Article May 17, 1900 Issue

Cleansing One's Way

Youth's Companion

In a Boston boarding house roomed sixteen clerks, honest and well disposed, and belonging to good families. All of them were of the age when the boy, just merging into manhood, generally makes decisions as to his conduct that result in final good or evil. Three of the young men, who occupied one of the rooms together, were recent acquaintances, and their first Sunday in the house brought a trial of moral courage which is interesting to relate.

The hours between breakfast and church time must be whiled away somehow, and two of the roommates busied themselves with miscellaneous reading. The third felt a desire to take out his Bible and read it, as he had been taught to do at home. Fearing ridicule, he hesitated a good while, but conscience presently impelled him to go to his trunk and lift the lid. Cowardice suggested that it would look "sanctimonious" to be seen reading the Bible. He shut the lid down and walked away.

After nearly half an hour of struggle, conscience triumphed again. He rose and went to the trunk a second time. His hand was on the Bible. Again his courage failed him. As he was turning away one of his companions called out: "What's the matter, Ike? You're as uneasy as a weathercock." Ike laughed, and told the truth like a man. To his surprise both the others confessed that they had had the same struggle and defeat. Each thought that he ought to read his Bible, but was afraid to be seen by the rest. The next minute all three had their Bibles in their hands, and read them together during the next half hour. They agreed to do this every Sunday. The ice was broken.

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