The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-23
ey REV. CHARLES NJ. SHELDON.
Copyright 1900. BY IN. Aavauoe Publishing Co.
CHAPTER Nv.
uthor of sIn HE Steps: What Would jesus Do
Kirk Robert Harcy's Seven Days." Lto.


snent much Of his time In the afternoons
.,udv,nr the social and civic life OF the
town AS the nrst Sunday OF the next
month drew near, when he was to speak
again on the attitude of Christ 10 some
aspect OF modern society. he determined
IN select the saloon as one OF the promi-
pent features OF modern life mat Wouiu
naturally be noticed by Christ ana
doubtless be denounced by him as grea'
evil. =,
ala a thing which he had never done be
fore and then only after very much de-
liberation and prayer. lie went into the
saloons themselves on dinerent oVva-
sions He had never done such thing
before He wanted 10 know IRON actuhi
knowledge what sort of places the sh
looms were What he saw alter dozen
visits TO as many different Grogger'es
added fuel 10 the flame of Indignation
that burned already hot In HIM Inc
sight Of the vast army Of men turning IN
70 beasts in these dens created In nlh
loathlng and a hatred OF the whoie inip-
uitous institution that language taiien 10
EXPRESS lie wondered with unspeakaoie
asfonishment In his soul that civiiiseo
community in the nineteenth century
would tolerate for one moment the pubic
sale OF an article that led, on the confes-
sion Of society itself. to countless crimes
against the law of the land ana OF Goo
His indignant astonishment deepeheu YET
more. II that were possible, when ne
found that the license OF $500 year TOT
each saloon was used by the town 10 sup
mort the public school system. Ihat, 10
PhilIps mind was an awful sarcasm on
christian civilization. II seemed 10 MIN
like selling a man poison according 10
law and then taking the money from the
sale 10 help the widow to purchase
mourning. 1t was full as ghastly as mat
would be.
He went to see some OF the other MIN
listers. hoping TO unite them In com
hined attack on the saloon power. IL
seemed 10 him that II the church as
whole entered the crusade against the sa-
loon II could be driven out even from
Milton. where II had been so long estab-
Iished To his surprise. he found the oth-
er churches unwilling to unite In pup
lie battle against whisky men. Several OF
the ministers openly defended license as
the only practicable methods OF dealing
with the saloon. All OF them confessed IL
was evil. and only evil but under the cir
cumstances thought IL would do uttie
good TO agitate the subject Philip came
away from several interviews with the
ministers sad and sick al heart.
He approached several Of the prominent
men In the town. hoping TO enlist some
power. Here he met with an unexpected
opposition. coming In a form he had not
anticipated One prominent citizen said:
mfr. Strong. YOU will ruin your chances
here II YOU attack the saloons IN TINS
savage manner. and I'll tell you why:
whisky men hold tremendous influence
I'm Milton In the matter of political pow
or The CITY election comes of the mid.
die OF next month. The men up for office
are dependent for election on the votes
OF the saloon men and their Following
You will cut your head or sure III you
come out against them In public why,
there's Mr.. and so on Che nameu
half a dozen mem In your church VINO
are up fer office I'm the coming election
They can't be elected without the votes
of the rummies. and they know IT. Better
steer clear OF it. Mr.. Strong. The saloon
has been regular thing In Milton toi
over 80 years. II Is as much part OF th.
town as the churches or schools and
tell you II Is a power'
what cried Philip. In unbounded as
tonishment do YOU tell me. you. lead
ing citizen OF this town of $1,000 Infinite
eouls. that the saloon power has its grlI
90 this extent on the civic and social NE
Of the place. and YOU are willing to 81
down and let this devn sf crime and run
throttle you and not raise finger to ex
pei the monster? Is II possible? IL is no
in Christian America that such stat
OF Affairs In our political life should h'
endured.
Nevertheless. replied the business
man these are tho facts. And you WI
simply dash your own life out against
wall OF solid rock II you try TO night thi
evil. You have my warning.
MAY not also have your help crie'
Philip. hungry OF soul for companionshil
I'm the struggle which he saw was com
Ing
.'It would ruin my business TO come on
against the saloon" replied the maj
frankly.
And what Is that7" cried Philip ear
nsstiy. 1T has already ruined far NOR
that ought to be dear to you. Man. man
what are money and business compares
with your own flesh and blood? DO yo'
know where your own son was two night
sgo1 In one Of the vilest of the vile hole
In this city, which YOU. a father. licens
To another man tn destroy the life o
your own child, saw him there myself
and my heart ached for HIM and YOU. ]
r. the necessary truth. VIII YOU not ioi
with me TO wipe out this curse I'm so
cietyy'
The merchant trcmbled. and his lip
quivered at mention of his son. but n
replied;
II cannot do what you want MI
Strong, but you can count on my sym
pathy 4 you make the fight" Phil
finally went away. his soul tossed on
wave OF mountain proportions and grow
Ing more and more crested with foar
and wrath az the first Sunday Of tn
month drew near and he realized that IN
battle was one that he must wage singi
handed IN town Of 5000 people
He was not so destitute Of support .
he thought. There were many mothers
hearts IN Milton that had ached an
PRAYED in agony long years that the Al
mighty would come with his power an
sweep the curse away But Philip ha
not been long enough IN Milton 20 knot
the entire sentiment of The people. VI
had - far touched only the chuTc
through Its representative pulp,ts and
few OF the leading business men. ana IN
result had been almost Go convince hir
that very little help could be expecte
from the public generally. lie was ar
paiied 90 find out what tremendous hoi
the whisky men had on the business an
politics OF the place. n was n reveia
fion TO him OF their power. The whol
thing seemed 90 him like n trnvcsty Q
free government and terrible commer
tary on the boasted Christianity OF IN
century.
30 when he walked into the pulp.t IN
- =