The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-09-29

must not give lin the smallest advantage
Just now | IN the victor, and hold him al
bay. de he his masked batteries, his en-
chanted grdnds, his mines and pitfalls
his gins andniry sloughs; and | am lean n
ing to know the signs Of hidden danger
If | fall int any Of his snares, [ am il
peril of distinctions; and though struggle
or fight my My out, | am weak or wound
ed, and so he less able to meet the shock
of battle wen he rushes upon me as
stand on quad, ready iI Gods name fol-
the conflict.
His encinted ground is social com
pany, where wae flows freely. [ speak OF
what 1t is to me. and call it, SO far as | am
concerned, the desil's 5 ground. He caught
me there not long ago, and had me at his
own advantage. But / viii not again set
| foot thereon. If pu, good citizens, make
Of your homes, il mistaken hospitality
places where the yang find tenn ptations,
and the weak stumbling blocks, men, such
as [ am, must shun them as the gates OF
hell"
His manner hadgrown more and moro
impressive.
is it so bad as :hat?' remarked the
gentleman, in wore that showed both
surprise and pain.
Just so bad" Martin answered, i'm.
pressiveIy; Il belize Reigart's Oldest son
was at your house?'
Yes"
1t was the devil ground for him. An
hour or two age [ say him coming out OF a
saloon, so drunk hat he could not walk
straight. And only three days ago, his
father told frient that his boy had GER
talnIy reformed, and that he now had more
confidence in his future than be had felt
tor long time.
on cannot mean what you say?" the
gentleman exclaimed, in visible agitation.
II have told you only the sad and sol
emn TRUTH" was Martins answer; land
if | had accepted your invitation, [ might
now be lying at depth cf misery and deg
radiation, the bare thought of which makes
me shudder!"
The gentleman stood for little while as
if stunned.
This is frightful to think off, he said,
and | sav him silver.
1t is the last time," he added, after a
pause-'the last time that any man shall
go cut of my house weaker and more de-
graded than when he came in. If my Of
ferlng of wine cause my brother to offend,
then | Will not offer it again while the
world stands"
"Ah, sirl' answered Martin, "if many,
many more of our good citizens would so
resolve, hundreds Of young nen now DRIFT
ing out into the current of intcmperance,
might be drawn back into safer waters;
aad hundreds OF others who are striving to
make head against it, saved from destruc-
ton. | speak teelingly, for | am one OF
those who are struggling for life in this
fatal current"
The way Of safety for a man like Martin,
is very narrow and straight. If he steps
aside into any Of the pleasant paths that
open on the right hand and on the lett, he
is in the midst Of peril. If he grow conf
dent in his own strength and less depend
ent on that which is given from above, the
Martin fell again. Alas! that this should
have to be told
"Was that Martin. that passed us?'
asked a friend with whom | was walking
mo" | answered, in positive voice
and yet, as said the word my heart gave
a thrOb Of faur-the man was so like him
1T was. am sure. Poor wretch. H
tries hard to reform; but that cursed appe-
tite is too much for him. I'm afraid
there is no help. He'll die drunkard. >
| turned back quickly and without re.
Spouse, following the man we had passed
Just as | came up to him, he had stopped
at the door of drinking saloon, and was
holding brief parley with awakened ap,
petite.
"In Gods name, no!' l said, laying my
hand upon him.
He started in frightened kind of way
turning on me a haggard face and blooc
shot eye. | drew my arm within his, anC
led him away, passive as child. Not
word was spoken by either, until we wer
in his office, which was not far distant, anl
the door shut and locked. He drop
ped into chair, with slight groan, hi
head sinking upon his chest. He was th
picture of abject wretchedness
ale leaveth the ninety and nine tha
are safely folded" | said, speaking in
low, tender voice. ''and goeth ont into th
Wilderness to seek that which is estray.
He did not answer.
you have looked to the strong 70
strength, you have prayed to Him for sue
cor, and He has come very near to you AM
helped you. Because you again went ou
Of the fold, His love has not failed. III
has found you out in the wilderness anc
brought you back to a place of safety
Only trust in Him and all will be we'll. H
is the friend that sticketh closer than
brother. His is love that never fails. ;"
| waited for him TO reply, hut he KEEP
silence.
1T must have been no ordinary tempta
tion," said
Still he was silent
The enemy must have come on you TN
aware" [ added, after brief pause
The bolt must have fallen before you saw
the warning fash.
Il was taken at disadvantage; but
had time TO know my enemy, and should
have given battle in God name, insteal
Of yielding like craven"
Such was his reply. 1t gave me hope
Tell me the whole story" | said.
He raised himself to a firmer attitude
and | saw swift lights beginning to flash il
his dull eyes.
"Wounded again in the house of ;
friend he replied.
"What friend?''
Zone on whom God has laiG the specia
duty Of saving human souls-our minis
ter -
Not Mr.. L-2"
Yes"
| was confounded.
II went to him for help" continued
Martin, land instead of the counsel and