"Worth my study? Of course I do," said he. "I am an infidel, Mr. Laicus; at least people commonly call me so, and think it very dreadful. But I do not mean to be ignorant of the Bible or of Christianity as Jesus Christ gave it to us. It needs winnowing. We have grown wiser and know better about many things since then. But it is well worth the studying and will be for many years to come." "All I ask of you," said I, "is to let me to study it with you." He made no answer; but looked me steadily in the eye as if to try and fathom some occult design. "No," said I, "that is not all. As I came by Joe Poole's I saw half a dozen of the men from your shop lounging about the door. They could spend the afternoon to better purpose, Mr. Gear, in studying the life and words of Jesus." "I know they could," he said. "No man can say that any word or influence of mine helped carry them to Joe Poole's bar." "Will you lend your word and influence with mine to summon them away?" said I. He made no answer. "I saw a dozen others engaged at a game of ball upon the green as I passed by." "A harmless sport, Mr. Laicus, and as well done on Sunday as on any other holiday." "Perhaps," said I. "But an hour and a half from their Sunday in studying the life and words of Jesus would do them no harm, and detract nothing from their holiday. They do not study so hard throughout the week that the brain labor would be injurious." Mr. Gear smiled. "There is not a man in your shop, Mr. Gear, that would not be made a better workman, husband, father, citizen, for studying that life and those teachings one hour a week." "It is true," said he. "You organized a Shakspeare club last winter to keep them from Joe Poole's," said I. "Was it a good thing?" "Worked capitally," said Mr. Gear. "Won't you join me in organizing a Bible club for Sunday afternoons this winter for the same purpose?" "There is so little in common between us," said he; and he looked me through and through with his sharp black eyes. What a lawyer he would have made; what a cross examination he could conduct. "You believe in the literal inspiration of the New Testament Scripture. I believe it is a book half legend half history. You believe in the miracles. I believe they are mythical addition of a later date. You believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. I believe his birth was as natural as his death was cruel and untimely. You believe that--he was divine. I believe he was a man of like passions as we ourselves are,--a Son of God only as every noble spirit is a spark struck off from the heavenly Original. You believe that he bears our sins upon a tree. I believe that every soul must bear its own burdens. What is there in common between us? What good could it do to you or to me to take Sunday afternoon for a weekly tournament, with the young men from the shop for arbitrators?" "None," said I calmly. "What would you have then?" said he.