The Monitor., 1885-05-15

read The thirty-seventh verse of the fifth
chapter of Matthew. and to comment on
il.
wall, III read the Scripter an mebbe
I may feel like sayin a few words. but I
seem to be losin all my gift for public
speakin. I'll see thongl-I'll see.
That night, when Deacon Tack entered
the little church, his daughter and the min
ister having preceded him. the Rev AR
thur was surprised to find that the old gen.
tleman's face instead of the subdued ex-
preston he had expected to see there. wore
look Of unwonted cxhilaration. When
his passage was called for lie rose and read
in clear, emphatic tones: but let your
communication be yea, yea: nay, nay: for
whatsoever is more than these coneth Of
evil. Brethren he continued. empha-
sizing each word in his sharp, crisp way,
Il take it that the Master of us all meant
this for solemn rebuke to them thet re-
fuse to stand out on any question, either
fur or against it. tell yc tins everlastin'
quihblin', an guess-so-in an mcbbe-so-in'
cant come from nothin' but evil. and the
prince of evil at thet, Why, when [ read
this passage over to-day, felt mean clear
way down TO the soles Of my boots to think
| didn't come out on this whisky question
last night in way that ye might all on We
understand me- Brethren the dear old
mans voice trembed-.' were all on US
selfish, an don't realize danger thet don't
come nowheres near us, but We want to re-
member that there amt home in Briarly
Center but thet is threatened by this hydra
headed monster. You hey sons-bright,
lively boys thet'll be men afore long, and
ye look to them to be the stay Of your old
age. But jest ez bright boys ez yours hey
filed drunlzard's graves. hey a daugh-
ter; she's good, dutiful girl, thank God,
an I'd gladly give the little that's left of
this worn-out life Of mine to make her
happy. But jest ez good girls ez mine hey
married drinkin' men. an he'd their young
lives wrecked and gone down TO early
graves thet mebbe they was only toe glad
to fill
The Deacon was in tears and his were
not the only moist eyes
Brethren, he went or, with sudden
burst Of holy WRATH when think on these
things | want to see these grog dealers sent
down to the lowest depths OF perdition, an
| want to foller EN- down people held
their breaths, wondering What would come
next-s'an cram birthstone down their
throats with a red-hot poler.' concluded
Deacon Zack, as he took his seat and mop
ped up his tears and perspiration with
red bandana handkerchief
BY this time all had forgotten that they
were convened for Bible reading. One
after another spoke, each pledging his time
and property to the wiping ont Of the dis
grace that had fallen on Briarly Center
Need say that their efforts were success
full; that the flame of enthusiasm kindled
by Deacon lacks torch spread until the
little village became too warm for the conf
fort OF the saloonkeepers
So far as know, no other attempt has
ever been made to reform the Deacon.
If his pastor is sometimes tried in spirit
by some unusually extrayagant expression
he is careful to refrain from remark; for
the Rev. Arthur who has been for many
years the good old mans son-in-law, long
ago came to share in the opinion held by
all Of rs who knew him best; that it.
among the crowns of Heaven, there are
some of transcendent glory, one of these
will surely belong to Deacon Zach. Jessie
H. Brolra, in Good Cheer