Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-08-12
NO. T.


the prison pennyless, and Mr.. Stephenson,
Secretary Of of the Washington County
Bible Society, and one Of the proprieters
of the Salem Post, received me in his Of
fee for few days, for the charitable pur-
pose of repairing my exhausted funds. Af
nv departure he cautioned me with much
tenderness, to guard against "the sin
which so easily beset me" and requested
me 10 read the scriptures, placing at the
same time, a copy OF the New Testament
in my hand. did not leave Salem before
mr. money was squandered at the Tavern;
aud that ! might indulge the sinful propen-
sity 10 The uttcrmost. sold the book, which
was given ME for different purpose, TO an
Inn keeper. and received the aud pro QUO
from the bar. Cannot bat view this as
the blacklist action of my wicked life.
should do injustice TO myself, if / did not
add, that, at the FIRST moment ofrehecton,
when the maddenipg influence of ardent
spirits subsidized, my soul shuddercd at tho
thought that had been base enough to
convert the generous FEELINGS that would
have reclaimed me, into the means of
further sinful indulgence; aud perhaps tho
purchaser, who was aware Of all the cir
cumstances, was little less guilty. than N.Y.
self Again destitute, | wandered as
could TO Troy, where my necessities were
supplied by a literary gentleman, resident
at that place.
Ieniered the borough Of Easton, Penn
at another time, on my way from New
I York 10 HarrIsburgh, at which latter place
/ ! had business, and where some years be-
I fore, | had conducted the editorial depart
mcnt ola newspaper was a stranger IN
Easton, apd Satan seemed to whisper that
might hdte crafty my favorite propensity
better than at n place where | had any
character al stake. Having sqandercd tho
small sum | then had, $50, which were
divided between the bar and the card table,
next divested myself Of every valuable
article Of apparel. PennyIess, stranger,
and almost naked, the stomach was still
lunsatlstied, and to crafty its incessant
clamors, as a last resort, Joined small
recruiting party, then in the place, as q
private soldier, under the assumed name Of
Thompson, from no higher principle than
that of converting the six dollars advanced
into rum. We were shortly after transfer.
red to Fort Niagara, where | remained
about a month. But the discipline of tho
camp could not guard against expedienis
by which continued 10 crafty this fatal
propensity; and, in fit of intemperance I
was guilty ola violation Of discipline, rcn.
dered capital by the rules and articles oe
war; for which was transferred, prison
or TO Sacket's Harbor, confined in tho
gard room, and loaded with irons. Before
a court martial convened, conlgiycdi THO
at the hazard OF instant death, TO effect MP
escape Overlapping the pIckets of tho
cantoncment, ! wandered through woods
and morasses for three days without sus-
tenance, in which progressed about forty
miles, until at length found canoe %
Alexander bay, with which crossed to tho
British dominons. Heaven, which had
ever loaded me with unmerlted blessings,
still continued 10 be nlercif0l. Although
a stranger, and appearing under the most
uniayorable circumstances, j experienced
almost at the first house entered, tho
Kindness and affection Of a brother, aud
the confidence ola friend. from a mercan-
ltlc gentleman whose name was Jones'
lie was a chris..sn; and his hl.cc''..so lfiIe
sanctuary in which the love Of God dwelt.
/ he Immediately supplied me with a decent
apparel, for ! had nothing but soldiers
fatigue dress, and through bis influence,
in less ihan week, was employed az
respectable wages. 10 take The charge Of o
school, in the ncighborhood for 3 months.
Here was the first instance IN which NOR.
al feeling oyerpowercd the strong propen-
sity for the bottle II was a christian
ncighborhoOd, my immediate predecessor
ofIiciaied al the sacred alter, and saw ihak
! indulgence in iniemperance would result IN
a dismissal, which would place Il OUT ofmy
power to refund The advances ofmy ecnef-
Gus bcncfactor. This was a step dared
not take. | completed the contract with
perfect sobriety, and commenced a neW
one al an increased salary, which WA fur.
Their augmented BY supernumcry scholars,
some Of whom were studying Latin and
the higher branches Of education. Eut
my feet soon began 70 stumble. I went
over the first 1T Of intemperancc, after tho
abstinence Of four or five months; and with
prayers aud signs implorcd The God Of
Heaven to save me from the gulf which
seemed 70 yawnbciore nc. My case was
communicated TO the village clergyman.
who opened bis doors Cor InyrccepiioD, 8;
treated inc with peculiar deIicacy and ten.
derness. Bot all was 10 vain. ! could
not pass a tavern. and could not drink