Dave Ranney: Or, Thirty Years on the Bowery; An AutobiographyRanney, Dave
Religion
Dave Ranney: Or, Thirty Years on the Bowery; An Autobiography
Ranney, Dave
American Tract Society
I reasoned with this man time and time again, but with no effect. He
knew it was the right way to live, but thought it was not for him, and I
thought that if a man was ever gone it was that young man.
One night as the invitation was being given I caught his eye and I
said, "Jim, come up front and get rid of that drink." But he said,
"What's the use?" I went down, took him by the hand, led him up front,
and we all knelt down and asked God to save these poor men. I asked them
all to pray for themselves and when I got to Jim I said, "Jim, now
pray." And he said, "Lord, help me to be a man and cut the 'booze' out
of my life for Jesus' sake. Amen."
He meant business that night and was as sincere as could be. We all got
up from our knees, and I put the usual question to them all, now that
they had taken Jesus, what were they going to do? It came Jim's turn,
and he said, "Mr. Ranney, I've asked God to help me, and I'm going out
of this Mission and I'm not going to drink any more whiskey." Then
almost in the same breath he said, "I wonder if God will give me a pair
of pants." That created a smile in the audience. I knew I could get Jim
a pair of pants, and he needed them badly. Just imagine a man six feet
tall with a pair of pants on that reached just below the knees, and you
have Jim.
I said, "Jim, you have asked God to help you, and He will if you let
him. If you keep sober until Friday night, and come in here every night
and give your testimony, no matter how short, God will send you a pair
of pants." This was on Monday night, my own special night. I knew if Jim
came in every night sober, something was doing. Tuesday night came, and
sure enough there was Jim with his testimony. He got up and thanked God
for being one day without taking a drink. I said, "Praise God! Keep it
up, Jim!" Wednesday night Jim thanked God for two days' victory. He was
doing finely. Thursday came, and Jim was there with his testimony of
three days saved. He had one more day to go before he got his pants.
Friday night came and I had gone up and got the pants, but no Jim made
his appearance. Near closing time the door opened and in walked Jim. He
stood back and just roared out, "Danny, I'm as drunk as a fool; I've
lost the pants!" then walked out.
I did not see him for a couple of nights, then he came into the Mission,
sat down and was fairly quiet. I reached him in the course of the
evening and shook hands with him, but I did not say a word about his
going back. That worried him a good deal, for he said, "Dan, are you mad
with me?" I said, "No, Jim, I'm mad with the Devil, and I wish I could
kick him out of you and kill him." Jim smiled and said, "You're a queer
one."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account