfaithfulness of all sorts.
Edwin would tell how Susie and Charlie saw the goodness of God in '^snow, beautiful snow," and how the merciful Providence fed helpless little birdies with tender grubs. Frederick's talks were usually short. His usual subjct was the majesty of God, and awe and reverence we should pay to Him. Charles would read a page or so from Liddon's "Bampton Lectures" which he specially ordered from England, but he could only half-understand what was stated therein, and we his hearers even less. Paul's talks were essentially argumentative, and were always scholarly and well prepared. Francis never failed to inculcate upon us something solid and thoughtful. Jonathan w^ould pour out his heart before them, whether it be fear or joy that engrossed him at the moment. ^'Kahau" read a chapter from the "Village Sermons" which we always enjoyed, but his talks were often altogether too long. Our sweet-meats were consumed usually long before the talks were over, and the rest of the time we kept our mouths moving by the occasional draughts of our unsugared and unmilked tea. The dinner-bell at half-past 12 o'clock was the signal for the close of the meeting. The apostolic benediction was said, and on we hastened to the dining room, after some four hours' continual sitting upon the hard floor.
As no religious books in our vernacular were available for our purpose, we had recourse mostly to English and American publications. By the effort of some of our Christian friends, some eighty volumes of the publications of the American Tract Society were secured, and the bound volumes of the '^Illustrated Christian Weeklies" were endless sources of enjoyments to us. We had also about one hundred volumes sent by the Lon- don Tract Society and the Soc. of Promoting Christian Knowledge. Later, the Unitarian Association of Boston kindly contributed to us a good set of their publications, which too we were not afraid to read. But the books that helped us most were the w^ell-knowm Commentaries by the lamented Rev. Albert Barnes of Philadelphia. The deep spirituality that pervades these volumes their simple but lucid style and so much of Puritanism in them as to serve as healthy astringents upon the young converts in a heathen land, made these commentaries specially' useful and fascinating to us. I believe by the end of my college course I read every word in his commentaries upon the New Testament, and the theological stamp of this worthy divine has never been removed from my mind. Blessed is he that makes good books!
Our week-day prayer-meeting was held on the Wednesday evening at half-past 9 o'clock. There were no "talks," but all prayed, and it took an hour for the meeting to close. An hour's continual kneeling upon the hard floor was not very comfortable. We learned afterward from our professor in physiology that such a prolonged kneeling, if long continued, might result in synovitis of the knee-joints.
We took comparatively little part in the united Bible-meeting in Sunday evening with the members of the upper class. There O. the "Missionary Monk," S. the "Eldest," and W. the "Crocodile" had more ponderous arguments than we could offer for the defence and vindication of Christianity. We were usually glad when this meeting was over, w^hen we had our own private service to refresh us once more before we closed this most enjoyable day of the week.
With these remarks I am ready to give some more of extracts from my diaries.
June 19, 1877.— Went to the theater with the "six brothers." Not three weeks yet after we were baptized!
July 5. — Received |17.50 as prizes for excellency in my studies. In afternoon, went to theatre with the w-hole class.
We early disassociated theater-going from Christianity. I did not go with very clear conscience, this for the second time since I was baptized. But this was the last for me in my life thus far to cross the threshold of a theater of any description. I have learned, however, in after jears that Christians may go to theater without detriment to the welfare of their souls, and that many of them really ^^o go. Yes, theater-going may not be a sin as adultery is sin, but if I can get along without these ''amusements that kill," I believe I can just as well stay away from them without much detriment to my body or mind.
Sept. 29, Sunday. — Spent the afternoon in the forest wdth the "six brothers." Enjo^^ed wild grapes and berries, prayed and sang. Very fine day.
One of those never-to-^be-forgotten days when we uplifted our hearts to our Creator in the primeval forest.
Oct. 20, Sunday.— Climbed the "Stone-Hill" with the "seven brothers." Prayed and sang as nsual. Refreshed with the wild berries on the way back.
Another such day. We were not permitted to sing in our rooms, neither had we courage to do so, as we sang each in his own way, and there was no '^musical melody" in our voices uncultivated and tunes untutored. Paul said he could sing all hymns with "Toplady," which was really the only tune he knew! Yet, hills and mountains could bear with our music, and God knows that our songs had one element of good music in them — the feeling heart.
Dec. 1. — Joined the Methodist Episcopal Church through Mr. H.
The Rev. Mr. H. our beloved missionary was again in the town, and we joined his church without scrutinizing pro or con of his or any other denomination. We only knew he was a good man, and thought that his church must be good too.
Dec. 8, Sunday. — In evening, had serious talks with the "seven brothers." We confessed our inmost thoughts to each other, and promised to bring about great reformations in our hearts.
The best day we had had since we accepted Christianity. I believe we talked and prayed until long after midnight, for it was not many hours before the day dawned after we went to our beds. Everybody appeared like an angel on that night. The "spiny" Jonathan, the "knobby" Hugh, and the "scraggy" Frederick were as round as the "globular" Francis on that evening.
The skeptic Paul found no objections against sucli a Christianity. O for more of such a night like this! Was that night more beautiful than this, when the angelic choir was heard in the heaven, and the Star of Bethlehem led the wise men of the East to the Infant Jesus!
Dec. 25, Christmas. — Commemorated the coming to the earth of our Savior. No end to our pleasures.
The first Christmas we have had. The Juniors had "no faith" for this celebration. They imitated us the next year.
Dec. 29, Sunday. — Etc., etc., about the oil in evening.
This was the last Sabbath of the year, and the Christian members of both classes w^ere seriously considering all the faults and short-comings of the year that was closing, and all the hopes and possibilities of the year that was coming. Our prayers and exhortations were unusually earnest that evening. But all at once we heard some one crying that Prof. I. was back, and that he would demonstrate to us the possibility of making as good light with the rape-seed oil as with the kerosene. The fact was that the government authority passed a decree some weeks ago that imported articles be dispensed with as much as possible, and the kerosene oil coming all from the hills of Pennsylvania and New York must be substituted by the rape-seed oil of our own production. Our Yankee lamps therefore were all confiscated, and new lamps to burn the vegetable oil were oifered us. But the light so made was miserably poor compared with the light given by the American mineral oil, and this served as a good excuse for neglect in our study. Mr. I. was an instructor in Mathematics, and we did not like him much. That Sunday night he was well saturated with alcohol, and his locomotory and vocal organs were not entirely under his control. To the usual complaints of one of the students about the new lamps, he replied that a little more common sense on our part would prove the case to be otherwise, and he was going to demonstrate to us his statement in a scientific manner. The opportunity was a good one to demonstrate to him how much we regarded him. Both Christians and non-Christians united in this demonstration. Some of our semi-heathen Junior brothers, such as Y. the "Square-faced," U. the "Good-natured," and T. the "Pterodactyl" threw their Bibles upon the floor, and rushed at once into the scene of excitement. The professor's scientific demonstration was not what he wanted. We took him outside, rolled him in snow^, aimed at him a good num'ber of snow-balls, and called him by all kinds of ungentlemanly names. Our Charles who w^as then in his best religious mood entreated us to withhold ourselves from such unchristian acts, but all in vain. After the poor professor under the influence of the alcoholic stimulus w^as well tempered in the snow, the boys returned to the sacred meeting, and there was no St. Ambrose to keep out these little Theodosii from the room of worship. The sensation we experienced that Sunday evening can never be forgotten. Few penitential prayers were said, and the meeting was adjourned till the next year. Every one of us felt that Christ was not present in that meeting; or if he was, He left it as soon as some of us rushed out of the room to attack our poor professor with snow-balls. How far our practical Cliristianity was lagging behind our theoretic Christianity, we sincerely felt that evening.
March 9, 1879. — A change in the way of conducting our prayer-meetings.
We were afraid of ''synovitis" by too much continued kneeling. The general cry was for short prayers. The same things were not to be repeated in one and the same meeting. This curtailled the service to about 20 minutes, and we were not a little relieved.
I think it was about this time when an episode occurred in our usual prayer-meeting, which 1 failed to note down in my diary. The day was a Wednesday, and we were quite tired down after three hours' manual labour upon the college farm. After heavy meals and usual drudging over our lessons, we were not in very fine mood to engage in spiritual communion with a Higher Power. But the rule was not to be changed, and when the bell rang Frederick who was our pastor for the evening gathered his sheep together for prayer. He kneeled by the flour-barrel, his head imbedded in his folded arms upon the pulpit, and opened the meeting with his short prayer. The other boys followed him one by one, each wishing that the meeting be closed as soon as possible. We were glad when the last one prayed, and were impatient to be excused at oncehy our pastor when the last amen was said. It was said and responded to, but the pastor was silent. His apostolic benediction did not come, and nobody else had the authority to adjourn the meeting. There was a perfect silence for about five minutes, — a long time for that nijjjlit. We could kneel no longer. Jonathan was kneeling beside the pastor. He lifted up his head to see what was the matter with Frederick. Behold the pastor was fast asleep upon the flour-barrel, and no wonder no benediction came! We might sit up the whole night if we waited for his holy w^ords. Jonathan thought the case was exceptional, and that the rule could be temporarily modified on such an occasion without the consent of our ''ecumenical council." So he rose, and said in a solemn voice: "As our brother Frederick fell asleep, God will pardon me to exercise the pastor's office. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen." "Amen" all responded, and up came our tired heads. But Frederick's was upon the barrel, as immovable as a log. Charles shook him, and he awoke. He was going to dismiss us with his benediction, — ^he did not forget his duty in the dreamland, — but it was already said, and we were ready to separate. It was too bad for Frederick that he slept on his pulpit, but we could all forgive him, for w^e w^ere all very sleepy on that night. Even the holy Apostles slept while their Master was praying, and why not we young Christians after hard labor and good square meals!
May 11, Sunday. — Cherry-blossom hunting in afternoon.
May 18, Sunday. — Excursion to the forest in afternoon.
June 2, Monday. — The anniversary of our new birth (that is, of baptism). Tea-party with the seven brothers, and pleasant conversations for several hours.
The commemoration of our spiritual birth-day. I see no reason why we should not remember this day, and have as nice time as on the day our mothers gave us birth to this weary earth. Yet with many a Christian both in my country and others, the spiritual birth-day seems to have not half as many kind words and beautiful presents as the day of the advent of our perishable body to this earth.
June 15, Sunday. — The day of festival for the guardian god of the district. Very much distressed. But I did see horse-race, I did accept invitation from Francis^ uncle (for "cardinal pleasures") and I did gormandize. Alas I
Our puritanic Sabbath was much disturbed by the heathen festival, and I yielded to the temptations. "Though I would do good, evil was present with me; and with the flesh I served the law of sin. O wretched man that I was!"
The summer of 1879 I spent in my home in the metropolis, some 600 miles south of where my college was, the good Francis accompanying me in the travel. The chief aim I had in taking this long journey was to preach the gospel of Christ to my father and mother, brothers and sisters. It was very pleasant to come home after two 3^ears' absence from it. Wherever there was a mission station on our way, we called upon our Christian friends, and religion was the main topic of our conversations. I told my mother that I became a new man in S., and that she too must become what I became. But she was so mucli taken up with the joy of seeing]: her son again that she cared nothing about what I told her about Christianity. Usual oblations were offered to the family idols to return thanks for my safe arrival, which of course gave me sore pain in my heart. I often retired to my closet to beseech my Savior to save this heathen home. I did sincerely believe that unbaptized souls were in the danger of eternal condemnation in the hell, and my whole energy was directed toward the conversion of my family members. But the mother was indiiferent, the father was decidedly antagonistic, and my younger brother who afterward became a fine Christian was so provoking as to have turned a copy of the Epistle to the Romans which I gave him into a ''codex rescriptus," writing in between the sacred columns something to show his contempt of Christianity. Yet I persevered and continued on praying, till near the time of my departure for my college I succeeded in extracting from my father a promise to examine the faith I implored him to receive.
AYhile in the metropolis, I met with many ''brothers and sisters," and feasted upon sermons and addresses which it was wholly impossible to hear in the place where my college was. I believed that Christians were an entirely different set of people from heathens, and that the fellowdisciples of Christ ought to stick closer than brothers to each other. We knew such was the case among the brethren in our little church, and thought the same was true throughout the church universal. So confident, so unsuspicious, we were received with welcome everywhere, and we thought our beliefs on that point were correct. We saw several good churches, with pulpits, not like ours made of a flour-barrel, rows of benches far superior to our blue-blankets spread upon the hard floor, organs to attune voices, etc. Thej all made us eagerly anticipate the time, when after finishing our college-course we would have a church made for us like those we saw in the more civilized part of our country. There also we were taught in many things, and among the rest, how to say our grace before our meals. This we never had done thus far, and we went at once to our meals, as dogs and heathens do when they are hungry. We paid a visit to a native Methodist minister, and there was also present with him one Mr. Y., a young Presbyterian. They asked us to stop for the dinner, which we gladly did; and when a little wooden stand with a cupfull of white rice, a fish, and some vegetaibles upon it was placed before each of us, Francis and I in our usual savage style, lifted our chop-sticks, and proceeded right at once to help ourselves. Mr. Y. then gravely said, ''Do you not pray before you eat? Let us pray." We stood abashed, laid our sticks down, bowed our heads as they did, and waited for the outcome. The grace was said, but we hesitated to commence eating, for we were afraid we might be asked to do something more. They then kindly told us to begin. I still remember every word that was said then, and everything that was offered me to eat. The fish was a gray sole, with five black horizontal bars across its back, its mouth on the left side of the body and making a curvature a little above the pectoral fin. I did observe all this w%ile I cast down my eyes in shame and confusion. But the lesson once taught has never been forgotten since. We taught it to our brethren when we returned to our college in the Fall, and the "grace-less" meals soon became signs of the reprobate among as. On many an occasion in after years, where religion was held in scorn and contempt, and prayers before meals were watched with ridicule, I have never failed to stick to the practice I learned in a Methodist minister's room.
Aug. 25, Monday. — Reached S. at 7 P. M. No end to the joys of the brethren to see us again. Deeply impressed with their love and faithfulness.
Glad to be in our College-home once more. We found a table well spread with tea and sweet things waiting us. We told the brethren all what we saw in the metropolis, mostly about churches and Christians there. The impressions of the metropolitan churches upoii us were not altogether satisfactory. We might just as well remain contented with the flour-barrel pulpit and all the rustic simplicities of our own little ''church."
Aug. 31, Sunday. — Meeting very interesting.
It could not be otherwise after the absence of two of its members for about two months.
Nothing worth noting down to the end of the year. There was one experiment, however, which we tried in our Sunday services, which must have taken place sometime 'between this and Christmas. We got tired with our ''talks," and some changes in the methods of conducting our meetings were very desirable. One of us made a suggestion that we might prepare ourselves during our College days to meet infidels whom we would be sure to meet when we went into the world. We all discussed the plan, and concluded that the best metliod would be to divide the "churcli" into two divisions, one representing the Christian and the other the infidel side, and to let each division take the two sides alternately. The members of the infidel side were to ask all manner of questions which infidels might ask, and those of the Christian side were to answer them. The plan was agreed upon, and it was to be carried into practice from the next Sunday.
On that day, — the first Sabbath when the meeting was conducted on the new method, — we divided the members into two parties by lots, Charles, Jonathan, Frederick and Edwin falling into the Christian side, and Francis, Hugh, Paul and ^'Kahau" into the skeptic or infidel side. A Warburton, a Chalmers, a Liddon and a Gladstone were arrayed on one side, and a Bolinbroke, a Hume, a Gibbon and a Huxley on the other. After praj-ers and distribution of eatables as usual, the engagement began. The subject of the day was the ''Existence of God." Francis the first skeptic attacked Charles the first apologist. To the challenge that the Universe could have existed hj itself, Charles brought forth arguments showing that matter had unmistakable characteristics of manufactured articles (the argument borrowed from Maxwell, I suppose), and that as such it could not be self-existing. The first attack was repulsed, and our faith was nobly defended. The practical Hugh had not many formidable arguments to array against Christianity, and Jonathan's task was not a difficult one to meet his objections. Xow it was conclusively proved that this Universe 7^l^^s/ have had its Creator, that this Creator was self-existing, and that He w^as Almighty and All-wise. But now it was Paul's turn to make an assault, and Frederick was to meet him. They had not been on very friendly terms for some days, and we were afraid of the outcome of such an encounter. We have ah'eady seen that the schoUirly Paul had more dou'bts than he could answer; and the present occasion gave him the first-rate opportunity to pour out the stiffest doubt he could manufacture in his neuralgic head. ^'I grant/' he began, "that this Universe is a created Universe, that God is All-wise and Almighty, and that nothing is impossible with this God. But how can you prove to me that this God, after He created this Universe and set it in motion so that it can grow and develop by itself with the potential energy imparted by iHim, — that this Creator hath not put an end to His own existence and annihilated Himself. If He can do a// things, why cannot He commit suicide!'' An intricate, almost blasphemous question! How can the practical Frederick dispose of this question? Our eyes were fixed upon the perplexed apologist, and even the infidel side was solicitous about Fred's answer. For a moment he was silent, but the triumphant Paul still pressed on with his attack. Frederick must say something. Mustering his courage, he said in a scornful way, "Well, only fools will ask such questions." "Why, fools? you call me a fool then?" retorted the exasperated Paul. "Yes, I should say so," was Frederick's determined answer. Paul could hold himself no longer. "Brethren," he said, as he rose and beat his breast, "I can bear this company no longer." Away he rushed out of the room, the door violently shut after him, and we heard him groaning till he reached his own room. The rest of us were taken up with dismay. Some said Paul was wrong, othe-rs that Frederick was w^rong too. The important question in issue was laid aside. We were now anxious liow to reconcile the belligerent parties. Tlie meeting was closed without further discussions, and the new plan was given up altogether. We found out that we ourselves had more doubts than we could answer, and that perhaps the best way would be for us to solve them in our own hearts with the help from on high. The next Sunday we resumed our old method, and the lion and the ox did lie together in peace.
Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. — Examination in surveying. Busy with Edwin in arranging for the evening. The meeting began at 7 P. M. All the Christians were present as one body. Eatings and tea-drinkings and miscellaneous talks till 11 P. M. No end to our pleasures.
Our upper-class men united with us in the Christmas feast this year. The commemoration w^as made on a grander scale than it was the last year. The college kindly lent us a recitation hall which we nicely decorated, and enough contributions were made to make the festival truly enjoyable. There was wrestling of a white and red "Darumas,"* the latter very ingeniously fitted up by one John K., an upper-class man. Y. the ^'Square-Faced" rolled himself into the effigy, and when it first appeared everybody thought it was nothing but a common idol, ^'with eyes that see not, and ears that cannot understand." All at once, how^ever, its eyes began to move, the "apodal Daruma" stood upon its own feet, two arms were
* Dharma, — a Chinese Buddhist, whose images are common toys for children. He is usually represented as having no feet.
thrust forth through his sides, and the whole began to dance. 'Then a white Daruma came out to meet him, and the two wrestled under the umpireship of Jonathan. O, it was such fun! When they retired, there came out a savage, naked except round his loin, and the same was no other than S. the ''Eldest," who as the tallest and oldest 'boj among the Christians, was always looked upon as our leader in religious matters. He danced in this formidable attire, and retired. We did laugh till our diaphrams were well nigh gone down. We were so glad that our Savior came down to the earth to save us. Four hundred years ago, Savonarola instituted such holy carnivals in Florence, and the monks danced as they sang.
''Never was there so sweet a gladness, Joy of so pure and strong a fashion, As with zeal, love, and passion. Thus to embrace Christ's holy madness. Cry with me, cry now as I cry, Madness, madness, holy madness!"
Dec. 25. — Meeting at half-past 10 o^clock. The greatest pleasures (holy) since we came to S.
This was a true thanksgiving meeting. No tea or cakes in this meeting. There were prayers and serious talks, S. the "Eldest" leading the meeting. O. the "Missionary Monk" gave us a talk on the history and raison d'etre of the Christmas festival. Indeed everybody was serious that morning. I heard in New Orleans that Lent with its fastings and penance is preceded by carnivals of the wildest sort. Only we were not so indulgent as tlie Louisianians.
Nothing further is noted down till
March 28, 1880, Sunday. — Meeting greatly declines in interest.
We could not hold ourselves In white heat all the while. Indeed, there was a decided flagging in our enthusiasm all through the spring of this year. Sometimes some petty affairs among the members disturbed the peace and harmony of the whole "church." Once we prayed with our faces turned toward the walls, saying something ''insinuating" in our prayers, not to be heard, of course, by our Father in Heaven, but by the one these words were aimed at. Yet with all these, we forsook not ''the assembling of ourselves together." Heb. X, 25.
June was a busy month to us religiously. We celebrated our second anniversary of our new birth with the usual hilarity. The snow having melted and the fair weather setting in, we had visits from three missionaries in succession, — one American and two British, — and our hungry souls were fed with good supplies of sermons and other religious instructions. The Hon. Mr. U., a British consul in a neighboring sea-port, was also here, and in the house where he stayed, there was held an Episcopal service on the grandest scale we ever had witnessed so far. The general impression of the service upon the boys was that it was somewhat ''Buddhistic," its liturgy and surplice being not entirely consonant with our idea of simplicity in religion. The notable event in this service was the demeanor of our semi-heathenish U. the "Good-Natured," T. the "Pterodactyl," and some others, who burst into a loud laughter when thej saw two English ladies saluting each other bv bringing their lips in contact. We read in the Bible how Laban kissed his sons and daughters, but had never seen the actual kissing before. Our misdemeanor was really inexcusable.
In July the upper-class graduated, and the cause of Christianity was much strengthened thereby. There were eight Christians among them, viz.: S. the "Eldest," O. the ''Missionary Monk," U. the ''Good-Natured," T. the ''Pterodactyl," John K. an Episcopalian, W. the "Crocodile," K. the "Patagonian" and Y. the "Square- Faced." All very nice fellows; and notwithstanding the semi-heathenish appearances of some of them, and remnants of sinful and tricky propensities inherited from their ancestors, they w^ere in the bottom of their hearts genuine Christian gentlemen. We take a photograph together, dine together, and discuss about the erection of a house of worship in a near future. Within a year, we the remaining eight shall join them, and together we shall carrj- the Gospel of Christ to the people among whom we live.
Sept. 18 — The Rev. Mr. D. arrives here.
Sept. 19, Sunday. — Made a call upon Mr. D.
Mr. D. took the place of our beloved missionary Mr. H., and he was now on the second visit to our place. We had something to tell him about our plan for the future church, to which he did not give all his consents.
Oct. 3. — Consultation about the new church building.
Now that several Christians have gone out Into the active world, we may have a church of our own; and we are not idle in planning for it.
Oct. 15. — The Revs. Messrs. Den. and P. are here. We meet them at Mr. N.'s.
Have frequent visits from missionaries this year. Messrs. Den. and P. are Episcopalians. Our movements are calling forth the attention of the religious world, and we are not neglected.
Numbers are being added to our holy company, thank God. One thing we were sorry about; i. e. there were distinct tendencies toward our having two churches in the little place, one an Episcopalian, and the other a Methodist church. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism," we began to ponder in our hearts. What is the use of having two separate Christian communities, when even one Is not strong enough to stand upon its own feet. We felt for the first time in our Christian experience the evils of denominationalism.
Nov. 21, Sunday. — All the Christians of the place are in the meeting.
Since our upper-class men graduated, we have not had a full meeting for a long while. Now that we meet all together, we discuss once more about the new church, — its scope, its constitution, the advisability of having but one church in the place, etc.
Dec. 26, Sunday. — Perplexed about "Election."
Our little church discusses once more about the doctrine of Election. The chapter of the morning was Rom. IX.
In the old Bible which I spoiled pretty thoroughly with underscorings and marginal-notings with inks of diverse colors, I find a large interrogation mark (?) hanging like a large fish-hook over the awful and mysterious chapter. Our Paul's pessimistic conclusion was this: ''If God made one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour, there is no use of attempting to be saved, for God will take care of His own, and we shall be saved or damned notwithstanding all our efforts to be otherwise." A similar doubt torments every ruminating Christian in every clime. Well let it be by, for we cannot afford to give up the Bible and Christianity because we cannot comprehend the doctrine of Election.
Jan. 3, 1881.— Invitation from "Palmyra." Games and lots till 9 in the evening.
Our Christian baccalaureates had their home, several of them domiciling under one roof. As their nest lay in the midst of a large farm, away from the habitations of human kind, we called it by the name of the city of the beautiful Zenobia, "the city in the Desert" Such invitations were quite frequent, and they did much to knit our hearts together. We had our love-feasts, more substantial than those of the followers of Wesley, in that ours consisted of beef, pork, chicken, onion, beet, potatoes, all thrown into one iron pot and boiled therein. The Christians, both men and women, surrounded the metallic receptacle and feasted therefrom. Not much of etiquette in this, of course; but oftentimes severity in etiquette is inversely proportional as the square of distance between the communing hearts. ^'Men who ate rice out of the same kettle" is our popular saying about the intima.cy well nigh approaching the bond of blood-relationship; and we believed and still believe in the necessity of some other bonds of union for those w^ho are to fight and suffer for one and the same cause than the breaking of bread and drinking of wine by the hand of an officiating minister. Could such a band be divided into '^two churches" even though ministers of two denominations wrote the sign of the Cross upon our foreheads? Yea, we are one, as the chicken we boiled in our kettle was one, and a large potato which Jonathan shared with Hugh after it came out of the stove was one.
Jan. 9, Sunday. — Am appointed one of the Committee for the construction of the new church.
The new church was decided upon, and a committee was appointed therefor. It consisted of S. the ^'Eldest," W. the "Crocodile," O. the "Missionary Monk," Edwin and myself.
March IS, Friday. — A meeting of the Committee. Decide upon the lot and the building.
We had a letter from Rev. Mr. 1). telling us that the Methodist Episcopal Church of America would help us with four hundred dollars to build a new church for us. We did not wish to have it given us; we would only borrow it, to be returned at the earliest possible opportunity. There was a strong reason for having such a desire, which we shall see hje and bye. The lot was to cost one hundred dollars, and the rest we would spend upon the building. But, wait, brethren, four hundred dollars in Mexican silver will be some seven hundred dollars in our paper money; and are you sure you can pay up all this sum within a year or so, each of you receiving, as you do, only thirty dollars for your monthly salary? Uh! Serious! We want, and must have a church, but to be indep, well we don't know.
The plan of the building looks nice, but we must incur debt for making such a church. Uh!
March 24, Thursday. — Money-order arrives
The money finally comes. Jonathan is to be the treasurer for a time; and he brings four-inchthickness of paper money into his room in the college dormitory. It is the largest sum of money he ever has handled in his life. But look, my soul, the money is not thine, neither is it properly the church's. //" is to be returned; use it with caution.
March 31. — Marriage ceremony of John K. at 7 P. M., Rev. Mr. Den. officiating. Entertainment with tea and cakes afterward. Infinite pleasures till 10 P. M. The first marriage among the S. Christians.
John an Episcopalian was the first among the Christian boys to enter into the state of matrimonial bliss. The ceremony was conducted in an Episcopalian style, the bride and the bridegroom exchanging their rings at the altar. It was quite a departure from the custom we had been used to in our country. At the table where refreshments were served up, several boys made speeches one after another, and bade success and God-speed to the new couple. But we could hardly believe that he w^ho fitted up a red Dharma for us on a Christmas eve was now a husband! ''The Lord make the w^oman that is come unto thine house like Kachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Isreal." Ruth IV, 11. She might in a similar manner help to build up the house of God we were planning then.
March 31. — The church matter getting into troubles. The Committee meets in evening, and decides to give up the idea of a new building.
The fact was, the lot of land which we proposed to buy was not to be had, and as it was not possible to find another lot, ''we must either hang our church in the air," as K. the "Patagonian" suggested, ''after the fashion of Queen Semiramis' garden, or give up the idea of the new building altogether." And we were not sorry that we came to such a conclusion, for we were extremely afraid of running into a big deibt; and if we could have any place for worship — be it ever so humble — we would greatly prefer it to a stately building built upon our credit.
April 1. — The carpenter is away, and the matter gets into further trouble.
April 3.— S. the "Eldest talks with the carpenter, and the matter looks to settle fairly.
April 15. — Decide to pay |20 to the carpenter.
The obtrusive Edwin, one of the members of the Committee, made an arrangement with the carpenter to have the timber ready within a fixed period. The carpenter therefore sent his men to mountains to hew the wood. The difficulty was this: Solomon made a verbal contract with Hiram to have a temple built for him in Jerusalem. Hiram believed in Solomon; so he sent his men at once to the Lebanon to cut down its cedars for the royal purpose. But subsequently Solomon found out that the Mt. Moriah w^here he intended to build his temple was not to be had, for some one else had already possessed it; and he w^as not very willing to run in debt with Pharaoh, which w^as necessary in order to execute Ms plan. So he gaA^e up the plan of building the temple. But the Lebanon was resounding with the axes of the men of Hiram chopping w^ood for Solomon. Meanwhile Hiram went down to Zidon on his own business account, so that Solomon could not find him out to tell him of the change that was made about the new building. Each day that Solomon delayed in transmitting the news to Hiram involved either party in further troubles; and Solomon and his councillors became uneasy. At last, Hiram returned to Tyre, 'Solomon informed him that the temple was not to be built, and asked him to call back all Ms men from the Lebanon. But Hiram's men bad been in the mountains for over two weeks, and a considerable number of cedars and cypresses had been already cut down and prepared for timbers; and Hiram wanted to have the loss covered by Solomon. iSolomon asks his councillors about the matter. S. the "Eldest-' and W. the "Crocodile'' read something in Bentham and John Stuart Mill, and they think that as Solomon did not put his royal seal upon the contract made with Hiram, therefore Solomon has no legal obligation to pay for Hiram's loss. But the king's other councillors, O. the "Missionary Monk" and Jonathan, think otherwise. Biram trusted in Solomon's words as the words of one who believes in Jehovah and His covenant; and it makes no difference whether the royal seal was put or not. The king must pay, or else the house of David shall lose the confidence of the public. But S. and W. are strong in their legal convictions, and the whole people of Israel approve their agreements. O. and Jonathan, however, cannot bear such a course. They meet one cold winter morning upon snow, and there come into the conclusion that they shall bear the responsibility by themselves. They see Hiram privately, tell him that they themselves are poor, but that they are sorry to see him unfairly treated. (Hiram is touched with the sincerity of the two men of Isreal, says that he too shall bear a part of the loss, and that |20 from the Isrealites will satisfj^ him. Jonathan is yet a student, and his regular income is only ten cents a week. O. pays the whole sum, and Jonathan will settle account with him when the latter will graduate from the college in the next July. The whole difficulty was thus settled with little self- sacrifice on the part of the two of Solomon's councillors. Subsequently, U. the "Good-Natured'' and Hugh came to the help of O. and Jonathan, and shared part of the debt the last two incurred. — A petty affair not worth mentioning, my readers may say; but such an experience like this teaches us more about God and man than whole lots of theologies and philosophies we dive into.
April 17, Sunday. — Take w^alk with Charles in afternoon to seek a house. The Committee meets at the house of S. the "Eldest."
A new^ building being given up, w^e begin to find out a house already built.
April 24. — Meet with O., and consult with him about the church.
April 30. — Call upon O. The independence of the church is spoken of for the first time.
We are not very successful in having a house of worship. The members are getting somewhat discouraged. Our Episcopalian brethren have already their house of worship; and why cannot we become one, and all assemble in their church? ''Necessity is the mother of inventions." Our failures in having a church drove us to a higher and liobler conception of Christian unity and independence. It was the Spirit that was guiding us!
May 15, Sunday. — The church meets in "Palmyra," and discusses about independence. Opinions are various. The meeting closed without coming into any definite conclusion.
The matter is getting to be more serious. Let all the Christians meet, and discuss about this most important question of the church independence. Jonathan is young, idealistic, and impulsive. He sees no difficulty in separating ourselves from the existing denominations and in constituting ourselves into a new and independent body. But S. the ''Eldest" and W. the "Crocodile" are prudent, and they will not have such rashness committed among us. U. the '^Good-Natured" and O. the "Missionary Monk" take sides with Jonathan, but are not so confident of success as he. We came to no definite conclusion on that afternoon.
May 22, Sunday. — The church independence is getting to be the public opinion among its members. Meet with O. in evening, and draw up a constitution with him.
May 23. — Meet with O., and consult w^ith him about the church affairs. Entertained with buck-wheat by him.
The cry for independence is getting upper-hand. O. and Jonathan attempt a draft of the constitution for the would-be independent church. The idea that two boys of twenties should undertake a task which baffled the biggest heads of Europe and America! Preposterous! But courage! "for God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." But let us refresh ourselves with buck- wheat when we get tired.
Near the end of the month, Mr. D. made his third visit to us, and ministered unto us with sermons, baptisms, and the Lord's supper, as usual. But we could not very well conceal from him our intention of separating ourselves from his church,— the Methodist Episcopal Church,— and he was not very well pleased with such an intention. He returned to his mission station after staying with us for nine days, — not the happiest visit he had made to us.
Meanwhile, our college-days were coming near their end.
June 26, Sunday.— The last Sabbath in the college. The brethren spoke out their hearts in the meeting. W. offered prayer. I spoke that for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven I would choose no place where I might be sent to. Charles spoke how he would w^ork for the Kingdom's sake w^hile engaged in a secular work, and he strongly maintained the importance of this phase of the Christian work. Then Francis, Edwin, Paul, Hugh followed, and told how much they were benefitted by our meetings during our college days. Y. gave us an exhortation. Z. laid stress upon the improvement of human hearts as the work of mankind. ^^Kahau" also had something to tell of his feeling. Frederick prayed at the close of the meeting. Xo such meeting during all our college days.
A most impressive meeting. The "church" which met through hot and cold, in love and hatred, during four long years, was now to be dissolved. Good-bye to the flour-barrel pulpitl We may in the days to come visit Boston, and worship in its Tremont Temple or Trinity Church; or roam through Europe, and hear the sacred mass at the Notre Dame in Paris, or at the famed cathedral in Cologne; may receive the papal benediction at St. Peter's, Rome; but the charm, the sacredness that attended thee when Frederick or Hugh passed the apostolic benediction from thee shall never be surpassed. Good-bye to the beloved water jug which drew us together to f eastings both sacred and profane! Wine that we may partake from golden chalices shall never have that communing power with which the cool sparkling liquid as it came out of thy mouth knitted our heterogeneous hearts into one harmonious whole. Good-bye, ye blue blankets! The ''pews" ye offered us were the comfortablest we shall ever have. Good-bj^e to the little ''church" with all its "attractions" and childish experiments; its bickerings and insinuating prayers; its sweet talks and Sunday-afternoon feasts!
"Sweet Sabbath School! more dear to me
Than fairest palace dome. My heart e'er turns with joy to thee,
My own dear Sabbath home.
"Here first my wilful, wandering heart,
The way of life was shown; Here first I sought the better part,
And gained a Sabbath Home.
"Here Jesus stood with loving voice,
Entreating me to come. And make of Him my only choice,
In this dear Sabbath Home."
"Sabbath Home! Blessed Home! 'My heart e'er turns with joy to thee, My own dear Sabbath Home."
July 9, Saturday. — The commencement day. Military drill at 1:15 P. M. Literary exercises begin at 2. The orations were as follows:
How Blessed is Rest after Toil, — Edwin.
The Importance of Morality in the Farmer^ — Charles.
Agriculture as an Aid to Civilization, — Paul.
The Relation of Botany to Agriculture, — '■ Francis.
The Relation of Chemistry to Agriculture, — Frederick.
I thank my Heavenly Father for all the honors of this day. The day for leaving the college is at hand; and as I think of the heavy responsibility I have to bear, how^ I must go among the sons of Satan (the world), I feel how^ strong should my faith become. Joys there are in my heart, but tears are not wanting. I only pray for the grace to serve my Heavenly Father with all humility.
The class entered the college with twenty-one. By illness and defection, we were reduced to twelve when we graduated. Seven of them were Christians, and they were the seven which occupied the first seven seats on the day of graduation. One main objection of the non-Christian part of the class against Christianity was that it did not allow them to study on Sundays. We the Christians accepted this Sabbath law; and though our examinations began always on Monday mornings, Sundays were days of rest to us, and Physics, Mathematics, or any thing that pertained to ''flesh" was cast aside on holy days. But lo! at the close of our college days, when all our ''marks" were summed up, we the Sabbath-keepers were given us the first seven seats in the class, were to make all the class speeches, and to carry away all the prizes but one! Thus we gave one more proof of the ''practical advantage" of Sabbathkeeping, saying nothing of its intrinsic worth as a part of God's eternal laws.
Seven more were now added to the "contributable" force of Christians, and a true, veritable church might now be had. Had it not been our dream to have a real church, — not a toy church, — as soon as we went out to the world? Before we thought of having homes or making money, we thought of building a church. Let us, as our John said in his sermon, "disperse heathens as we do street-dogs," and conquer men, devils, and all, with our united force and courage.
"In the lexicon of youth, which fate reserves for a bright manhood, there is no such word as — fail."— Lytton.