Part 6 (1/2)
”Yes, by G.o.d's help, I forgive them. I do,” said Robert.
”Should you not also make confession to Jake Newby for fighting him?”
asked Mary. ”And then give him that chickenhouse if he still demands it. 'Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head'
(Romans 12:20). And to break the power of the grudge, why not obey Matt. 5:23, 24: 'Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.'”
”Well, Jake is not a brother, Mary,” said Robert, ”but the Scriptures point out the best way to recover. I feel so ashamed, Mary, after standing up for a holy life and then failing this way. But I feel that following the Word of truth will be the quickest way to recovery. It is my ambition to be an example of G.o.d's keeping power. I wish to so live that holiness may be established as truth in this community. I want my life to tell for Jesus.”
Robert decided that the sooner he went the better it would be; so he drove to Jake's house at once. Jake was greatly surprised to see Robert drive up and greeted him very surlily.
”Jake, I have come over to ask your forgiveness for striking and fighting you this afternoon. I did wrong. Pardon me. I am sorry I gave way, Jake. And say, Jake, if you want that chickenhouse, just come and get it. It is too small for the number of chickens Mary intends to raise, anyway. You can have it, Jake, freely, gladly. What's a chickenhouse between friends?
”The Lord made me feel very guilty over this affair, Jake,” continued Robert. ”At first I thought I would give up entirely, but Jake, I cannot do that. The Lord has done too much for me and my wife, and--well, others are counting on me. I want to make everything right; so you will feel perfectly free to visit me any time you wish. Praise G.o.d! I feel better, Jake. Will you forgive me?” And Robert stretched out his hand toward Jake. Jake took it, and there, in that happy twilight hour, a grudge and a sin were laid in a grave of oblivion, never to be resurrected.
CHAPTER NINE
THE GOOD RESULTS OF AN HONEST CONFESSION
The confession of Robert Davis to Jake Newby set Jake's household all agog. They had never heard of such a thing before. When Jake had arrived home from his encounter he had told Kate, his wife, all about it, coloring it in his own favor.
”I went over to see Robert Davis and kindly asked him to let me have the chickenhouse and to reprove him gently for the way he had treated dad, and, what do you think? he jumped on me as mad as he could be.
I'll get even with Bob Davis, I will. The mean rascal,” said Jake.
”Well, of all things, is that the way holiness men do? A pretty mess for Davis to get into,” said Kate.
”I'll fix him. Wait till a good chance comes, and I will make him sorry enough,” said Jake. ”Little good he can do in this neighborhood, living like that.”
”But Jake, you are a member of the church, and you must be careful how you live,” said Kate.
”Oh, yes, I suppose so,” said Jake laconically.
But Jake's religion did not concern him very much. Everybody knew that. His name was on the church book, and Jake paid a little money in now and then, but as for prayer or testimony, he had none, and as for vital, personal G.o.dliness and personal salvation, to these he was a perfect stranger. In fact, the denomination to which Jake belonged did not believe in nor teach salvation from sin. Many others in it were just like him.
While the Newby family were discussing the fight, it was to their great surprise to see Robert Davis come through the open gate.
”Well, if there doesn't come Bob Davis now,” Kate exclaimed. ”What do you suppose he is after? Do you suppose he is going to renew the fight, Jake? Mercy me. Help!”
But Robert knocked quietly, and Jake opened the door, and before anyone else could speak Robert made his confession, while the Newby children and Kate looked on in amazement. After Jake and Robert shook hands, and the trouble was ended, a strange atmosphere pervaded the Newby home. They had never felt just like that before. There was a peace, an awe, a holy feeling such as people have sometimes at the height of a revival meeting. If Jesus had suddenly appeared in person there would not have been much more of a holy atmosphere than existed right there at that moment. They could hardly understand it. No doubt the angels of heaven were there, and the Holy Spirit was present to exert his benign influence toward the salvation of that family. Kate began to cry great big tears of joy. Jake sat down.
”Jake, Bob Davis is a man,” said 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.”