“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 ask to pray for me if I were going to die.  They gossip, dress in all the latest fads, go to dances and theaters, rarely attend church, and are just like the worldly people around here who belong to no church.  Is this Christianity?  Why, Jake, when we had our bazaar, you remember, four of the sisters fell out and have not spoken to each other since.  My, I never thought of these things before.  I wonder what church Robert Davis belongs to?”

“He calls it the church of God,” replied Jake.

“The church of God!” exclaimed Kate.  “Why, what church is that?  I never heard of it.  But that name sounds good.  If it is as good as its name it ought to be a good one.”

“I must confess,” said Jake, “that I never have enjoyed my religion.  If it is the right kind it has done me very little good.  But I can’t afford to drop it, for it’s all I have—­at least till I see something better.  Robert and Mary Davis seem to enjoy their religion.  I always noticed that.  I believe I shall investigate the church of God.  What do you say to calling Robert and Mary over tomorrow night and talking all these things over with them?  Robert seems to know a lot about the Bible.”

“Let us do that,” said Kate.

Next morning Kate sent her son John to the Davis home with an invitation to come and spend the evening.  They were surprised to get the invitation, but felt that it was their duty to go.