But, Robert Davis did not know all of this.  He regarded Peter Newby as a good citizen, and probably a good Christian.  The next few months, however, put an entirely different face on the matter, especially on the latter point.

Besides Peter Newby and his wife, there were three grown sons of theirs, of whom Jake, and also his wife, figure in this narrative.

Jake Newby was a typical money-grubber, turning everything in the way of financial deals to his own favor.  He owned a piece of property which Robert Davis finally decided he would buy.  After considerable negotiation, a deal was made, Jake reserving the right to move certain small buildings off the property.  Jake began, at once, to move these structures, and more too.  There was a specially built chicken-house that had not been reserved by Jake, but which he proceeded to move just as if it had been.  Robert and Mary Davis were there.

“The chicken-house was not reserved by you, Jake, and you should not move it,” said Robert.

“Well, I intend to move it just the same.  I need it,” said Jake.

“But the contract does not provide for its removal,” replied Robert.

“Shut up,” snarled Jake, “I guess I know what I’m doing, don’t I?  I tell you I’m going to move this house off.”

“You will not move it off,” said Robert, as he started toward Jake.

At this Jake desisted, muttered a few words about getting even, and walked off, while, later on, Robert and Mary went home, rather distressed over the turn of affairs.

CHAPTER THREE

THE SCHOOLHOUSE DEBATES

An apparently insignificant event happened about this time, that set in motion influences of great moment, the effects of which are still to be felt and seen.  Robert Davis’ sister in Michigan was a regular subscriber to a religious journal.  At this time she felt led to send this paper to him.

“Robert, here is a new kind of religious paper,” said Mary, who was reading the first copy.  “It has articles in it entitled, ’Full Salvation,’ ‘Unity and Truth.’  How does that sound?” Turning a page over, she read again: 

“’A definite, heart-searching, non-sectarian religious weekly, published in the interests of the church of God.  For the salvation of sinners, entire sanctification of believers, divine healing of the body, and the unity of all true Christians in the faith once delivered to the saints.’”

“My, that sounds interesting,” said Robert, “’Church of God’—­I wonder what church that is.  ’Entire sanctification’—­what does that mean?  I heard Brother Jones say on last Sunday that sanctified people were the biggest cranks on earth, and he warned the congregation to lock their chicken and smoke houses whenever they came around.  But, just see here, ‘divine healing.’  I wonder if that is Christian Science.  Let me read that paper,” and he reached for it.