Kept, Hour by Hour

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1908

Kept, Hour by Hour

He was a tall, powerful Scotchman, and had held the position of “boss striker” at the steel works for years. Nearly all the men in his department were hard drinkers, and he was no exception to the rule.

But one day it was announced among the workmen that he had become religious; and, sure enough, when pressed to take a drink, he said: “I shall never take a drink mair, lads. Na drunkard can inhabit the kingdom of God.”

A knowing one smiled, and said: “Wait a bit; wait a bit. Wait until the hot weather—until July. When he gets as dry as a gravel pit, then he will give in. He can’t help it.”

But right through the hottest months he never seemed to be tempted to drink.

Finally, as I was taking the men’s time one evening, I stopped and spoke to him.

“Stowe,” said I, “you used to take considerable liquor. Don’t you miss it?”

“Yes,” said he, emphatically.

“How do you manage to keep away from it?”

“Well, just this way. It is now ten o’clock, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Well, to-day is the twentieth of the month. From seven till eight I asked that the Lord would help me. He did so, an’ I put down a dot on the calendar right near the twenty. From eight till nine he kept me, an’ I put down another dot. From nine to ten he’s kep’ me, and noo I gie him the glory as I put down the third dot. Just as I mark these, I pray: ‘O Lord, halp me; halp me to fight it off for another hour.’”—Selected.