The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-04-15
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Al Tap on the Sho1ld q iIa'
Cams of it M II

CalA6 sel H. s. ss ~
"A young man was AlSing down
a streetin Worcester one day. i6ok-
ing very miserable, as he was, for be
was without friends, or home, or
tools or work, or money, and with
little heart Or hope. Was he not poor
Indeed. What made him so?
Strong drink. You know it is one
of the worst enemies q man can have.
John was pretty much good for moth
ing. He would contrive to keep sober
while, and earn something. but only
10 spend it for drink and leave work
till it was gone. Of course nobody
felt he was worth employing. John
well knew people turned & cold shoul-
der to him, and at times felt it bitter
ly.
lie was feeling so as he walked
down the street, when somebody tap
ped him on the back. Ho turned
quickly round and met q kind face,
and Il still kinder voice said, "You
have been drinking to-day"
"Ycs sir, I have 6een," said John,
not angry, as he might have been ;
for the friendly tone: rs we'll as the
friendly tap touched his heart.
"Why do you not sign the pledge ?"
asked the stranger.
: II am ruined man." said John.
"snd had as lief die as live, and !
shall before long"
You will yet 1.-Two to be respected
and happy" said hisncw found friend;
"only take the pledge aud make u
stand Of total abstinence"
| When did poor John listen to such
encouraging words before? Was there
ray Of hope left for him. Did any
body in the widc world feel an inter,
est in him? Well he would, and then
and there did, promise to sign the
pledge tho very next evening at a
temperance meeting; but he had hard
work to keep sober enough to 60. He
did, however, ard went TO the meet
ing.
When the chance was given to
speak, he stcadicd himself on his legs
aud made speech. lie saw his friend
among the audience, who smiled, and
tho approving smile ncrvcd him to
the task. John signed the pie edgo with
a trembling hand.
"1'vc done it Two done it'll" he said
tc himself again and again on leaving
the hall.
The next day was an awful day.
How he longed for one glass Of BRAN
dy TO stop the gnawing in his stom
ach ard stcady his shaking nerves ;
but his pledge. 81 do agree I will
not use it, and I must fight it out" he
said. 1t was dreadful fight. 80,
my God, l shall die; [ cannot hold
out!" he sometimes groancd aloud.
lie went to the shop, told his en-
ploycr what he had done, and asked
for work, but he saw they had little
faith in his reforming.
Pretty soon a gentleman came in !;
"Good morning." he said to poor
John. II saw you sign the pledge
last night; | have but u few moments
to spare, but l thought wonld just
give you call and tell you to keep
up brave heart. Ny office is in the
Exchange. Come and see me; shall
be happy to sec you. God bless YOU"
Good words; comforting words !;
strengthening words! Never be
stingy of such words. When poor
fellow reforms, there arc always some
ready to snccr at him and doubt; and
to be doubted is drcadfully discoura-
ging. But it is just as sure that
friends arc raised up from unexpected
quarters TO cheer him on, 80 hold on,
my boys.
The friendly tap on the shoulder
was the beginning Of salvation TO poor
dohn; and you will think he was quite
worth it when L tell you that his
whole name was John B. Cough. Ah,
yes, that friendly tap.on the shoulder
saved great and useful life to the
church and the world, for whose light
and example thousands thank God
today.
Never give up trying to save peo-
pie. Your kind and earnest words
may be the very means which God
will use 10 save them.