Tearing the roof down over our heads would not give one an idea of a comfortable home; and surely charity’s mantle should at least cover the sins of ignorance, and that certainly was the hardest verdict we could render against those of our number who had become interested in these ideas, for that they were good and true people appeared from their doctrines.  The only difference was this:  That the love of God was so great for his children that not one of them would be lost or cast into the terrible fires, which, according to our old belief, burned for the guilty through endless time.  And now as I reflect I can surely see it was more through fear of being thus cast off, and not because I could put my hand on anything so terribly wicked in myself or my acts, that I early desired and had communication with the church.  Somehow I felt more secure to know I was approved of by men, and my name enrolled on the church list.  As I grew older this was a troublesome thought that now and then, asked for a hearing.  As we came out of church, Deacon Grover with his small black eyes peering into aunt Hildy’s face, said to her: 

“Smart sermon; good talk, Miss Patten, how did you enjoy it?”

“Well as I could,” and I nearly laughed in his face, although I knew he did not realize what she meant.  She never liked fiery sermons, as she called them, and believed that the only way to heap coals of fire on the head of the unrighteous, was by living so rightly as to make them ashamed of their ways and do better.  Mr. Benton and Louis walked with Ben and aunt Hildy, and our ride home was a nearly silent one.  I knew my father had not been any more edified than myself, but it was not his way to talk of it, and not until the next evening was the subject mentioned.  The fire of reproof was begun by your humble servant, and I said many things which were unnecessary, and expressed my determination to investigate the new doctrine.  If father had been with us I should have spoken less freely, and as it was I shocked my mother and almost myself, so severely did I denounce the minister.  Louis sat in silence, also his mother, but aunt Hildy spoke as follows, after waiting a few moments to see if any one else had pent up wrath to give vent to: 

“Well, as the youngest has spoke, I suppose I may express my feelin’s, and I must say I never heerd a worse sermon.  I have been a steddy meetin-goer for forty years, and have tried to hold a peaceful spirit that would be jest such as the Master would recommend if he was among us; but I believe we all allow we are sinners more or less, and after all do daily the things we should not do.  Still if anybody wanted my help, I should hate to have ’em chase me with a broomstick, for I couldn’t do a thing for ’em if they did; and if we think anybody is going into a ditch of a wrong idee, we’d better not scare ’em to death hollerin at ’em, it would be apt to send ’em in head first, while if we could kinder creep along behind, and speak a few words kindly, they would turn round, and we could tell ’em of their danger.”  Her similes were original, and we involuntarily smiled an approval of her sentiment, when Mr. Benton said: