Scriptures air made to suit sartain diseases, lak
doctah's physic; an' ef took when the systum hain't jes' in the right
fix fur it, they might kill, instid o' cure."

Here Mrs. Rogers, who until now had been dutifully silent, intent on
her sewing, remarked, "Well, Hirum, Preacher Stone hain't o' yo' way o'
thinkin'; he's allus urgin' Bible readin'."

"Ah! Sister Rogers, Stone has much to learn and to unlearn. He's too
broad in his views. In fact, I sometimes question whether he believes
in Calvinism at all."

"Well, whut ef he don't, so long ez he lives right an' preaches right?"
asked Mrs. Rogers. "When I heah him preach, I feel lak I want to be
bettah. An' hain't thet whut preachin's fur, to mek folks want to live
bettah lives? Whut diffruns whuthah he b'lieves in Ca'vinism, or not?
It's jes' a big, onmeanin' word, anyway."

"That won't do, Sister Rogers. Calvinism is the stronghold of the
Christian religion. Furthermore, it's a logically constructed system of
belief, and if you are loose on one point, you're loose on all. Every
departure from Calvinism is a step towards atheism. The downward grades
are from Calvinism to Arminianism; from Arminianism to Pelagianism;
from Pelagianism to deism; from deism to atheism."

"Pshaw!" exclaimed Mrs. Rogers, undaunted. "It teks a scholard to
undahstand all them jawbreakahs. Common folks lak me nevah'd git the
meanin' intah ther head pieces. An' I say thet the sort o' preachin' to
do good is them plain, simple truths whut Bro. Stone gives us."

"Yes, Hiram, Cynthy Ann's right," said Rogers. "The gospel ez Stone
preaches it seems plain ez the nose on yer face, but when the 'five
p'ints' is discussed, I git all uv a muddle."

"But, Mason," asked Gilcrest, "you surely believe in the Confession of
Faith of your church, do you not?"

"Why, I s'pose I do b'lieve it--leastways, I subscribed to it when I
jined the chu'ch; but I'll be fetched ef I understand it."

"We've hed 'nough talk on religion fer one spaill, I think," now put in
Mrs. Rogers. "Let's hev some apples an' cidah. Susan, see whut them
childurn air about. They're mekin' 'nough fuss to tek the roof off." As
she spoke, there came from the kitchen the sound of loud peals of
laughter, much scampering, and the cry, "Pore Puss wants a corner!"
indicating that the children were having an exciting game.

Presently Gilcrest, as he took another apple, said, glancing at the
"Gazette" on the stand: "So Aaron Burr came with