The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-05-20
RELIGIOUS THOUGHTS.
By REV. J. o. COUGH, MANNING, S. C.
WE BELIEVE


WE BELIEVE
The man who, in recent article
so strongly criticised that noble or.
der of Knights of Pythias, knew no
what he was talking about. I have
never yet known a man who belonged
to this organization, or one OF similar
nature, who would ever speak dispara,
gingly of the brotherhood. The arrow
of criticism comes only from those
who know nothing of the principle
upon which this order was founded
aad of the truths it inculcates, anc
the many acts OF kindness and chari
ty which it fosters. Could he have
only seen something of its work anc
the benefits to be derived, not only
by those who are members but by
the poor and destitute; could be
have learned the great lesson Of mora
rectitude so strongly taught by this
order: the wrapping of the mantle o.
charity around the faults and frailties
of each other; tile lifting of the fallen
and filing the mouths of the hungry
he would have learned what the
writer learned years ago, never tc
speak disbonoringly of that which .:
I know nothing.
Hundreds focked around the
artesian we'll as soon IS it began tc
flow, to slake their thirst. There has
been flowing continual for over
eighteen hundred years through GU,
town and homes the "water of life,'
and here and there We see a thirsty
soul; others are peishing in the des.
ers of sin or drinking at the fountain
of the State-the dispensary.
Christian men in office would
improve the condition and situation
of things. It would be a reform
from the present.
The man who keeps the back
door Of his store open on Sunday sci,
dom ever leads in prayer
The man who keeps open a bar,
Der shop on Sunday will be very like
to have the devil to slave.
There are but few who could say
to God at the close OF each day
"Lord deal with me tomorrow, as
I have dealt with my fellow-man to-
day"
1t is step by step, moment by
momeut, that we press on our way,
either toward salvation or eternal
ruin. The first backward step is al
most imperceptible. Peter could de-
ny his Lord at first, afterwards he
could back it up with the vilest
oaths.
1t is unfair and unjust to forget
the good or kindness shown to US by
those with whom we live, for the
sake of orc little pain they may have
caused us, possibly unintentional on
their part.
"A man should keep his eyes
open when in the presence of a man
who patronizes the 'lispensary.
Christ Jesus did not have bar.
room clerk in view when be said, eye
are the light of the world"
When the heart is sad and
respondent and we are disappointed,
how thankful we should be that we
still have work ard prayer to com
fort lis. Occupation forcibly diverts
the mind aud prayer sweetly soothes
the soul.
John L. Sullivan for ten years
wore the champion belt as a pugilist,
and yet be could hot whip a glass ot
whiskey.
1t is said that Alexander the
Great conquered the world and died
druukard; could not conquer the
devils agent.
An old lawyer once said to a
young man, Glow old are you p
nineteen" was the reply. Then
you have lived nine million, three
hundred and thirty three thousand,
two hundred minutes, and each oil
those minutes las flown to God.
God has weighed them and ore day
you will give an account for each.
If we are to decide by the advice
Jobs wife gave her husband and the
example of Eve, women are not the
wisest of advisers.
The man who sits and laughs
and talks in the church of God while
prayer is being offered has but little
respect !or his mothers religion.
1t is estimated that three thou
sand wives persisted from the hands
of drunken husbands in the year
1895.
Men ought to follow after right
eousness, peace and JOY in the Holy
Ghost.
PACKSVILLE POINTERS.
Packsviile, S. c., May 19.--We are
having hot dry weather through this
section. The truck farmrs are al
most ruined. Most of the farmers
have good stands of cotton. The