The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-01-20

ing doubt.
"And will fail again if you trust
in your own strength. But, with God
given strength, used as your own
the ascent is sure"
"Ah! 1 seew Light broke all over
his face, II see! I see!" he repeated
"God does not lift us out of our sin
and misery, but gives US divine
strength if we ask Him in all SINGER
ity, by which we lift ourselves"
eyes"
at is very simple and clear" He
drew a long breath of relief, like
one who has load taken from his
mind.
"The law of our dependence on
God, for help l said.
Eyes. And now 1 see the mean
ing Of this sentiment, in an old hymn
L often heard sung when 1 was
boy, and which always struck me as
a paradox:
"'When 1 am weak then L am strong'"
"The Christian poet" 1 answered
''lifted into something of inspiration
often sees things in a clearer light
than we who are down among the
mist and shadows"
"Ah; me,' he sighed: "your clos
ing words remind me of the depth at
which 1 lie, and the almost infinite
distances to which 1 must rise ere 1
am out of danger"
"And to which you may surely
rise if you will, 1 answered, with
cheerful assurance.
"By God-given strength only"
He spoke solemnly.
"Aye; never, never for an instant
lose sight of that! Never, no mat
ter how strong you may feel that
you have grown, trust in your own
self. In the hour of temptation,
look upward, praying in the silence
of your heart, for strength to resist.
"Best of friendg' He exclaimed,
in deep emotion; "you must have
been sent to me by God. Hope
dswns on night that has been star
less. I see the way to safety-for
me the only way. No one knows
but myself how hard 1 have tried to
reform, nor in how many ways I
have tried to escape a terrible thrall
dom. But all has been in vain.
When this remorseless appetite that
has enslaved me, asserted itself, my
strength become as nothing"
Long time we talked, 1 saying all
1 could to strengthen him.
On the next Sunday much to my
surprise, and pleasure, 1 saw him at
church with his wife. Icould not
remember when I had seen him there
before. At the close of the services
as 1 moved down the aisle with the
crowd, some one grqsped my hand
and gave it strong pressure. 1
turned and looked into the face of
the friend l had tried to save.
30, Martin" 1 said, as I received
a glance full of meaning, and then
returned 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 rare
ly.
Three or four months went by,
and Martins feet were still in the
paths that led upwards. But 1 was
shocked to hear shat he had fallen
again. On careful inquiry 1 learned t
that he had been with his wife to an
evening entertainment, given by
citizen ofhigh worth and standing,
whose name Is on every lip as muni-
fcent in charity, but who, whatever
may be his personal conviction, is
not brave enough to Danish wine
from the generous board to which he
invites his friends. And l learned
still further, to my grief and pain,
that the glass which broke down the
good resolution of Martin, and let in
upon him the fierce flood of repress-
ed appetite, was profered the hand
of this good citizen, as host.
Host no time in going to my poor
friend. 1 found him away down in
the valley Of humiliation, his soul
in gall and bitterness. Shame and
sorrow were in his eyes; but not
despair. I took hopeful notice of
this.
at is very hard for us, all but
God forsaken wretchesW he said
bitterly after the first formal sentence
had passed between US. "Mr.-is a
man of generous feeling. He gives
IN princely way, to churches and
to charities; is one Of our best and t
most liberal citizens; and yet, after &
[ have taken a few steps heaven L
ward, he puts stumbling block in +
ny way and fall back toward hell" {
"You could not have fallen over {
my stumbling block man or devil I
night place in your way" 1 answer 5
I'd, "If you had been walking in di- s
vine, instead of human strength"
"Well do know that" he replied.
"And so,'' said, "let this sad fall
Keep you in a more vivid remember c
lnce of human weakness. Never /
or one instant trust in yourself '
Stand perpetually on guard. The L
price of your liberty is eternal vigil n
,nce." e
at is a hard fight" he said, with
| sigh, despondingly.
Life is a warfare" I replied. t,
we are all beset with enemies, Tho b
lnow too well our vulnerable places n
enemies that never sleep; impla- e
able, cruel, ever seeking our des- 6
ruction, I, you, all men have them Q