Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-08-25
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A MAN FOR A TEXT.
The Drunkard Disturbed she MEETING
But Helped Another to Reform.

AS he entered the little study at the
church just before evening service
the minister found one of his men
awaiting him.
Pastor" broke out the man. in an
agitated voice. pastor, my brother-in.
law is in there. full OF liquor. He's
ugly I'm afraid he's going 20 make
trouble. Hadn't we better get a DO
hceman TO come and clear him outg"
Why. no. George said the minis
Ter shouldn't quite like to do that
You know he might hear something
that would do him good. Don't worry.
IL won't kill US IL he does interrupt us
We've been interrupted before now"
IL was good congregation that the
preacher looked down upon that night
"a company of honest. self-respecting
weil-dressed working people, a large
portion of them young folk. But
there in the forefront of the audience
sat the Objectionable brotherin-law
Bolt upright he sat. with a flushed
face, and glared at the minister. "He
certainly Is about the toughest. ugliest-
looking customer I ever undertook to
preach to-" said the young man to
himself.
The first part of the service went
very well.
But when Il came to the preaching
the minister had no sooner begun than
the man rose TO his feet and COM
menced speaking What he said. or
tried to say. no one knew. himself
least Of all. II was some mumhled. I'm.
coherent talk. But the young people.
after their fashion. stralghtway began
TO giggle.
Don't laugh, good friends" said the
minister, earnestly. Don't laugh,
This is a sight fit to make US weep."
great solemn hush fell upon the
audience. The drunkard ceased to-
speak and remained standing, the pic
ture OF a fool.
Now there was in the audience 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 20 his
house. This man. going out with the
crowd after the service. had no sooner
reached the sidewalk than he turned
back. saying TO a companion. Tn go
ing TO see the parson."
II was e sorry-looking figure that
came 20 the study door-decently
dressed, but shaky and infirm. with
hair prematurely white. and sallow
face marred and SCARED by his vices.
Good evening. Mr.. Black Come In.
come I'M I'm glad to see you. Have
chair" said the parson. cordially.
Pastor" said he. In a voice that
shook like a leaf. I'm all broke up.
I've come TO sign the pledge"
stephen. haven't any faith In that
pledge. What's a pledge? II IL moth.
Ing but promise, and a promise too
hard for you 10 keep. You've signed
IT over and over again. and every time
you break II within a week"
Il know. know. parson. But this
time I'm a-going 70 do what I never
did before. I'm going TO give my heart
70 God before | sign that pledge"
They prayed together. The parson.
with his arm round him. prayed for
him; and the man prayed for himself
with new note In his trembling
voice Then he signed the pledge.
What's got Stephen Black" asked
the minister. few weeks later. Il
haven't seen him for some time"
No. pastor" said one of the men.
and you Will never see him round
here again"
Never see him again7 What do
you mean! He hasn't gone TO 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
pital. He died within % hours. and
they buried him right away. But
said the man. he never drank another
drop. and he died a Christian man"
Youths Companion.