The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-01-03

ielphia. about whom the following
true incident iB related,
He had been converted In his younger
DAYS, and became member OF the
Church. where he rose to be
d GLASS leader and exhorter. Being
very popular he drifted into politics,
and then commenced his downward
career. From tasting the first glass
OF liquor he went on, the craving rap
Idly growing upon him, until ne pc.
came confirmed drunkard, and was
expelled from the church. After that
no went down rapidly, and he was
summed by almost all, his only desire |
being to obtain liquor to satisfy the
burning cravings Of depraved appe-
title. Il
One New Years eve q number Of
years ago, while the snow was falling, |
and the keen night air was chilling
through those even heavily clad. this
man was wandering through the
streets, In search OF liquor. His hair
was matted and tangled, while MS
eyes were bloodshot and the absence
iof his accustomed stimulant gave
rags that co sered him were In tatters,
and as he stopped in front OF bril-.
'liantly lighted saloon, he trembied
from head to foot.
The room was filed with motley
crowd. who had assembled to sec the
old year out. and sounds OF boisterous
merriment, mixed with fearful oaths,
were heard. But thera-was a cheerful
fire on one side, and the man entered,
but had barely done 80 when he was
recognized by the bar tender, who In
no very friendly tones said:
NOW, you get out OF here Jim, you
lI,,. ra n nAnt hylt
YOU'D drink barrel OF rum II anyone
would give 1t to you"
The man looked at him imploringly.
,ibut the bartender only scowled and
pointed with meaning look toward
the door.
"Oh lot him stay" said one OF the
ltopers sitting near the stove, "and I'll
lpay for drink for him.g
The mention OF money seemed to
, modify the bartender, and he handed
up the bottle and glass as he received
the cash from the others hand. After
drinking the liquor the man took a
| seat with the other, and as he was
9 known to De an excellent singer was
called upon for song.
His voice. although broken by rum,
n was still good, and when he finished
t the song silly smile played over his
y haggard features as he listened to tile
g Communications OF his half drnnker
companionS2
Give us one more" shouted one Of
the crowd.
+. "Well, what shall 1t be, gentlemen
'tlinquired Jim. who with the liquor and
s. the heat was commencing to feel very
ri "Give us Methodist hymn. old fol
yilew,n said the first speaker, and thfi
l. was followed by roar of laughter
For moment he hesitated, and the1
with voice shattered but still noble
commenced that beautiful hymn:
" There Is fountain filed with blood,
u Drawn from Emmanuel g veins,
4 And sinners plunged beneath that HOOD
2, Lose all Their guilty stains"
a As he proceeded and sang "Ant
\. there may / though vile as he. wash al
il my sins away" it seemed to conn
home to his heart. For a time nj
voice faltered. and his face seemed a
though a shadow had fallen npon II
m while the tears streamed down hi
- cheeks. The beautiful melody seemet
20 to have brought back tide OF recol
ii ,lecLions of the past, the bright. happy
- hopeful days long since passed. an
long ago had assumed In his run
crazed brain, tho similitude OF
,r dream.
:. When he ended he sat with bowe'
NJ head, but the rude and noisy GREY
n. loudly applauded, minglirg oaths wit
nd their concentrations.
Then one of the worst said: NOV
let's have prayer" Jim.
l., mo, no, can't do that, / can't pra
4 now" moaned the poor wretch. Bu
Az, they would have no refusal. he mus
~ give them O. prayer, and finally b
yielded.
nd Lifting his old hat from his head G
nd he kneeled down, he said:
an Let us pray" Those around we
ready to laugh. but the unaifectt
= Isolemnity of his manner awed al
Suppressed their mirth, and the
n gazed upon him in silence.
1t was a singular sight, and one n
soon to be forgotten.
'.Our Father who art in Heaven. hi
u lowed be Thy name" His voice W
ceeded 1t became clearer. The spil
iof other days seemed to have roturn'
lupon him, and he prayed as of old.
The half drunken hearers seeunt
lspell-bound, and sat without motif
a A as he prayed with agonized earnes
w ness for pardon. for reconciliation, (
strength In the moment OF template
and light through all OF future II
to guide and direct in every devio
path, ana that at last they might attn
!. to eternal life.
Is, He ceased. but spell had fall
upon all, and not word was spoke
He took up his old hat aud turnil
away left the house. From that no
he became achanged man, and show
by his earnest, selt.denying Chiistii
labors of subsequent years. up to t
hour OF his death that his prayer, OIL
ed up in that noisy bar room, had n
IL been unheard or unanswered at t
throne Of grace.
So