The School Slate

The School Slate

We are most of us familiar with this friend of our youth [holding up an ordinary school slate]. It reminds me that in childhood I used it for various purposes; sometimes for drawing upon. Alas! the people of that time were very obtuse; my talent was not appreciated: so it was necessary for me after drawing an object to write its name underneath, thus, "This is a horse," "This is a house," and so on; a fact not without suggestiveness.

I have met some good people who, refusing to be called Baptists, or Methodists, or Episcopalians, label themselves "Christians." This would seem to cast a reflection upon other denominations to whom the name "Christian" is common. Moreover, it does not inspire confidence in those so styling themselves. If I were to see a man approaching me labelled conspicuously, "This is an honest man," I should at once button up my pockets.