"
He didn't understand all you meant; but, there is One who did.
How was it in the same place only a few nights previously? You went
there alone, and happened to be late. The house was well filled in
the upper portion, but thinly occupied below the centre. Now you are
bound to have the best place, under all circumstances, if it can be
obtained. But all the best seats were well filled; and to crowd more
into them, would be to diminish the comfort of all. No matter. You
saw a little space in one of the desirable seats, and into it you
passed, against the remonstrance of looks, and even half uttered
objections. A lady by your side, not in good health, was so crowded
in consequence, and made so uncomfortable, that she could not listen
with any satisfaction to the eloquent lecture she had come to hear.
We need say no more about your gentlemanly conduct in public places.
Enough has been suggested to give you our full meaning.
Shall we go on? Do you call for other incidents in proof of our
assumption? Shall we follow you into other walks of life?
"No."
Very well. And, now, to press the matter home: Do you, in the sight
of that precept we have quoted, justify such conduct in a man who
takes the name of Christian? It was not gentlemanly, in any right
sense of the word; and not being so, can it be Christian?
"Perhaps not."
Assuredly not. And you may depend upon it, sir, that your
profession, and faith, and church-going, and ordinance-observing,
will not stand you in that day when the book of your life is opened
in the presence of God.
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