West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-11-23

what if it should come is it not sin
to delay to-day's duty? "Seek first
the kingdom of heaven" is the
COUNSEL Of your truest and best
friend-your wisest counselor.
I'd. Again, is thy personal safety
made sure? Are thy friends safe ?
Are your husbands and your sons
secure from the enemy? If not, let
us 60 from this place so solemn, so
full of warning, and seek safety.
Let US not rest until the enemy is
driven from the land Now is fa-
vorable time. Great and good men
are coming to the front in this bat
tie with evil. The church is arous-
ed as never before. In Parkersburg
at this very time, one of the leading
denominations of the State is hold
ing her annual convocation. Spe-
cial attention is being given to the
work and cause Of temperance.
"AHW | hear one say, "this is too
solemn an occasion to talk about
temperance" What has made it
solemn? What has brought sorrow
and almost despair to this weeping
family-this lonely, sorrowing wo-
man, these fatherless children p
then say, if you can, the occasion is
too solemn. Men have long been
specializing in blood in your midst
they have sold the lives and souls
of men. 1t is time to cry against
them. Men in the church and out
of the church are doing this. You
may blame me for these words to-
day. [ have enquired of the Lord
what [ should speak. If you have
a charge, come, bring it before the
Lord make your charge, state your
specifications-you accuse, and let
me make my plea. I'll show you
the ragged, starving children, the
neglected, heart-broken wife I'll
show you the frozen and benumbed
carcass of your slam; I'll exhibit to
you the torn and mangled forms of
men whom you have helped to de-
stroy. Then say, 'Lord," if you
can, "the occasion was too solemn"
O, that | could have the saloon
keepers Of West Virginia before me
to-day-Id lift from this coffin this
broken, mangled form and say,
"Look upon your slain" This man,
naturally a good citizen, a good
neighbor, kind husband, an affec-
tionate father, you have robbed and
slain. Yes, it is your work. Go
look upon his blood-deeper stains
rest upon your souls.
Some have said, be not so plain,
you will offend somebody; you will
lose friends. Such friends [ do not
want on the terms they ask. Cease
your traffic and I'll pray for you. l
am your friend, though [ thus
speak, I tell you of your sins and
call upon you to repent. You will
say in the end | have been faithful
to you. Let me meet men in hell
or heaven, | want them to say,
"There is man that was faithful
to my soul" [ cry out to all, cease
your evil ways and seek God, for We
know not what shall be on the NOR
row.
A word relative to the deceased.
| cannot speak largely from person.
al acquaintance. 1t is true that |
have known him for a number of
years, but my acquaintance has not
been such as to enable me to form
full idea of his character He has
been uniformly represented to me
as an industrious and honest man :;
"a good neighbor, kind husband
and an affectionate father A man
who desired to be moral, sober and
upright, but wanting in power to
resist temptation, His state at the
time he received his fatal injuries
was that of intoxication. In this
state he attempted to get on a pass
ing train; he fell, became entangled
in the wheels and was crushed in
both of his limbs. This was about
3 O'Clock in the afternoon, and at II
o'clock that night he died. From
the first he fully realized his situa-
ton. His unceasing cry and pray
er to God was for salvation. Just
before his. death he bid his family
and friends an affectionate farewell.
His closing moments are said to
have been full of quiet and hope.