The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-05-11
WHITES pRAYER-MEETING.

larger number than usual TO the place OF
prayer.
The singing was inspiring, the Scripture
read was eminently practical, and the sub
ject proposed for consideration one which
appealed to every man, woman and child
present.
Gas protesting Christians, what is our
duty in regard to the sale of Intoxicating
liquors in our midst?'
at is time this question was seriously
asked, and as seriously answered, said tho
good deacon. 'On my way here | passed
two saloons where beer and cider are
sold openly, and where / have no doubt
stronger liquors are sold more secretly.
And, my friends, we are responsible for
this. There are fifty men and women here
this evening, and fifty working with might
and nam against any local evil cannot fail
of a good degree of success. There are
not all here who should be. Some are in
the saloons; some, too, for whom mothers.
are praying. God pity those mothers, and
forgive us who are in large measure re-
sponsible for their sorrow!
1--WE have allowed the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors in our midst. Yes, friends, we
have allowed this sale, and we are very
guilty"
Much more than this said the leader;
each utterance a personal accusation, of
which he accepted his full share. He then
offered ar earnest prayer that all might be
made to see their duty and have strength
to perform it.
After singing a hymn there was al omi-
nous silence, in which the ticking of the
clock could be distinctly heard. At length
thiss silence was broken by the pastor, who
acknowledged his remissness and pledged
himself to greater fidelity.
The next voice heard was that of a poor
woman who sat in an obscure corner of the
room, as though wishing to escape obser-
walton. ''There will be hope for my boy if
the saloons are closed. 1t has seemed to
me sometimes that God had forgotten MS,
and | came in here this evening to see il |
could get any help or comfort. | I'm
thankful | came. | shall have faith now
to keep on praying, and may God bless
Deacon White for what he has said to
us,"
Others expressed themselves glad that
so important a matter had been so forcibly
presented, and declared their readiness to
aid in any way possible the work of re-
form.
Then arose Mr.. Swanton, a tail, digni-
fled gentleman, whose utterances were al
ways measured, and whose opinions were
always positive. He was sorry to disagree
with what seemed to be the prevailing SEN
timent of the evening, but he could not
believe himself in any way responsible for
the sale of Intoxicating liquor, neither was
he prepared to go all lengths for its sup
preston. There should be caution and
discretion, lest a mistaken zeal shonld
bring upon them some greater evil.
AT this point in his remarks a young
man came hurriedly into the chapel, and,
after speaking to him for a moment, went
as hurriedly out. Stopping for an apology,
Mr.. Swanton seized his hat and, while a
strange pallor overspread his face, left the
room.
interruption to the meeting, which was
prolonged beyond the usual time. Reso-
lutions were passed and pledges given, so
that Deacon White felt sure of support in
n y, Of nation ha nlinht undertake
Enthusiasm had been aroused, and at
tention called to an evil the magnitude of
which, although but half eomprehended,
seemed well-nigh overwhelming to those
who almost for the first time gave it
serious thought.
While singing the closing hymn Mr..
Swanton entered the room as abruptly as
he had left it, and, going forward to the
platform, stood with bowed head until the
singing ceased. Then in a husky voice he
said: Friends, | have come to ask for
your forgiveness and your prayers. | had
forgotten that was bound to love my
neighbor as myself. A revelation has
been made to me this evening. A sorrow
has come to me such as | would not have
believed could ever fall to my lot, and my
eyes have been opened. | say now that
the saloons in our midst must be closed.
They must be closed, and you can count
on me for all my influence is worth and
fer generous pecuniary add
Before those who listened had recovered
from their surprise, Mr.. Swanton was
gone. He had not dreamed of danger to
his only son, but others knew that Harold
Swanton was an occasional visitor in the
saloons, and that during the last few
months his visits had become more fire.
quent. The pride of his father and the
idol of his mother, there was, notwith-
standing his brilliant talents, something of
recklessness in his character, which made
any excitement peculiarly fascinating.
How it happened was never really known
outside of the saloon, but in a trial of
strength, either in angry or good-natured
contest, the young man was SO severely in
iured that for a time he was thought to be
dead. Happily, however, he soon rallied,
and when the physician pronounced him
in no immediate danger, Mr.. Swanton re-
turned to the chapel to acknowledge his