Mr. Durant of Salt Lake City, "That Mormon". Ben. E. Rich
on this point by touching Him; for, says He, 'a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.' (Luke xxiv: 39.) Then He called for something to eat and He did eat (verses 42, 43), and with this body of flesh and bone He ascended into heaven and stood, as Stephen says, on the right hand of God. (Acts vii: 55.) Now, if He has no body, what became of the one He took away with Him?"
"This is nonsense! You know that God is a spirit, and I think we would better not delve too deeply into matters which we are not permitted to comprehend."
"Pray, listen a while longer, for I have yet more to say in regard to what you call nonsense, although if it be such, I must insist that it is Bible nonsense. You say God is a spirit; does that prove He has no body? We are also told we must worship Him in spirit. Am I to understand from this that we must worship Him without a body? Have you a spirit? Yes. Have you also a body? Yes. Were you made in the image of God, body and spirit? So says the good old Bible. Man was created in the image of God. (Gen. i: 26, 27.) Then God has a body, and, consequently, must have parts. Moses talked with Him face to face, as one man talks with another (Ex. xxxiii: 11), arid he also saw His back parts. He promised (Num. xii: 8) to speak with Moses mouth to mouth. We are told in the fifth chapter of Deuteronomy that He has a hand and arm. The Psalm (cxxxix: 16) tells us He has eyes, and Isaiah (xxx: 27) says he has lips and a tongue. John describes His head, hair and eyes. (Rev. i: 14.) And, as for passions, we are told in the Bible that He has love, wrath, and is a jealous God. Are these not parts and passions? My dear sir, it would appear that all who believe in the scriptures must conclude that they are parts and passions, and that the Creator is a God after whose likeness we are made."
"Well, I had no idea when I commenced this conversation with Mr. Brown that I was to find such an antagonist in yourself. One would naturally come to the conclusion that you had made the Bible a study."
"Thank you, you do me honor. I confess I have as a Christian studied the record; in fact, at a very early age my parents required me to commit and remember a very important verse in that good old book. It is found in the fifth chapter of the gospel according to St. John, being the 39th verse, and reads as follows: Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
"That is certainly proper, but I must again warn you against plunging into mysteries which we cannot understand."
"But Peter tells us that 'no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation' (II. Peter i: 20), and these are the things which we should seek for information upon; for lack of explanation by the ministers upon these points is, to a great extent, the cause of many persons being in Mr. Brown's frame of mind today."
"You are scarcely complimentary, and if your assertion be correct, perhaps it would be better for me to withdraw and leave Mr. Brown in your hands."
"I beg your pardon, my dear sir," said Durant, "I meant not to offend, I assure you, and intended only to be in earnest; I will endeavor to be more careful during the rest of the conversation."
The lawyer, who was decidedly impressed at this juncture, dispelled what might have been a painful silence by saying:
"Well, I declare, things have taken a very peculiar turn, I seem to be out of the fight altogether. But I want to say this, I have heard more that appears to be reasonable from you, Mr. Durant, regarding these matters than ever before in my life, and I must also admit that if my early teaching on religious matters had been as reasonable, I almost believe I might have been a Christian."
As it was getting late Mr. Marshall here "put in a word," saying:
"It is now getting quite late and perhaps all would like to retire; if so, I will conduct you to your rooms."
"No," said Mr. Brown; "we must not go to bed yet a while. I never was religiously interested before in my life, and I wish to listen to further discussion between these two."
The new-comer was more than willing; but being somewhat fatigued himself, and realizing that possibly there might be a sense of weariness in some of the others, he deemed it best not to continue for the time being, although asked to do so. He then made a suggestion, which was unanimously agreed to: that the subject be taken up on the following evening in the same place; and so, with mutual expressions of regard and a kind "good night" all around, the party dispersed for the night.
CHAPTER IV.
GAINING AND LOSING FAVOR.
The western man had not intended to make a stay at the little home hostelry where he was quartered, and where he had became so thoroughly ingratiated all at once. His mission required a frequent "change of base" and constant action; but he realized that nothing was occurring which was so greatly at variance with his general purpose as to materially change it, and that, a nucleus for possible future engagements having been established, he might as well remain where he was until called elsewhere. Already he was on the best of terms with all, even with the "colored citizen," and he was disposed to make himself entirely at home, as all hands were willing to have him do.
The time for the adjourned meeting on the veranda came and not only was a quorum present, but all of the party were there, besides two or three neighbors who had learned something of what was taking place. After a few formalities had been engaged in, the discussion was opened by Durant suggesting to Fitzallen that it was a little singular that two men believing in, and upholding, the same good book should find anything to dispute about; such things did happen, however, and perhaps it was as well, since by free discussion error was eradicated and truth made plain.
The preacher then asked a question which must seem to the reader to have been too long delayed—"May I ask of what church you are a member?"
"Certainly," said the westerner; "but before answering, will you tell me what church edifice that is to the east of us?"
"That is the Wesleyan church."
"And the one a short distance below here?"
"That is the Episcopalian."
"What other churches are there in this place?"
"Oh, there are the Baptist, the Catholic chapel, and the quarters of the Salvation Army, so called."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, I believe so, and I think enough, unless we have omitted naming yours."
"You certainly have, for the church of which I am a member you have failed to mention at all."
"Indeed? And what is it?"
"The Church of Jesus Christ, sir. Don't you think it would be well if He also had a church in your midst?"
"Why, my friend, they all belong to Him."
"Is it possible? I certainly have no recollection of hearing you even mention His name in connection with any of them."
"You may not have heard His name, but they are all, yes, even the parading and noise-making Salvation Army, engaged in His service."
"Then why not bear His name?"
"It is a case in which the name need not be connected with the object, and still the service rendered and the objects aimed at are all for Him, as certainly all who engage in the calling of Christianity believe, and as those who practice in the ministry instruct."
"Let us see how this is. Your church members believe in the Lord Jesus, accept the word of God as an exposition of His principles, as well as a command to them, and the ministers instruct them accordingly. Is that so?"
"It is."
"Then I am to understand that all these churches and communicants uphold and practice baptism by immersion as set forth in, and enjoined by, the scriptures."
"No; that is to say, some do, and some do not."
"What is the probable proportion?"
"Oh,