Kate. "That was the most open, honest
confession I ever heard. I do not know of any one who would do such
as he has done. There must be something to his religion. You know the
fight you had with Tom Sawyer, and he is a deacon in First Church,
Bethany. What came of it? Never a word of confession did he ever make.
What kind of a man is Mr. Davis, anyway?"

"Something strange about Bob Davis," said Jake. "Said I could have
that old chickenhouse if I wanted. I'd be a fool to take it now."

"Jake, I believe Robert Davis is a real Christian," said Kate, as a
sort of confession on her part. "Why, I do not know of a member of
our church that would do the manly thing that he has done, coming up
without any self-justification and asking forgiveness for his wrong.
I'm more convinced than I ever was before that Robert's doctrine is
right, after all. Your dad would not own up like that even if he knew
he was in the wrong. I wish I had more of Robert's religion."

"That is true. Kate," said Jake. "Dad's either too hardheaded or has
not enough religion to own up to a fault."

"I begin to feel like I am not a Christian at all, Jake," said Kate.
"I could not do as Robert Davis has done. No, I couldn't. I'm not much
of a Christian. I believe we might as well quit our profession, Jake,
if we can't live better than we are." And more big, honest tears
rolled down Kate's cheeks.

"Well, I have been baptized," said Jake, and Pastor Sammons said water
baptism was essential to salvation. I believed in Jesus Christ and was
baptized. What else can I do? I live as good as any other member of
our church. I have been in good standing for ten years. I do not know
what else to do. The preacher thinks I am all right."

"Yes, I know," replied Kate, "the preacher thinks I am all right, too,
but I know I am not. I just feel that I am not a real Christian."

"Well, I must confess," said Jake, "that Robert's confession puts
religion in a new light to me. With Robert religion is the main thing.
He has family prayers night and morning; he is honest and scrupulous,
and now when he sees he has done me a wrong he has come right over
and made it right. I am not much of a Christian either, if that is
Christianity."

"Jake, what good is water baptism if our lives are not changed?" asked
Kate. "I have just been thinking of the members of our church, and
I am not trying to ignore their good qualities, but I do not know of
more than two or three that I would