Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-07-17

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wanted tonight. JeweIry IN abuud-
ance flashes in the glare of the eau
deIabrum or street lamp. They
must be on time, not a moment late,
must hear the first song and nee the
first sight Of magniticence; can't
miss any Of this, it is too good j.
This i not prayermeeting or class
meeting night, where if they are
five minutes late don't matter much,
"Not Jesus tonight, but Belshaz-
gar" They have spent a long time
at the mirror, etc, for they must
look so exquisite, 80 nice. They are
ready. Round to the front gate
rolls the carriage. Amongst the
/ cushions they are at last settled
/ Drive on, eoachman. The merry
laughter floats on the evening
breeze through the open door Of the
chariot All is excitement. Down
the straight, beautiful streets the
chargers gallop in their haste as
though some grand time was in
store for them also Oh, We rich
ones, enjoy the drive, for it is the
last one. You will never see home
again. They never came back; like
the OK, driven to slaughter-Good
/ bye till Judgment. If the Invitations
sent out by the King Of Heaven met
with such a reception, what grand
times we would have. Is it possible
that Belshazzar is yet more popular
than Jesus? | have heard where the
rink had more attraction than the
class meeting for some members. l
would not like to die in such place
on class night, or any other night
for that matter, for most people
frequentiug those places ego down
the first thing" II is better to stay
up when one is up.
What night was it? Not one of
religious service, but one utterly be-
meath the dignity of an idiot, much
less a court Even representative
men do foolish things sometimes.
A night of feasting for the body
starvation for the soul. The land of
Goshen thrown right open for the
animal and the material; but Sahara,
barren and lightning scorched, for
the immortal and eternal. Wine and
every dainty for the mortal, whilst
the immortal calls aloud and in vain
for crumb of hard crust or a spot
Of water. On all the tables in all
the palaces, not one morsel for the
incorruptible. All for the body, for
Babylon, for time-eternity and God
are at discount. Just as Christ was
served afterward. No room. But
what night was it? In that night, &c.
A night of apparent security.
Nothing seemed different outwardly
to other nights. Indeed, things
looked better, for Cyrus and his
army, which for two years have been
hanging round for admission, have
left. Starved out, say the people.
Gone, any way. This banquet is
because Of their departure--a sort
of rejoicing. The walls are firm az
ever, no sign of decay. The gates
are ponderous and strong as ever.
The river all right Twenty years
of provisions for all hands in the
warehouses. Bravo! long live the
King! Wen have a good time to-
night. Waterman, what of the
night? All right as far as know.
Don't care, off duty tonight; it is
banquet night. They cried peace,
peace, when 10! sudden destruction
was at hand. So Antediluvians, SO
cities of the plain, &c. What night
was it2
A night of excess and careless
ness. One thousand drunken lords.
One thousand drunken concubines
One drunken King. Where a city
is in debauch things get neglected.
Not q Waterman on the wall, or if
there, drunk or asleep, or both. Gate
keeper likewise. He left the gates
leading to the river unbolted on the
inside. But what matter about
those inner private gates, Nobody
can come under the arch where the
river glides and get through them.
Can't they? Oh these secret sins
are the one opening up the avenues
of the soul, along which dash all the
host of surcharged temptations.
Take care Of the inner gates. BE
sober and watch to the end. No
body saw the decreasing water in
the channel of the river. "Bother
the old river" would have been the
rejoinder, had you spoken to anyone
about it. But it is getting lower and
lower-almost dry in places. 1t is
banquet night, cannot be troubled.
Good time for Cyrus; the carnival
suits him. 1t is an A / affair for
his project; he is sharpening the
knife OF retributlon for the terrific
attack. Drink on, carouse on, fill
up the tankard. Going, going, al
most gone. Oh, my friends, if we
drink and sleep, the devil never