Life and labor in the spirit world: Being a description of localities, employments, surroundings, and conditions in the spheres.Longley, Mary T. (Mary Theresa)
Religion
Life and labor in the spirit world: Being a description of localities, employments, surroundings, and conditions in the spheres.
Longley, Mary T. (Mary Theresa)
Spirit writings; Spirits
It is needless for me to recount all that passed in that interview.
Suffice it to say, that, by a few welldirected inquiries, that good man
managed to learn the condition of the lad, and what had been its cause.
He then proceeded to talk to him earnestly and firmly, yet kindly, of
the sin he contemplated, of the agony of his mother upon hearing of the
deed, and the anguish he would cause to all he loved.
The young man broke down, wept bitterly, and promised he would live to
be a better man. The physician furnished him with means sufficient for
present necessities, promised him he would interest some of his
influential friends in his behalf, and, when he left, carried the poison
with him.
The man kept his word, and through his influence Harold H. was placed in
better circumstances, assisted in his efforts to gain an education, and
lives today an ornament and useful member of society, and the pride of
his parents and friends.
More than once I have visited liquor saloons, hoping to draw some poor
wretch away from the curse of rum and its allurements. I have not always
succeeded, but at times have been more successful.
On one of these occasions, a man in the prime of life, who was drinking
copiously, and rapidly making himself worse than a beast, arrested my
attention, but I could make no impression upon him. While making the
effort, a street musician began playing a dancing tune. The musician, a
young and delicate boy, accompanied by a still younger female child, who
was the dancer, was one whom I could impress, which I did by making him
cease the dancing tune, and begin that sweet, pathetic air of Payne’s
“Home, Sweet Home.” The little maid stopped her dancing, looked puzzled
for a moment, when, catching the inspiration of the moment, she broke
out in bird-like tones of sweetness, and sang the words of the song.
I watched the effect upon the drinker. At first he did not seem to hear,
but gradually a listening expression stole over his features, and at
last his head sank upon his hands. Now was my time. I whispered to him
of his mother, of his dear old childhood home, of his wife and child
waiting anxiously for him even now, and of the dear one who had died and
was calling to him from her heavenly abode.
He, of course, never knew but what they were his own thoughts awakened
by that tune. In part they were, but their power was intensified by
spirit presence and aid. His spirit child was close by my side, anxious
that her father should be drawn away from that place. From her I learned
of her mother and invalid sister, who were living, and of whom I
whispered in his ear.
The music ceased, and, rising, the drinker passed from the place,
unheeding the call of the barkeeper to “stop and take another drink.”
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