Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-12-01

'And will fail again, if you trust in you
own strength. But, with God givel
strength, used as your own. the ascent
sure"
s'Ah, / seer' Light broke all over hi
face. Il seel see,' he repeated, "Go'
does not lift us out OF our sin and misery
but gives MS divine strength, if we asl
him in all sincerity, which we lift oursel
ves."
"Yes."
1T is very simple aud clear" He drew
long breath of relief. like one who has {
load taken from his mind.
s'Tbe law of our dependence on God TO
help" | said.
Eyes. And now see the meaning o
this sentiment, in an old hvmn Otter
heard sung when was BOY, and which
always struck me as paradox
when am weak, then am strong"
The Christian poet" answered, "lift
ed into something Of inspiration, often see
truth In clearer light than we who are edowl
among be mists aud shadows"
"Ah mel" he sighed; ''your closin,
words remind me OF the depth at whic h
lie and the almo ost infinite distances abov,
me to which must rise ere out of danger.
'.And to which you may surely rise
you will" / answered with cheerful as
surance.
"By God-given strength onlyT he spok'
solemnly.
"Aye; never, never for an instant los
sight of thati Never. 10 matter how strong
you may feel that you have grown. trust il
yourself. In the hour of temptation, lool
upwards, praying in the silence of you
haa Art fnrc 10 az
BEST of friendsi" he exclaimed, in deer
emotion; "You must have been sent to me-
by God, Hope dawns on a night that has
been starless. see the way OF safety fol
me the only way. Moo knows but nay
self how hard have tried TO reform, mol
in how many ways have sought to escape
from a terrible thraldom. But all has
been in vain. When this remorseless ap
petite that has enslaved me, asserted itself,
my will became as nothing"
Long time we talked. / saying all that
could to strengthen him.
On the next Sunday, much to my sur
prise and pleasure, I saw him at church
with his wife. Icould not remember when
/ had seen hin there before. At the close
of the services, as moved down the aisle
with the crowd, some one grasped my hand
and gave it q strong pressure. I turned
and looked into the face of the friend
had tried to save.
''Oh, Martini Isaid, as I received 9
glance full of meaning, and then returned
his hand pressure.
We walked for q few moments side BY
side without speaking, and then were Sc.
parted by the crowd.
On the Sunday following, he was al
church again; and Sunday after Sunday
found him in the family pew that for years,
had seen him 90 rarely.
Three or four months went by, and Mar
tin 8 feet were still in the paths that led
upwards. But one day Was shocked to
hear that ne had fallen again. On careful
inquiry. / learned that he had been with
his wife to an evening entertainment, given
by citizen Of high worth and standing,
whose name is on every lip as munificent
in charity; but who, whatever may be his
conviction, is not brave enough
to Danish wine from the generous board to
which he invites his friends. And learn
Ell still further, TO Sly grief and pain, that
ths glass which broke down the good res
olution of Martin, and let in upon him the
fierce food of repressed appetite, wasprof-
tered by the hand of this good citizen, as
host
lost no time in going to my poor friend.
] found him away down the valley of hu-
initiation, his soul in the gall of bitterness.
Shame and sorrow were in his heavy eyes
but not despair, 1 took hopeful notice OF
this.
SIT is very hard for MS, all but God-for-
saken wretchesr he said, bitterly, after
the first formal sentences had passed be-
tween us. "Mr. - is q man OF gen
erous feeling. He gives, in princely way,
to churches and TO charities; is one of oul
best and most liberal citizens, and yet, af
ter 1 have taken q few steps heavenward
he puts stumbling block in my way and
fall back towards hellr'
s.You could not have fallen over any
stumbling block man or devil might place
in your way" / answered, 'if you had beer
walking in divine, instead of human
strength"
"Weltdo / know that" b,replied.
sAnd So" 1 said, 'slet this sad fall keep
YOU in the more vivid RENE nbrance of hu
man weakness. Never fer one instan
trust in yourself. Stand .,erpetually OF
guard. The price Of your liberty is eterna
vigilance"
s.It is hard fight" he said, with sigh
despondingly.
Life is a warfare" replied. 1--WE art
all beset with enemies, who know too vel
our vulnerable places, that neve
sleep; implacable, cruel, ever seeking on
destruction. /. you, all men have them
Trusting only in human strength, no on
gains . victory; but in divine strength th
issue of battle is sure. And so. my friend
grid up your loins again, and be wary ant
valiant"
Hope and courage scame back into hi
heart.
Beware of ambush" said. as parte'
from him that day. "The enemy, comm
on you unawares, Is more to be dreade
than when he forms his line of attack {
the sound of trumpets. Seek no conflicts
keep of his ground; but when he come
forth to meet yen, giving challenge, do ba
tie IN the name of the Lord"
A few weeks afterwards / was preser
when q agentleman of large wealth and goo
good standing both in church and society
said to him
81 didn't see you at my Louse last even
ing."
mo" was the rather curt reply; "a
Is safer for me to keep off Of the devil
ground"
81 don't understand you. sirr' replie,
the gentleman, flush of sudden anger
his eyes, for he felt the remark as q coyel
| insult.
Martins face grow sober, and he answe
ed with calm impressiveness that cause
the anger to 60 out of his listeners eye,
and a thoroughtful concern to take il
place;
II am fighting the devil, he said, ian
must not give him the smallest advantag,
just now am the victor, and hold him
bay. He has his masked batteries, his el
chanted grounds, his mines and pitfall
his gins and mirey sloughs; and I am learl
ing to know the signs of hidden DANCE
If / fallinto any of his snares. am in per
of destruction; and though 1 struggle, {,
fight my way out, I am weak or Wounds
and 80 the less able to meet the shock
battle when he rushes upon nae as star
ON guard, ready. in Gods name, for Il
conflict"
| sHis enchanted ground is q social con
pany, where wine flows freely. speak
what ii is to me, and call it, so far as / a
concerned the devils ground. He caug
me there not long ago, and had me at
own advantage. But, will not again s
foot thereon If you good citizens, NAL
of your homes, in mistaken hospitalit
places where the young find temptatio
and the weak, stumbling blocks, men, sui
as am, must sbun them as the gates
4 hall 10