236 Life and Sport on the Pacific Slope 



and borrow, aye, and steal the bread which should 

 be theirs of right. I remember one man who went 

 to a friend of mine to buy some timber. A poor, 

 country parson, he had no ready money to pay 

 for his timber, but he promised faithfully to pay 

 within ninety days. More than a year elapsed and 

 payment was not made. The parson had mean- 

 time been confronted by many trials and tribula- 

 tions: his small stipend was not regularly paid; 

 his wife and children were sickly ; he was sensible 

 that his influence over a scattered flock was lan- 

 guishing. The merchant called upon him. "I 

 have come to tell you," said he, " that a preacher 

 of the gospel ought not to promise what he cannot 

 perform. It will pay you, sir, to be honest." 



As if any man could walk upright with pebbles 

 in his shoes ! 



In the West the churches are filled with women ; 

 the men are conspicuously absent. Talking with 

 them on the subject, they say frankly that the en- 

 tertainment provided is not to their liking. Divine 

 service, without good music, fine singing, and an 

 up-to-date sermon from an eloquent preacher, has 

 no claims upon their consideration. 



I often wonder what the children who are sent 

 regularly to Sunday School and church think of 

 the father who never accompanies them. They 

 must indulge in some curious speculations, because 

 there can be no quibbling, no double-shuffling con- 

 cerning the issues involved. The children are 

 solemnly warned that he who is not with the God 

 of the Christians is against him ; and they are told 

 again and again that public worship is an act of 



