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AN UNEXPECTED PRIZE

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 9, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 48.

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"AN UNEXPECTED PRIZE."

By Mrs. F. A. Reynolds

CHAPTER III.—A NEW IDEA.

THE sad death of Frank Ellis cast a gloom over the entire circle of his acquaintances. The fact of his disobedience in being at the pond, made an impression on all his mates who had known his willful disposition, and for a time, at least, more regard was paid to parents and their wishes. Very naturally the conversation in the Manton home turned on the ten commandments.
"There is one commandment we can't see broken here very well," said Paul one day.
"Which one?" asked Hope.
"The second," replied Paul. "If we were in India or Africa now, we might, but no one makes graven images here to worship. I guess Mr. Gordon forgot there are no heathen here when he told us we could see every command broken."
"Don't be too sure, Paul," said Mrs. Manton. "You may see images worshiped right here in our own city, if you happen to go to the right places."
"Tell me to-night, won't you? I must hurry to school now, it is nearly one o'clock."
Paul hurried back from the gate to ask permission to go home after school with Arthur Glenn, to see the beautiful shells his California uncle had sent him.
"You may go and stay an hour," said his mother, "then hurry home to do your work and lessons."
Paul promised and ran off. Mrs. Manton smiled as she said to her husband, who was still at the table, "There may be a chance for Paul to see there that the second commandment is broken in some American homes."
It was about half past five when Paul came home. Arthur was with him, and helped him do his work, then they studied together until at seven Mrs. Manton called them to dinner.
Arthur went home about nine o'clock, declaring it was "lots more fun to work and study with another fellow than to be alone."
Then he got what he wanted, a cordial invitation from Mrs. Manton to come and study with Paul as often as he wished, for Arthur was a quiet, gentlemanly boy.
They were all out on the porch when Arthur left, and as his footsteps died away, Paul turned to his mother, saying, "Mamma, do you remember what we talked about at lunch to-day?"
"Not just now; what was it, Paul?"
"About graven images, and worshiping them, you know."
"Oh, yes! Well?"
"Well, I've seen them to-day."
"Where?" cried Hope.
"At Mrs. Glenn's."
"Nonsense! they are not heathen."
"I suppose not, but they do have images and pray to them."
"Tell me all about it," demanded Hope, moving her chair closer to her brother.
"Why, you see I went home with Arthur to see his new shells, and after sitting awhile in the parlor, talking with Mrs. Glenn and Ivy, Arthur took me to his own room. It is ever so nice. There is an alcove for the bed and wash stand, and the rest is like a lovely sitting room and library. He has a large case of books, and a new case for his shells and minerals. After we had looked at them we sat down, and in looking about and admiring his room, I noticed in one corner a little table with a beautiful cover; it had a cross on it. On the table was a prayer book, a small ivory and gilt cross, and a pretty little statuette, I thought. I spoke of it and Arthur said, 'Yes, it is Our Blessed Lady.' I didn't know what he meant, and I guess I stared, for he turned red a little and said, 'The Virgin Mary, you know.'"
"Oh, yes!" I said, and then I remembered they were Catholics. But I said, "It is a pretty statuette; I should think you would have it on the mantel."
"Oh!" he said, "that is where I use it. That is my little oratory mamma fixed up for me on my last birthday, where I pray, you know. Don't you have your prayers?"
"Yes," I said, "mamma taught us to pray, but we do not have any little statues." Then I said, "What do you have it for, Arthur? Do you pray to it?"
"Why, yes," he said, "we always pray to Our Blessed Lady."
"I didn't know what to say, mamma, so I just said, 'We pray to God and do not have any—statues.' Then I looked at something else quick, and before long we came over home."
"Well, I never!" gasped Hope in astonishment, as Paul turned inquiringly to his mother.
"I do not know," said Mrs. Manton, "as you could have said anything better. It is the truth, and the simple truth is often best without any comment."
"And they really do pray to images?" cried Hope. "I thought probably Paul was mistaken."
"No," said Mrs. Manton, "they pray before the crucifix and the image of the Virgin Mary. The more intelligent Catholics say they do not worship the images, but have them to aid in devotion. It is a plain violation of the second commandment, though, and so they refer it to heathen worship."
"But isn't it idolatry, mamma?" asked Paul.
"They do violate the second commandment, and their feeling for and prayers to the Virgin Mary border on idolatry. They claim she intercedes with God for them. They pray to saints to intercede for them too. You know Christ is our only Mediator, or Intercessor."
"Well," said Hope thoughtfully, "there is the first commandment—surely that refers to heathen,—'Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Now some people here are not Christians, to be sure, and do not worship God, but they don't worship any other god either."
"And yet many people in America, even professed Christians, put other gods before Jehovah," said Mrs. Manton.
"Truly, mamma?" asked Hope.
"Truly, child; but they often do not know it. Well, I won't tell you now what these gods are. You will perhaps discover for yourselves before Mr. Gordon returns."
(To be continued.)