The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-06
Flashlights On The
temperance Question
No. II.
Tho Broken Chords Vibrate.

Nj. Bickers
When the writer had last seen him he was
the picture OF abJect despair Il give IL up"
ne said to me In a voice husky with emotion:
~ nave NJ confidence In myself and / will not
act the hypocrite by processing any further in
tention 10 rid myself of the accused appetite
have passed that unseen line beyond which
there is no hope" He wandered out West.
AMI lost all trace Of him. He had been gone
several years, when one day, at "a railway sta
ton in Richmond, noticed him getting off an
incoming train. The recognition was mutual
ana the handclasp warm and cordial. lie was
nleel, dressed. his cheeks bore the glow of
health and his pretty blue eyes had that bright
sparkle that characterized them before he be-
came slave to the drink habit. And how
are you getting on, Robert" / asked. He
chceriy replied as he slapped me the Shout
der: WHY. just hne' have nice position
, good health and have been as happy as the
birds in springtime since 1t happened.''
What happened?' said l. Well born
again. and I'm going to come to see you and
| tell you all about it. Truth is stranger than
fictinn.'
lie kept his promise and came to see me. His
story thrilled me. and impressed mo that |
! am sure ] can repeat 1t here:
Il wandered out West. / felt as il were
defeiict upon ufes great sea. but the thirst
kept me moving. I would strike few days
work In a town. get stake" drink 1t up and
move on to the next stand. When utterly pen
fret the kitchen doors Seldom 1t was / could
not bum drink. Well II went on thus
for some months. and my constitution began
to weaken A man can't keep up the gait
! forever one morning after nights debauch-
cry with some Pole, was found fast asleep
and half frozen on the steps IF a mission
church In the city of --. When the jantor
came TO open up he aroused and got
inside the place, but dazed and sick.
The warm room caused reaction from the
: 'hif', and WAS soon comfortably stepping
in sitting posture. | was awakened by an
arm gently encircling my shoulder and sweet
voice the memory IF which fingers like rich
perfume saying: Brother you will feel bet
ter soon--we are SO glad you came IN" Then
/ ] heard music--sweet music-the hymns that
| O hear nd in n he nj a Thffrc
back yonder In the good old DAYS at home.
Then the prayers were for ME--yes. men and
women followed each other In leading In prayer
/ for me. and began to think there yet
some hope for me If all those people were
praying for me. and that they must be mighty
which will ever be precious to
+ Down in the human heart. crushed by the
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore.
Touched by loving heart. wakened by kind
Chords that were broken will vibrate once
more"
"And the old dead chord In my soul did then
and there begin t. Nitrate. and ! leaked up to
the light, Did these soiicitous people leave me
at the close of the service with array OF
Scriptural texts and injunctions to walk the
/ narrow way aud go off to their comfortable
homes Just here. by way of parenthests, IS
the Of much failure in reciaimng
sinners To sing and pray over poor. way
ward man and then leave him aloof from his
old companions and the church aloof from hint
-. tust puts a poor fellow between the upper and
I neither mstones, No. was tenderly cared
for--taken home by nice family. new shoes
put on my feet new coat and shirt put my
haek-e-ateti- ~4tft-tfte family -th--eHfpG
table. made guest for week, during which
time these Christian people secured for me A
position, and after ! fed and clothed, then
my spiritual condition was inquired into. and
in that mission church soon born again
Yes. know its pretty story, hut not prettier
than true have been able to picture II
to you In all Its beauty am saved by Him
who saves to- the uttermost. and who IL able
to keep me-.
That mission band has the secret of saving
the sympathetic truth--the practical solicitude
and helpfulness much needed by the out
cast and downcast.
But-and here comes the application of this
little "6ashlight'-it is worthy of remark that
this began his downward career by par
| taking of the social wine glass and punch bowl
and this led To wine SuUpers and hanquets
and yisitatons Of the saloon--and the saloon
soon finished him. and 1t would have sealed
his fate forever but for the mission people
God bless them, Certainly rescue the perish
ing and care for the dying"--but let's discour-
age In all honorable ways the drinking usazes
| of society and lend active aid to the pro-
hihiton of the liquor traffic which Is licensed
! make for the undoing or our Fellow men and
the more arduous and difficult work OF the
churches and Christian missionary efforts gen.
| crafty.
The silent chords Of active, earnest solicit
tude for the Punishment Of gilded temptation to
| the youth and flower Of our land, deep down in
| .his Christian nations heart vibrating
! more and more Fen the melody is
| sweet and the haeluah chorus In all Its full
ryc hives will TpSOunds