The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-09-01
eyes. And now I see the meaning q,

Inc Cnflstlan poet, l answered" lit.
ed into something of inspiration, often
sees things n q clearer light than we who
are down among the mists and shad.
oMs."
"Ah mel" he sighed "your CLOSING
words remiId me Of the depth IT which
l lie, and the almost infinite distances
above me to which | uust rise ere out Of
danger
"And to which you may surely rise il
yen WILL answered, with cheerful IS.
surance.
"By God-given strength, onlyG" he
spoke, solemnly.
aye never, never for an instant losa
sight of that Never, no matter how
strong you may feel that you have
grown, trust in YOU self. In the hour Of
temptation, look upward, praying in the
silence OF your heart, for strength to re-
sist."
"Best of friends" he exclaimed, in
deep emotion "yOu must nave been sent
to me by God. Hope dawns on a night
that has been starless. / see the way to
s~afety-for ne the only way. No one
knows but myself how hard l have tried
to reform, nor in how many ways I have
sought to escape from a terrible thral6Om.
But al has been in vain. When this re-
morseless appetite that has enslaved me
asserted itself, my will became as moth
Ing"
longtime we talked, I saying all that I
could to strengthen him.
On the next Sunday, much to my sur
prise ard pleasure, | saw MIN ct church
with his wife. 7 could not remember
when I had seen him there before. At
the close of the services, as / moved down
the aisle with the crowd, some one grasp
Cd my haad and gave il d strong pressure.
l turned and looked into the face OF the
friend l had tried to save.
"Oh, Martin p | said, as l received q
glance full of meaning, and then return
ed his hand pressure.
We walked for a few moments side by
SIDE without speaking, and then were
separated by the crowd.
On the following Sunday he was at
church again; and Sunday after Sunday
found him IN the family pew, that for
years had seen him so rarely.
Three or four months went by, and
Martins feet were still in the paths that
led upwards. But one day | was shocked
20 bear that he had fallen again. On
careful inquiry | learned that he had been
with his wife to an evening entertain
ment, given by a citizen of high worth
dAA CtNh4hiD-y MUOoO 1UitlC 10 VII EFCiy
lip as muniicent in charity; but who,
whatever may be his personal conviction,
IS not brave enough to Danish wine from
his friends. And / learned stin further,
to my grief and pain. that the glass which
broke down the good resolution OF Mar
Tin, and let iii upon him the fierce flood
OF repressed appetite, was proffered by
the hand Of this good citizen, IS hest.
| lost no time id going 10 my poor
friend. l found him away down the val
ley Of humiliation, his soul III the gall OF
bitterness. Shane and sorrow were in
his eyes; but not Gespair. l took hopeful
notice Of this.
at is very hard for us, all but God
forsaken wretchesp he said bitterly, after
the first formal sentences had passed be-
tween us. "Mr. - is q men OF gener-
u feeling. He gives, in q r~rinccly way,
to churches snd TO charities; is a Of u
best and most liberal citizens and yet,
sitter l have taken a few steps heaven
ward, he puts a stumb,ing-bl0Ck III my
way and l fall back toward he'll!
"You could lot have fallen over any
stunlblingblock man or devil might place
III your way" ] answered, "n you had
been walking in divine, instead OF human
strength"
"Wen do / know that" he replied.
"And So" 1 said, " let this sad fall kesp
you in q more vivid remembrance OF
human weakness. Never for one instant
trust in yourself. Stand perpetually on
guard. The price OF your liberty is eter-
nal vigilance
at is a hard fight" he said, with a Ugh,
despOndingly.
"Life is a warfare" l rsplied. ave
arc all bcset with enemies, who know
too veil our vulnerable piaces-enemies
that neve sleep implacable, cruel, ever
seeking destruction. /, you, ali men
have them. Trusting only Ill human
strength, no II gains a victory but In
DIVINE strength the issue of battle is sure.
And SO, my friend, grid up your loins
again, aud be wary and valiant
Hope Il courage came back into his
heart.
beware Of ambush" / said, as /
passed from him that day. "The enemy,
coming on you unawares, is more TO be
dreaded han when he forms his line OF
attack to the sound OF trumpets. Seek
no conflicts keep off his ground bat
when lie comes forth to meet you, giving
challenge, do battle in the nam of the
Lord"
A few weeks afterward / was present
when q gentleman Of large wealth and
good standing, both In church ana society,
said to him
" didn't see you at my house last even
ing"
NO" WAS the rather curt reply; cit is
safer ior me to keep off of The devils
ground"
az don't understand you, sir !" replied
the gentleman, IL flush of sudden anger in
his eyes, for he felt the remark as a covert
insult.
Martins face grew sober, and he an
swered with q calm impressiyeneSs that
caused the anger to go out OF his listener
eyes, and 3 thoughtful concern to take It's
place
81 am fighting the devil" he said, "and
must not e.ve him the smallest advantage
Just now | an the victor, and hold him al
bay. He has his masked batteries, his en-
chan.ed grounds, his mines and pitfalls
his gins and miry sloughs and L an
learning to know the signs OF hidden dan.
ger. Ii | fall into any of his snares, | am
in peril of destruction; and though
struggle, or fight my way out, l sm weak
or wounded, and so the less able b meet
the shock Of battle when he rusbes upon
me as [ stand On guard, ready in Code
name, for the conflict.
"His enchanted ground is a social com
many. where wine flows freely. l speak
If what il is to me, and call it, so far as
am concerned, the devils ground. III
canqht me there not long ago, and hat
me at his own advantage. But, | vii
not again set foot thereon. If you, goot
citizens, make of your homes, in mistaken
! hospitality, places where the young mt
temptations, and the weak, stumbling
, blocks, men, such IA [ am, must shun then
as the gates Of hell"
His manner had grown more and NOR
, impressive.
us it so bad as that? ?" remarked tn
gentleman, IN a voice that showed bot
surprise and pain.
"Jult so bad" Martin answered, i'm