Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1836-12-13
man ",cho drank M his Family Bi.

Y. Mirror.
The man ,cho drank mp his Family BIZ
be. There is now living in the city Of
Annapolis man named Stephen Rummes,
about 81 years Of age. He WAS a drunk
ard for four years, during which period he
never went To bed sober when lie could get
any thing TO drink-nor did he ever 90 to
place OF worship, though prior TO his Ia
king to drink ne was professor of reli-
gon His family frequently suffered for
the nccessares of life. Often, said -, on
my return home al night, have met my
wife crying al the door, For five years
he has been reformed man. Prior to his
reformation he was mere wreck. His
limbs were swollen, his hands were tremu-
ous, and he could hardly hold glass OF
water-and his mental powers were con-
siAerably weakened. Now" said he, 81
feel WE'LL can eat heariy-seep soundly
am ten years younger-have money TO
go to market with, and am never without
dollar in my pocket" During his drunk
en- career, one thing went after another,
and finally lie " drank mp his family Bible
which cost him $40" But since bis re-
form he has bought back that precious
book which he had sold Tor nought; and
from the savings Of temperance he has
been enabled to give Ten dollars TO a new
brick church now building for the colorcd
people of Annapolis. In addition to which
he has taught a colored Sabbath school, and
collected for the above church $40 81.
"Five years ago" said he, I" was de-
graded drunkard, and deserved 10 he sent
| TO hell--now am q member of the Chris
tan church and an cxhorter-and what is
more, have obtained a good report of all
!hat EnQ% IN. ne J.e be GsH have The con- on.
ladies', drunkards and bIackguards." Since
his reformation, he has acted on the prin,
ciple OF total abstinence, which lie consd-
ers the only safe ground for any man who
has been Incorporate. 81 have not even
taken so much as glass OF small beer"
said he, though do not know that that
would intoxicate me-"
"When you made up your mind 10 quit
drinking, did you stop suddenly"
was advised to taper off, but deter
mined TO stop at once, if it cost me my
life"
"Did you experience any inconvenience
from such course? :"
"None at al-my mental powers began
TO strengthen Immediately, and my health
TO improve. If ! had attempted 10 taper
off, lear | should have tapered on more
deeply than ever, and from the shattered
condition OF my health | believe ! should
not have stood il six months longer"
How was your appetite before you
quit"
Every poor; had 10 drink four FIVE
glasses before l could get any thing 10
stay on my stomach"
I" How were your spirits"
" Dreadful bad was as miserable as
any man could be, 10 be out Orhell."
" Did you feel as il you were degraded
and an Outcast from society,""
eyes, felt all that degradation, wo, and
misery, which, as true as his shadow in the
midday sun, are the constant attendants of
the drunkard. doubted whether should
ever regain the confidence which had for
feited. For four months after quit drink
ing, had not the heart to go TO place OF
worship. did not feel worthy to appear
among decen. people, but was like the poor
publican who stood alar off, and smote up
! on his breast, and said God be merclul to
me sinner"
"Have you had any temptations 10 re-
turn 10 your former habtsi"
g None at all since | came 10 the deter
minaion contained in those two words
I aste Not 1t has saved me, and will
save every poor drunkard in the land.
will risk my life on it il they will try IL"
Aud with increased animal; ION he exciaim-
ed, 81 consider the temperance cause Sc
cond only to the Bible itself. / rejoice in
its success-stop its operations, and in vain
mav the ministers OF The gospel preach as
long as the practice OF moderate drinking
prevails, drunkenness will abound in the
land. have often said to the moderate
drinker-' Your example does more harm
than that Of the drunkard himself Thanks
he TO God who hath given me The victory
through our Lord Jesus Christi
The above particulars l obtained in
conversation with S. r. himself, in my late
visi, to Annapolis. He is a living example
Of the influence of temperance principles,
and the power Of div'n. grace-to bring
the " dead TO life. and save that which was
LOST Let us no, then give up, as beyond
hope, the poor drunkards OF the land, but
in the spirit of philanthropy and Christian
kindness urge them TO try the principle oil
total abstinence, which will save them as
certainly as il did the man who drank up
his family Bible, but afterwards redeemed
it again. Dorsey