Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-08-10

consents to these practices, he Is be-
ing bound hand and foot by a habit
which has already destroyed "a great
multitude that no man can number"
Sometimes these gift enterprises are
carried on in the name of charity; and
some of you remember at the close of
our Civil War how many gift enter
prises were on foot, the proceeds to
go to the orphans and widows of the
soldiers and sailors. What did these
men who had charge of those gift en-
terprises care for the orphans and
widows? Why, they would have al
lowed them to freeze to death upon
ity, which, for the sake of relieving
present suffering, opens gaping jaw
that has swallowed down so much of
the virtue and good principle OF the
community. Young man, have moth
ing to do with these things. They
only sharpen your appetite for games
of chance. Do one of two things; be
honest or die.
! have accomplished my object IL
put you on the lookout. 1t is a great
deal easier to fall than it is to get up
again. The trouble is that when men
begin to go astray from the path Of
duty, they are apt to say: There's no
use of trying 20 get back. I've sacri-
feed my responsibility, can't return"
and they go On until they are utterly
destroyed. I tell you, my friends, that
God this moment, by his Holy Spirit,
can change your entire nature, so
that You will be different man in
minute Your great want-what is it?
More salary? Higher social position?
No; no. will tell you the great want
of every man. if he has not already
obtained it. Ii is the grace OF God.
Are there any who have fallen victims
to The sin that have been reprehend-
ing? You are in a prison. You rush
against the wall of this prison, and
try to get out, and you FAIL and you
turn around and dash against the other
wall until there is blood on the CRATES.
and blood on your soul. You will
never get out in this way. There is
only one way of getting out There is
key that can unlock that prison.
house. 1t is the key of the house of
David. 1t is the key that Christ wears
at his girdle. If you will allow him
to put that key TO the lock, the bolt
will shoot back. and the door viii
swing open, and you will be free
man in Christ Jesus. Oh, prodigal,
what a business this is for you, feed
ing swine, when your father stands in
the front door, straining his eyesight
to catch the first glimpse of your re-
turn; and the calf is as fat as it will be,
and the harps of heaven are all strung,
and the feet Tree. There are converted
gamblers in heaven. The light OF
eternity flashed upon the green baize
of their billiardsaloon. In the layer
of Gods forgiveness they washed off
all their sim They quit trying for
earthly stakes. They tried for heaven
and won it. There stretches a hand
from heaven toward the head of the
worst offender. 1t is hand, not
clenched as if to smite, but outspread
as III 10 uTCp UeHeulcliOH. Otner
seas have shore and may be fathom-
ed. but the sea of Gods love-eternity
has no plummet to strike the bot
tom, and immensely no iron-bound
shore to confine it. Its tides are lifted
by the heart of infinite compassion
It's waves are the hosannahs of the re-
deemed. The argosies that sail on it
drop anchor at last amid the thunder
ing salvo Of eternal victory. But alas
for that man who sits down to the
final game of life and puts his i'm
mortal soul on the ace, while angels
of God keep the tally board; and after
kings and queens. and knaves, and
spades are "shuffled" and cut" and
the game is ended. lowering and i'm
pending worlds discover that he has
lost it, the faro-bank of eternal dark
ness clutching down into its wallet
all the blood-stained wagers.