National Baptist world., 1894-09-21
a WONDERFUL MESSAGE.
Tho FruitfuIness of Warming Wor
Against the Deadly Cup.

Tho Fruitfulness OF warning "orU
Against the Deadly Cup.
They had been introduced, of course,
but he spoke to her first dinner.
MAY l pour you little wine?' ne
asked.
THANK you," she said simply, "a
little. | drink only claret."
''You don't care for sweet wines?,'
II don't think | really care for any
wine, but. this is what we drink at
home. You did not pour any for your
self" she added moment after.
sit would be for the first time in my
life if had"
'How stranger She looked at him
point blank with a pair of clear and
very kind blue eyes. ''Have you scru-
pies? Do you think it wrong?'
''Well"-he drew a long breath
''hardly. Yet, for me it would be
wrong"
The color deepened on her cheek
little. He saw her check back word
from her lips, and the shadow that
swept over her face was sweeter than
any brightness. But he could not ap-
propriate her unmerited sympathy.
Mono" he declared, laughing
slightly. SIT is not at all temptation
to me- I have never known the taste
of any sort of liquor. | think l have
great advantage against fate in this,
and | mean to keep it,"
'"Then you are afraid, after all.
''Sometimes we recognize danger.
though we may not fear it.
''If it be danger you must fear it
You do, or you would not take precau-
tions."
He looked down and met her earnest
glance. She was forgetting her dinner
IF you were not afraid" she went
on impulsively, wine would seem to
you as harmless as water. 1t is because
YOU have fear that you will not touch
it,"
He was at loss just here. 1t was
difficult to match her candor without
touch of seeming discourtesy.
Suppose | drink to your better cour-
age she said. Aroguish dimple showed
itself THE deadly cup has no terror
for me"
He raised his crystal goblet and
drank to her in sparkling water, saying
gently:
But of my cup no one need be
afraid"
There was a pause. She had not lift
ed the wine to her lips. servant came
to remove the course and someone
spoke to her across the table. When he
could claim her attention again he was
) ready with a bright remark about the
beauty of some roses in vase near
them.
'Yes-so pretty-pretty," she sald
vaguely, and then with purpose IN her
tone: eve had not exhausted our topic.
| think May l asks it your convic-
= ton that liquor should not be used I'D
any form?' :,
! ''You are unmerciful," he deprecated.
r "Think how ungrateful it would seem
+ to object to anything among such sur
roundings."
Never mind about being compli
mentary," she replied, gravely. Il an
trying to reflect-to decide. = : -- h.ss.-
|, never before given one serious though
q to this question of temperance. Th
q people live among-and they are al
: upright, intelligent and refined-re
o gard a moderate use of liquor as al
l. most indispensable. Surely you mus
II admit that there are thousands anc
q thousands who are not in any way IN
+ iured by its use?'
e 81 know" he said quickly, 'but ther'
,; are millions and millions-the jails will
lt tell you-the hospitals"
IS He stopped abruptly.
g eyes," she said thoughtfully, "yes
J But why not take the good and avoit
II the evil? We need not become drunk
e ards because we use liquor?"
II He met the appeal Of her earnes
. eyes with look as earnest.
y ''Since you desire it," he answered
u steadily, 'let me say one word, an'
q then, | think, | will say no more. |
e you never touch liquor, you not onl.
u need not, you can not become drunk
ard But, if once it cross your lips, tn
II first step is made"
There was a long silence betwee1
e. them. The rest of the guests went o.
0, talking gayly, Presently she spoke, bu
Ld so low that he had to bend his ear t
l. listen.
lg ''You have given me a wonderful
lg messape" she said. She set aside he
a glass of wine, and in the simple act h
w knew there was consecra tion.-N. \
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