The Rugbeian. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1881-1882, 1882-09-16
WORDS ALWAYS TIMELY.

Squire Range, of Orchard Grove,
Fentress county, a gentleman far ad-
vanced in the "sere and yellow leaf"
sends us few words relating to the
lives and the conduct of men, which,
coming from one we'll known and
esteemed among his fellows, will be
read with interest. His letter is rather
too long for publication, but it refers
to the late election in Fentress county,
when, the Squire says, "Satan ruled
and reigned in the hearts of so many
men, putting into their hearts that it
was no harm to start wilful falsehood,
and to send it as II plant throughout the
county in. order to get their neighbor
defeated in their election, so that they
could brag and boast over the defeat"
The writer then speaks of one whom he
had long befriended, turning upon him
with ingratitude, and speaking evilly
and falsely Of him, when he had "stood
by him like a father ''It is hard"
he says, ''for one to bear such false
reports, and it is hard for any one to
pray in the right spirit for such an
enemy" Squire Range then refers to
|. st. Peter, chap. ", s ", and says:
'The devil never breaches but three
sermons-Time Enough No Harm
Too Late. The first is to the man of
conviction, and who is struggling against
procrastination-time enough. The
second is to the man in doubt, and who
desires to follow scrupulously the path
of rectitude against temptation-no
harm. The third is to the victim of
despair, who would return-too late.
But no harm is the devils pet scheme,
time enough and too late are constant
ly preached, but he has erected the
sign-board mo Harm" over every insti-
tuition and den of ruin between here
and hell, and whenever man has
advanced far enough in Satan lodge to
take a new degree, then "No Harm" is
right over the door, over the ante-rooln,
and this point reached, no harm will
disslpate his doubt, and carry him in,
if ne is tempted on in the way of sin.
The dance, the ball room, the card
table, the wine cup, profanity, evil
associates, the gambling den, theft,
tattling, lying Oh his neighbor, busy
bodies, meddling in other peoples
business-all these step by step went
that victim yonder of despair Time
enough yet and no harm were sung at
every step; look at him, having swal-
lowed every cup CT joy till he drained
the fiery degree of burnt out passion ;
look at him. transformed to beast ;
see him bound hand and foot by the
chain of "a merciless and relentless habit ;
see him bowed yonder, too, in the iron
cage of his dungeon awaiting sentence
of death us he awaits the sentence of
the Judgment. This all comes from no
harm and time enough How shall we
escape this fearful doom? Why truth
and virtue are never doubtful, they ask
no defence; they only ask assertion and
practice. But what more shall say ?
Young, old and middle-aged men, many
of you III sin, the night is far spent and
the day of eternity and doom is at hand.
Let me invoke you in the language of
Paul-'Therefore cast off the works of
darkness and put ye on the armor of
light, says he, 'lec us walk honestly as
i'll the day. Not in riot;ng and drunk
enness, not in chambering and wanton-
ness, not in strife and envying; put on
the armor of light, that is, put ye on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not
provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts
thereof How beautiful this figure of
Jesus Christ, the armor of light'-the
day garb of tn righteous He is the
breastplate of Righteousness, the girdle
of truth, the shield of faith, the sword
of the spirit. Put on Christ, and cast
Oft the charac err and the deeds of the
devil. Young men, yon are the polar
star of our national, social and religious
prosperity; you must soon stand at the
helm of the ship of State, the ship of
Society, and the ship Of Zion, in
the place of the captains of the old
crews, whose only remaining power is
left in counsel. We need you as active,
earnest workers, not idlers; we need
your aid and strength in these days of
corruption. Throw not your life and
usefulness upon emo harm waste not
your energies, your health, your talents,