What do I get for it if I give you five dollars?' Why, I said, you
might be a Christian some day. Brother Richman, I'd like mighty well
to have you join my church. We'll all pray for you if you'd like to
have us. And do you believe it, he just stood there and laughed and
laughed; and the other fellow, he laughed too. Yes, he did. Well, I
didn't know what to do you know, but I wanted that five dollars, so
I said: But won't you help us a little, Brother Richman? It will be
very acceptable. 'I tell you, Mr. Wilks,' he said; 'when you can show
me that my money is doing some actual good among the poor people in
this city, or that it's saving the young folks from the degrading
influences here, I'll invest; and until then, I'll keep my money, and
you can keep your prayers.' And do you know, he wouldn't give me a
cent." The Rev. Jeremiah sat down with an air of mingled triumph and
suffering, as much as to say, "See how gladly I bear persecution for
the Lord."
"I understand that Mr. Richman gave to Cameron's institution though,"
the big preacher remarked. "How is it Brother Cameron?"
"Yes," replied Cameron, "he gave a hundred dollars unsolicited, and
promised more if it were needed."
There was silence for a moment; then the president said, "Brother
Cameron, would you mind telling the Association just how your work is
conducted? I for one, would like to know more about it, and perhaps
we could all adopt a similar plan. What would you suggest as a remedy
for the existing conditions in this city?"
"As far as our work goes, we have hardly touched the matter yet,"
replied Cameron.
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