Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-12-31

Fof the GalApolis Journal
What Is Our Duty?@
by JOYCE.

ny JOYCE.
Workers in the temperance reform
have. seemingIy, reached point where
the way is no longer open. Like the
Isrelites at the red sea. before the COM
mand was given to go forward, we are,
as we sometimes term it, at our wits
end.
The Isrelites were pursued by an en-
ragged monarch. We have the cruel
monster lntemperanee. with his hosts of
willing subjects, each trying with might
and main to impede our progress, and
hinder us in our work of love.
They were surrounded by inaccessi-
BILE mountains and looking upon our
right, and upon our left, we see difficult
ties and obstacles almost insurmounta-
bic.
But, as Moses, that brave leader of
the Isralites said to them in their hour
of darkness, tFear not, stand still, and
see the glory of God" So our Com
mander, even God Himself. is saying TO
us by His word and by His spirit, "Be
of good cheer, in due season We shall
reap, if We faint not"
Sisters in the work, after prayerful re-
Election what do you conceive to be our
duty? Is it to grow despondent-let un-
belief enter our hearts, and cease both
our efforts and our prayers?
No, No. A thousand times no.,
"No man having put his hand to the
plough, and looking back, is fit for the
Kingdom of GOd," says the inspired
kpensman.
Our only path of safety lies in the
path of duty, and who that loves Jesus
and desires the future and present hap
piness of the people will be long in dis
corning where that pathway lies.
Souls are as precious in the sight of
Heaven to-day AS they have ever been,
and we read in Gods word that "no
drunkard shall inherit the Kingdom of
God"
Mothers, wives and sisters weep as
bitterly over their fallen loved ones now
rs it were possible for them ever to have
done. The claims of God, and suffering.
sinful humanity are still upon us. We
can not evade them. Our foes are not
idle. Reused by the recent crusade of
the women, they have combined their
forces, and if possible, become more
reckless and daring than before in their
sinful course. And how cunning some
of them are.
ave got drunk to spite the League"
Il poor, wretched young man was heard
to say after he had INDUCED in drunk
ell spree. And at once our enemies set
up the cry, go, you are doing more
harm than good"
The truth of the matter was, the poor
fellow had got drunk because he loved |
the vile stuff and hadn't the moral cOur- |
age to resist the temptation of treat. |
Ashamed to acknowledge his weakness, !
the deceiver suggested that he lay his |
sin upon others and charge them with |
his folly. But if it had been trne, if the |
young man in question, had got drunk |
purely out of spite, and to show sDirIt |
of resistance, Instead of 1t proving a |
stumbling-blOck to us, it ought rather to |
be an incentive for us to re-double our |
efforts and pray more earnestly than be-
fore, that the strong tide of intemper-
ance, with its communicating influences
might be stayed.
| have somewhere read or heard, and |
| don't know which, no. does it matter, |
of man who invariably swore when in |
the presence of the minister, but used |
profane language at no other time He |
did it, he said, because the minister
spoke against it. and was going to let
him know that he could swear if he
wanted to.
Now, what would you have thought of
that minister if he had grown discour-
aged and concluded that preaching holi-
ness was making men worse, and that
he had better lay down the Bible.
All! my friends, how easy-.Me are
duped by the arch enemy,
The novelty of the crusade is over,
and many who Il few months ago pledged
their life-service to the enterprise have
fallen out of ranks. SpasmOdic effort
may be better than no effort at all, but
it will not meet the demands of the
cause in which we are engaged. To sue
ceed we must persevere, be ever ready
with every good word and work." We
have no cause for despair. 1t is true we
are passing through dark season-our
way is in measure hedged up, and we
are doing comparatively nothing, when
so much remains to be done, but for one
| am comfOrted in remembering that
God is upon our side.
Sisters in the work, let us be more in
live nearer the foot of the
cross, Oftener ask for that strength and
which will enable us, not only
to do, but to suffer the will of Christ,
ever remembering with the poet that,
''IIe leads us on through paths we did
not know,
Upward He leads us, though our steps
be slow;
Though oft we faint and falter on the
way,
Though clouds and darkness oft obscure
the day;
Yet when the clouds are gone,
We know lie leads us On.''
Life is indeed short. The little we do
FOr the temperance cause, for God or hui
nanity, we must do quickly.
Just little beyond, and how near to
Zach of us, we cannot tell, the night OF
leath apprOacheth. May we so live and
20 labor, that when our hands are folded
or that long and quiet rest, and we are
10 longer seen in this earthly sanctuary,
t may truthfully be said of us as was
'aid of Mary of old, "She hath done
what she could"