The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-01

In these Tariols lives. Those results
were already being felt all over the
city. Who could measure their influ-
ence ct the end of the Year,
One practical form OF this fellowship
showed itself in the assurances which
Edward Norman received in support Of
his paper There was general flocking
toward him when the meeting closed.
and the response to his appeal for help
from the Christian disciples in Ray
mond was fully understood by this little
company. The value OF such . paper iii
the homes and in behalf Of good citizen
ship. especially at the present crisis in
the city. could not be measured. 1t re-
mained to be seen what could be done
now that the paper was endowed so lib
orally. Bot it still was true, as Edward
Norman insisted that money alone
could not make the paper power. 1t
must receive tho support end sympathy
of the Christians in Raymond before it
could be counted Gs onc OF the great
Christian forces of tho city.
The wecl, that followed this Sunday
meeting was one Of great excitement
in Raymond. 1t was the week of the
election Donald Marsh, true to his
promise. took Up his cross and bore it
manfully. but with shuddering. with
groans and even tears, for his deepest
conviction was touched, and he tore
himself out of the scholarly scclusion
of years with pain and anguish that
cost him more than anything he had
ever done rs follower OF Christ. With
him were q few of the college professors
who had made the pledge in the First
church. Their experience and suffering
were the same as the presidents, for
their isolation from all tho duties of
citizenship had been the same The
same was also true of Henry Maxwell.
who plunged into the horror Of this
fight against whisky and it's allies with
sickenipg dread Of each days en-
counter with it. Never had he borne
such cross. He staggered under it,
and in the brief intervals when he came
in from the work and sought the quiet
Of his study for rest the sweat broke
out on his forehead, and he felt the ac-
tual terror of one who marches into
unseen, unknown horrors. Looking back
on it afterward, he was amazed at his
experience. He was not coward, but
he felt a dread that any man of his
habits feels when confronted suddenly
with a duty which carries with it the
doing of certain things so unfamiliar
that the actual details connected with
it betray his ignorance and fill him
with the shame of humiliation.
When Saturday, tho election day,
came, the excitement rose to its height.
An attempt was made to close all tho
saloons. 1t was partly successful, but
there was great deal of drinking 20
ing on all day. Tho Rcctangle boiled
and heaved and cursed and turned its
worst side out to tho gaze of the city.
Gray had continued his meetings dur
ing the week, and the results had been
even greater than he had dared to hone.
When Saturday came, it seemed to him
that the crisis in his work had been
reached. The Holy Spirit and the satan
of rum seemed to rouse up to desper-
ate conflict. The moro interest in the
meetings the moro ferocity and vilcncss
outside. The saloon men no longer con-
cealod their feelings Open threats Of
violence were made. Once during the
week Gray and his little company of
helpers We're assailed with missiles of
various kinds as they left the tent late
at night. The police sent down special
Pre- lection, and Virginia and Rachel
were always under tho protection Of
Rollin or DR.. West. Rachels power in
song had not diminished. Rather with
each night it seemed to add to the in
tensity and reality of the Spirits pres
ence.
Gray had at first hesitated about
having meeting that night, but he
had simple rule Of action and was al
ways guided by it. The Spirit seemed
to lead them to continue the meeting.
and so Saturday night he went Oh, as
usual
Theexcitement ali over the city lAd
reached its climax when the polls closed
at o'clock Never had there been such
a contest in Raymond The igeGo cf
license or no license had never boon cn
issue under such circumstances. Never
before had such clements in the city
been arrayed against each other 1t was
an unheard of thing that the president
of Lincoln college, the pastor Of the
First church, the dean Of the cathedral.
the professional men living in tho fno
houses on the boulevard, should come
personally into tho wards and by their
presence and their example represent
the Christian conscience of the place.
The ward politicians wero astonishod
at the sight However, their astonish-
ment did not prevent their activity
The fight grew hotter every hour, and
when O'Clock came neither side could
have guessed at the result with any ccr-
tainty Every ono agreed that never
had there been such an election in Ray
mond, and both sides awaited the an
nouncement of the result with the
greatest interest.
1t was after 10 o'clock when the