During that day both Jake and Kate were in a very humble mood.  Peter Newby came over during the day and Jake told him all about Robert’s confession.  Jake also expressed himself as being dissatisfied with his religion.

“Ah, poof!” said Peter, “you are all right.  Weren’t you baptized, and don’t you believe in Christ?  Don’t give up your religion.  Would you go back on your old dad and mammy like that?  I hope I never see the day, Jake, when you will leave our church.  Davis is no good.”

But Jake was so thoroughly awakened to his own sad state that his father’s speech affected him very little.  In fact, it sounded hollow and hypocritical to him.  Jake knew, down in his heart, that Robert had done the manly and Christian thing, and when he saw that his father did not appreciate what Robert had done, it made him feel that his father was not much of a Christian either.  Jake lost confidence in his father right there.

Peter Newby sensed this change of attitude on Jake’s part, and it filled him with anger.  Yet he knew that he dare not show it.  But the fire in his bosom compelled him to speak out.

“Jake, my son,” he said, trying hard to control his feelings, “I fear you are being shaken in the faith, but I hope if you are dissatisfied with our church that you will not disgrace the family by joining that holiness bunch.  They are rotten.  I know them of old.  I would rather see you dead than for you to go with Bob Davis.”

Jake saw that there was little use to discuss the matter; so he desisted and turned the conversation to pigs.  But Peter turned it back to religion.

“If you go along with that Davis,” Peter said, “I will disown you as my son.  I will.  After being a member of our church for ten years, then to own up that you are not a Christian—­why, Jake, that will tear our church to pieces.”

“But father,” said Jake, “suppose that I am not a real Christian, will it do me any good to continue to profess that I am?  Is that not exactly what makes one a hypocrite?  My soul longs for a real experience.  I know I am not ready to die or fit to live either.  I must get right with God.”

Peter Newby saw that it was useless to stay longer, so he rode away, feeling very angry at Jake for the mood he was in, and at himself for displaying such anger.

Robert and Mary Davis went to Newbys’ about nightfall and were given a cordial reception.  After all was ready they all met in the parlor and discussed religion.  A great many texts were read and talked over.  Water baptism was investigated.  Robert proved by the Scriptures that water baptism is not a saving ordinance.

“How could water baptism be a saving ordinance,” said Robert, “when we know that water cannot have any effect, one way or another, upon a soul?  And, if water baptism is essential to the obtaining of salvation, then two other things besides the blood of Jesus are necessary whenever a soul is saved.  One is water, enough to be immersed in, according to your church doctrine, and the other is a man, or a preacher to baptize.  Then, if one were out somewhere away from water and a preacher, he could not be saved.  This will never do.  It places too much in the hands of men.  Peter makes it plain—­read 1 Peter 3:21.