Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-02-08

tragedy whi,h 1t would require Shakes.
peare OF victor Hugo to write out ii FIVE
tremendous acts. Shall 1 tell il? He struck
her. Yes the one who at the altar he had
taken with VOWS so solemn they made the
orange blossoms tremble! He struck her
ne maze the beautiful holidays "a reign Of
terror. Instead OF his supporting her, she
supported him. Tho children had often
neard him speak the name Of God, but never
IN prayer-only In profanity. 1t was the
SaoaeSt thing on earth that can think Of
destroyed home! Walking along the
street one day an impersonatton of all
wretchedness. he saw sign at the door Of
Young Mems Christian Association.
Meeting Fer Men Only"
He went In hardly knowing why he did
go, and sat down by the door. and a young
man was In broken voice an poor grammar
telling how the Lord had saved him from a
dlssipatec, lie, and the man back by the
door SAID 70 himself, "Why cannot hava
the Lord do the same thing for meY" and he
put his hands, all a-tremble. over his bloated
face and said 30 God, want that L must
have that ~ and God said. "Yoa shall have
IT, and you have il nowr And the man
came out and went home a changed man,
and though the children at first shrank back
and looked to the mother and began to cry
with fright they soon saw that the father
was changed man. That home has turn ed
from Paradise LOST" to paradise Re.
gained" The wife sings all day long at her
work, for she is so happy and the children
rush out into the hall at the first rattle OF the
fathers key in the door latch TO welcome
him with caresses and questions OF, "What
have you brought me?" They have family
prayers. They are altogether on the
road 10 heaven, and when the journey OF
life Is over they will live forever in each
others companionship. Two OF their dar
ling children are there already, waiting tor
father and mother to come up. What
changed that man? What reconstruct that
home2 What took that wife, who was
slave OF fear and drudgery, and made her
queen on throne of affection? l hear
whispering all through this assemblage. I
know what you are saying: "That's relig-
ion Yes, that's religion!' My Lord and
my God, give us more OF it v
Why, my hearers from all parts Of the
earth, do you not get this bright and beauti-
full and radiant and blissful and triumphant
thing for yourselves, then go home telling all
your nelghbors GA the Pacific, or in Nova
Scotia, or In Louisiana, or Maine, or Brazil,
or England, or Italy, or any part OF the
round world, that they may have 1t too.
Have it for the asking! Have 1t now Mind
you, 1 do not start from the pessimistic
standpoint that David did, when he got mad
and said In his haste, "All men are liars!"
or from the creed of others that every man
IL as bad as he can be. / rather think from
your looks that you are doing about as well
az you can in the circumstances Wnicn you
are placed, but want to invite you up into
heights of safety and satisfaction and hoi-
ness as much higher than those which the
world affords as Everest, the highest noun.
tain in all the earth, is higher than your
front doorstep.
Here He comes now. Who Is itH L might
be alarmed and afraid II had not seen Him
before and heard His voice. l thought He
would come before got through with this
sermon. Stand back and make way for Him.
He comes with'scars all around His forehead
scars In the center OF both hands stretched
out TO greet you scars on the instep of both
the breast under which throbs the great
heart of sympathy which feels for you. | an
nounce Him. introduce Him TO you, Jesus
of Bethlehem and Olivet and Golgotha. Why
contest Thou hither.this winter day, Thou OF
the springtime and summary heavens He
answers To give all this audience pardon
for guilt, con lolence for grief, whole regl-
ments of help for day OF battle and eternal
life for the dead What response shall /
give Him? In your behalf and In my own
behalf hail Him with the ascrlption Gun
to Him who hath loved US, and washed US
from our sins In His own blood, and hath
made US kings and priests unto God and His
Father TO Him be glory and dominion for
ever and ever. Amen"