The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-10
TEMPERANCE.
ONLY A BABY's PRAYER.

ONLY DABY's PRAYER.
"Now lay me down to seep"-'Twas just at
A little freckIed. chubby boy knelt by his
mothers side.
The father in his old armchair was moved
to tender toars,
The sound of those pathetic words brought
back his childhood years.
He thought of.how he used to kneel beside
his little bed.
And how his mother knelt there, too--alas
she now is dead.
He looked back o'er the vanished years when
he was but q 10y,
So full Of hope and innocence, his own dea1
mothers joy.
Since then the drrnkard's cup has thrown
its shadow DER his life,
It wrecked his years and crushed the hope
Of his devoted wife.
The welded love was blighted and their
home was filled with tears,
And the future seemed to promise only darl
and dreary years.
"Dod bess my papa dear tonight, an mate
him dood and true"
Thus came the words from tender lips. His
heart was stirred anew.
The mother hugs her little boy and checks q
straying tear,
The fathers heart glows warm again with
love for those so dear.
'Tis night again. and side by side they both
kneel down and pray
Just as they used to do ut home In times so
far away.
Tbs fathers heart Is true once more; his
words are kind and mild,
He kneels ransomed man at last, led by
little child.
Albert C. Smith, in Rams Horn.
DON'T DO IT! .,.,-.
If you are the father Of a family, do ROT
touch intoxicating drinks. WhyY Because
your example may be the means Of causing
the temporal and eternal misery of those who
look up to you as their guide and example.
If you are a mother. do not use 1t yourself
or allow its use in your home il you value
the manhood OF your sons or the woman.
hood Of your daughters II maiden do not
offer It 10 your male friends. and II tempted
to do 80 just think for moment OF the terri
bic responsibility you assume. The glass
you offer may be the means of starting the
young man on the downward road to ruin
and ;teath. He may know his weakness, but
his anxiety to appear we'll in your eyes, OF
from lack Of moral courage to refuse any
thing proffered by the hand of youth and
beauty, takes that which under other circun.
stances he would shun. Many young man
dates bis downfall from the social glass
taken under the parental roof or in the
house Of some friend CO Of the family. Do
not try to induce the man who, from sad ex.
perience, knows his weakness to break bis
pledge or resolution to abstain. This is often
done thoughtlessly, from mistaken idea OF
friendship or sociability, and without a
thought Of the possible consequences that
may follow. Do not, however. fall into the
not uncommon error Of assuming that every
man who takes pledge Is necessarily re-
formed drunkard or one who needs any spe-
cial restraint on his appetite for liquor. On
the contrary, many oblgate themselves In
that way simply as an example for others to
follow, hoping thereby to save some weaker
brother. Do not keep liquor In your house
on the specious plea OF necessity for use in
case OF sickness; that necessity is rarely ex-
perienced, and but too often is merely IN cx-
cuse for over-indulgence. Do not imagine
you will be unable to sleep without "night
cap" or awake without an "eye opener" y
Sacred Heart Review.