The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-06-22
T E NI P E R A N G E .
The FiHc-CNTc.
DY GEORGE d. CIEEYER. ID. D

literal accuracy i'll the detail ira
yelling in Africa, across vast region
of land, covered with tall dry grass,
like tho prairie in n scorching summer.
His family were with him, in wagon
drawn by oxen, and us it was towards
evening, they were about encamping
for the night, looking for a spot more
sheltered and favorable for rcposc.
Suddenly, at great discancc, cloud
OF smoke was seen rising, and soon
found that it was rapidly advan cling
towards them, and in the du>k k, the
red glow Of fire and Pickering flame
became pcrceptible. But it VAS ira
yelling faster than the swilicst horse
could gallop, and they speedily SAW Of
truth that the whole region of grass
behind them was on fire, and as the
wind blew that way, the sheet Of flame
must, i'll q few moments roll over them,
and would certainly, il not avcrlcd
destroy their lives. The moment the
Missionary became aware of the dan
ger, which was imminent, he seized
his matchbox, and sprngiug to the
gronnd, gathered handful of Stubblc
few yards from the wagon, behind it.
and proceeded to set il ON lire. In this
way they might clear space of the
grass, by burning it over OF their own
accord, beginning from themselves
onward, leaving tho wagon and oxen
i'll tho centre Of it; enough 10 afford
them some protection from the wave
of fire that must otherwise have swep,
across them like tempest. 1t was
their only refuge, the only cxpcdeui
that presented u possible hope OF &C.
liverance.
But to this amazcmcnt and dismav.
the Missionary found. ON opening his
box of matches, that they were
p alI gone riat one! They had been
hcedlcssly cGTlsumvi apon the j,;frn.y,
and this WAS the last in the box, SO
that the lives Of the whclc rarity
hung upon that one match. Ii il failed,
and would not killd!c, they were lost; or
if, being lighted, the fire Went out
without spreading, they We're lost, for
they had no means Of rcncwi,s The
effort. That first and only trial nu>t
be successful, OF they must perish.
Putting up al earnest prayer TO
God for mercy, the Missionary drew
the match across the empty box:
u kindled, and hope revived. lie
applied it to the dry stubblc, and
that kindlcd almost Ii.c tram O..
gunpowder, and in three minutes from
that time space was burnt over, on
which the oxen could stand with
safety, while The family could find ;.l-
ditional shelter within the wa ron. And
it was high time; there had been
but room, even to Il minute, for
the operation: little longer. and it
would have been too late. For
the flame rose carccring into the
heavens, and it was only bv fire
meeting fire ut distance from ,kcnl
selves, with Il large space around them
already barred OF its com nb,slibIc,
materials, that they were preserved
from being entirely shcctcd in the
conIlagration. AS it was, the heat
was intense, and they were nearly
sutiocatcd. The air seemed, for /.
few moments, such a glowing fiery
furnace that they could scarcely
breathe; but the ocean of fire rolled
on without touching them, and they
wcre>savrd. The grateful children OF
God tell on their knees, and returned
thanks for so surprising dclivcrancc
from SO terrible death.
Now there are more things than
one illustrated by this thrilling in
cident; but the point we wish to dwell
upon is this, that in the conflict with
SIN and temptation, fire must meet
fire. The fire of Divine must meet the
fire Of sin and Satan. What Dr.
Chalmers calls the cxpulsivc powor OF
new affection, must come in tc
drive out the enemies ot God from
tho heart and the habits, and to take
such possession OF the man for Christ
and virtue, that temptation and the
tire of sin shall have no material
to work upon, no longer possible
lodgmcnt i'll the soul Even our
natural passions have been known
to burn out and conquer one another;
how much more, if a man cry earn
cstly to God, shall the fire of his
grace purify and cleanse tae soul, SO
that, though Satan should sweep over
It IN flaming storm Of temptation.
like q tempest Of fire in The dry
Prairlcs, he should find nothing to
lay nod upon, no lodging place, nor
possible conquest.
Now, this is what we call the Ere
cure. Ministcred by the grace Of God,
'tispeltect and everlasting. In regard
10 the vice Of intempcrancc it is tue
only iniallablc cure, always effective.
always successful. Even the pledge
OF abstinence may clear such space
IN tho soul that tho most sweeping fire
OF temptation shall keep ut respect
tut distance. Let aan,an cry nightly
to God, aud apply this match! though