The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-09-27

A MAN FOR A TEXT.
The Drunkard Disturbed the Meeting
But Helped Another 70 Reform.

As he entered the little study 90 the
church just before evening service.
the minister found one Of bis men
awaiting him.
Pastor broke out the man. In an
agitated voice. pastor. my bruther-in-
law is In there. fun OF liquor He's
ugly I'm afraid he's going TO mako
trouble. Hadn't We better get a po-
liceman TO como and clear him out9"
Why, no, George" said the minis
ter. 4 shouldn't quite like 10 do that.
You know he might hear something
that would do him good Don't worry.
u won't kill MS n he does interrupt us.
We've been interrupted before now"
10 was good congregation that the
preacher looked down upon that night
"a company OF honest. selfrespccting.
welldressed working people. q large
portion OF them young folk HUT
there In the forefront OF the audience
sat the Objectionable bruthcrin law.
Bolt upright he sat. with a flushed
face. and glared at the minister He
certainly Is about the toughest ugliest-
looking customer / ever undertook TO
preach TO-" said the young man TO
himself
The FIRST part Of the service went
very we'll
But when &c came 10 the preaching.
the minister had no sooner begun than
the man rose TO his feet aud com
menced speaking What he said. or
tried 10 say. no one knew. himself
least OF an. II was some mumbled. In
coherent talk. But the young people.
after their fashion. straightway began
TO giggle
Don't laugh. good friends" said the
minister. earnestly Don't Taught
This Is a sight fit TO make us weep"
A great solemn hush fell upon the
audience. The drunkard ceased To
speak and remained standing. sac pic
ture Of fool
Now there was In the auGiencs that
evening another man who for many
years had been the victim OF the drink
habit. one whom the minister had
shortly before found drunk on the
street and had helped home 90 his
house. This man, going out with the
crowd after the service. had no sooner
reached the sidewalk than he turned
back. saying 20 a companion. I'm go
ing 10 see the parson."
II was a sorry.looking figure that
came TO che study door-deccntly
dressed but shaky and inhrm. with
hair prematuroly white and a sallow
face marred aud Scared by bis vices.
Good evening Mr.. Black Come la.
come In I'm glad TO ace you Have
a chair" said the parson. cordially.
Pastor" said he. in a voice That
shook like a leaf. I'm all broke mp.
I've come 20 sign the pledge"
stephen. I haven't any faith In that
pledge. What's a pledge2 II l. moth
ing but a promise. and a promise too
hard for you 10 keep. You've signed
Y over and over again. and every time
you break II within a week
= know. I know. parson' But this
time I'm a-going TO do what / never
did before. I'm going 90 give my heart
to God before I sign that pledge"
They prayed together. The parson.
with his arm round him. prayed for
him: and the man prayed for himself
with a new note In his trembling
voice. Then he signed the pledge
What's got stephen Black" asked
the minister. few weeks later i
haven't seen him for some time"
no. pastor" said one OF 'he men.
"and you will never see him round
here again"
"Never see him again? What do
you mean? He hasn't gone 70 the
bad. has he?"
NO but he's dead and buried"
What"
Yes. pastor. Monday he was taken
sick. They carried him on to the hos
pltal. He died within "a hours. and
they buried him right away But"
said the man. he never drank another
drop. and he died Christian man."
Youths Companion.