Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-04-04
A CHRISTIAN SACRIFICE.
The Motive That Actuated a College
Student.

""V anu pIOlebSeu 10 IOllOW lts
teachings, one day awoke to the fact
that, having been absorbed by his stud
les, he had forgotten that his profession
placed him under sacred obligations to
lead a generous, unselflsh life.
While in this frame of mind the
thought of another student in the uni
versity came to him-a fellow towns
man--who was fast rioting himself to
death. The two had been friends, but
when the younger man began to drink
and to seek questionable associates, the
medical student avoided him. Now he
felt that he had done wrong to aban-
don man when he most needed a
friend.
That day he hunted the poor fellow
up, and found him partially under the
influence of the last nights debauch.
His books were lying before him, and
he was stupidity trying to prepare for
his next recitation.
This place is not for a man like you.
Come to my rooms. We will share
them together"
The poor fellow answered. "I can t
leave. I'm in debt I'm no good. I'm
past any hope of reform. Let me
alone"
"Not bit of it, answered the other,
cheerily. II have let you alone too
long"
The young man paid his townsman' s
debts and look him to his own neat
rooms.
The next morning his guest was
sober, and the host proposed written
contract between them, if they were
going to live together. This paper
stipulated, among other things, that
neither of them was TO 20 out alone;
that twenty minutes should be allowed
to get to the university or back, and
all extra time should be accounted for.
One hour each day was to be reserved
for pleasure. Under all circumstances
bygones were to be bygOnes.
This contract was signed by both
students. A month passed without any
violation of it. Then the man who had
been rescued threw down his book and
exclaimed:
II can endure IL no longerl l can t
and l won't continue the struggle to
keep that contract"
"All right. Break it, then, and break
it here, was the calm reply.
But how canIp Imust drink. There
is no brandy here"
Drink, if you must; I'm studying. :"
IAN right! will"
The half reformed fellow rose to put
on his hat. His host also rose and took
his.
What are you doingp" asked the
other, querulously.
Remember our contract. If you must
drink, must go with you."
The guests eyes fell, and he dropped
to his chair. His face grew deadly
pale. Should he break away from this
man, the only true friend he hadp If
ne did, there was no hope for him. 1t
meant drunknrd's degradation, possi-
bly, drunkard's grave. The horrible
craving for liquor stirred every nerve
in his body. The struggle, the alterna-
tions of feeling, the intensity of desire,
convulsed his whole nature.
There was pause. For some mo-
ments in silence the men faced each
other, one sitting, the other standing
AT length the set lips of the tempted
man relaxed, the frenzied eye softened,
and he said, feebly:
Thank you, ol fellow, l Il stay here,
and try-and-try-to overcome" and
then, crying like child, he threw him
self upon his bed.
Another month passed. The tempta-
ton came again. Again this constant
friend stood by him, supporting him
by his strong will, and his firm SYM
pathy.
When eighteen months had passed
the drunkard was cured man. His
old haunts had been abandoned, his
old tastes overcome. During this period
of convalescence his friend, each day
in the quiet of his little side room, had
offered openly his morning prayer, and
had read some time during each day a
book which he had not invited him to
share. 1t was the Bible.
"You never talk religion to me, )" said
the puzzled man one day.
Talk religion, when his self -sacrific-
ing host was leading the life of Christ
before his eyes? 1t was the life that
had saved. 1t ought to have spoken
louder than words.
II would have talked religion had it
seemed best that should do 30" said
his friend. II have not Stunned to show
you the motive that has governed my
conduct. Your feelings and opinions,
with regard to Christ, whom l love,
have been indifferent, almost antagon-
istic. More than l can tell you, should
rejoice could know that you have the
hope, and the incentive to true life
that l have found in Him love-"
When the savior of his friend left the
university, he took no honors, for his
work of mercy had not left him time
to do so. He was simply what is called
a common place man." The other,