Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-06-20
W. G.. 4. y. NOTES.
SILyER-LININGS.
By GEORGE Il. SCOTT.

neaFiQ-StODeS IMAM tp TIE SuOJPcteu th.
So is it with tie effort to force public |
opinion up to a higher plane. T" WORK |
in the dark, with only the lantern OF |
hope to guide, is all right while the oil |
of youth and activity holds out; hui
there comes an hour to every reformer |
W hen he signs for som ething that the |
eve can look at without the aid of the |
telescope of faith; substantial success
which he can grasp and say, $50 much
is gained"
There is something heart-ci.eef in
the sight of fringe of silver-lining to
a thunder-cloud that is black with
threatenings aud uneasy with internal
rumolings.
I have often felt that the clouds
overshadowing the temperance move
ment W ere as dark as an Egg tan night,
and while listening to the voices of
anger that came from them, have
not unreasonably. wonder ed how
long such state of affairs would last.
I have seen the strongest-hearted men
quail and tremble before the rising tide
of public opinion that have gathered
around their feet, and have made them
ask themselves the question, "Are we
sure we stand ON solid rock?" I have
seen men and women, in those dark
hours cut to the quick by their friends
and Missed at by their enemies. And
the only thought was anxiety for sill
ver-linnig to show itself above the
horizon and shine for a little while, so
that new courage would take posses
sion of their almost despairing hearts.
Sometimes it has come-jnst wee
little flicker. The effect was electrical.
Dear readers of the Pioneer, during
the past few days / have caught
gIimpses of lining to the over
hanging clouds. Yes, have seen the
"bow of promise" affair off. 1t was ar
rayed in variegated colors, and spanned
the horizon from this office to my
home. In that silver fringe [ saw a
union of different religious elements, of
men of different political affinities; of
people of both sexes; and in it saw
also the ever-loving presence of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
because all these persons were engaged
in seeking to uplift mankind, and God
is always present with those who are
engaged In that work,
1 sat last evening looking at the rain
bow of hope shining for those who sigh
for relief from the deluge of lniquity
that flows from the saloons. Around
me were men who never before shook
hands over the determination to wage
eternal warfare against the saloon.
looked into the face of gray-haired,
small man, whom the people called,
"Father Fransioli," who, while giving
me cordial greeting, let fall from his
lips," xpect to meet you in Heaven"
He little thought, at the time, what a
slver-lining he was painting for the
eyes of my soul to gaze upon.
The same day the newspapers con-
tanned an account of that conservative
body of religious men--the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
coming out again flat-footed for the
principle of prohibition, in spite of the
circumstances of that Sage of Presby-
terianism, the Rev. DR.. Crosby. What
a sflver-lining was that for the nation
to look upon? How glad | felt that
the Presbyterian engine was not
switched off on the Crosby sid track,
hut with its headlight all abisza with
the principle of prohibition against
iniquity, is going steadily forward OF
the only road built for those who be
Iieve in the perseverance of the
saints"
Another s.lver-lining that canno
help mentioning, and that is the recog
nation by my neighbors of the fac
that something must be done 70 curtai
the iniquitics that flow from the opel
saloons of my own city. The saloons
lave reeked with filth; their window
have been the places for exhibition o
p;ctures that would make an unregen
crate cowboy from the plains blush
the horr:d oaths that come over thu
nnrtaIs of these hell-holes would viii
the first prze in the regions ofthe lost
tie filthy songs there sung would MAKE
sick the stomachs OF even the unciean
the horrid corruption Of souls amt
bodies going on ill these dens of vIc'
would make even devils look on with
feeling of contempt. Black. BLCK.
BLACK AS HELL.!!
But bark. There are whispers
around thti the 20, d men of Brt" XIV
are TO unite 10 say Ia their nei- h ors
to their church brethren, t. ti,ei
business fr lend. ami 10 their families
there must be q hat Gated. Hereto
fore divisions stood in the way; bu
it looks as if the walls that have S,
many years kept apart the opponent
of the saloons are about to be tori
down. Crash! Crash!! Crash.!! On
by one down they so. And over tn
dust, caused by the tumbling ruins, tn
rainbow again appears, and on it is writ
ten in letters of gold, I'm anton Their
is strengthen
"Amen!" say all honest supporters {
every genuine effort to decrease til
number of pathways to the gates
hell. "Hallelujah" from every moth,
whose cheeks have been furrowed b
tears that have coursed down them c