file which includes the original illustrations4 ,see #abdic-;h4htm or #abdic-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/#a_/b_/d_/ i_/abdic_/abdic-;h_/#abdic-;h4htm7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/#a_/b_/d_/ i_/abdic_/abdic-;h4zip7 ,,how ,,john ,,became ,a ,,man ,life ,story of a ,motherless ,boy ,by ,,isabel ,c4 ,,byrum ,illustration3 ,learning to ,pray ,author's ,preface ,in presenting this little volume1 the author hopes that it may be useful in suggesting to the minds of young boys the great wrong there is in indulging in evil habits4 ,we read1 ,my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge1 and this is true concerning most boys who form habits that are harmful both to body and soul4 ,the story of ,john's life is a true one2 and his earnest prayer that it may be the means of helping some boys from ,satan's snares and prove a blessing to them1 ,i trust1 will be answered4 ,isabel ,c4 ,byrum ,year #aiag ,contents ,chapter ,i ,the ,prairie ,pasture ,,ii ,in the ,sod ,cellar ,,iii ,what the ,big ,chest ,contained ,,iv ,early ,school ,days ,v ,the ,card ,parties ,,vi ,visitors and ,pastimes ,,vii ,leaving ,home ,,viii ,with the ,circus ,,ix ,caught ,unawares ,x ,a ,child ,again ,,xi ,how ,john ,became a ,man ,,illustrations ,learning to ,pray ,opening the ,chest ,a ,card ,party ,leaving the ,old ,homestead ,,chapter ,i ,the ,prairie ,pasture ,out on the prairie in one of the western states where buffaloes and wild horses once had roamed at their pleasure and where cacti and yuccas still thrived and bloomed could be seen a small two-story frame building4 ,there was nothing strange in this except that the house was different from the average house of the plains2 for at this particular time the greater part of the dwellings were made of sod1 mud1 and brush4 ,the people1 generally speaking1 were of that type who think principally of getting all the enjoyment from their every-day lives that it is possible to obtain4 ,there was1 therefore1 little thought among them of the hereafter1 when men must give an account of themselves before a just and living ,god4 ,in fact1 the younger generation scarcely knew that there was a ,god who took note of all their ways4 ,the building1 so different from the ordinary dwellings upon the prairie1 was the home of a tiny lad named ,john4 ,it was a happy home2 for both his parents were living1 and the love that bound their hearts together brought peace and happiness to each member of the little household4 ,but could this happy group have known of the presence of a grim monster just outside the door1 who at that very moment was seeking an entrance1 their joy would have given place to sorrow4 ,death was soon to destroy the light and comfort of that home4 ,the devoted wife and mother was not strong2 and after a severe illness lasting but a few short days1 her spirit left the ones she loved and her lifeless body was carried to its last resting place in the cemetery a few miles away4 ,little ,john was1 of course1 too young to realize the true meaning of the change2 but that something dreadful had happened he very well knew1 and his large pathetic eyes spoke the grief that he did understand and could not express4 ,during the three years of his short life he had known the care of a tender1 loving mother1 whose ambitions were high and noble4 ,although not a ,christian1 she had often expressed her wish that her little brown-eyed boy might grow up to be an honor to his father and mother1 and a blessing to his country4 ,after her death his papa's eyes were often filled with tears1 for he loved and pitied his little boy4 ,one evening when the lights were dim and the hands of the clock were pointing to the bedtime hour1 ,john felt his father's arms tenderly encircled about him and heard him softly saying3 ,my little ,john1 we are left all alone now1 and you must hurry up and become a man as soon as you can2 for ,i need you to help me4 ,mama has gone away and left us1 and she cannot teach you the things that she had planned that you should know2 so we will have to do the best that we can1 but you must help me4 ,first of all1 ,i want you to learn how to pray2 for there is a ,god in heaven1 who made you1 and of whom your mother expected to tell you4 ,before ,him we should bow down and pray every night before we go to sleep4 ,does ,he hear all the words we say8 asked little ,john in an awed tone1 quite unable to comprehend his father's meaning1 and does ,he look at us when we are asleep8 ,yes1 his father answered2 ,god sees and knows everything4 ,now1 ,i will tell you the short prayer that ,i used to say when ,i was a little boy like you--the prayer that my mother taught me4 ,thus it was that ,john1 kneeling beside his little bed repeated the prayer that has been lisped by thousands of other baby voices3 ,now ,i lay me down to sleep2 ,i pray thee1 ,lord1 my soul to keep4 ,if ,i should die before ,i wake1 ,i pray thee1 ,lord1 my soul to take4 ,as the days and weeks sped by1 ,john thought often of his dear mama and wished that he might see her2 but he as often would recall his father's words to be a little man1 and with all his strength he endeavored to be what he considered a man ought to be4 ,but although he tried1 in his childish way1 to be one1 he was often very lonely2 and had it not been for frequent visits to his uncle's home1 several miles distant1 he would have missed his precious mother even more than he did4 ,while at his uncle's1 he could play with his two cousins1 ,will and ,charley4 ,at last it was decided that it would be best for ,john and his father to go and make their home with the uncle until ,john was older4 ,now ,charley was just about ,john's age2 but as ,charley was a cripple1 ,john had chosen ,will1 who was several years the oldest1 to be his closest friend and companion4 ,regardless of these facts1 however1 the three boys generally played together4 ,their playground was the vast dooryard extending far out over the prairie4 ,in time they were given the responsibility of herding the cows4 ,to herd the cows meant to see that the cattle did not wander about in the neighborhood corn1 wheat1 and barley fields that were scattered about here and there over the prairies and that were in but few instances fenced1 and to see that they were driven to some water-place at certain intervals and were brought home at the milking hour4 ,the watering places were known as buffalo-wallows1 for they had been made by the buffalos in wallowing4 ,these basins were usually kept filled with water by the rains4 ,some of the wallows1 or ponds1 were rather deep1 and were treacherous because of sudden drop-offs2 but they were usually shallow1 and it was generally safe for the children to play along the edge4 ,after the first sharp edge of his grief was dulled1 ,john's father did not feel it so keenly his duty to instruct his child and to teach him to reverence his ,creator2 and when ,john was about six years of age1 the father was kept so busy with his work that he had but little time to spend with the child4 ,john's aunt1 too1 although a good woman1 was too much occupied with housekeeping to do her duty by her own two boys1 much less by a third4 ,so ,john and his cousins had spent nearly all of the three years that they had been together in doing as they pleased1 and in finding as much enjoyment in living as it was possible for them to find4 ,it was1 therefore1 not strange that they had learned and invented many new ways to get amusement1 and that some of these were evil2 for ,satan1 as he always does in such cases1 had lent them a helping hand4 ,the work of attending to the cows did not1 of course1 occupy nearly all their time1 and the boys found it great sport to play around the wallows and in them4 ,on one occasion ,will said3 ,say1 boys1 did you ever hear the story about the man who walked upon the water8 ,i don't remember just how the story went2 but ,i heard somebody say that the man's name was ,jesus1 and that another man got out of a boat to go and meet ,him4 ,the first fellow did all right1 but the second one came very near drowning because he looked down at the water4 ,maybe he wanted to see how deep the water was1 and ,i guess he would have got drowned if they hadn't been close to the shore4 ,now1 ,i am going to do like ,jesus did4 ,want to see me8 ,naturally both the boys wanted to see him perform a feat like that1 and ,will quickly scampered into the water4 ,now1 the wallow was very shallow all the way across1 and ,will was soon on the opposite side4 ,the smaller boys1 not knowing the depth of the water1 supposed that it was deep and that ,will had actually done some marvelous thing4 ,will did not know that he was doing wrong by speaking lightly of one of the ,savior's miracles2 for he had never been in ,sunday-school1 and his parents had not taught him the sacredness of the words and acts of the ,savior4 ,he simply wanted to play a joke on his companions4 ,the smaller boys talked the matter over when they were alone1 and ,john said3 ,say1 ,charley1 what do you suppose held ,will up the other day on that water8 ,that wallow must have been deep out in the middle4 ,let's try it some time for ourselves when ,will isn't around4 ,i believe we could do it as well as he did4 ,charley was agreed1 and the two smaller lads watched their chance4 ,one day when ,will was not with them1 they chose a wallow that they thought would answer their purpose4 ,i'll go first1 ,charley said1 and he hurried forward as rapidly as his little crippled limb could carry him1 to the water's edge and out into the pond4 ,suddenly poor little ,charley disappeared4 ,john saw his cousin as he went down into the deep water1 and realized his danger4 ,he knew that something must be done and done at once1 and with a bound he sprang in after his companion4 ,he did not1 however1 go beyond the shallow water1 and when his cousin came to the surface1 he reached out his hand and caught him by the hair2 and as ,charley had not lost the power to help himself1 he was soon able1 by ,john's assistance1 to scramble to a place of safety4 ,the boys decided that they would say nothing about the accident2 and as they remained away from the house long enough for ,charley's clothing to dry1 no questions were asked4 ,but was the scene unnoticed8 ,no4 ,he who notes the sparrow's fall was watching over these little boys2 ,he had not forgotten ,john's little prayer that had been taught him by his father4 ,god was caring for these little untaught children in that vast prairie pasture4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,in the ,sod ,cellar ,almost without exception the homes on the prairies were provided with sod cellars4 ,even the few modern dwellings in the community in which ,john's uncle lived were not without these old-fashioned cellars1 which served as a protection in times of storms and tornadoes4 ,the cellars served also as places in which to store the fruits and vegetables for winter use4 ,and very often1 too1 a large quantity of tobacco leaves that had been dried and kept back when the summer's crop was sold could be discovered in one of these places4 ,the home of ,john's uncle was provided with just such a cellar--a deep hole dug in the ground and covered over with a dense roofing of brush1 mud1 and sod4 ,within this cellar a large supply of tobacco leaves had been stored4 ,john had been in the cellar many times4 ,he knew the tobacco was there1 and he knew to what use his uncle put the tobacco4 ,he knew also that his cousin ,will both chewed and smoked the leaves1 but it had not occurred to him that he himself could do so4 ,the reason why he had not thought of using it was perhaps that his father had once told him that the using of tobacco was a bad habit and urged him to let it alone4 ,but the fact that he had not been tempted did not guarantee that he would not be2 the fact that he had no appetite for tobacco did not conclusively prove that he would never acquire one2 nor did the fact that he had been told to let tobacco alone warrant that he would need no further watching--for an unforeseen temptation was lurking near4 ,one day when ,john went into the cellar with his cousin ,will1 his cousin filled a pipe with the leaves and offered it to him1 bidding him smoke4 ,john shook his head1 and said that he did not want to smoke1 for his father had said that using tobacco was a bad habit and that it would ruin his health4 ,then1 why does he use it himself8 ,will reasoned4 ,do you suppose that he would use it if he thought that it was going to hurt him8 ,now1 ,john1 look here2 you said that you wanted to become a man4 ,here's your chance4 ,if you get to where you can smoke a pipe1 chew tobacco1 and spit1 in the way that your father and my dad do1 you will be a man4 ,just some folks' saying that it is a bad habit doesn't need to make any difference with you4 ,as ,john thought over his cousin's words1 they did seem reasonable1 and he remembered that all the men he had ever seen used tobacco4 ,so he decided that1 if he expected to be a man himself1 he must soon begin to use it1 too4 ,he therefore accepted the pipe and began to puff vigorously at the stem4 ,but try as he would1 he couldn't make the pretty little curls of smoke mount up into the air as he had watched his father and other men do4 ,very soon1 however1 a deathly sickness began to steal over him4 ,his head and stomach hurt1 and he could scarcely help falling down on the floor of the cellar4 ,o ,will1 he said1 as he gave the pipe to his cousin1 ,i am so sick6 ,let's get out of here4 ,i feel as though ,i was going to die6 ,and ,john started in an attempt to find the opening through which he had entered the cellar1 but to his surprise and terror he could not find it4 ,o ,will1 he said1 this is all your fault6 ,you know ,i didn't want to smoke4 ,i wish now that ,i hadn't listened to you4 ,father said tobacco would make me sick1 but ,i didn't know it would be so bad as this4 ,tell me1 does it always make people sick8 and do they ever die8 ,yes1 it usually makes them pretty sick1 ,will answered4 ,but they always get over it2 and each time they smoke1 they get more used to it1 or something1 and after a while they don't get sick at all4 ,look at me4 ,it never makes me sick1 but it did at first4 ,surely you can stand a little sickness when you know that it is going to make a man of you6 ,john concluded that under those circumstances he could endure his suffering4 ,but he did not try to smoke any more that morning4 ,with ,will's assistance he found the doorway of the cellar and went out where the air was more pure4 ,gradually1 he began to feel better4 ,when dinner time came1 however1 he did not care to eat2 but he kept repeating to himself1 ,it won't be this way long1 and ,i can afford to suffer if it will make a man of me4 ,how sad to think that one so young should be so deceived6 ,could someone have taught him then that the sick feeling that had so distressed him was caused by the strong poison contained in the tobacco1 it might have encouraged him never to touch it again4 ,had his father explained that every pound of tobacco contains three hundred and twenty grains of this poison1 one grain of which will kill a large dog in about three minutes2 or told him the story of how a man once ran a needle and thread that had been dipped in the poison through the skin of a frog and of how the frog in a few moments began to act like a drunken person1 vomited1 and hopped about as fast as possible1 and then laid down1 twitched for a moment in agony1 and died2 or informed him that many people become insane just through the use of tobacco1 ,john might have yet been influenced to leave the poisonous stuff alone--but perhaps his father did not know4 ,anyway1 ,john was left without this much-needed information4 ,boys who are not properly warned of the danger of tobacco-using are to be pitied more than blamed if they indulge2 but their ignorance does not lessen the harm and the evils wrought4 ,when the poison gets into the system1 it affects the most vital organs2 it undermines that strength and destroys that beauty which ornament true manhood and which assure an individual of success4 ,besides1 the continued using causes the indulger to form a habit that cannot be easily overcome4 ,john1 being not fully warned of the dreadful consequences of using tobacco1 and yet determined to become a man1 kept on smoking until he so accustomed his system to the shock that he felt satisfied he was becoming a conqueror and would soon be able to show his father that he was now a man4 ,during the time that ,john was undergoing such severe temptation1 his father was very busy4 ,he realized that his child needed more instruction than he was receiving and that ,will's influence over ,john was not good2 but just what advice to give1 he hardly knew4 ,once he thought that he could smell tobacco smoke on his boy's clothing so calling ,john to his side1 he said3 ,john1 ,i feel that ,i must tell you something more about certain bad habits that so many boys form while they are young4 ,you remember ,i told you that smoking and chewing tobacco ruin many a life4 ,now1 ,i am not going to say that you cannot use tobacco2 but ,i wish that for my sake1 as well as for your own1 you would let it alone1 for it is indeed a very bad habit4 ,to this advice ,john made no reply2 for an appetite was being formed1 and in his heart he decided to keep right on4 ,it would have been better could his father have remembered the temptations of his own boyhood days4 ,he might then have more fully realized how next to impossible it is for a parent to availingly teach his child to do something without first setting before the child an example that is worthy of imitation4 ,could he have helped his little son to understand the true meaning of manhood and the necessity of building up within himself in youth a noble1 honest1 and always-to-be-depended-upon character1 as well as the need of developing a strong body1 he might have laid a foundation upon which ,john could have later safely builded4 ,john dearly loved his father and wanted to please him4 ,and to his mind he could best please his father by as quickly as possible becoming a man4 ,so1 with the thought of early manhood ever before him1 he felt that1 in using tobacco1 he was doing right4 ,and then1 too1 ,charley had learned to smoke and chew1 and it would be very hard indeed to be near the boys and not to join in with them4 ,by the time that ,john had passed his seventh birthday1 the small amount of tobacco that was kept in the cellar was not sufficient to fill the demand of the three boys without too rapidly diminishing the uncle's supply1 and the boys decided to look elsewhere4 ,now1 ,john's aunt had at one time explained to the boys that lying and stealing are wrong2 but she had not made it clear that deceiving is lying and that taking little things that did not belong to them1 even though they took the things from some member of the family1 is stealing1 and that just such thefts lead to the greater crimes that send men and women to prison4 ,instead1 she gave the advice in such a way that1 though they were impressed with a horror of stealing1 the boys could only in part comprehend her meaning4 ,but because she had warned them1 she felt that she had done her duty and that they ought to know right from wrong in regard to that matter without further explanation4 ,she did not realize that it was her duty to watch1 encourage1 and advise1 and also to find out when mischief was being planned4 ,in fact1 this aunt and mother1 busy with her own cares1 knew nothing of the possibilities for a child whose confidence and love had been won1 and who1 through loving counsel1 had gained a knowledge of evils and their effects before he had formed ruinous habits or his mind had been polluted with false ideas4 ,being thus left to themselves to discern as best they could the difference between right and wrong1 the boys nearly always chose the wrong2 and as a result1 constantly went deeper and deeper into sinful things4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,what the ,big ,chest ,contained ,great sins always have a beginning2 the first attempts to do evil are not hard to check if taken in time1 but if allowed to be carried out1 it is impossible to tell what the results may be4 ,how sad it was that ,john and his cousins did not have someone to check them6 ,the boys now decided to keep close watch1 and to avail themselves of every opportunity to procure tobacco1 even if they were forced to steal it4 ,the word steal had1 of course1 a certain horror to ,john because of the picture his aunt had described of a prison and a thief2 but he soothed his conscience by saying1 ,there isn't anything else in the world except tobacco that ,i would think of stealing4 ,but the stealing habit1 like the tobacco habit1 continues to grow stronger1 unless it is in some way broken4 ,as tobacco contains a poison that affects the physical being1 so in a similar manner lying and stealing have a ruinous effect upon the moral nature4 ,the three--lying1 stealing1 and tobacco using--too often go hand in hand4 ,the first effort of the boys to secure the much-coveted tobacco was made one day when they1 while roaming about over the prairie1 discovered a man hard at work in a field4 ,the man seemed to be lifting something that was very heavy1 and ,will suggested to the boys that they go and lend their services provided the man would give them each a chew of his tobacco in return2 and ,will did not forget to add that they must each take as generous a bite as their mouths could accommodate4 ,the man was glad to accept their help2 and together with his own efforts1 the work was soon finished4 ,then1 in fulfillment of his agreement1 he handed them his plug of tobacco that they might each take the chew he had promised them4 ,according to ,will's suggestion the boys did not stop with an ordinary chew2 but each took all that his mouth would contain4 ,when they returned the plug1 it was so small that the boys were all afraid the man would find fault with them2 so they hurried away from the spot as rapidly as possible4 ,as soon as they were far enough away1 they removed the tobacco from their mouths2 and they found that1 by taking very small chews at a time1 the amount was sufficient to last them for some time4 ,several times they succeeded in securing tobacco in this way1 and by economizing were able to get along pretty well for a while4 ,but the plan did not always work2 for the neighbors' becoming aware of the scheme1 prepared themselves with a small piece of tobacco to offer the greedy boys4 ,after that1 in order to secure their tobacco1 they were often forced to pick up partly-chewed quids1 found where they had been thrown away by the owners4 ,these the boys usually washed2 sometimes1 however1 in their eagerness they could not wait to attend to even this amount of cleanliness1 but crammed the tobacco into their mouths just as they had found it4 ,even cigar stubs2 in fact1 everything in the form of tobacco1 that had been thrown away1 they eagerly gathered and used to satisfy their ravenous appetites4 ,with a foundation now laid for both lying and stealing and with their consciences dulled1 the boys were constantly laying plans to gratify their evil desires4 ,many a pocket they robbed of its contents if it happened to contain tobacco in any form4 ,but this was a slow process at best2 even under the most favorable circumstances it yielded them but very little returns for their efforts4 ,but one day ,will informed the boys that he had made a discovery--that he had found out that there was a lot of plug tobacco in the big chest in his father's room4 ,now1 if we could think up some way to get into that chest when the old folks are gone away to town1 he suggested1 we could get all the chewing tobacco we would want for a long while4 ,i thought ,i would watch and see where ,dad put the key1 but he took it with him4 ,guess he carries it with him everywhere he goes4 ,i wonder if we couldn't manage in some way to break the lock4 ,my1 but ,i tell you we could get a big haul6 ,i wonder if we hadn't better try it some day when the old folks go to town8 ,hooray1 that's just it6 shouted the smaller boys in the same breath4 ,and ,john asked quickly3 ,when will they go to town again8 ,this is only ,wednesday4 ,it won't be long1 ,i'm sure1 ,will answered reassuringly4 ,they'll go either ,friday or ,saturday sure4 ,but we'll have to get busy and think out a way to break that lock4 ,my1 but won't the old man be mad when he finds out about it6 ,we'll have to act just as if we couldn't see how on earth such a thing could have happened4 ,yes2 and we'll have to hide the tobacco good1 or ,pa might find it1 chimed in ,charley4 ,hey1 ,will1 ,john exclaimed in a hurried undertone--for all the boys had learned to speak low when mentioning their plans--if we could take the hinges off from the back of the chest1 we wouldn't have to break the lock at all4 ,why1 ,john1 that's just it6 ,how in the world did you think of that scheme8 ,will exclaimed1 as he slapped his little cousin on the back4 ,i say1 my boy1 you had better look out or you'll be a man before your big cousin6 ,it doesn't matter1 you know1 about the height1 if you have the sense4 ,now1 ,john 7although so young7 was quite ingenious2 and he often suggested ideas that1 for their shrewdness1 were far beyond his years4 ,for such he was always praised by ,will1 and was encouraged to make other plans4 ,being encouraged by his cousin's praise1 the child's brain became even more active1 and he said1 ,if we just cut a little piece from each plug1 ,uncle won't be so apt to miss the tobacco4 ,that's just it again6 emphatically assented ,will4 ,i declare1 ,john1 you surprise me6 ,and now1 we must have everything all ready so that the minute they leave we can get busy4 ,let's see1 what'll we need8 ,a screw-driver--and will we need a hammer8 ,we'll need a real sharp knife to cut the tobacco1 ,john suggested4 ,i'll get the things ready1 ,charley volunteered2 and so they planned and waited for the time to come when they could carry out their scheme4 ,the time came on the following ,saturday4 ,early in the morning the uncle and aunt drove away in the buckboard1 and were on their way to the city where they were to do their trading4 ,all three of the boys had been unusually anxious to help their elders get started1 forgetting in their eagerness that they might be thus revealing some of their plans4 ,scarcely did they give the uncle and aunt time to disappear in the distance before they had commenced their evil work4 ,here's the tools1 ,charley said1 as he brought forth the screw-driver1 hammer1 and sharp knife4 ,where shall ,i put them8 ,oh1 anywhere so they'll be handy6 ,will told him2 and then the three boys hastened to the room containing the chest and were soon kneeling on the floor1 examining carefully the object of their interest4 ,the chest1 a long1 narrow1 flat box somewhat darkened with age1 was closed and securely fastened2 and the tiny padlock that hung from its side seemed to say1 ,if you please1 ,i am here to protect my master's property from the hand of any thieves2 and to the extent that it is within my power1 ,i shall perform my duty4 ,its bold front and defiant appearance did not1 however1 daunt the purpose of the boys4 ,after giving it a brief examination1 they slipped around to the opposite side of the chest1 and by the aid of the screw-driver1 removed the lower half of the rusty hinges4 ,thank goodness1 this chest is old6 ,will exclaimed as he brushed from his forehead the large beads of perspiration4 ,if these screws turned any harder1 ,i never could get them out4 ,guess we'll earn our tobacco this time all right6 ,illustration3 ,opening the ,chest ,scarcely had the last screw been removed when up came the lid2 and almost instantly three pairs of eager eyes were greedily gazing down upon the contents of the wooden chest4 ,there were in it a package of old letters1 various articles of clothing1 a few trinkets1 etc42 but only that part of the contents that was carefully packed in one corner claimed the attention of the boys4 ,this1 a pile of long brown strips1 or plugs1 of tobacco1 was what they wanted2 and soon ,will was busily engaged in cutting a narrow slice from each plug and ,john and ,charley were dividing the slices into three equal parts4 ,but in their haste and excitement1 none of the boys forgot to fill their mouths with the filthy stuff1 and to chew while they worked4 ,as ,will cut a piece from the last plug1 he glanced about over the piles and said with a look of satisfaction3 ,now that ain't so bad1 is it1 boys8 ,that ought to last quite a spell2 and when it's gone1 we can come back here1 or maybe something else will turn up4 ,and then1 when he saw the boys rearranging the tobacco in the chest1 he said1 ,look out there6 ,you'll have to get everything just like it was1 or we'll be caught and have had our fun for nothing6 ,when the chest was repacked1 the last screw in its place1 and the tiny scraps of tobacco that had fallen upon the floor had been carefully preserved1 the boys looked at one another with satisfaction1 and ,will said1 ,that's a pretty slick job all right1 if ,i do say so2 and its a lot better than breaking the lock would have been4 ,i'll tell you it takes some brains to do up a thing like that1 and it makes me feel as if ,i'd like more of them4 ,to this ,john smiled and said3 ,hey1 ,will1 do you know what's in that trunk8 ,john referred to a large trunk that was sitting near the bed on the opposite side of the room4 ,couldn't tell you all that's in it1 but it's locked2 and it's in that trunk that ,dad keeps his revolvers4 ,there's two of them1 because ,i saw inside the trunk the other day4 ,and then as the new thought presented itself to his mind1 he exclaimed1 ,i wonder why we couldn't get into that trunk the same as we did the chest8 ,in a twinkling1 all the boys were examining the trunk1 but to their dismay1 they found that the hinges1 instead of being on the outside of the trunk1 were arranged differently1 and they could not get at them4 ,again it was ,john who suggested a plan whereby they could accomplish their desires4 ,just take a nail1 he said1 and turn the head of it around in the lock4 ,i've watched my father do that1 and he gets his open every time4 ,the trunk1 which was an old one1 yielded quickly to the efforts made by the boys2 and upon raising the lid1 they saw before them two shining weapons that were supposed to have been carefully hidden away from their inexperienced fingers4 ,john and ,will each quickly caught one up in his hand2 and ,will began handling his as though it were a toy1 but not so did ,john4 ,john's father had taught him something of the dangers connected with the handling of a gun or revolver4 ,besides1 ,john was at one time present when a duel was fought2 and on that occasion one of the duelists was killed4 ,the memory of that incident and of his father's warnings1 made ,john very careful about pointing the revolver at either of his cousins4 ,it was1 therefore1 with intense fear that ,john looked into the barrel of his cousin's revolver as ,will snapped it1 aimlessly pointing in his direction2 and ,john exclaimed1 ,turn that thing away1 or you'll shoot me4 ,will's answer was3 ,you needn't be afraid1 ,john4 ,this revolver isn't loaded4 ,but ,john1 seeing his cousin's careless attitude1 was afraid2 and he dodged down behind a barrel of carpet-rags near which he had been standing4 ,it was well that ,john did not longer remain where he had been2 for the revolver contained a solitary load1 and the frequent pulling of the trigger discharged this4 ,the bullet passed the very spot where ,john had a moment before been standing1 and lodged itself deep in the side of the trunk4 ,this experience marked an awakening-time in all of the boys' lives2 at that moment their consciences1 which had almost fallen asleep1 were aroused1 and in startling phrases gave them accounts of their evil deeds4 ,with great haste the boys returned the weapons to their former hiding place1 relocked the trunk1 and in so far as it was possible1 covered all the traces of the accident4 ,then1 with hearts full of guilty thoughts1 the three boys hastened from the place where a scene of horror had very nearly been enacted4 ,out in the open1 where the air was fresh and pure1 their spirits to a certain degree revived4 ,but their usual laughter1 fun1 and merry-making had been dampened2 and as they wended their way to the prairie pasture-land1 few words were passed between them4 ,poor little misguided boys6 warned1 and yet left so ignorant of what was the right and the wrong way4 ,through the voice of conscience ,god endeavored to speak to ,john and to tell him that his ways were evil and that he and his cousins would some day get into serious trouble if they continued in the way they were going2 but1 although he was sad1 he could not understand4 ,he wanted to be a good boy for his father's sake 7for his father was the best friend he knew72 and most of all he desired to become the man that that parent had wished him to be4 ,john's disregard for his father's warnings from time to time had been due to the fear that1 if he obeyed1 his early manhood would be hindered4 ,could that father have given his little son an object-lesson such as an aged monk once1 while walking through a forest1 gave his scholar1 ,john might have been spared much suffering4 ,the monk1 stepping before four plants that were close by1 pointed to the first1 a plant just beginning to peep above the ground2 to the second1 one well-rooted in the earth2 to the third1 a small shrub2 and to the fourth1 a full-sized tree4 ,then turning to his young companion1 he said1 ,pull up the first4 ,this the boy easily did4 ,now1 pull up the second4 ,the youth obeyed1 but not with so much ease4 ,and now the third4 ,this time before the boy succeeded in uprooting the plant1 he had to put forth all his strength and to use both his arms4 ,and now1 said his master1 try your hand on the fourth4 ,but although the lad grasped the trunk of the tree in his arms1 he scarcely shook its leaves2 and he found it impossible to tear its roots from the earth4 ,then the wise old man explained the meaning of the four trials4 ,this1 my son1 he said1 is just what happens to our bad habits and passions4 ,when they are young and weak1 we can by a little watchfulness and by a little discipline1 easily tear them up2 but if we let them cast their roots deep down into our souls1 no human power can uproot them4 ,only the almighty hand of the ,creator can pluck them out4 ,for this reason1 my boy1 watch your first impulses4 ,or1 could ,john have heard the story of the giant who fell in with a company of pigmies1 he might have taken a different course4 ,the giant roared with laughter at the insignificant stature and wonderful boastings of the pigmies4 ,he ridiculed their threats when they told what they expected to do to him2 but when he fell asleep that night1 he was at their mercy4 ,and he did not know until he awoke in the morning that while he was asleep these tiny people of whom he had made sport had bound him with innumerable threads and that he was their helpless captive4 ,but ,john knew nothing of these stories or of other things that teach the lessons he so much needed2 and perhaps his father did not know1 so that he could tell his son what he should have been told4 ,the use of tobacco is an evil4 ,when ,god made tobacco and pronounced it good1 ,he did not mean for it to go into the mouth of any man or woman1 much less into the mouths of children4 ,tobacco is a deadly poison2 and the constant use of any poison must injure the body of the one who uses it4 ,when it has sapped the strength from both the mind and the body1 it leaves the individual weakened in every way and makes it harder for him to live a good1 pure life4 ,no person who uses tobacco may be said to be perfectly well4 ,such a person may not realize how his health is impaired1 because the stupor that the poison produces numbs his sensibilities2 but the very appetite he has for tobacco is in itself a disease4 ,in order for an habitual user to realize the harm that tobacco is doing to his health1 he has simply to stop its use for a short time and watch the effect on his system4 ,tobacco is not a food that ,god intended man to eat4 ,in man's case it feeds only a craving that it has itself created4 ,but the leaves of the tobacco plant do serve as food for the large1 green worms that live and thrive in tobacco fields4 ,yes2 tobacco is very good for the creeping things for which it was created2 but it was not intended as food for man4 ,could ,john and his cousins have understood all this when the next tobacco famine came to them1 it seems that each would surely have resisted the temptation to stoop down1 pick up a partly chewed quid of tobacco1 cram it greedily into his watering mouth1 and chew it as though it was the sweetest morsel he had ever tasted4 ,but the boys did not know4 ,they thought such things were manly4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,early ,school ,days ,by the time ,john was eight years old1 the evil influences with which he had been surrounded in his uncle's home were rapidly telling on him4 ,to be sure1 there was still the same pathetic expression in his deep1 brown eyes1 and now and then there could be observed in them a mischievous glance or a merry twinkle2 but his general appearance was that of a sadly neglected child4 ,still the busy aunt took little notice either of him or of her own boys4 ,in his heart ,john was longing for someone to take an interest in him and to love him--someone to whom he could go with his boyish heartaches and from whom he could gain the sympathy for which his heart was craving4 ,to be sure1 his father was still kind1 and sometimes ,john would imagine that he could even feel his father's love4 ,at such times the boy would press closer to his parent1 hoping that he would at least with his arm caress him2 but his father did not understand4 ,he could see only the outward roughness2 and he said in his heart3 ,it is all because he has never had a chance4 ,he has grown up here on the prairie like a wild thing4 ,he has never been to school1 and ,i must send him at once4 ,with this purpose in his heart ,john's father decided to return with his child to the place that had once been his happy home4 ,in making the change there were1 of course1 many things to take into consideration4 ,but under the circumstances1 to go seemed the best and proper thing to do4 ,the sad events1 he reasoned1 were all in a lifetime2 and he must make the best of them4 ,the home would for a time seem desolate1 he knew1 but he thought that perhaps they could become used to it2 anyway1 his boy must be in school4 ,the school terms would not be long 7for only three or four months of each year were set apart for school purposes72 but even these short terms would be better than none4 ,to ,john the change meant more4 ,the five years that he had spent in the home of his uncle had made his cousins seem to him like brothers2 but still1 as he considered his father's plans1 he thought1 ,perhaps it may be all right4 ,his aunt was very kind while ,john and his father were preparing to move2 and the day they bade her good-by she said such sweet things that he wanted to throw his arms about her neck4 ,to his mind it was the very way in which his own dear mother would have spoken had she been alive4 ,when all was ready for the departure1 the aunt said3 ,john1 here are the two little turkeys that you have liked so well all summer4 ,you may take them with you4 ,they will help you to forget that you are alone when your father is away at his work2 and she handed him a small covered basket4 ,then the wagon containing their few belongings moved away from the place that for nearly five years they had called their home4 ,as they wended their way along the thoroughfare1 they saw men at work in the fields4 ,some were shucking corn and tossing the bright golden ears into wagons that were placed between the rows for that purpose1 while others were hauling the grain to their barns to store it away for the winter's use4 ,the broad corn leaves rustling in the wind seemed to whisper1 ,winter is coming with his cold1 bleak storms to rob the earth of her summer splendor2 but he will bring his beautiful coverlet of snow to protect her fields and to prepare them for the coming year4 ,the foliage on the small bushes that were scattered here and there was fading2 but the air was still soft and mild4 ,near the willows might still be seen the bending goldenrods1 asters1 and sunflowers4 ,and occasionally blue smoke could be seen curling up from some sod-house chimney4 ,it was evening when the father and his son drove up to the door of their long-desolate home2 the sun was sinking lower and lower in the west4 ,a few soft glimmers of its mellow light lingered timidly about the doorway as if to bid the home-comers welcome1 and then they were gone4 ,a rabbit1 hopping boldly about in the neglected doorway1 stopped suddenly as if to ask why these people had come to a place that she had chosen for her home2 and some prairie dogs that had formed a colony close by anxiously watched from the entrance of their underground homes to see what was going on4 ,john and his father1 each absorbed with his own thoughts1 sprang from the wagon1 and soon began to air out the musty house and to rearrange the furniture that had long been idly awaiting their return4 ,after a while ,john found that his aunt had not forgotten that he would be very hungry1 and soon he was sampling some large bread-and-meat sandwiches2 his father1 too1 came for his share4 ,thus quickly passed the first evening in their old home4 ,but before ,john retired to his own bed1 he saw that his little turkeys received some attention2 and in the morning he let them have their freedom4 ,as the days sped by and lengthened into weeks and months1 ,john would have indeed been lonely had it not been for his little pets1 the turkeys4 ,they received his earliest attention in the morning1 and it was their little beaks that touched his cheek the last thing before he retired at night2 and to himself alone was their roosting-place known4 ,how different everything seemed to ,john in his new home6 ,the change from knowing nothing but perfect freedom in ,god's great open out-of-doors to being left alone to hustle off to school in the early morning hours1 where he must sit like a statue and prepare humdrum lessons1 was to ,john a wonderful change4 ,john1 however1 was determined to make the very best of his lot and to do all that he could to please his teacher4 ,allowing this purpose to govern his life1 ,john's conduct was such that he became in a very short time the favorite pupil in the school2 and his kindly1 generous1 and ambitious nature won him many friends4 ,he was soon noted for his witty remarks1 made in a manner so droll and unpretentious that often merry bursts of laughter were heard from his teacher as well as his playmates4 ,but regardless of these pleasant conditions1 ,john was far from happy4 ,he still wanted someone to show deep love for him and to take an interest in his welfare2 and though he constantly tried to smother the deep suffering he felt it still smoldered in his heart4 ,this1 perhaps1 caused him to crave all the more tobacco that in a way had dulled his senses and caused him to realize his troubles less4 ,,chapter ,v ,the ,card ,parties ,while ,john was forming new acquaintances at school1 ,satan was not asleep4 ,john's active mind was soon being schooled in many evils that he had not known before4 ,and to make the matter still worse1 ,john's father had a number of bachelor friends with whom he was in the habit of meeting for pleasant evenings1 and their amusements were mostly drinking strong drinks and playing card games4 ,among these men1 as among his schoolmates1 ,john became a favorite2 and he was often praised and admired for his shrewd and manly ways4 ,and when the report concerning his intense desire to become a man was circulated among them1 they urged him to drink beer1 saying that it would make him more manly and that all men must learn how to drink and smoke if they would be thought of as being manly4 ,as a result ,john was soon able to drink his share of the beer1 although he did not like the taste at first4 ,besides this1 ,john discovered that at these evening gatherings he could often replenish his supply of tobacco by slipping a little from someone's pocket when the owner was not on his guard4 ,poor little ,john6--such a favorite6 so gifted1 and yet so neglected6 in regard to high ideals and purposes in life1 so ignorant6 and so desirous of that motherly love and interest that were ever denied him6 ,he endeavored to fill his life with other things2 but in his day-dreams he often pictured his mother1 and wondered3 ,was she like my aunt8 ,would she take me and hold me in her arms while she smoothed my hair with her hand8 ,would she bind my bruises8 ,and would she sit by my bedside at night and hold my hand in hers while telling me stories that she had read8 ,oh1 how would it all seem8 he would ask himself2 and then1 remembering that such could never be1 he would try to forget and be happy4 ,his mother was gone1 he reasoned1 and he must be content4 ,it was to his two little feathered friends alone that he confided his sorrows4 ,had ,john's father remembered the determination that filled his soul on the dark day of his wife's funeral1 and had he continued to teach his little son to pray and to serve ,god1 how much better it might have been6 ,how much better might ,john have understood the difference between right and wrong6 ,in such a case1 ,john's life's record might have been filled with good and noble deeds1 and his habits might have been clean and wholesome4 ,as it was1 because of his ignorance of right1 he was laying a crumbling foundation formed of evil motives and desires4 ,and should he continue to build1 using similar material1 his life's structure would be unsafe2 it would be momentarily in danger of falling4 ,as ,satan is ever waiting with the needed supplies for a work of this kind1 so he was ready to aid little ,john4 ,the card parties at which ,john and his father were often present furnished ,john with much of his material4 ,the younger men among those who attended these gatherings1 recognizing in ,john material of the entertaining sort1 began at once to educate him4 ,they taught him1 not only to drink beer1 but also to play cards and to swear4 ,to ,john beer did not at first have a pleasant taste2 but as it was when he was trying to learn to use tobacco1 so it was now--the promise that it would help him in becoming manly encouraged him to take more2 and as he drank1 the appetite grew4 ,finally1 he would sometimes drink so much that he could not keep awake4 ,usually on these occasions beer was served only as a prize to the winners of the games4 ,the lucky fellow alone was given a drink while those who had lost were given only a smell of the bottle4 ,one time when ,john had won in a number of games and had been treated to as many drinks from the bottle of beer1 he became very sleepy4 ,going over to one corner of the room1 he crept up on a table and soon was apparently asleep4 ,it happened1 however1 that1 although he was sleepy1 he was not wholly unconscious to what was going on2 and suddenly he heard a plot that seemed to him so cruel that he could scarcely believe his ears4 ,illustration3 ,a ,card-,party ,at the close of such gatherings1 a chicken-roast was generally in order1 and the fowl used was usually taken from some hen-roost not far distant4 ,on this particular occasion when the party was about to break up1 ,john heard the roughest of the company ask3 ,i say1 boys1 who's goin' fer the roast tonight8 ,some one ought to be off fer it's nigh onter the midnight hour1 and ,i1 fer one's got a big job ahead a me tomorrer4 ,i'll go1 ,bill1 someone answered2 but wha do ye say ter go8 ,oh1 it don't make no difference1 so's it's not too fer away6 the other answered1 and added3 ,whist1 ,tom1 why can't we git ,john's turkeys8 ,they'd make fust-rate eatin' all right4 ,he's too far gone to know anything about it4 ,john was just about to call out that they must let his turkeys alone when he remembered how hard it would be in the darkness to discover their roosting-place1 so he remained quiet4 ,it was1 however1 with some uneasiness that he awaited the thieves' return4 ,when they came1 he was relieved2 for they were carrying chickens instead of turkeys4 ,although1 because of the safety of his pets1 a thrill of satisfaction swept over ,john1 yet he had received in his heart a wound that was deep and wide4 ,these cruel1 heartless men were willing to take from him1 in so unprincipled a manner1 his only companions and playfellows4 ,john somewhat realized that life had a hard and bitter side for him2 but again he endeavored with all his strength to make the best of it4 ,it was morning before ,john and his father returned to their home2 and it was with unusual joy that ,john found his pets waiting for their breakfast4 ,as he held them close to his breast1 with their beaks close to his cheek1 he again thought of his mother2 also he wondered about a certain change that had come over his father4 ,for a time after their removal to their own home1 the father had been very devoted to ,john and had seemed to understand something of the boy's loneliness4 ,perhaps it was a realization of this loneliness and a desire to bring into the life of the child the motherly interest of which he had been deprived that had turned the father's heart toward a certain young lady of his acquaintance4 ,anyway1 whatever was the cause1 the father became more and more interested in this young woman2 while1 on the other hand1 he paid less attention to ,john1 whose loneliness daily increased4 ,night after night ,john's pillow was dampened by the tears he shed while waiting and listening for the sound of his father's returning footsteps4 ,in course of time the father married and brought home his new bride4 ,at first ,john was very shy2 but he was glad4 ,oh1 how he wished that she would be what he had day-dreamed that his own mother might have been6 ,he could then have given her all his love and confidence4 ,he could have told her all his boyish plans for the future1 asking her for the advice he would need4 ,but the new mother failed to fulfill his hopes4 ,even she did not understand the longings of his boyish heart2 nor did she realize that the poor little neglected boy was measuring her by what he had imagined a true mother to be4 ,she was kind to ,john2 but that was all4 ,her time and attention were given to her husband2 and ,john daily saw the gulf between his father and himself widening and deepening4 ,a feeling of discord crept into ,john's heart2 all attraction for home was severed2 and he felt that his happiness would have to be sought from other sources4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,visitors and ,pastimes ,during the winter that followed his father's marriage1 ,john's stepmother's brother came to live with the family2 and the influence of this stepuncle1 whose name was ,ed1 was as bad or worse than ,will's or ,charley's could ever have been2 for ,ed was older and wiser1 and knew much more of sin4 ,in ,ed's home both the father and the mother used tobacco a long time before their child was born4 ,when he was just a little infant1 he worried and cried a great deal4 ,he continued to do this1 seemingly never to be satisfied1 until finally the parents imagined that he wanted tobacco2 and sure enough he did4 ,the mother tied a small amount in a rag and gave it to her baby to suck1 and immediately he became quiet and contented4 ,so1 from that time she gave him tobacco to stop his crying4 ,as he grew1 the quantity he used gradually increased until1 when he was in his teens1 he spent much of his money for tobacco4 ,he went without many of the necessary things of life in order that he might have the money those things would cost to spend for tobacco4 ,the ,bible tells us that ,god is abundant in goodness and truth1 keeping mercy for thousands and forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin 444 ,parents may be sorry for their sins1 and be forgiven for their transgressions2 but their children must suffer from inherited ill-dispositions1 unnatural appetites1 or diseases4444 ,oh1 what a responsibility is resting upon the parents of the future generations6 ,now1 tobacco acts directly on the mind4 ,it clouds the understanding and dulls the memory2 and sometimes it has much worse effects4 ,the story is told of the experience of a brilliant young man--a graduate from ,andover ,college--who1 for a time1 seemed to have a wonderful future before him4 ,after a few short successful years1 however1 all hopes were blighted2 he was thrown into an insane asylum a physical wreck4 ,the doctors said that tobacco had done it2 but regardless of this1 he was each day given1 according to the rules of the asylum1 a small quantity of tobacco4 ,for twenty years he was in this seemingly hopeless condition2 and then suddenly1 one day as he was walking the floor1 his reason returned1 and he realized what was the matter4 ,throwing the plug of tobacco through the iron grate of his cell1 he said3 ,what brought me here8 ,what keeps me here8 ,why am ,i here8 ,tobacco6 tobacco6 tobacco6 ,god help1 help6 ,i will never use it again6 ,he was restored2 and for ten years he preached the gospel4 ,but not only does tobacco injure the mind2 it also affects the blood and sensitive tissues and the different organs of the body1 which in order to act normally and to do their work properly must be in healthful condition4 ,when the blood becomes saturated with the deadly poison that comes from the pipe or cigar1 and the soft membranes of the mouth become filled with the poisonous secretion from the quid1 as a consequence1 every member of the body becomes affected1 and disease and suffering are the final results4 ,lord ,bacon said1 ,to smoke is a secret delight1 serving to steal away men's brains4 ,many others have expressed themselves in even louder terms against the evil effects of tobacco2 but we must now return to ,john and to ,ed1 his stepuncle4 ,soon after ,ed came to live in the family1 he paid a visit to a neighboring town2 and while there1 he stole from a store a case of plug tobacco4 ,this he stealthily brought to his sister's new home1 confiding his secret to no one except ,john2 and by generous promises he persuaded ,john to say nothing about the matter4 ,at this time ,john was in his thirteenth year4 ,he still keenly felt that something was dreadfully missing in his life2 so he turned to ,ed1 hoping to find that something in his companionship4 ,but again he was disappointed4 ,the standard of ,ed's ideals were so far below the standard that ,john had fixed for himself that ,john was conscious of a constant repulsion in his heart toward ,ed4 ,as a consequence1 ,john's loneliness increased4 ,about the time ,ed arrived in the neighborhood1 another dangerous pastime was introduced4 ,dancing found a place in the social gatherings2 and again ,john was an apt scholar4 ,before very long he was considered to be one of the best among the young people in this art2 and for the time being he seemed to find real enjoyment in the amusement4 ,there was a fascination about it that helped him partly to forget his troubles and heartaches1 also the discouragements with which he had been haunted so much of late4 ,during the winter that followed1 the social spirit increased and the months were full of changes and excitement4 ,the uncle with whom ,john and his father had spent several years came with his family for a prolonged visit4 ,a hearty welcome was given the visitors1 especially by ,john2 for regardless of the fact that in order to make room for the company he had to exchange his nice warm bed in the house for a less comfortable one in the sod cellar1 he rejoiced in the thought that he could once more be with his old companion1 ,will4 ,in fact1 any change was appreciated by ,john in his restless1 discontented frame of mind4 ,the first evening the boys retired early1 partly because they had no light and partly because they wanted to visit about bygone days4 ,they had so many things to say to each other2 and besides1 they wanted to lay their plans for a jolly time while they could be together4 ,will laughed heartily about ,john's intense desire to become a man1 and asked him how he felt about it now4 ,it was in a discouraged tone of voice that ,john replied3 ,there ain't so much fun in it as ,i supposed4 ,the older ,i get1 the more unhappy ,i feel4 ,why1 ,will1 there are times when ,i almost wish that ,i were dead4 ,no one seems to care for me or to have any time to give me4 ,it's just ',john here' and ',john there'2 and if ,i dare to say anything1 ,i'm laughed at or told to keep still4 ,it was different before ,pa got married4 ,then he used to talk to me and try to help me when ,i got lonesome2 but now ,i just have to get along the best way ,i can4 ,if ,i like anything it's all right1 and if ,i don't it's the same4 ,i'll just tell you1 if it wasn't for ,pa1 ,i'd run away from home6 ,as for being a man1 ,i don't think that it is so wonderful after all4 ,the men that ,i know are all so bad4 ,just look at ,ed6 ,i'm getting so that ,i can hardly endure ,ed6 ,in reply to ,john's great outburst of sorrow1 ,will had no words of sympathy to offer4 ,all that he could propose was that they could spend their evenings in playing cards 7for ,will1 too1 had learned many things since ,john had left2 and card-playing was one of them74 ,john was pleased with the suggestion2 but he said1 ,i haven't any cards4 ,as usual1 however1 he was quick to invent a way out of that difficulty and added3 ,hey1 ,will6 why couldn't we make some8 ,i know where there's a lot of cardboard boxes that we could cut up4 ,one could cut while the other marked them4 ,you would know how to make them1 would you not8 ,yes1 ,i think so1 ,will answered4 ,we could do that all right in the daytime2 but how could we work in the dark8 ,and does it get very cold in here8 ,oh1 it doesn't get so awfully cold2 and as for a light1 ,i can get a dish of lard and put a rag in it which we can light6 ,that won't be a very good light2 but ,i think we can get along4 ,the boys found that it was no small task to make the cards4 ,first they had to cut the cardboard4 ,this ,john did with a very sharp knife4 ,next1 they drew hearts and diamonds and other necessary markings4 ,to be sure1 the set of cards was a very crude one when it was finished2 and when the boys began to shuffle them in the pack1 they were disappointed because of the bulky appearance and wished for a more perfect set4 ,but ,john had done a good job in cutting them out1 and the marking answered the purpose very well4 ,so night after night1 by the aid of the flickering and sputtering light1 furnished by the rag burning in the saucer of lard1 the two boys1 with heads bent low1 sat scheming and planning1 each striving to get ahead of the other in the game4 ,long before ,will's visit was ended1 both boys had become so skillful in playing that the one could scarcely get the better of the other unless one in some way cheated4 ,this caused them to try many underhanded tricks and encouraged them to bet and gamble2 and in course of time they had exchanged as wagers the greater part of their simple belongings4 ,taking advantage of one another became a part of the game and seemingly was the principal aim4 ,and the evenings that they did not spend in dancing were spent in indulging in these dangerous amusements4 7,card-playing--as does also dancing--wields an influence that is very harmful1 especially to the young4 ,as the interest in the game increases1 the players' desire for things that are good and wholesome is lessened4 ,one player sees only the pleasure that he derives from getting the better of the one he is playing against4 ,he fails to see that each time he stoops to unfair methods in order to gain his purpose he helps to pave the way for other things that are wrong and deceitful47 ,when the first warm days of spring arrived and the grass of the prairie began to unfold its tiny blades1 ,john's uncle said it was time for him and his family to return home4 ,it's a long way1 ,will1 he said2 and we must get there in good time to plant a big crop of 'tobaker4' ,you remember we didn't have near enough to do us last year6 ,will agreed2 but the boys were all sorry to be separated again1 and when the day of departure came1 it was very hard indeed for them to bid one another farewell4 ,during the winter months ,john had not thought much about his aunt1 for ,will and he had been too deeply interested in other things4 ,but now at the last moment that old longing again clutched at his heart4 ,when he saw them disappearing in the distance and finally lost them to view1 like a flash the desire that had so long been smoldering within his heart was fanned1 as it were1 into a mighty flame1 and in his mind he resolved what he would do4 ,i will stay in this home no longer6 he cried in his distress4 ,my father may miss me2 but if ,i stay here1 ,i shall die6 and going to his father1 he stated his intentions4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,leaving ,home ,as ,john's father looked into the deep pathetic eyes of his son1 he in part understood the meaning of what he read4 ,he could see that the soul of his child was crying out for something2 but again he failed to understand the true longings of the young heart4 ,he failed to see that the boy was being crushed by sinful habits1 and that for parental care and interest he was starving4 ,in ignorance the father supposed that the boy's unrest was due to a longing to know more of the world1 to a feeling akin to that which an explorer experiences4 ,poor man6 ,could he have known just then what really was troubling his boy1 he could have stayed the spirit of unrest by holding out to ,john the olive branch of peace4 ,he could have said3 ,john1 we have drifted apart4 ,we are not to one another what we used to be4 ,stop1 my boy2 sit down here4 ,let us carefully talk these things over before you take such a step4 ,out in the world you will meet many temptations and evils1 more than you have ever known4 ,and many other tender words of advice he might have spoken to the child2 but these things were left unspoken4 ,instead1 his father only said1 ,john1 ,i would like to have you remain at home a while longer2 but if you are determined to go1 you may1 only remember to try to do as nearly right as you can6 ,i have wanted to bring you up well for your mother's sake2 for she had made so many plans for your future4 ,my wish1 ,john1 is that you become a good man4 ,john was deeply touched by his father's farewell speech2 and had there been any other drawing to keep him at home1 he certainly would have remained4 ,as it was1 he soon gathered together his belongings1 and while still in his thirteenth year1 said good-by to his people1 and went away to work for a thrifty farmer4 ,during the two years preceding his departure from home1 ,john had now and then worked for the farmers in different parts of the country4 ,this and his attendance at the social gatherings had enabled him to become acquainted with numbers of boys1 some of whom were very wild and rough4 ,but because of the companionship of ,will during the winter months1 the evil influences of his wide circle of friends had not been so strong4 ,but when the cousins were parted1 ,john's companions were again some of the roughest and toughest in the community4 ,because of this his tobacco and beer bills increased1 and to this alarming expenditure he added many accounts for whiskey4 ,john had made a discovery4 ,he had found that ,ed1 in order to satisfy the awful craving and gnawing in his stomach 7a sensation produced by the tobacco poison71 was using a generous supply of whiskey2 and for the same reason ,john began to use it4 ,whiskey did perhaps satisfy for the time being2 but ,john also discovered that the seemingly good effect was very soon gone and that the old trouble was again there1 only with renewed force and strength4 ,another thing he found1 too1 was that he had added to his list of evil habits one even more fierce and strong than the others4 ,when ,john left home1 his desire was principally to find relief for his loneliness2 but he had another object4 ,his expenses had been heavy and hard to defray4 ,and now with the amount he had to pay for his whiskey added to what he was already spending for beer and tobacco1 his bills were so high he felt that he must have more money in order to meet them4 ,this seeming necessity was1 therefore1 one thing that urged him to take the step he took4 ,illustration3 ,leaving the ,old ,homestead ,the farmer for whom ,john began to work was known among his men as the captain4 ,all the hired help worked under one manager1 or boss2 so ,john's experience while in this service was new and varied4 ,we have orders today to work for ,farmer ,z1 explained the boss one morning a few weeks after ,john's arrival4 ,and the captain says we must be sure and get around there early in the morning1 for we are to get our breakfast over there4 ,the home of ,farmer ,z was some distance from that of ,john's employer2 but the prancing horses on which the men were to ride were soon carrying them across the prairie1 and it was not long until they were in sight of ,farmer ,z's modest farmhouse4 ,as they entered the gateway1 ,farmer ,z stepped into the doorway2 and when he greeted the men with a kindly ,good morning1 ,john particularly noticed his countenance and expression and wondered why he was so different from the comrades with whom he had always associated4 ,he noticed1 too1 that1 as the men gathered in the dining room and took their places around the table1 they were quiet and reserved2 and he was puzzled by still another thing--,farmer ,z bowed his head and thanked ,god for all of ,his blessings and benefits and goodness to them all4 ,such things were new and strange to ,john2 and when at the close of the meal1 the farmer invited them into another room1 saying1 ,we always have reading and prayer immediately after breakfast and would be glad to have you all join with us1 ,john suddenly felt extremely awkward and out of place1 and he longed to make his escape to the barn4 ,john could have given no reason for his feelings1 unless it was that the farmer's suggestion of prayer made him think about his mother and of the time when his father had taught him the little prayer1 ,now ,i lay me down to sleep1 and had told him that he very much desired him to be a little man4 ,but it was not strange that ,john should feel as he did2 for he had so often associated other scenes with that of learning the prayer1 but had since that time heard very little about the ,bible4 ,in fact1 the only part of the ,bible that he had ever read was a few verses in the small ,new ,testament that had belonged to his mother2 and he had read these because he had heard that the reading of certain passages would stop the toothache and relieve the nosebleed4 ,he experimented one time when he had the nosebleed1 and his nosebleed did stop2 but he was not sure that it would not have stopped as soon had he not read the verses4 ,now1 for some reason unknown to himself1 ,john did not want to remain for worship2 so when he noticed one of the other men slipping out of the back door1 he quickly followed4 ,the two were just about to enter the barn when the farmer1 calling to them in words that were gentle but firm1 said1 ,we always have our help come in with us for worship4 ,seeing then that there was no way around going in except to stoutly refuse1 the two returned to the house2 and with the others they seated themselves in the room where it was evident that the family worship was to be held4 ,this experience was so entirely new to ,john that he actually suffered4 ,he did not know what to do nor how to act4 ,he observed that the children1 the workmen1 and the farmer's wife1 were all seated1 so he sat down1 too4 ,he also observed that the men had left their hats outside where they had washed2 and this caused him to feel very strangely1 because he had his own in his hand4 ,he dropped it1 however1 beside his chair2 then he began to watch the children and to try to do just as they were doing4 ,but as no two of the youngsters were doing the same thing1 he again felt troubled4 ,the older members of the family1 he noticed1 sat very still2 and suddenly ,john realized that they must be listening to the farmer1 who had been reading4 ,john knew that he had not heard one single word that had been read1 and here1 the farmer was now saying1 ,let us pray4 ,when they knelt beside their chairs1 ,john was again bewildered2 but having decided to do just as nearly as he possibly could the way the rest did1 he1 too1 slipped down upon his knees4 ,for some reason that he could not understand1 a burning shame that seemed to benumb his whole being swept over him1 and he could hardly hear the farmer's words2 but he realized suddenly that the farmer was saying1 ,dear ,lord1 bless the help today1 and keep them from accidents and danger4 ,hurriedly glancing around1 ,john saw the children peeking from between their fingers2 and hastily covering his own face with his hands1 he gave a quick glance toward ,mr4 ,a1 his boss4 ,mr4 ,a was kneeling beside his chair1 but was picking his teeth and looking out of the window4 ,just then the farmer said1 ,amen1 and they all arose4 ,then1 as ,john compared his own attitude with that of ,mr4 ,a4's1 another feeling of shame came over him2 and for some time he kept asking himself1 ,why didn't ,i act unconcerned like the boss8 ,but ,john was not a bad boy naturally4 ,he was ignorant of what was right4 ,he had never understood that there is a ,savior and that that ,savior loved him and left an example for him to follow4 ,to be sure1 he had often heard both his ,savior's and his ,creator's names reviled and abused by his evil companions4 ,but he did not know that these were ,beings to whom he could go when in trouble2 nor did he understand that in ,god's sight he was a sinner4 ,more than once that day while working1 ,john thought of the farmer's words and wondered if the prayer would have any effect upon the day4 ,some way he thought it would1 and he decided to watch and see4 ,the day was ideal1 and the help orderly2 and ,god kept them free from accident and trouble4 ,it was all a mystery to ,john1 and he pondered over it along the way home and even during the night4 ,farmer ,z had opened up a new channel for his thoughts4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,with the ,circus ,during the following year a circus that was passing through the country stopped at a town near by2 and ,john1 together with a number of his associates1 attended some of the exhibitions4 ,john's interest was at once captivated1 and he felt that it would be great to join the company and to act the part of the clown2 and he soon began to plan to secretly join them the following season4 ,his visions of great wealth enlarged day by day1 and in fancy he pictured a future of wonderful fame4 ,in due time the show company returned4 ,they gladly accepted ,john's proposal to join them2 and so ,john1 with his few earthly possessions1 to the surprise of all who knew him1 disappeared from his home locality4 ,but ,john seemed doomed to disappointment2 the showman's life was not at all as he had pictured it4 ,instead of becoming fabulously rich in a fairy-like way1 he was taken very ill and had soon lost all the money he did have4 ,as soon1 therefore1 as he was able1 he returned to his friends at home1 thoroughly disgusted with his undertakings2 he was a wiser lad than he was when he went away4 ,but1 although ,john was disgusted1 he was not disheartened4 ,when he was laughed at by his friends1 he bravely bore their ridicule1 and endeavored to look on the bright side of things4 ,also1 he explained to them that show life1 on the outside and to the sightseer1 was not at all what it was among the members of the company2 but that behind the curtains oaths were uttered1 and abuse and nearly every kind of evils could be witnessed4 ,when he was back once more among his old associates1 he endeavored to pass away the time in as pleasant a way as possible4 ,card playing1 gambling1 and dancing were his amusements1 but tobacco and whiskey were his enjoyments2 and as before1 he was considered among his friends as a jolly good fellow4 ,but ,john was not truly happy2 beneath his superficial joyousness was a longing for something that he was unable to name or describe4 ,let us stop a moment and look at ,john4 ,a glance tells us that a great change has taken place4 ,the ruddy complexion and childish features were replaced by a sallow hue upon the sunken cheek2 and the roguish expression of the large brown eyes was lost in the haggard look that well accorded with the telltale cough and the stooping shoulders4 ,the poisons of the tobacco and whiskey were doing their fatal work4 ,his entire system was heavily charged with nicotine and alcohol2 and the effect of these poisons constantly operating upon his nervous system and digestive organs had made him but a wreck of his former self4 ,it is true that in stature he was as large as the man his father had desired him to be2 but he was far from being of the strong manly type that that parent would have had him to become4 ,instead1 he was weakly2 and his body was never free from pain and suffering4 ,the old adage that ignorance is bliss can never be aptly applied to nicotine and alcohol4 ,for only those who let them both entirely alone can be truly happy or safe4 ,when we examine what doctors have written about the use of these poisons1 we find that alcohol as well as nicotine is a stimulant and a narcotic4 ,as a stimulant1 it excites the brain and nerves1 quickens the circulation of the blood1 and intoxicates 7makes drunk72 while as a narcotic it blunts the powers of the brain and nerves and produces stupor and death4 ,tests in the army1 navy1 and arctic explorations have definitely proved that alcohol is not a food4 ,alcohol will not allay thirst3 ,alcohol has a great attraction for water2 and when swallowed1 it draws the water to itself1 thus depriving the tissues of the body of that merit necessary inorganic food4 ,again1 alcohol causes a rush of blood to the skin1 which causes a sensation of warmth to be felt upon the surface of the body4 ,however1 the sensation of heat is1 like beauty1 'only skin deep1' as the heat of the system has really been diminished rather than increased2 because when the blood is upon the surface1 it parts with its heat more readily4 ,i ,the effects of alcohol upon the heart may be summed up in the following statements3 7a7 ,it causes a softening of the muscles of the heart1 and a fatty degeneration1 thus clogging the workings of this vital organ4 7b7 ,it overworks the heart4 7c7 ,oftentimes it renders the heart weak and flabby4 7d7 ,it causes an enlargement or dilation of its parts4 7e7 ,there is a consequent effect of drowsiness and lassitude4 7f7 ,its general effect upon the heart is to destroy its strength and usefulness4 ,,ii ,alcohol has the following effects upon the lungs3 7a7 ,it makes the blood impure1 thus increasing the work of the lungs4 7b7 ,it paralyzes the blood vessels4 7c7 ,it weakens the various lung tissues4 7d7 ,it impairs breathing4 ,,iii ,alcohol's effects upon the stomach3 7a7 ,produces chronic inflammation of the stomach4 7b7 ,injures the mucous lining by hardening the tissues4 7c7 ,it destroys some of the small glands and impairs others4 7d7 ,it precipitates the pepsin of the gastric juice1 thus retarding digestion4 7e7 ,it thickens the mucus of the stomach4 7f7 ,the action of the stomach is at first quickened by the presence of alcohol1 and then retarded4 ,,iv ,the effects of alcohol upon the liver may be3 7a7 ,it produces a hardened condition of its tissues4 7b7 ,enlarges the organ4 7c7 ,compresses and lessens the cells for producing bile4 7d7 ,stimulates the liver to overaction1 thus reducing the bile supply4 7e7 ,it weakens and destroys the usefulness of this organ of digestion4 ,v ,effect of alcohol upon the blood and blood-vessels3 7a7 ,it thins and coagulates the blood according to the amount of alcohol4 7b7 ,it hastens the circulation1 thus weakening it4 7c7 ,it prevents combustion4 7d7 ,it impairs and destroys the corpuscles1 thus affecting their powers of transporting oxygen and carbonic acid gas4 7e7 ,it weakens the arterial muscles by affecting the nerves governing them4 ,,vi ,effects of alcohol upon the brain and nerves are3 7a7 ,it causes apoplexy and epilepsy by confusing the brain4 7b7 ,it weakens the will and deadens the feelings4 7c7 ,it hardens the brain tissues1 producing dullness1 insensibility1 and insanity4 7d7 ,it destroys the nerve fiber of the brain4 7e7 ,it temporarily stimulates and finally depresses this organ4 7f7 ,it will at last destroy man1 body and soul4 ,alcohol leads every other drug in its far-reaching influence for mischief and evil4 ,were the thousands of ruined homes1 the untold numbers of blasted lives1 the sorrows1 the sins1 numberless crimes1 murders1 and deaths brought in panoramic review before us1 what a hell-born picture it would be6 ,the effect of alcohol upon the morals is awful4 ,all delicacy1 courtesy1 and self-respect are gone2 the sense of justice and right is faint or quite extinct4 ,there is no vice into which the victim of drunkenness does not easily slide2 and no crime from which he can be expected to refrain4 ,between this condition and insanity there is but a single step4 ,these are only a part of the many evils that come to the one who takes alcohol into his system4 ,we have already heard something about the effects of nicotine1 the poison that is in tobacco4 ,the constant use of either poison will impair the health of the strongest person4 ,it saps the mind of its reasoning qualities2 and in nine cases out of ten1 leaves the victim without sufficient strength to seek and obtain his own deliverance or to live a righteous life4 ,but let us return now to ,john4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,caught ,unawares ,at the age of eighteen ,john had come almost to the point of discouragement4 ,his health was so poor that he did not know a well moment2 and besides1 his longing soul was still unsatisfied4 ,he had always desired to be good and kind to all2 but he did not know how to rise to a nobler plane of conduct than that on which he was living4 ,he judged men by their moral conduct1 and not by their spiritual life4 ,in fact1 he had very little1 if any1 comprehension of ,christianity4 ,he knew of a few1 like ,farmer ,z41 who professed religion2 but he was afraid of these and he avoided their company4 ,he had now and then1 with a number of other boys about his own age1 visited some places where religious services were being held4 ,but their object in going was to have a good time2 and they seldom remained long enough to derive any good4 ,on one of these occasions they went to a small school house that was located a few miles from the town of ,c4 ,the meeting had been widely advertised1 and a goodly number were in attendance2 and when ,john and his companions had taken their seats well to the rear1 there was only standing-room left4 ,curiosity was pictured on every face2 for the ministers 7one elderly1 the other young7 were two modestly dressed women1 and lady preachers had never been heard of in that part of the country4 ,the singing was beautiful6 ,john thought that the songs were sweeter than any he had ever heard4 ,when prayer was being offered1 he listened carefully to every word2 and when he heard the ministers address ,god as their ,father1 asking ,him to direct them in all that they did and said1 and to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the truths that they were about to speak1 he was instantly filled with wonder and awe4 ,after they rose from prayer1 another song was sung2 and then the elderly lady began to address the people4 ,as she read in a clear1 sweet voice a chapter from the ,scriptures1 ,john listened carefully4 ,the account of the woes pronounced upon the people who would not do right and the promises made to those who would live right and were prepared to die1 were truly wonderful4 ,especially was he impressed with one verse she read1 though he realized very little of what it meant3 ,therefore be ye also ready3 for in such an hour as ye think not1 the ,son of man cometh4 ,when this speaker took her seat1 the other lady1 a young1 sweet-faced girl1 arose1 and said a few words4 ,after telling of how she had been converted1 and of how the ,savior had ever since supplied all the longings of her heart and had enabled her by his grace to live a life that was pure and spotless1 she spoke of her home in heaven2 and then she told the people that ,god would do the same for others as ,he had for her--for everyone who would give up evil habits and forsake sin1 and who would love ,his ,son1 whom ,he had sent to the earth to suffer and die that all people might be saved4 ,john listened to every word2 and as the girl sat down1 he thought1 ,why1 ,i would give everything that ,i have in the world to be able to say such things about myself6 ,when making the announcements1 the elderly lady said3 ,this meeting will be continued for three weeks or more1 and we want as many of you as can to attend regularly2 for there will be many portions of the ,bible explained1 and we want everyone to learn what is the road to success and to find out how to be truly happy4 ,john at once decided that he would attend every service2 but since at the same time he felt an interest similar to that which had inspired him to become a showman1 he remembered that bitter experience and ground his teeth4 ,he was about to change his decision to attend the meetings regularly1 when he remembered the words1 ,therefore be ye also ready2 for in such an hour as ye think not1 the ,son of man cometh6 ,instantly he beheld a great panoramic view of his past life1 and many of the evils that had never before appeared to him as sin were painted with the blackest dyes4 ,he had not meant to be wicked1 but he suddenly realized that his life had been wasted2 and he concluded that he was not ready to meet ,christ4 ,but ,john believed that ,christ would come to the earth1 and he felt that he would give anything to be ready to meet ,him4 ,as ,john1 whenever he was perplexed or troubled1 had been in the habit of doing1 he reached down into his pocket and drew out a large plug of tobacco and began biting off a piece to chew4 ,but what was the matter8 ,the tobacco did not taste as it had in the past and it appealed to him so differently4 ,it was now actually disgusting and repulsive to him2 and he thought3 ,what a filthy habit6 ,and to think of the time and money that it has cost me6 ,why have ,i been so foolish8 ,the next instant he resolved that he would never again taste the horrid stuff4 ,and very soon a few scenes of things that happened when he was under the influence of whisky came to his mind1 and he shuddered4 ,never again would he touch that stuff1 he determined4 ,in fact1 the greater part of the night ,john spent in reviewing his life2 and he found that the larger portion of the things he had been doing were things he would not want to be found doing at the ,savior's coming4 ,the following day ,john could hardly wait until the time came when he could again return to the little brown school house to hear more of the beautiful story that had so charmed him4 ,and night after night found ,john in one of the seats in the rear of the building4 ,it was not long until he discovered the pathway to heaven2 he saw it bathed with heaven's sunshine and could see that it was for him to walk upon4 ,but the next thing was for him to make the start4 ,it is one thing to decide that a certain thing is right and quite another thing to take a stand 7regardless of what anyone may think or say7 for the right4 ,he had heard the preachers telling about the life of a ,christian1 the ,savior's love and death1 and ,god's great mercy1 night after night for two weeks2 but no invitation to come forward had been given to those desiring to make a change in their manner of living4 ,the ministers desired that each one be given a full understanding of ,god's plan of salvation so that none would take a step in the dark4 ,john was fully decided to change his manner of living2 but he did not want to make any more mistakes4 ,for this reason he restrained himself from going to the motherly lady to inquire of her what he had better do4 ,his old desire to become a man had revived1 but this time he desired to be a man after ,god's own heart--pure and holy--like the one that ,god created in the beginning4 ,the time for an invitation to be given to the penitent finally came4 ,upon entering the meeting house that evening ,john noticed a slight change in the arrangement of the seats4 ,the long row of chairs supplied by kind-hearted neighbors to help in seating the people had been removed1 and a long1 narrow bench had been put in their place4 ,john wondered at the change1 but did not have to wonder long4 ,an announcement was soon made1 stating that the bench was to serve as an altar1 where those who desired to be converted and who wanted to consecrate their lives and services to ,god could gather for prayer4 ,an explanation was also made to the effect that1 though ,god is pleased to see people humble themselves before ,him1 there was no virtue in the wooden altar2 it was simply a more convenient place to bow for prayer than their seats would be4 ,the services were shorter than usual2 and when the invitation to come forward was given to those who desired to yield their hearts to ,god1 ,john was ready4 ,he longed to go2 but although he had learned a great many things1 he was still uncertain just what was meant by bowing at the altar2 and as he wanted to do the right thing1 he decided to wait until he saw how the others would do4 ,he did not have long to wait2 for a girl in front of him arose1 went forward1 and knelt down beside the altar4 ,this was enough for ,john1 because it taught him just what he desired to know2 and he was soon kneeling beside her4 ,that night was indeed a wonderful time4 ,one by one the people flocked to the front part of the room2 and ,john afterwards learned that many of his friends and even those whom he thought would ridicule and make fun of him1 were among the number that1 as himself1 had sought and found pardon for their sins4 ,the invitation lasted a long time2 and when it was ended1 the ministers knelt down among the penitent seekers1 thanked ,god for the tender mercies he had extended to the lost world1 and prayed that those who were at the altar might understand what true salvation is4 ,after praying1 they explained carefully what it meant to be redeemed from all sin1 and told the seekers how ,god looked upon the sin-cursed world and its awful wickedness1 but also how ,he was so moved with tender love and compassion that ,he sacrificed the brightest ,gem of glory--even ,his only begotten ,son--to be a ,redeemer for all who would believe on ,him and turn from their evil ways4 ,the redemption price1 they said1 was great2 but nothing less could have proved so well ,god's great love for mankind4 ,and they quoted from the ,bible1 ,for ,god so loved the world1 that ,he gave ,his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life4 ,for ,god sent not his ,son into the world to condemn the world2 but that the world through him might be saved 7,john #c3af1 #ag72 also1 ,the ,son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost 7,luke #ai3aj74 ,these words were as a soothing balm to ,john's aching heart4 ,having been fully awakened to his awful condition and made to long for the way of deliverance1 he rejoiced as these rays of hope came streaming down into his soul4 ,one by one he recalled his sins--smoking and chewing tobacco1 drinking whisky and beer1 stealing1 lying1 card-playing1 betting1 gambling1 and many other things2 but these he had already given up4 ,one thing only came to his mind that caused him a struggle1 and for a few moments it seemed that he could not give that up4 ,john loved to dance1 and it had seemed to him that there was nothing wrong with that pastime4 ,since he knew none of the pleasures that the ,christian enjoys1 this was not strange4 ,always he had danced just for the pleasure he derived from dancing1 and he considered dancing an innocent amusement4 ,when1 however1 he was made aware of the evils of dancing and the temptations it causes boys and girls whose characters are weak1 he could see how that to some it might mean the loss of virtue2 and1 too1 he found that much of his suffering had been caused by the late hours that dancing and other things had caused him to keep4 ,then he gladly bade adieu to the dance-hall and all its trivial gaiety4 ,after he had asked the ,lord to pardon him for his transgressions1 his simple faith took hold of the promises and he received a clear witness of his acceptance as a child of ,god4 ,at last1 after so many weeks and months--yes1 years--of dissatisfaction1 he was indeed truly happy2 and the deep aching in his hungry heart was replaced by the ,savior's love4 ,his companions1 too1 went away from that service rejoicing4 ,their language1 once so rough and vile1 was now becoming to any ,christian2 and the things that they had loved1 no longer attracted their attention4 ,in fact1 the entire neighborhood was changed2 for many haunts of sin and vice were entirely vacated4 ,john soon found that it was his duty to make all of his wrongs right as far as it lay in his power to do so2 and this he gladly did4 ,in many instances he was surprised to see the effect that this act of obedience had upon the ones concerned4 ,many1 with tears in their eyes1 exclaimed1 ,john1 ,i only wish that ,i possessed the joy in my own heart that ,i can see written in your face6 ,,chapter ,x ,a ,child ,again ,no one could doubt the change in ,john's life2 and many wondered how such a thing could have been accomplished4 ,but they did not realize that with ,god all things are possible4 ,how well it was for ,john that he discovered before it was too late that he was a sinner1 lost in ,god's sight1 and that it was necessary for him to forsake all of his evil ways and habits if he would be freed from the binding chain of ,satan6 ,each sinful habit formed a link in the chain1 and its strength could be measured only by what it took to release him from its binding power4 ,john was sorry to see the meetings close2 and as he bade the sweet-faced women farewell1 he was loath to see them go1 because of their ,christian influence4 ,but life to him was no longer what it had been in the past4 ,with the poet1 he had found that ,life is real6 life is earnest4 ,and the grave is not its goal2 ,dust thou art1 to dust returnest ,was not spoken of the soul4 ,he procured a ,bible and studied it diligently4 ,he soon found that it was a wonderful book1 for what troubled him in one part was explained in another4 ,one day while reading in the tenth chapter of ,mark1 he found to his surprise that1 instead of his being a man1 he was only a child1 a mere babe1 in ,god's sight4 ,john had expected to be changed and to be different in every way1 but he did not know that1 in order to realize his desire to be a man after ,god's own heart1 he must commence at the beginning and be as a little child again4 ,but he was willing2 for he saw how his past life had been completely wasted1 and he was glad to begin anew4 ,in the second chapter of ,i ,peter1 ,john found much encouragement1 also in ,i ,cor4 #ac3aa1 where he read3 ,when ,i was a child1 ,i thought as a child3 but when ,i became a man1 ,i put away childish things4 ,again he was determined to become a man1 and to develop as quickly as possible4 ,from that time on he availed himself of every opportunity to do good to all mankind1 and this was no hardship4 ,his great whole-hearted nature made him love to do good and to be a help to all who were in need4 ,at other times ,john read the conversation between ,christ and ,nicodemus1 and the account of how ,jesus thanked his heavenly ,father for hiding ,his truths from the wise and prudent and for revealing them to babes4 ,john was not long in perceiving the mystery concerning the new birth1 for he had gained the experience2 and he thanked ,god that it had been revealed to him4 ,once while studying the ,word of ,god1 ,john discovered that the twelfth chapter of ,i ,corinthians teaches that ,christian people on the earth represent ,christ's spiritual body4 ,as the natural body possesses many members--hands1 feet1 eyes1 ears1 nose1 etc4--each having its own special work1 just so the spiritual body of which ,he 7,christ7 is the head has many members to carry on the ,lord's work on the earth4 ,and1 as in the human body1 each member has its own work to do2 similarly1 in the spiritual body1 each member has his own work to perform4 ,some preach1 some teach1 some perform miracles1 some 7perhaps all7 pray for the sick1 and some do various other things1 each as he is directed2 but all work in harmony4 ,the members are all assigned their work and places in the body by the directions of the heavenly ,father4 ,from reading the second chapter of ,acts1 ,john found that soon after ,christ ascended to heaven ,god sent ,his ,holy ,spirit to the earth to superintend the work of the members of ,his ,son's spiritual body1 or saved people1 and that this same ,holy ,spirit is still guiding and helping them4 ,he also read in ,i ,john #b3ae--,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4 ,by reading further in the apostle ,john's epistle1 ,john discovered that there are many false spirits in the world that are trying to deceive ,god's people and that it is often necessary to try the spirits to know which is right4 ,he saw that the test is love4 ,if anyone loves ,god and ,his ,son1 ,jesus1 more than anything else in the world1 and feels as much interest in his neighbor's welfare as in his own1 that one can be sure that he is ,god's own child4 ,and ,paul's letter to the ,ephesians tells of an armor that ,god has prepared for ,his people to wear that will enable them to overcome all false spirits4 ,a ,sunday-school was soon started in the neighborhood and ,john was chosen to be the teacher of the infant class4 ,at first he tried to plead his inability1 but no one would listen to his excuses4 ,he was glad afterward2 for he learned to love the little ones very dearly4 ,while he was meeting with the children ,sunday after ,sunday1 he often thought of many of the hard places through which he had passed when he was a child and remembered that it was because he had not been warned that he had1 one step at a time1 gone down until he was in misery and on the verge of despair4 ,so ,john sought to throw light on each one of these dangerous places and to point out the dangers so clearly that the children could plainly see and understand the wrong for themselves before they were beguiled and then bound by ,satan's chain of evil habits4 ,in this way he helped the children to escape many a snare by which they might otherwise have been caught unawares4 ,as the weeks sped by into months and ,john continued to unfold to the tender questioning minds the hidden mysteries of the ,bible1 the adult class became interested2 and it was not long until they decided that they needed him for their class more than the children did for theirs4 ,while he was teaching the advanced ,bible class1 his own understanding of spiritual things was greatly broadened and strengthened1 and he became one on whom the entire congregation could lean and in whom they could confide4 ,on one occasion when the lesson was in the epistle of ,james1 ,john found by reading the fifth chapter of that book that ,jesus is just as able and ready to heal those who are sick as ,he was to relieve sufferers in days gone by and that any who are afflicted may pray expecting to be healed4 ,he quickly applied the ,scripture to himself1 and began to pray thus3 ,lord1 thou seest how ,i am afflicted because of the sinful habits that ,i formed in my childhood4 ,thou hast now taken from me the desire for these things1 but the suffering in my back and lungs is so intense4 ,lord ,jesus1 heal me6 ,make me well1 and ,i will work for ,thee all the days of my life6 ,god answered that prayer and made him strong and well2 then he could say with the ,psalmist1 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and forget not all his benefits3 who forgiveth all thine iniquities2 who healeth all thy diseases4 ,oh1 the goodness of the ,lord to ,john6 ,he felt that he never could cease praising ,him4 ,the sad and lonely past1 the days of his vain struggles to become the man that his earthly father had desired him to be1 could never be compared to these days of happiness1 the days when his desires to attain to true manhood were being realized4 ,his heart was lonely no longer4 ,he had a ,friend who was dearer than a mother could have been4 ,and he felt that it is a wonderful privilege to be a member in ,christ's body1 the church4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,how ,john ,became a ,man ,as the news of ,john's wonderful conversion and of his work among the people spread throughout the country1 it reached the ears of ,farmer ,z1 in whose home ,john for the first time had attended family worship4 ,the kind-hearted man had never forgotten the boy who had endeavored to make his escape to the barn rather than to come into the sitting-room at the worship hour1 and he felt a desire to have a good heart-to-heart visit with ,john and to know just how he came to find the ,lord4 ,john was1 therefore1 very much surprised one day to hear that this good gentleman1 of whom he had in the past been so fearful1 was desiring to see him4 ,but he was glad2 for he1 too1 had felt a great desire to talk with ,farmer ,z1 the one who was first to open his heart to a ray of heavenly sunshine4 ,i have been hearing wonderful stories about you of late1 my boy1 the farmer said as ,john approached him2 and as he took the young man's hand1 his hearty handshake sent the blood tingling through ,john's veins4 ,come1 the farmer continued1 sit down and tell me what it was that brought about the change4 ,my boy1 ,i understand that you are already getting to be quite a preacher4 ,is it true8 ,well1 ,mr4 ,z1 ,john modestly replied1 ,i hardly know what answer to make1 except that it was the work of my ,savior4 ,i am like the poor beggar who was blind--'one thing ,i know1 that1 whereas ,i was blind1 now ,i see4' ,the same ,jesus that healed the blind man has opened my spiritual eyes1 making me to see and understand what never before seemed possible4 ,then as ,john related some of his ,christian experiences1 the farmer was made to wonder at the loving-kindness and the great mercy of his ,god4 ,john1 he said1 as he looked into the beaming eyes of the young man and noted the boyish face but manly form 7for there was scarcely a trace of the early dissipation left71 ,i see that you have found the genuine article4 ,god has worked a miracle in your life1 and ,i guess he wants you to go and tell the world about it4 ,how is it1 my boy8 ,do you feel like preaching the gospel8 ,and then it was that ,john1 in his simple1 earnest manner1 for which he was so loved and admired1 said3 ,mr4 ,z1 ,i feel as though some power within me is leading me about2 and ,i long to tell everyone ,i meet of the ,jesus1 who so loved the lost world that ,he laid down ,his life upon the cross4 ,it seems ,i can think of little else4 ,that's it6 ,that's it6 ,farmer ,z exclaimed2 ,god has put ,his ,holy ,spirit in your heart and has called you into ,his harvest-field to go forth and help spread the gospel4 ,go1 my boy2 and may ,god speed your footsteps in ways crowned with blessings of success4 ,i rejoice with you in your calling and shall pray for you4 ,when trials come your way--and they will--remember that there is always a light in ,god's window for the faithful1 a light that will guide them safely home at last4 ,remember also that ,he has said1 ',be thou faithful unto death4' ,when the farmer bade ,john adieu1 the sun had disappeared beyond the horizon and the crimson shades were gathering in the western sky4 ,the landscape that stretched before him was beautiful4 ,and while ,john was not unconscious of these beautiful surroundings1 by his inner vision1 which could not be limited by the vast prairie country with its varied possibilities1 he looked upon another scene far beyond--he saw the heavenly city1 the ,new ,jerusalem1 once beheld by the sainted ,john2 and he wondered what could be more grand and majestic4 ,john had at last developed into a noble-hearted ,christian1 whose greatest desire in life was to please his ,god1 and to spend his time wholly in ,god's service2 and one day a few years later he stood on the deck of a large ,atlantic steamer and waved farewell to his friends on the shore4 ,he was bound for a far-distant land2 ,god was sending him as a missionary to carry the gospel to the people of another country4 ,his large brown eyes1 sorrowful no longer1 were dimmed by tears of farewell2 but the tears only made them shine the brighter4 ,they witnessed to the gladness of his heart2 and to the eagerness within his bosom pushing him forward4 ,john had at last become a man after ,god's own heart4