Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-11-26

uroay morning. When the mail
Is delivered as the family are at
breakfast, there is a letter in a
strange handwriting, postmarked
from u distant western city. adj
dressed to Col. Hazelton, which
reads as follows:
Mr.. and Mrs. Col. Hazelton. Dear
Sir and Madam: You will be sur
prlsed to receive a letter from one
VINO Is stranger to you. | write ut
the request OF your son, Harold. and
have good news for you. ''He that was
dead is alive again: AMI he that was
lost Is found" On last SUNDAY about
the time OF our usual service for men.
stepping outside of the building for Il
moment, my attention was attracted to
young man standing near the door,
apparently listening to the singing in
side-a baritone solo. of which the
words were:
Throw out the lifeline across the
dark wave.
There is brother whom some one
must save,
Somebody's brother &c.
Perhaps the words of the song.
There is brother" &C., caused me to
notice the stranger more closely.
took him by the hand and invited him
to come in to our service. Much to nv
surprise he readily accepted the invita-
ton. As he entered our usher warmly
grassped his hand and gave him song
book. He listened attentively and
seemed oeepl y moved. especially by
the testimonies of the young men.
And when the invitation was given for
any who desired prayers to rise, a
young man sitting next to him spoke to
him and he rose. Before dismissal
managed to be beside him and to de-
tam hlm Tor personal conversation.
drew from him the story of his wander
ings. how he had drifted aimlessly
from city to city till he had on Satur-
day reached our city. penniless and al
most IN rags. AS he passed our door
on the afternoon of Sunday. he had
paused to listen to the singing and
came In at my invitatiun. he knew not
why. l knelt with him in prayer. told
him OF the One able to save to the ut
termost and he accepted that Savior.
He was converted and rose to his feet a
new man. We have found him work
and a good boarding place. He will
soon be able to return home. but wishes
you to know the good news, that this
year no shadow should rest upon YOUR
Thanksgiving. | join you in saving:
Praise God from whom all blessings
flow, &c" You may hope to see y0ur
son ere long. Most sincerely yours.
RALPH RAYBURN,
Y. NJ. c. A. See.
Would that l could paint the
scene of that breakfast table when
the Y. NJ. &. A. secretary's letter
had been read. The mother knew
now why she had felt in her heart
on the Sabbath such peace, and
why song of Joy had almost es-
capped her lips. The daughter
went swiftly to the piano, ere any
one had spoken and touched the
notes for the doxology. How de
voutly, thankfully they all sang
that praise God" &c. Harold
must be with them on Thanksgiv-
ing day. A letter is written to
the secretary of the Y. NJ. G.. A.
enclosing a draft for one hundred
dollars for Harold, to provide him
with wearing apparel and pay the
expenses of his journey. Before
the letter is sealed the mother
comes with another draft for two
hundred and fifty dollars for the
secretary. ''for the work of the
Young Mems Christian Associa
ton "A mothers thank offer
ing"
And now all was hustle and prep
aration in that home. The ''fatted
calf was not killed, but turkeys
and chickens fell before the hand
of the eXecutioncr. >Savory dishes
and danties are made ready.
THANKSGIVING day has come.
Colonel Hazelton and family 90
up to the house of God to the ser
vice of the day. Harold is with
them. How the father and mother
listen to the anthem of praise.
to the prayer of Thanks
giving. the sermon recount
ing the reason why thanks
should Ike given. Ere the service
closes there was part that was
not on the program. Harold rose
and asked the privilege of saving a
few words. He told the story of
his conversion, of the helpful hand
reached to him by the Y. M. c. A.
and then declared his purpose to
devote his life and his strength
to working for young men. and
asked all who would cooperate to
unite with him in organizing Y.
NJ. c. A in that town. Need we
say that there was hearty re-
Spouse, and that now for many
years Harold Hazelton has been
the energetic and tireiess and sue
cessful worker among the young
men, not alone in his native town.
but his name and zeal and conse-
Grafton are widely felt TODAY. But
l anticipate. After the service in
the church Col. Hazelton's family
meet for the Thanksgiving dinner.
vUyt