Youth Feature
has always preached the truth to us.’ “ ‘Well, this is interesting,’ she continued in a sarcastic tone of voice. ‘You surely do not accept the story of Jonah and the whale, do you?’ “ ‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘It is in the Bible and I believe the Book from cover to cover.’ “ ‘I suppose you would have us believe there is a personal devil, too, then, since you take the Bible so literally,’ she went on. “ ‘I certainly believe it myself,’ I answered, ‘for I have had per sonal dealings with him and I know he is very real.’ “At this she shook her head in an incredulous manner and asked, ‘What do you say, then, about Jesus, who claimed to be the Son of God? You surely don’t believe He was more than a man, do you?’ “ By this time I felt as if the weight of the universe were rest ing on my frail shoulders and that it was up to me to keep it from crashing. So I sent up a swift prayer for help and began, ‘Miss Landon, I know in my heart that Jesus Christ is God as well as man. I have always believed it, but two weeks ago I accepted Him as my personal Saviour and since that time I have known it is true!’ At this point the bell rang for the class to dismiss, and there was no time for any further dis cussion.” Hope’s mother was in tears now as Hope concluded her account. Mr. Davidson, when he could re cover his voice, said, huskily: “Daughter, it gives us great joy to hear you tell this. Who would have thought that so soon after being saved you would have an opportunity to witness so boldly to your teacher and classmates?” “ But, Daddy,” in terrup ted Hope. “ It was awful to stand there all alone. I felt as if I were on trial for some terrible crime. There are 200 girls in my class, Daddy, and not one o f them stood by me. I know, though, that many
BIOLOGY TAKES A
BACK SEAT
by Clara M. Edvenson
H o p e D a v id s o n w a s p a l e as she entered the dining room and took her place at the table, where her father, the Rev. Warren Da vidson, waited as Mrs. Davidson brought in the last steaming dishes. Usually jolly and talka tive, Hope this evening sat quietly even after her father had re turned thanks. Mr. Davidson tried to start things going with, “Well, Hope, how was school today?” Then, without waiting for a reply, he continued with a chuckle, “Do you remember you r first day at school ? When you got home I asked you what you had learned at school, and you said, ‘Nothing Daddy. Why, I didn’t even learn to read!’ ” Hope smiled faintly at this re minder and then laid down her fork and sighed. “ Daddy,” she finally ventured, “ this has been the hardest day I have ever spent in school. I feel as if I never want to return.” Mr. Davidson stared at her in blank amazement. “Why so?” he questioned. “Did something un usual happen?” “ Something certainly did,” an-
swered Hope. “You know Miss Landon, who teaches our biology class, is always telling us that the world and everything in it came into being by means of evo lution. Well, today, when she be gan teaching in the same way, I felt I couldn’t sit there and take it any longer. So I raised my hand and said, ‘Miss Landon, I am sorry to disagree with you, but I cannot accept the theory of evolu tion. My father is a minister and I have been brought up from childhood to believe the Bible ac count of creation. I believe with all my heart that God created the universe and all that is in it by the word of His power.’ “Miss Landon stared at me as if she couldn’t believe her ears, and said, ‘I didn’t suppose anyone living in our enlightened age had such old-fashioned ideas. It sur prises me that a person who has had the advantages of a modern educational system can be so nar row-minded. Surely there are not many who believe as you do.’ “ ‘Oh, yes,’ I answered, “there are a great many people who be lieve as I do. In fact, everyone in our church does because Daddy
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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