The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-03-20
A PRACTICAL HELP.

About five years ago one cold Sunday
morning, a young man crept out of &
market house in Philadelphia, into the
nipping air, just as the bells began tc
ring for church. He had slept under 6
stall at night, or rather lain him there
in stupor from a long debauch. Hill
face, which had once been delicate anC
refined, WAS blue from cold and blotcheC
with sores; his clothes were Of fine
texture, but they hung on him in rag
covered with mud. He staggered fain
with hunger and exhaustion; the snowy
streets, the gaily dressed crowds throng
ing to church, swan before his eyes; hi
brain was daZed for want of the usua
stimulant. He gasped with horrible
sick thirst, a mad craving for liquor
which the sober man cannot imagine
He looked down at the ragged coat flap
ping about him, at his brimless hat, tc
find something he could pawn for wits
ky, but he had nothing. Then he drop
ped upon a stone step, leading as it hap
pened, into a church.
The worshipers were going in. Some
elegantly dressed women, seeing the
wretched sOt, drew their garments closer
and hurried by on the other side. One
elderly woman turned to look at him just
as two young men of his own age halted
That is George c." said one.
Five years ago he was a promising
young lawyer in P. His mother and
sister live there still. They think he i.
dead"
"What did it?'
Trying to live in fashionable sci
first, then brandy. Come on. We shall
be late for church."
The lady went up to George C-a and
took his ann. "Come inside" she said
sternly, with secret loathing in hei
heart. ".rhe gospel is for such as you
Come and pray to God that perhaps al
this late day he may lead you to redemp'
ton"
He stared stupidity at her.
She lectured him for some time, sharp.
ly, trying to compress the truths vi
Christianity into few terse sentences.
But that young mans brain did moi
want truth or the gospel, it wanted phys.
ical stimulant. His head dropped on
his breast; she left him going with O de.
spairing sigh into the church.
A few minutes later gentleman came
up, who had different ideas of teaching
Christ. He saw with glance the death.
ly pallor under the bloated skin.
"You have not had breakfast vet my
dear friend" he said briskly. 'Come
Well go together and find some"
George C muttered something
about "a trifie," and tavern"
But his friend drew his arm within his
own, and hurried him trembling and re-
sisting down the street, to little hall
where table was set with strong coffee
and hot, savory meal. II was surround
ed by men and women as wretched as
himself -
He ate and drank ravenously.
When he mad finished, his eye was al
most clear, and his step steady, as he
came up to his new friend and said:
81 thank you. You have helped me"
LET me help you farther. Sit down
with me and listen to some music"
Somebody touched a few plaintive
notes on an organ and hymn was sung;
one of the old, simple strains which
mothers sing to their children and bring
themselves nearer to God. The tears
stood in George C--'s eyes. e.listen-
ed while a few of the words Of Jesus
were read. Then he rose to go.
II was man once, like YOU" he said,
holding out his hand. 81 believed Christ
but it is too late now"
1T is not too latep' cried his friend.
1t is needless TO tell how he pleaded
with him, nor how for months he renew.
ed his efforts.
He succeeded at last.
George C has been for four years a
sober man. He fills position of trust
in the town where he was born, and his
mothers heart was made glad in her old
age.
Every Sunday morning the breakfast
is set, and wretched men and women
whom the world rejects are gathered in
to 1t. Surely it is work which Christ
would set his followers upon that day
Truth.