Through the school: The experiences of a mill boy in securing an education
John Stuart Mill · en
“But, professor,” interrupted one of the students, “God revealed it to
them and--”
“We will not discuss the matter further at this time,” interrupted the
teacher.
“But what shall we do when the examination comes around,” asked the
first speaker, “if you tell us to give the age of the earth, we shall
either have to say that it is millions of years old or that it was made
in six days?”
“Of course,” added the second student, with finality, “we shall have to
stick to the Bible statement, even if you mark us down!”
“Rest easy in your minds, young men,” retorted the severely tried
professor, “I don’t think I shall call on you to undergo such a
martyrdom!”
Even the professor of elocution was not exempt from this little band
of literalists. Some of this band had so firm a confidence in God that
they “could leave with Him” what they were to speak, how they were
to speak it, and the sort of gestures that should accompany their
exhortations, for they were preparing themselves for the church.
“Pa” Borden was the leader in this sort of thought. He had done some
exhorting before becoming a member of the University, and he summed up
the case quite well when he said, in his heavy, sober way,
“What right has any man, I don’t care who he is, to improve on what
God has done, I’d like to know? It will be given us in that day, says
the Bible, what we shall say and how we shall say it. What more do you
want?”
So this little band of the sons of the prophets stood apart from the
kindly and helpful criticisms of the professor of elocution, and
continued their old practise of yanking their stiff arms, standing on
their awkward feet, speaking from tight throats, in stubborn loyalty to
their faith in God’s oratorical interest in them.
The patience, the Christian patience, of the professors carried them
past such trivial, but real annoyances with the same nobleness with
which a true-compassed ship goes straight to its port despite the
little chips that tap against it. For every one of these quibblers over
doctrine, there were several appreciative, awakening minds, leaping at
the truth. The professors centered their real efforts on the majority
of those who could face the truth no matter in how startling a dress
it first presented itself. In such, these deep-hearted, sacrificing
teachers found their real reward: lasting gratitude.
_Chapter X. The Magnitude of a Postage Stamp. Showing how Desperate the
Thirst of Money made me. Brock’s Rosy Nose and its Possibilities as a
Fireplace. How Brock thought he was Fooling me and the Other Way About.
The Barrow that Became our Enemy and how Brock was Revenged on it_