Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-03-17
VIC. I. U. COLUMN.
Rescue The P.rishinQ

Rescue The P.rishing
SO runs the refrain or a hymn mnch
used at this season Of the year when the
churches are engaged i'm revival efforts.
We wish to say word in behalf Of a elias,
That Is almost regarded as hopcless-we
plead for The salvation OF the drunkard.
Some years ago, m one of our western
villages, grog-ship ire, and before the
/ OLD fashioned hand engine with which the
town was equipped could get upon the
ground, il was evidently past saving. Jusi
n it was being abandoned to destruction.
fireman looked in through It's open door,
and al The farther end Of the bar room he
saw man lying IN drunken stupor upon
the floor. Wrapping himself with wei
blankets and crawling along low under the
smoke and flames. the brave fireman
reached the drunken man and dragged him
forth to life and safety al the deadly peril
Of his own. The whole town rang with
praises of the heroic rescue. The news
paper told the deed abroad. The fireman
was the hero Of the day.
In like manner we are told is there r..
ioicing among the angels for the salvation
of one erring soul, even though IT he a
poor inebriale. He who makes such a
rescue covers a multitude Of sins and re-
deems an immortal being from destruc-
ton. Scores have we known thus saved ;
be encouraged to make the attempt upon
some soul, that YOU may add Star TO
your crown
There is an old legend that in the val
ley of Eusscslhil in switzerland. where
are the ruins OF a convent choir, there was
once golden organ that stood i'm the
church and was played during divine ser
vice. When the convent was attacked.
the first care of the monks was to save
this treasure; and they dragged it to
marsh, and sank il as deep rs they
could. Superstition holds that it is still IN
the neighborhood, though the spot has
never been found, and that every seven
years it rises ont Of the swamp at midnight
and its sublime tones are heard in the dis
lance. Nothing is comparable to the
gentle breathing Of the golden pipes in the
solemn Stiffness OF the light; and then the
soft tones swell into mighty pillows Of
song. which rush along the valley and die
out at last in echoes through the forest.
Down in the drdnkard's heart, low
>unkcn IN the mirc Of anlmalism. with lis
golden pipes clogged by the wrockage 81
manyssa sorowful year, is spiritual nat
ure that may be lifted and made to pro.
duce harmonies celestial once more. For
the raising of such buried souls came
Christ into the world, and in these snb-
merged spirits are all the glorious pipes
and stops fit to breathe forth heavenly
melodies again The redeemed drunkard
may become such an organ volumed in
strument for the music OF righteousness as
Cough, or Benson, or Murphy, or
Wooley.
To some persons a drunkard staggering
along the street seems an amusing spe,ta.
tace. To us il appears one OF almost IN.
finite sadness, tit TO excite the deepest
pity. Our impulse is always to 20 to
such an one, and putting our arms about
him, guide his devious, doubtful footsteps
TO place of safety We know the natur-
ally noble character Of many OF these
men, bat for the deadly thirst for strong
drink. We are thinking of one now
handsome, generous. talented, lovable-
a natural leader OF men, save when his
better nature is buried in the intoxicating
cup. A little child often climbs upon his
knees. and begs him to "be good. a
beautiful young wife entwines her arms
about his neck and with lips and eyes and
voice prays him to be strong against his
awful foe. And we know how the poor
fellow sometimes goes apart in the dark
ness of the night when the fit of raging
appetite is upon him, and pitifully pleads
with God for deliverance. Except his
one great weakness. this man is one of
the best we meet. Let all good Christians
try TO help aud to save such.