The Tupelo journal., 1903-07-10
FIRE ESCAPES


Going down the street the other
day, says "a writer in the Chicago In
terror. walking toward the lake so
tween US and the waters edge stood
clearly defined against the cloudless
sky, we could not help noticing how
the faeades of all were hung with
almost innumerable fire escapes. Like
great webs for %gigantean spiders
they reached from story to story;
and s~ilhouetted against the azure
background. they formed a very con-
s%picuous feature of the scene.
1t was evident from their numbers
that their presence was not accci-
dental. Without knowing fully the
legislation governing their construc-
ton, it seemed certain hat the state
had made their erection compulsory.
Past experience had taught the citi-
zen that many a 'fireproof' struc-
ture goes up in smoke, II that
under certain conditions even stone
and mortar melt with fervent heat.
Those who saw the greater part OF
Chicago dissolve into cloud 80 years
ago have not the confidence in build
ers' assurances that they once had.
Even when entering the most sub
stantial structure they have thu
habit of looking round for means of
exit. Taught by what he has en-
dured, a Chicago pioneer would not
care to spend more than one night
on the summit of Mount Blanc unless
it were provided with a fire escape.
Why should men be less careful Of
their spiritual than of their physical
safety? Why should a mar who
would not rent an Office or accept a
sleeping chamber without first look
ing up the fire escape. enter upon
habits of life and customs of society
without n moments thought of the
risks involved? Are there not spi--
itual death traps well known to
the wise, where nevertheless the
young and the thoughtless blithel-
resort for the careless enjoyment CT
perilous pleasures? it requires no
special genius to enter upon the
prOdigafs career; but how is one to-
be delivered from its consequences?
When the purse is empty, is there
an easy way back to amuence? When
the eye sparkles and the pulses
quicken under the gentle stimulus Of
champagne, would it not be the part
of wisdom to ask where is the way
to safety if the SOU should suddenly
become conscious of approaching
peril? Suppose the pace begins to
tell? Suppose the man wakes TO find
his account o~verdrawn, his health
impaired, and his name under an
eclipse? Is there o fire escape lead
ing quickly and easily from this club
house life to his old-time freedom
and safety? Have his new habits
given him a stronger will, n clearer
conscience and more intimate
touch with the redemptive elements
of society? Before making ones
home here, would it not be the part
of wisdom to know whether there is
from such n career AN easy retreat,
or whether the soul waking to an
hour of mcnacing peril wakens only
W NM itStII hlpiN 'IEdS0u !
struggling TO be free""
The special peril of our day is
gambling. interruptions dealers
tempt little children and foolish boys
with mu~ltitudinous devices, through.
which they can be introduced to the
destinations of chance gains. Bu-
where is the fire escape? When the
flames are all about you. and the
danger is imminent. and il is a ques-
ton of fight or death. is it easy tc
unlearn all these diabolical habits?
Is it a simple matter to escape the
destinations which attach themselve-
to all forms of hazard and of chancef
The wise man knows that it is easie:
to keep out than to get out.
Hinged about with flames, the un
happy victim of sins fire trapy
plunges for a few tragic momertr
hither and thither, all in vain. anG
then. as we have so lately seen in
the fashionable life OF an eastern
city. in sheer despair leaps upon
death and perishes with all the inn
PROJECTIONS on his head" Do not
foolishly take the chances when
they are too evidently all against
you. Do not make any mode of life
even your temporary home if from
it you fail to find a plain and easy
path that leads to a peaceful and Sc
cure life, a life "hid with Christ in
God"