The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-05-29

for it was very long since he had seen
a minister at close range, and the clear
eyes, full of determination, the voice
courteous but but firm, commanded his
respect, and he felt instinctively that
the minister would do exactly what he
said he would, though the heavens fell.
1t was Nick's voice in the counter de-
liberatiOns of the dealers in his trade
which counseled compliance with the
law, repugnant as the alternative
might be, and who refused to listen to
any schemes of revengeful attack
upon the minister who, as leader, had
to bear the weight of popular indigna-
ton.
1t was after the controversy was all
over, and the places" had settled down
to an unwilling observance of the law,
that little Myrtle Long was taken sick.
She had never been a very robust child,
but this was her first serious illness,
and it was terrible to her father, the
sight of her beautiful little face, burn
ing with fever, her little hands picking
restlessly at the coverlet.
Was it any wonder then, that as the
little one grew worse from hour to
hour, his agonized heart turned toward
the little minister who knew Jesus i?
He could not pray, His lips were
dumb and his heart like lead as he
tried to ask God to spare his child, so
he sent a messenger in haste for the
minister.
Pray, sir: oh, for Gods sake pray
he said, huskily, as he pointed to the
child, the stamp of death already upon
her brow.
The minister poured forth his whole
soul in prayer, but it was more for the
living man than for her whose soul
would soon be eternally alive.
The mothers frantic sobs were at
last hushed, and the father wrung the
good mans hand in speechless graft
tude as he arose from his knees, and
for the first time in the history of that
home, they felt that God was there,
and there was strength and comfort in
the thought.
The little one was very beautiful in
death. Her angel must have painted
the sweet, peaceful smile upon her
face for the comfort of the distracted
parents, a revelation of the JOY and
peace which was now hers. Little
Angel" it was all tkey called her now
as they spoke of her in hushed, ador-
ing tones, and Heaven began to seem a
real place to them, with one little an
gel form reckoning them to come.
What sermon the little minister
preached in that bereaved home.
Every member of the Liquor Deal
ers' association was there, his late op-
ponents, and he seemed almost in
spired as he spoke to them in thrilling
tones of love and sympathy of the
great beyond.
My brothers, this life is not all
there is for us. This beautiful little
girl looks very sweet to us as she lies
in her bed of fragrant flowers, but if
we could see her as she is to-day. not
one of us would wish to call her back
to earth. But, brothers, while we
would not call her back to us, she is
calling us to come to her"
He pointed them to the cross as ten
derby and lovingly as if they had in
deed been his brothers after the flesh.
and many hardened sinner brushed
away tear.
Il can't do it any longer, parson,"
said Nick Long few months later. as
he stood in the minister's study, nerv-
ously turning his hat in his fingers.
Seems like little Angel was watching
me every glass l sell, and L must get
into some other business"
THANK God, my brother; it does nv
heart good to hear you say SO" replied
the minister, heartily. He had become
really attached to bluff Nick Long as
he had ministered to him in his agony
OF bereavement, and witnessed his
struggles toward a better life. eff
there is anything can do to help YOU.
/ will gladly do 500
Il know you will, parson. You've
been Gods blessing to me in the
months past, and I'll never forget it.
L wish l could make them all see it as
lido, with a curious look of usefulness
on his rough face, "for when they say
a word against you, parson, it hits me
harder"
Never mind, Nick. So long as do
the Lords work Satan will be at war
with me. l expect that, but the war
fare will soon be over my brother, and
the crown will be worth all it has cost. !"
Mrs. M. f. Howard, in Union Signal.
TEMPERANCE ITEMS.