Richland beacon., 1875-09-11

use in this particular ease. To thi:
IMPRESSIVE nature he brings this old
tried officer in the Kingdom promi
nentlv before him, rs an example tt
be- copicd and followed. His exalted
position is brought into rcquisition
among his many traits of christian
character, this one of seli-control is
made 10 stand forth in insulated
prominence He tells this youth that
ike this pillar in the Church, he will
know how far 10 80, and at the point
of danger he can leave off his cups
! altogether. lie sees the wisdom OF
this advice aud takes his three drinks
Il day, like this father in Israel. In a
short time his impetuous nature asks
for an increase of quantity, and Satan
tells him he can safely stand it. By
these Vaccinations he becomes mau-
acled by his slecplcss enemy, both
soul and body, to the doSgcry and
this hellish thirst displacing the ardor
which once thrilled his heart to give
the freshness of his youth to the up
building Of the Kingdom Of Jesus in
the world.
Who questions for a moment that
the moderate drinkcr inside of the
Church is q more deadly enemy TO
the temperance movement than the
loathsOmc creature in the gutter
One fills the heart with disgust, while
the other is expected to be the light Of
the world, the salt of the earth, the
depository of truth and the agency of
/ God for the salvation of the lost.
The case becomes much stronger
when the post of honor is assigned to
an Office bearer in the Church of God.
/ To show the matchless generalship
of Satan to use the best and most
effective materials to arrest any move
menJ adverse to his interests, an incl
dent is at hand too good to be lost.
\ distinguished divine was holding a
series of meetings in Covington, Ky
His sermons were orthodox in the
true sense, and his oratory Of the very
highest order. From night to night
the house was crowded to its utmost
capacity-thc interest was intense.
Satan's standing instrumentality in
that community is brought to bear
upon that meeting. Yes, the Deacon
Ga moderate drinkcr) sits through the
Church and the world the alarming
information that there is too much
excitement-too much machinery used
IL these meetings-thu5 dashing cold
water on every effort made by the
man of God. 1t is discovered that
a wrong exists somewhere the part
taken by this prominent member
comes to the ear of the minister; he
determines to arrest its direful inhu-
ence upon Gods truth. After an
nouncing his text at the night service,
be said
"My brethren, l dreamed last night
that | died and went to hell. His
satanic majesty asked me from whence
| came. | mentioned the locality.
He inquired for the news of the neigh
borhood. l told him there was none,
except a protracted meeting was in
progress. At this announcement he
pricked up his ears, and rising from
his murky throne, took down bis great
overcoat, his broad -brimmed hat and
his wrappers; and deliberately pre-
pairing himself for the journey, he
said, Il must 60 see about that meet
ing All at once, as if be had for
gotten his trusty agent at that point,
turned abruptly upon me and asked:
Does Deacon Jones attend all the
meetings for preaching?' Yes
Does he attend the prayer meetings p
Yes Does he attend the sunrise
prayer meetings too?' Yes, he is
always there; he never fails to come
at the ringing of the bell for divine
s,rvice.' He calmly drew off his |
wrappings, and hanging them on their
huge pegs, sat down amid his fallen
subjects, saying: 1t is not worth |
while for me to go, as Deacon Jones |
can do more good there than l can"
The arrow was as unerring to its
mark as the needle to the pole. No
application was necessary. Every
eye in that vast assembly turned in
voluntarily to the post Of honor--the
Deacon-his head fell heavily upon
his breast. He never again during
the meeting lifted finger against
Gods work. When Gods set time
to favor Zion comes, His Gospel is
made His power unto salvation. |
When he purposes thus to work, let |
every opposor be silent, lest haply ye !
be found even 20 fight against God.
More anon. A. II. Nj.
Alto, La, Sept.-lST5.