I heard of it only to-day, though for more than a year it
has been at work in our midst. Men and women of nearly every
denomination have joined in the organization of this church, and are
working together in love and unity. Methodists, Episcopalians,
Baptists, Presbyterians, Swedenborgians, Congregationalists,
Universalists and Unitarians, so called, here clasp hands in a
common Christian brotherhood, and give themselves to the work of
saving the lost and lifting up the fallen."
"Why do you call it a Church?" asked Mrs. Birtwell.
"Because it was founded in prayer to God, and with the
acknowledgment that all saving power must come from him. Men of deep
religious experience whose hearts yearned over the hapless condition
of poor drunkards met together and prayed for light and guidance.
They were willing to devote themselves to the task of saving these
unhappy men if God would show them the way. And I verily believe
that he has shown them the way. They have established a _Christian
Home_, not a mere inebriate asylum."
As he spoke Mr. Elliott drew a paper from his pocket.
"Let me read you," he said, "a few sentences from an article giving
an account of the work of this Church, as I have called it. I only
met with it to-day, and I am not sure that it would have taken such
a hold upon me had it not been for my concern about Mr. Ridley.
"The writer says, 'In the treatment of drunkenness, we must go
deeper than hospital or asylum work.
Pages:
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250