The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1881-04-02

circumstances. This strange in1u
ence seemed to surround me on all
occasions; and it enabled me to
keep my head above the huge wave,
Of trouble that were dashing againsl
me with great Jury. 70 be plain
| put my trust in God; and he did
not forsake me. Some people
would be disposed To sneer at SEN
timents of this character. In fact
| have often heard such sentiments
ridiculed; and | have as often known
men to change from the one ex
treme to the other. Iknew young
man in Memphis afew years ago.
who had occasion TO change his
views. The change was hrought
about in most singular manner
The young man was assisting some
workmen TO cover a very tall house,
situated on Shelby street. They
had just nailed Oh the last shingle,
and tAes-scaifolding on the north
side had been taken down. A con.
versatlon had been going on for
some time among the laborerS, on
the questions connected with the
future state. The young man seem
ed to be the leader in the cOnver.
sation.
II don't believe that God answers
prayers" said he; II don't believe
lie pays any attention to the con,
Germs Of men; | never prayed in my
life, and | am healthy and happy.
| think it is simple in man to ask
God for any thing. lie knows what
We want; and If he wishes us to
have it lie will give it to US with
out our asking"
AS he uttered the last word his
feet slipped from under him and he
tell at full length on his back. The
north side of the roof was covered
with a white frost, which caused the
young mans feet to slip. He would
probably have been in no danger,
but for the frost, which he had not
noticed before he set his feet on the
north side. All the workmen had
been engaged at work on the south
side of the root, where the warm
rays ofthe sun had mel1ed the frost,
The roof was not very steep one,
and a careful person could walk on
i: with perfect safety when it was
dry. The building was three sto-
rIes high; and from the ground to
the eve was near forty feet
The young man was standing near
the top ofthe roof, and as he utter
el the sentence, he stepped over
on the north side TO get a hammer
that he had left there, when he fell
fiat on his back; his body Garted to-
wards the edge of the roof like
lump Of ice gliding down the noun
tain-side. AT The very brink Of the
roof, a nail caught in his clothes and
stopped him. His legs We're hang
ng over the edge while his body
lay back on the shingles. The
ground near the foundation Of the
house, was covered with innumera
bic large stones. with hundreds of
sharp corners ana edges, which
every one knew would cause the
young mans death, If he fell on
hem. There the mans body swung
orty feet above the ground-only |
leld by little number-tour nail
between time and eternity
with him but very small piece OF
brittle iron. The slightest move
nent might send his soul across the
lark river. | have heard many
people pray, but such prayer as
hat young man uttered. then and
here, | have never heard before or
ince. The most solemn promises
If reformation were made, the most
'aruest appeals to God for help
\ ladder was quickly brought from
N adjoining hook and Ladder com
'anys quarters, and the Young man
vas saved. Ii any oi my friends
ave any desire to know the name
+ thisyoang man, then go to al. 1.-THE
hurches in Memphis and hear all
he christians praY-then select the
ne that prayS longest and !oudest
that's him.
Bat | crave your pardon, my
-iends, for this aggression, and will
eturn to my story. We lett Gren-
da at eighl-ftty sharp. The night
ias unusually dark; heavy clouds
verspread-th the horizon and steady
after OF rain-drops could be heard
ll!ing against the windows of the
oach. Myself and Harry were the
My occupants, and the tram con
isted of the engine, tender and a
ingle car in which we rode. o.