The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-05-24
Take the Hand OF the Drunkard.

UWho Of US are Christians? Not all
who answer, 81 am, bless the Lord
When man or woman makes con-
fession before the world and asserts ]
am Christian, to me they assume a
graver responsibility than few seem
realize; that Of representing
t~is:s kingdom as one of his fol-
lowers. What did Christ do when on
earth? What would lie have me do
now? are questions that should be in
the heart of every humble follower of
Jesus every day, every hour, every
moment, and answered, not by "set"
hours to attend divine worship, prayer
meeting, missionary meetings and set
hours to pray, but by watchful care
TO reach out the hand of helpful kind
ness to despondent and needy fellow
creatures. Christ's religion, as His
daily walks when on earth taught US,
is principle Of life. The principle
to live by; not a garment TO be worn
on state occasions 20 be removed for
policys sake. Oh, no; if one hun
gcrcd lie gave him food; if he was
athlrst, lie gave him drink; if he
stumbled, "let nc that is guiltless
first cast stone" First feed and
ciotle the suffering body, then try to
feed the soul. IF We :see a brother
needy, inquire into that need aud re-
licve if possible. 1t may be and Off.
times is his or her own fault from dis
| sipation or msmanagcment, etc; yet
we can only try and do our duty.
Give them a chance. Let them
feel some one has an interest in their
welfare and wants til em to redeem the
past. Time enough to "let them 60"
after a trial, until seventy times
seven
Shall VIC set ourselves upon a ped
estal Of self-righteous dignity as
statue of 81 am coca man, bless the
Lord and to the poor, stumbling
drunkard say, "get out, you belong to
the devil. cant bother with you"
Would it not be moro Christ-like to
take his hand and say, II am sorry
for you, and try to get him "sobered
up. Somewhere the lowliest has
some one whose heart aches for him.
We can only try in all earnest.
saw not many days ago a poor
drunken fellow whose wife and little
ones were waiting for him ct home,
perhaps, stumble up the steps of one
of the wellknown hotels of the city.
The clerk, selfrighteous, self holy
man, standing at the head of the
stairway, called down, Get out of
here. You belong to the devil. Get
! out or I'll have you looked up. I'm o
| good man; I don't drink and don't
want g.. drunkards around here"
Friends, would Christ have said that2
Would it not have been kinder,
more Christ-like to have taken his
hand and saved him, if possible, from
taking another drink instead of "kiok-
ing him into the street?"
After doing all we can to encourage
and help up fallen brother, then and
not until then, is there any excuse
whatever for telling them to 60 their
way. It is the little every day, every
hour acts of kindness that gladden.
and reach the hearts Of the needy and
despondent. Often we see well
dressed man or woman, within whose
heart there might be a seething,
boiling cauldron of hot rebellion over
wrongs and injustice done them, aud
they are reudy to "fall by the way
side Often our acts are as balm to
their troubled hearts. They feel the
kindness shown them and restful-
ness steals over tho heavy heartache
and it may be seed will fall on good
ground. Ah, Christians, it is not in
building of churches, the establishing
OF missions, the praying in public;
ali good in their way, that wins souls;
but the heart to heart talks, the ten
der hand clasp, the soulful glance Of
the eye, the ever watohed.for oppor'
tunity to get right close to your fel.
low man; make him feel you are in.
deed friend aud brother, ever ready
to hold him up should he stumble.
Not, II am good man, bless the
Lord. Don't touch me; get right
out. Mrs. T. X. Cunningham in
Atlanta Journal.