A Moral Reformer

I REMEMBER in the early days of my preaching how I tried to be a moral reformer to one of the worst drunkards I knew. He had so often ill-used his poor wife that in her despair she ran away from him. She came to me in her trouble, and told me the wretched story of her life. He heard that I had seen his wife, and so he called to see me. He demanded to know where his wife was. I refused to tell him; I spoke very plainly to him of his drunkenness, and how he had treated her. As I spoke he wept and said he would never do it again, and he begged and implored me to tell him where his wife was. His grief seemed so real, I told him I would ask his wife to take him back again if he would promise to give up the drink. He promised eagerly. I saw the poor wife, and she consented to come back again to her ruined home. I appointed a time for him to meet her in the house, and sent the wife upstairs while I waited for her husband. Before he saw her I made him sign the most solemn pledge in the presence of God, that he would never drink again. He signed it and I witnessed it. I then prayed with him, and the wife coming downstairs I left them both together.
Before three weeks had passed he was as bad a drunkard as ever. This, thank God, was the first and last time I tried to be a moral reformer. Only the power of the Spirit of God can cast the demon of drink, or any other demon out of a man or woman. Nothing but complete salvation, through faith in the finished work of Christ can bring blessing to the life. There will be plenty of man-reformed sinners in hell, but NOT ONE who has trusted in the power of Christ to save them. H. W.