Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

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BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
pose that halfway down the precipice there is a spring that I
especially enjoy, and, strong man that I am, I can go down
safely, by a narrow path, dangerous to many, but not to me.
Suppose that the children are determined to go down there
after me, and will not believe that the path is dangerous since
they see me tread it with impunity. Some of them that try it
fall and break their necks and others are maimed for life. Now,
what sort of a man—much more, what sort of a Christian
should I be if, under these circumstances, I persist in going
down that dangerous path? Nay, verily, if I have one particle
of magaanimity of soul, if I have been at all of Christ, I
shall put a good, strong fence across that path, and never
tread it any more. This is my position on the total abstinence
question."
495. Many years ago, on a Lord's Day morning, I took train
to Melbourne on my way to an appointment in Brunswick.
Upon reaching Jolimont, the train suddenly stopped. Looking
out of the carriage window, just beneath, I saw the mangled
body of a young man. "The Judgment" was the evening theme,
when I made reference to the awful scene I had witnessed in
the morning. At the close of the meeting word came that the
man who was killed was related to certain attendants, from
whom it was learned that he had been the victim of strong
drink, had lived a most dissolute life, and had deliberately
thrown himself before the train after a Saturday night's
carousal.
496. A Chinaman applied for a position as cook. The lady
of the house and several other members of her family were
members of a fashionable church, and the Chinaman was questioned
closely. "Do you drink whisky?" "No, I Clistian man."
"Do you play cards ?" "No, I Clistian man." He was employed,
and gave great satisfaction. After some weeks the lady gave
a euchre party and wine was served. John Chinaman was called
in to serve the refreshment, which he did without comment. But
the next morning he waited on the lady and told her he wanted
to quit. "Why, what is the matter?" she inquired. John
replied : "I Clistian man. I tell you so. I no heathen. I no
work for heathen."
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