i6 



MODERN BLACKSMITHING 



RELIGION 



RUE religion is also an up- 

 lifting factor, and must, if 

 accepted, elevate the man. 

 I cannot too strong- 

 ly emphasize this 

 truth. Every smith 

 should connect 

 himself with some 

 branch of the 

 church and be punc- 

 tual in attendance to the same. There is a great deal 

 of difference between families that enjoy the Christian- 

 izing, civilizing and uplifting influence of the church 

 and those outside of these influences. The smith out- 

 side of the church, or he who is not a member thereof 

 will, in many cases, be found on Sundays in his shop 

 or loafing about in his everyday clothes, his wife and 

 children very much like him. The church member — 

 his wife and children, are different. Sunday is a great 

 day to them. The smith puts on his best clothes, wife 

 and children the same. Everything in and about the 

 house has a holiday appearance and the effect on them 

 of good music and singing, eloquent preaching, and 

 the meeting of friends is manifested in their language, 



