But there was one sad difference between them—Johnston was skeptically inclined. While the two men maintained the highest regard for each other, and frequently were associated together in their work, the subject of religion was one point on which, to the regret, possibly, of both parties, they were not in accord. Johnston’s skepticism however, was not of the positive sort. He represented the honest doubter rather than the avowed disbeliever. His wife was a devout Presbyterian, and while he could not subscribe to the tenets of the church, he never disparaged the church or its work. Every worthy cause found in him a sympathizer and liberal supporter. His honor and integrity were never questioned, and he enjoyed the full confidence and esteem of his fellows. It is a matter of satisfaction that such a life was not permitted to go out in the dark. And Newgent had the joy of finally leading him, just as his sun was sinking below the horizon, to a simple faith in Christ and a blessed assurance of his acceptance with God. During his last illness, which covered a period of six months, the colonel was visited frequently by local ministers, but owing to his reputed skepticism and his high professional standing, the subject of religion was not pressed upon him. There is a tendency to fear big men in matters of religion not easily explained and not easily overcome, and it is quite probable that many a great life has ended without the consolations of religion that, were it not for this tendency, might have been led into the light as readily as a little child. Oh, how Christians fear the logic of the world, and yet, the sword of the Spirit is a greater weapon than all the world’s artillery! Newgent visited him almost daily during this time, and on one occasion determined to broach the subject of religion. “Colonel,” he said, in his usual tactful manner, “while you are shut in here, would it not be a fine opportunity for you to read the Bible through?” “Well,” he answered, “Laura and I tried it; we took it up by books, but we got stalled.” It was, of course, the colonel himself who “got stalled.” Laura, his wife, was a Christian, as has been noted, and her faith was not shaken by Scriptural difficulties. “What was your trouble?” Newgent questioned, with a view to encouraging conversation along that channel. “Well,” he said, “we got to the book of Job. I could not reconcile the book of Job with the idea that God is our Heavenly Father, full of love and mercy. If Job was God’s child and a good man, as the Bible says he was, how could a loving father allow a loving, obedient child to be so abused and tempted by the devil? I can’t see through it.”