title: The Present Truth: Thoughts of a Musing Christian
author:  Martin Murphy 
description: Martin Murphy has a B.A. in Bible from Columbia International University and Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary. Martin spent nearly thirty years in the class room, the pulpit, the lectern, the study, and the library. He now devotes most of his time consolidating academic and practical gains by writing books. He is the author of five books.
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  ##### www.blackmask.com
  
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  The Lamplighter  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com
  
  
  
  
  
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  # The Lamplighter
  
  
  ### Charles Dickens
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  'If you talk of Murphy and Francis Moore, gentlemen,' said the
  
  
  lamplighter who was in the chair, 'I mean to say that neither of
  
  
  'em ever had any more to do with the stars than Tom Grig had.'
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  'And what had HE to do with 'em?' asked the lamplighter who
  
  
  officiated as vice.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  'Nothing at all,' replied the other; 'just exactly nothing at all.'
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  'Do you mean to say you don't believe in Murphy, then?' demanded
  
  
  the lamplighter who had opened the discussion.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  'I mean to say I believe in Tom Grig,' replied the chairman.
  
  
  'Whether I believe in Murphy, or not, is a matter between me and my
  
  
  conscience; and whether Murphy believes in himself, or not, is a
  
  
  matter between him and his conscience. Gentlemen, I drink your
  
  
  healths.'
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The lamplight