Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-12-01
"You cannot mean what YOU say?"

"You cannot mean what you sayp' Th
gentleman exclaimed in visible agitation
81 have told you only the sad and solemn
truth, was Martins answer; ''and II i ha(
accepted your invitation. might now b.
lying at depth of misery end degradation
the bare thought Of which makes Ihe shud
deri"
The gentleman stood for a little while a
| ifstunned.
"This is frightful TO think OF. " he said
and saw him shiver.
'1tis the last time" he added, after Z
pause-"the last time that any man shal
go out of my house weaker and more de
graded than when ho came in. If my offer
ing of wine causes my brother to offend
then will not offer it, again while tn,
world stands"
"Ah, sirl' answered Martin. ''lf many
many more'of our good citizens would SC
resolve, hundreds OF young men now drift
ing out into the current of intempersnce
might be drawn back into ssfer water and
hundreds of others who. are striving tc
make head against it, saved from destrnc
ton. 1 speak feelingly, for am one o
those who are struggling for :ife IN this
fatal current"
The way of safely for man like Martin,
is very narrow and straight u he steps
aside into any of the pleasant paths that
open on the right hand and on the left, he
is in the midst of peril If he grow con-
fdent in his own strength, and less de-
pendent on that which is given from above,
the danger of falling becomes imminent.
Martin fell again. Alas that this should
have to be told.
''was that Martin who passed us?" ask
ed friend with whom was walking.
"No;" answered, In in positive voice.
and yet, as / said the word my heart gave
a throb of fear-the man was so like him.
ut was, am sure. Poor wretch! He
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 res
ponse, following the man We had passed.
Just as 1 came up TO him he had stopped
at the dor of drinking saloon. and was
holdipg 4 brief parley With awakened ap-
petite.
"In Gods name, ;noT said, lay ing my
hand upon him,
He started in frightened kind of way,
turning on me a haggaId face and blood
shot eye / drew my arm within his and
led him away, passive as child. Not q
word Sas spoken by either until we were
in his Office, which was not far distant,
and the door shut and locked. He drop.
ped into a chair with a slight groan, his
head sinking upon his chest. He was the
picture of sbject wretchedness.
"He leaveth the ninety and nine that are
safely folded" 1 said, speaking in a low,
tender voice, ''and goeth out into the wild
ef ess to seek that which Is estray."
de did not answer.
"You have looked to the strong for
strength, ycr have prayed to Him for sue
cor, and he has come very near to you and
helped you. Because You again went out
of the fold. His love has not failed. He
has found you out in the Wilderness and
brought you back to phce Of safety
Only trust in Him and all will be well. He
is the friend that sticketh closer than n
brother. His is a love that never fails"
Iwaited for him to reply. but he kept
silence.
1T must have been no ordinary tempta-
tion," said.
Still he was silent
''The enemy must have come on you una
ware" added. after brief pause. The
bolt must have fallen ere you saw the warn
Ing Hash"
81 was taken at disadvantage, but
had time to know my enemy, and should
have given battle in Gods name, instead
of yielding like craven"
Such was his reply. 1t gave me hope.
"Tell me the whole story" 1 said.
He raised himself to firm attitude; and
saw swift lights beginning to fash in his
dull eyes.
Wounded again in the house of q
friend" he replied.
Zone on whom God has laid the spe-
cial duty of saving human souls min
isterl"
"Not Mr.. II
yes"
was confoundsd.
81 went to him f.. help" continued
Martin, 'sand instead OF the counsel and
support then so much needed, for my old
enemy, appetite, was gathering up his
strength, and setting his host in battle ar.
ray, I was tempted and betrayed i should
have gone to God, and not to man. With
his Divine Word in my thought, and pray
er in my heart, 1 should have opposed the
awakening enticement of desire, as l have
so often done and prevailed"
'Tell me how it happened" 1 said.
Gas 1 have just tod you." he replied
II was not feeling very strong. That ole
restlessness of which 1 have spoken, had
come back upon me, and knew what 1
meant. So, / said to my WIFE i think
Mary, that I'll step around and see Mr.
IL. I'd like to talk with him.. Sh,
looked at me With slight shadow of con
Germ in her face; for she has learned Il
know the signs Of coming hour of dark
ness, when the powers of hell renew thei
dlreful assaults upon my soul. Do sh,
answered; and weut
81 found Mr.. in his library, bu
not alone. E, the banker, had calle,
In to have talk with the minister abou
a college for theological students, in which
both felt considerable interest Fund
were wanted in order to give the Institu
ton the required efficiency; and the way
and means OF getting funds were earnestl
discussed by Mr.. l. and the capitalist
After an hours talk, and the arrangement
of plan for securing the object in view
Mr.. L. rang a bell. To the servan
Who came in he said something In O 10,
voice, that did not hear. The servan
retired, but came back in q few minute
bearing. to my surprise and momentar
CONSERVATION, tray with wine and glass
es. 1 saw a pleased light in the banker
eyes, as they rested on the amber-colore
wine.
Some fine old sherry, said Mr.. l.
sent me by friend abroad. want 20
to taste it. And he filed the three glass
90 that were on the tray, handed one to hi
guest and another to me. In myself-m
poor weak selfi-I was not strong enoug
refuse. If lad looked up to God. il
stantly, and prayed for strength to do th
right, strength would / know have come
But l did not. took theglass, not meal
ing to drink, but to gain time for though
To have refused would have been 1 the
felt, to set myself up as rebuker of thet
men and that I had not the courage to d.
: No, did not mean 10 taste the wine- Blu
as they lifted their glasses, drank an
I praised the fruity juice. /, in kind of me
meric lapse of rational selt-control, raise
my glass also, and slipped. A Wild iers
thirst possessed me instantly, and drail
ed the glass to the bottomi
"A sudden terror and great darkness Il
, upon me. saw the awful gulf on who
{ brink stood. IL will 90 home," said
3 myself, raising, 1 bade the two mon an q
t rupt good night and left them. But d
. not go directly home, alas for me! The
were too many enticements by the way.
, Indeed, don't know how or when / g
!, home.
sOf the shame and anguish, the desps
s ~ this rcovuiVo ~on,,ok orook Van d<,s