Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-04-28


shortly having well organized work,
and that all will work together for good.
"How this has been brought about, and
so done that the workmen have the cred
it of every change effected, is what you
wish to know. 1t would be difficult for
me to make known in writing the way in
which all this has been done, and yet the
men content, i'll was writing to any other
person except yourself, who have had to
do with workmcn for many years. My
first and main point was to be living eX-
ample of all wished them to be. For
this purpose not only excluded spirits,
but wine from my house. The next great
thing was to keep them at home in the
evenings, and so occupy their leisure
time agreeably and proiitably. For this
purpose engaged school master during
the winter evenings, to teach them to
read, write, sc. and sent all to school,
young and old, man, boy and girl and
made the school room comfortable with
fire, and gave to all paper, pens, &c
Early in the spring allotted to each
house an unlimited garden, which occu-
pied their leisure time during the sum-
mcr; and in this way employed them full
ly, leaving no time for carousing. In
the month Of May, prevailed on those
with large families, to buy COW and pig
each, and to plant extra quantities OF po-
tatoes. TO those who had not money l
lent it, and entered into an agreement
with them all, that if any of them should
leave the works by my wish (that is, ifl
discharged them) would take all in
their gardens, their cows, sc. at valu-
alton but ifthey left the works by their
own act and deed, then they must seek
market elsewhere. Thus, by little at
a time, each man became interested in
the welfare of the mines, and gave me
great influence over them. During fish
ing time, l sent a boy each Friday to
catch fish for every house. l also doc
torcd them and their families free of cost,
and made it my chief study to anticipate
all the little wants in an increasing fami-
Iy. by acting thus, and doing an hun
drcd other little unmcntionablc things, l
gained their esteem, which was Of the
utmost consequence in bringing about my
plans. During all this time, l never
lost an opportunity of expressing my own
and the Company's wish, that they would
cease taking grog and took care to set
the thing in pleasing manner before
them, as to the credit they would gain
by giving it up; and explained the great
difference between having it stopped and
their desiring it might not be given out.
They frcquently-that is some Of them,
told me to stop it. This ] refused to do,
till they ALL united and ordered it stop
ped; giving as the reason, that by stop
ping it without all consented, it would be
doing them an injustice as well as the
Company: first l should injure them in
dcpriving them of the credit Of having
ordered it stopped themselves and sec
ond, by making it appear that the COM
pany was arbitrary | told them that
whatever was done, must be by mutual
conse nt-no compulsion. In addition to
this, took advantage Of every case of
sickness, accident, or when alone with
any one Of the leading men, to expatiate
on the awful effects of dram-drinking,
showing it to be d. to the soul, a
thief to the pocket, a wife's woe, and
children's sorrow, &c.; and, on the 9TH
er hand pointing out the good to be enjoy
ed by wholly relinquishing the habit, the
benefit to both soul and body, the happi-
ness and comfort in their families, their
better appearance in society, ,and the cf-
fects on their characters, &c. and when
on these topics, ] did not spare in color
ing; and at all times cndcavoring to suit
the conversation to the occasion, yet do
ing all in persuasive manner, heaping
Goals of fire on their heads, not to burn
them, but melt them down. My paper
reminds me that ! must stop, although |
have not told half Yet you will be able
to comprehend, in great measure, all my
proceedings. But should it not be what
you wish, pray write again.