| The Glory of the Common Life |
Chapter 14 |
Page 6 |
Truth is mighty. It may not manifest itself in a strenuous life. It may be quiet, making no noise, and yet it has all the power of God in it. A noble girl was engaged to a young man who was in business with his father – the brewing business, although they did not say much about this – with fine prospects of wealth and prosperity. When the girl learned the fact, she talked it over with the young man, and then told him very frankly that she could not marry him unless he abandoned the business in which he was engaged. She said that she was a Christian, and believing that the business was wrong, she could not be the wife of a man who was engaged in it. She could not live in a home which the business maintained. She could have no blessing in it.
The young man was astounded. He saw nothing wrong in the business. His father was honourable. Yet he loved the girl, listened to what she said, and considered seriously the possibility of doing what she asked. After much thought he became satisfied that she was right, and decided to give up his place in the business – for his father was immovable. He went to the bottom of the ladder and began life anew. His friends talked of the unreasonableness of the girl in demanding such sacrifice, and of the young man’s folly in accepting her guidance. They called it bigotry and intolerance.
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