Religion goes at a discount until man's extremity comes to him. How condescendingly, affably, patronizingly, some men of the world can look upon Christianity, putting up with it so good-naturedly, even nodding a kind of approval, as one would to children who are having a good time playing in the sand! It is all understood with them that the whole thing is an amiable sort of bosh, and they really think that by good-humoredly giving in and perhaps helping the hobby along a little they have done a sufficiency and are due some commendation. Then comes a catastrophe, a danger of some kind, or a terrible fear rises up--and O, how different religion looks in one little moment! He who once allowed it to be a good thing for old folks and women and children is now on his knees, great strong man as he is, and his soul crying for mercy and help. Probably the miners of the [236] Cherry mine had smiled many a time upon that cheerful crank who had made such stock of religion; but when the disaster came, those who were fortunate enough to be entombed with him clung to him as a rock, and hung all their hope on him. Twice a day he held religious services with them, and kept up their spirits, and courage, and hope, by making them to rest on God all the weary, fearful time through until the voices of the rescuers were heard in the dismal gloom and they were saved. I see the man whose soul has not been so tried sneering, and hear him grumbling something about ignoble fear and cowardice. Well, it is not exactly the noblest thing in the world a man can do to look down on religion when all goes smoothly and cringe before God when evil comes upon him; but it is the best he can do then, and thank God for even that chance--not every man gets it. But if you want a nobler thing, serve God in your good days, in your youth, in your vigor, with earnest faith, and then, come what will, you shall have an everlasting refuge and confidence.

[TAG 236-237]