Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-02-02

OF those who sow wild oats never
reap any other crop He started right
ana has kept right He went down in
1891. when the banks failed, but he
failed honestly and never lost his faith
in God. Ups and downs--he sometimes
laughs over thcm-but whether losing
or gaining he was growing better all the
tiiae He has been in many business
ventures, but he never ventured the ex-
pertinent of gaining the world and los
in: his soul His name was power
both in the church and in The business
world. He has drawn more checks for
contributions Ia asylums and churches
and schools than any one. except God,
knows. He has kept many business
man from failing by lending his name
on the hack of note till the crisis was
past. All heaven knows about him. for
th poor woman whose rent he paid in
her last days. and the man with con
sumption III the hospital 30 whom he
sent flowers and the cordials inst before
ascension. and the people he encouraged
in many ways. after they entered heaven
kept talking about it, for the immortals
arr neither deaf nor dumb Well, it is
about time for the old merchant himself
TO quit earthly residence.
as il is toward evening. he shuts the
sac, puts the roll Of newspapers i'll his
pocket, thinking that the family may
like To read them after ho gets home.
He folds up s. bill and gives il to the
boF 10 carry To one Of the car men who
got his leg broken and may be in need
of a little money; puts stamp on let
ter TO his grandson ut college. a letter
with good advice. and an Enclosure TO
make tho holidays happy. then locks
around the store or Office and says TO the
clerks Good evening. and starts for
home. stopping on the way at a door to
ask how his old friend. deacon in the
sane church, is getting on since his last
bal attack Of vertigo He enters his own
home. and that is his last evening on
earth. He does not say much. No last
words are necessary His whole life has
been a testimony for God and righteous
ness. More people would like TO attend
his obseqGies than any house or church
would hold. The officiating clergyman
begins his remarks by quoting from the
psslmist, Help. Lord. for the godly
man ceaseth. for the faithful fail from
among the children of men. Every
bo,r in heaven for all the million years
OF eternity that old merchant will see
tie results Of his earthly beneficcncc and
fidelity, while on the street where he
dil business. and in the orphan asylum
in which he was u director. aud in tho
church Of which ho was an officer. when
ever his geniality and bcneficonco and
goodness arc referred TO. bank director
VIII say 10 bank director. and merchant
60 merchant. and neighbor TO neighbof,
aEd Christian to Christian: That is re-
lilion Yes. that is religion. F."
Saved From Degradation.
There is man seated or standing
very near you. DO not look at him, for
il might be unnecessary embarrassment.
Only few minutes ago be came down
OF the sters Of rs happy home ~ there
is in this or any other city Fifteen
years ago. by reason Of his dissipatod
habits. his home was q horror 20 wife
aud children. What tina: WOMEN went
through with in order 10 preserve re-
spcctability and hide her husbands dis.
grace is tragedy which il wonld rc.
quire IS Shakespeare or Victor Hugo TO
write out in five tremendous acts Shall
! tell IL: lie struck her. Yes; tho ono
VINO nc the altar he had taken with vows
80 solemn they made the orange bios.
soins tremblcl He struck heri He made
the beautiful holidays "a reign Of ter
ror. " Instead Of his supporting her, she
supported him. The children had often
heard him speak the name Of God, but
never in prayer-only IN profanity It
was the saddcst thing on earth that ]
can think ola destroyed homel Walk
ing along the street one day an imper-
sonation Of all wrotchcdncss. he saw
sign at the door OF Young Men : Chris.
tian association. Meeting For Men
Only"
He went in. hardly knowing why he
did GO, and sat down by the door. and
young man was in broken voice and
poor grammar telling how the Lord had
saved him from dissipatcd life, aud
the man back by the door said 20 him
self, Why cannot have the Lord do the
same thing for ne:' and ho put his
hands, all a.tremblc, over his hloated face
ard said: 20 God. want that. must
have thatr' and God said. lyon shall
have il. and you have il now!' And the
man came ont and went home changed
man. and though the children at first
shrank back and looked 10 the mother
ard began 10 cry with fright they soon
saw that the father was changed man
That home has turned from Paradise
Lost 10 Paradise Rcgaincd. " The
wife sings all day long ut 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 10 welcome
him with caresses and questions Of,
What have you brought me:' They
have family prayers. They are alfogeth-
or on the road TO heaven. and when the
journey Of life is over they will live for
eva in each others companionship
Two Of their darling children are there
already. waiting for father and mother
TO come up What changed that man?
What reconstructed that home! What
took that wife, who was slave Of fear
and drudgery, and made her queen on
a throne of affection? / hear u whisper
ing all through this assemblage. know
what you are saying: That's rcligionl
Yes, that's religion!" Ny Lord and my
God, give us more Of il!
Why. my hearers from all parts of tho
earth, do you not get this bright and
beautiful and radiant and blissful aud
triumphant thing for yourselves, then
go home telling all your neighbors on
the Pacific, or in Nova Scotia. or in Lou.
isiana, or Maine. or Brazil. or England.
or Italy, or any part Of the round world,
that they may have it too. Have it for
the asking! Have it now. Mind you,
do not start from the pcssimistic stand
point that David did, when he got mad
and said in his haste, 'All men are
liarsr" or from the creed Of others that
every man is rs bad rs he can be- rath-
CT think from Your looks that you are
doing about rs well as you can in the
circumstances which you are placed. but
want TO invite you up into heights Of
safety and satisfaction and holiness, as
much higher than those which the world
affords rs Everest. the highest mountain
in all the earth. IL higher than your
front doorstep.
The Eedecmer.