Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-06-19
Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world 90 free?
No; there's a cross for every one.
And there's a cross for mer'


Now there happened a diversion which
proves the ruling passion strong in death
Tom, quick with reporters instinct, as in
his palmiest days, turned his head and
saw street-preacher standing on cask.
not many rods away, trying to gather
sailors and wharfmen by his voice. 1t
was thrilling voice. There was a ring
Of JOY and power in it. As a general
thing Tom had never taken stock in street
preachers. He had heard them rant too
often in the crazy reform STYLE
But this man drew his eyes and ears,
while the river still held his thoughts and
intentions. He see-sawed; that voice
sang on triumphantly,
: That consecrated cross I'll bear
Till death shall set me free;
ana lhen go nome my crown to wear
For there's crown for me!'
Now squad collected Tom saw he
must draw attention and thwart his own
designs by taking plunge just then, so
he postponed it, edged nearer the preach
er, and instinctivey felt for his note
book.
This preacher was a young man, witt
bright, talcon-like face. If you ever see
him, you will love him, for he is rushing
about the world this moment, spreading
his arms to all mankind and telling them
things which sound like tidings of JOY in
stead of n1usty doctrine. He will make
you cry with enthusiasm over being born
Nov, men," he said, reaching his
arms over them, II want to give YOU
the word Jesus Christ left for you.
He says, Every one of you, come
to me. | made you, and you are
of great account to Me- That man
over there in the fur cap, the one in
the gray blouse, and every fellow of you
He loved you so that he died to give you
a chance at your best Why, He loves
you more than wives, Or children, or mo-
Tiers do, though He sees right through
you; sees how cowardly and ungenerous
you are. How you turn against Him be-
| cause He calls you out of a mixed world
instead of taking you up bodily and set
| ting you in a Heaven? Though He sees
| how some of you shunt off, and think of
cutting your Threats, or jumping over
board, or in some way slipping service
how every one of you think more of coin
| ing money and success of this life than of
getting joyfully ready for the life just
over there, one moment of which is
more Of life tnan all the nights and morn
ings of this You think sometimes that
you are just made to dig, and sweat, and
suffer, and die. 1t isn't so. You were
born to grow into perfect manhood
which will overcome, Blessed is he
which overcomethn
80 this is the word Jesus Christ left
you: Come to me, a friend who is of
| flesh, and k9a0,cs 1t all; let us bear the
heavy loads of this world together; and
| let US overcome
you see the Lord of Glory, who went
through the world by the hard way, and
knows it's the best way for you, after all
makes you His comradesl"
These words were not much but
through them the preachers martial soul
touched the men. He lifted them on the
keen, magnetic points Of his eyes. When
he burst out again with his song about
bearing the cross, their voices joined him
with mighty bass.
lie spread his hands over them with &
short, loving benediction, and leaped
down from the cask to shake hands al
through his congregation, and ask special
questions.
1t was dusk. Tom could scarcely de
me the young apostles face; yet wheI
that ardent hand pressed his, he felt ht
mad found friend in the dark; he wrung
1t; wrung its fire and joy into his owl