ee.

I wonder if it is necessary that I pause here,
just an instant, and interlard a remark
regarding the scene through which I have just
traced "Dodd" Weaver. I do so, in any event.

In what has been said, I would not have it
understood that I rail at, or deride, or
impeach the honesty of the men who tried to help
"Dodd" out of the sad condition into which he
had fallen. Neither would I underrate the
value of religion, in such experiences, nor
impugn its power to save sinking souls from
death. But I cannot help reiterating the fact
that multitudes of young men have drifted on
to the rocks of infidelity as "Dodd" did,
because they have been promised too much by
religious enthusiasts.

There is such an experience as genuine
religion, and it is the most blessed estate that a
soul can aspire to. There is a place for prayer
in the divine economy of God's providence.
But neither religion nor prayer can help a soul
that is sick unto death with the malady of
doubt. "Dodd" was thus circumstanced. It
was the zealous overstatements, the ultra
promises, the unwarranted inducements held
out to him, which, unrealized, threw him into
this condition.

And then doubt is such a breeder of its own
kind! As a single bacterium will, in a few
hours, under favorable conditions, develop
millions like unto itself, and poison a man's
blood to the last drop, even so doubt grows in
the soul, when once its germs are planted
there, and its noxious growth blights all one's
being, bringing death hurriedly, if its course
is not stayed.

"Dodd" Weaver was in a state of mind
highly favorable to the development of unbelief.
The false promises of his well-meaning friends
sowed the seed of distrust within him, and the
crop was not long in ripening.

The fact is, truth is so loyal to itself that it
will not suffer distortion, even for the
apparent purpose of doing God service. It can no
more be swerved than God can!

If that point is clear, I go on with this narrative.

But "Dodd" had seen enough to understand
that if he expected to live long he must stop
short of absolute debauchery, and he rallied
somewhat from the first awful overthrow that
came when the clouds burst over his head. He
drank more moderately, and was seldom
drunk. He returned to his old haunts,
however, and kept on in the main as he had before.
The only difference was that he loitered in a
way now where before he had rushed along at
top speed.

He be