Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-02-02
IF HE HAD LEFT HIMP
But Mr. Little stayed by Jerry Mac
nuIey and the Sot Became
Power for Righteousness.

do you know Jesus?" was the ques-
ton which TO unaccustomed ears may
seem abrupt and irreverent.
And who is Hep"
The reply. expressing as much de-
fiance as ignorance, was uttered by
fierce-looking woman on the stairs of
a dirty tenement-house at IL Cherry
HILL" New York city. % years ago.
The questioner was Mr.. Little, a
visitor from an uptown church. The
woman had placed herself in his way
and disputed his passage.
In room near by lay drunkard just
awaking from his sodden sleep.
Through the partIy-open door he
heard the strangers voice, and gather
ing himself up from the floor, came out
to see who it was. The apparition of
the unshaven rough in his red shirt
and high-legged boots was so threaten
ing that Mr.. Little retreated down
stairs: but the man followed him.
Say" he called, hoarsely, what
name was it you asked that woman
about?"
Mr. Little believed he meant to make
trouble, and his surprise may be mag
ined when the fellow added:
Il used to love that name years ago
when / was in prison-but ! lost Him.
] wish l knew where could find Him"
1t was a fact that the drunkard was
one of the convicts who had been in
fluenced by the preaching of Orville
Gardner, the converted prize-fighter,
!. 8 -, 20, Ss-
ons. His reformed life and docile be-
havior had shortened his sentence and
Gov. Dix before his term had expired
pardoned him.
With no offered opening TO encourage
the 'jailbird" in honest living. his re-
lapse into his old ways was almost in
evitable. If he had friends of the true
sort, they lost sight of him.
Mr.. Little at once returned TO the
man and took him TO a room in New
Bowery, listened to his story, treated
him as brother, and saw him sign the
pledge.
The next time he met the ex-convict
three nights afterward--t man was
in liquor, and making his way to the
river in company with a Water street
thief. The missionary begged him to
turn back and go to his home with him,
but he pleaded that he couldn't
starve."
'.I'll pawn the coat have on" said
Mr.. Little, before I'll see you steal"
The poor fellow looked at his friend.
''If you are that kind of a friend I'll
die before I'll steal" he said.
"'Seek first the kingdom of Cod
and all the rest will be given to you
Jerry, that's Bible"
I'll take it," said Jerry; and regard
less of his profane companions abuse,
he left him and walked off with the mis-
sionary.
Not only once, but five times after
this the reformed" eX-convict fell
and began again, for Mr.. Little would
not leave him. He followed him with
his friendly help, and he summoned aid
of his Christian allies, until he saw
him safely on his feet, and standing out
boldly as professed follower of Christ.
Jerry Macauley did not fall again.
The mission founded by him at GIG Wa
ter street, New York. and which bears
his name, celebrated its twenty-fifth
anniversary in Carnegie hall the 2lst
OF last November.
1t is a health-spot in the purlieus of
sin. 1t has brought life and blessings
to hundreds of darkened and debased
souls who else would have known no
God and no divine teacher.
Against the evil he once did CRATE
full community will set the gracious
later influence of the sometime thief
and outcast. Jerry Macauley.
But what if Mr.. Little had left him
In the divine habit of mercy there are
years of patience, and seventy times
seven" forgivings to one repulse. Only
after such love is wasted, can come the
terrible sentence: "Ephraim is joined
to his idols; let him alone. Youths
Companion.