A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE DEVIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1512, 9 June 1873, Page 4

A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE DEVIL.

A contributor to the Melbourne ExAlthough the doctrine of eternal punishment is just now allowed to rest fora while, yet in private many a stout battle is fought over it. One recently took place between a certain annihilation supporter and a staunch favorer of the good old doctrine of roasting in brimstone. After a long arid very 1 warm argument, the' old doctrine man arose in wrath and said, " Good heavens, mon, I'll no crack wi' ye. Why, it'll sune come that yell no let me be , damned my own way. I. prefer the the. |mld Style, for Vrhen a canna hae revenge 1 o r < a^chiel' like you it's muckle comforting, very consoling, to think you'll find a het hatne below." And, talking of religious subjects, here's a. story a young squatter brought on the flags yesterday. Up-country, in a rich certain squatting district, ; is ,an , old reprobate, whose head is hoary," butfwhose heart is unregenerate. Various ministers have tried to convince him of the er^or of his way 3, but he has shown as much antipathy to being brought into the. ecclesiastical fold as one of his own cranky sheep. A Sunday or two back a -worthy clergyman was wrestling with him, but the old man stoutly held out. (1 Presently the minister flung the deviHh''the'faceof his hearer. "Won't do," said old Senex, "I have the best authority for it, that no person of that name took passage to Australia, so I'm safe on that point." " Well," said the clergyman, rising in disgust, and taking up his hat and gloves, and looking at his "subject" very intently, "if the devil hasn't been able to come to Victoria, he has provided a very good substitute." •