The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-09-13
THE LAST VICTORY.

BY Mas. sALLIE A. RAMAGB.
In Louisville, few years ago, a minis
ter while pursuing his duties was stopped
on the street, by drunken man who
begged for few cents with which to salts
fy the burning passion for liquor that had
degraded and ruined him. He was muddy
ana soiled iOr ne had fallen In the gutt~r,
his features wers blurred and swollen,
mis- form quivered and shook with the
weakness oil prematurely aged man, and
his voice was tremulous with pleading
He was the jest and the sport OF the idle
crowd wnicn had congregsted who sp-
plsuded roughly the attempt he made TO
walk the uneven pavement. When en-
ragged by their annoysnces be pushed bs
the torn hat from his brow,
and tossing his dark hair with
his hand, he would stand as IL
delivering an Grafton while for a few mo-
ment's sentences and quotations of elo
quence and pathos would fall from bis
lips, gathering beauty and sublimity as
the speaker grew enthusiastic. But ere
the crowd could wonder at the strange
spectacle and stranger language, maudlin
whisperings would close the scene, and
the poor, miserable man would stagger
away again. He clutched the minister
nervously and bescught him for relief,
with the most vehement, yet pathetic
WOIOe. lD6 CldIk Jnhu eSOOu dOSOID6Q iOI
a moment in thought, and then drawing
that trembling hand through his strong
arm led him along. The crowd soon. fell
back and these two pursued their way uu-
moiested. In the church OF which
he was the pastor the min
ister had private room,
where he pc suaded the tired wsnderer TO
sleep, aud watcniog him until he rested
quietly he LETT him alone.
When he returned it was growing late,
aud the siumberer had awakened and was
sitting unessily awaiting him. what
memories he had of the days wnen he was
respected and beloved, when purity and
peace were his guardian angels, the world
will never know. As he sadly reviewed
the past, did visions OF his mothers sor
row over her oisgraced and drunken bus-
band. his erring, SHINING father, rise before
| him? Or his early manhood, brilliant, yet
| with the gnawing of the inherited disease
| pr6y1ug upon him-the thirst tor intoxi-
eating drink Did he review with
pride tue honors bestowed by
steps OF self reliance and zeal into
the great world? Did a picture of his
fair youog bride, as he stood before the
altar with her, and as after the promise to
love and cherish her, the kiss of hus-
| bands love put upon the lips that had
whispered the vow "until 0eath do US
part?" Or did the great shadow of a
ruined home, dsrkened bearthstone, a
scattered family blot out all the bright
ness? DID he rsmsmber waen as a min-
isser he had stood IN his place to point the
way TO tDat Saviour whose trust he had so
| basely betrayed? Oh the many times he
had prsyed with bis people, OF the hours
| OF secret devotion, OF The sacred COM
munions when he had broken the bre d
and poured the wine, the emblems
of our laith in Christ. Or did
| only the present, bis blighted
life, his gloomy, dresry pathway
stretch out before him into the great future
when he should fail by the way side to
sleep in a drunksrd's grsvef There was
none 20 cheer nim, hope was dying, be
| had lost home, friends, self respect, every
| thing. As the minister entered the door
| be said IS he held his hand to the
stranger, "My Brother In Christ" Il was
the first time in days, aye months. that
| sach words had been spoken 10 him and
| for q moment he seemed bewiIdered and
then he was clssped 10 the close embrace
that pity and love always give To psnitence
snd Aumility. Alter a long, earnest talk,
the two men knels and prayed, the one for
grace ana strength and latin for his friend,
the other tor forgiveness and pardon. II
angels ever poise over q scene, and bend to
ca On the words fit to echo In Heavens
| glory there must have been q host of shin
| Ing radian. ones In that holy retreat
With m ,ney enough to supply his imme-
date wants, with q prayer and q promise
| Of reform stion hs went out az ain from the
| portals of the onurch "clothsd In his right
mind" He began to retracs mis- steps, one
' by one, to climb the heights he had lost.
He was sorely ter1pted; he struggled hard I: