Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-07-24


to reason, deaf to all entreaties, and regard
less of all his solemn engagements, has of
himself reformed.
This was the case within respected friend.
In sober hour, he began to reflect upon
his present disgraceful and wretched condi-
tion,
Once he had competency for the support
of himself and family, but nssr he was reduced
to poverty and want; onss he possessed the
confidence and friendship Of all who knew
| him, but nop sunk in dIsgrace and infamy, he
had no friends. Once he was cheered with
the smiles and sweet voice'of an affectionate
companion, and met. as he approached his
dwelling by the playful salutatisns Of their
lovely children; but now the partner Of his
better days, broken hearted and discouraged,
with meager countenance and down-cast eyes,
too plainly shows. that she has been deep
wounded by the deadly serpent brought by
himself into their oncc peaceful dwell ing -.
His children too, ragged and neglected,
Stunned him, as if they knew he was the dire
cause oftheir present calamity. While view
ing this awful contrast, he was led to inquire,
what has produced this miserable change
from e6luence to want, from yespecti5ility and
honor, to disgrace and infamy; from freedom
and seifgoverament, to the most abject slavery
and bondage! beplain answer was at hand,
Istemperd,sce. He had parleyed with the
monster, he made him his most familiar
friend, he soon became an inmate Of his
family, and too successfully proved their
ruin. Q 5itti
And no,o the question arose 10 his mind,
what must be done! to retain this enemy Of
all domestic peace and happiness in his fans
ily, till he had finished the work Of destruc>
tion,he was unwilling; to Danish him entirely.
and forever, seemed too mighty ar, effort. He
looked at the bottle, it awakened an almost
unconquerable thirst for Its exhilerating con-
tents. He then looked at his wife, all thai
was once lovely had disappeared; her pale
and meager form, Too plainly told al was moi
WE'LL. Hethen cast an agonizing look upon
his wretched. and more TO be pitied than
orphan children, and deeply felt. that his an
temperance had ruined them. He knew full
well, that all his future hopes and prospects
of bliss. depended on the decision Of q mo-
ment; tho question again returned, iohat gsusl
be done? reason gave the answer-s'have nc
more to do with King Alcohol" s. for the first
time, las he, informed me since, his hear!
cheerfully acquiesed. He felt pleasure in
resolving to Danish forever from his house
that deceiuer of man that enemycf righteous
ness. Yes, he had learned to his cost, that
aWine is mocker that strong drink is rag
ing.'' aHl Taf lt'9 'a'F h.i. @1
t9 Thus withone mighty struggle he broke
from the iron grasp Of this monster and shook
from his limbs, his massey chains. He Is nou
free, and he soon had the satisfaction Of see
ling q CLEAN Of joy light up the countenance
4 of his disheartened and afflicted wife; he
sinking, expiring hope began 10 revive, sht
resolved TO live, and with her husband enjoy
again the fruits of industry and Temperance
/ have dwelt longer upon this case than
should have done had it not beena rare one
In this one instance, we have. exbibiblte'
to our view all the appalling evils Of intem
: perance; in the destruction ofproperty reason
J health reputation and domestic hapPiness-Gl
prostituded TO the detestable love cf rum.
In this case too, the fact is most sirikingl
exempli6ed, that drunkard may reform an
: save himself and family from utter ruin. !
3 left the place while this man and his famll
were in the lowest state of wretchednes
and degradation; despised aud neglected b.
: all; for the people had not then learned Z
. treat the drunkards kindly, or hope for hi
+ reformation. a. few months after he ha
) aband oned his cups, and had become a sobe
man, saw him at his own house, converse
. with him and his wife freely concerning thei
|, past history; it was then, be gave me a par
2 ticular account of their reformation, the se
I we're struggle, and mighty effortit cost them
;, +. Ifound them Msitting at the feet of Jesus
'lclothed, and in their right mind,'' .hey ha
. both united with the Baptist church in th
! place, and he was then its acting clerk. HI
: had also been elected Town Clerk for tina
i year; and having regained the confidence o
his former customers, he was now doing goo
business as a Blacksmith. When Mr.
. Caruth, (for that was his. namal formed tn
= resolution TO become sober, temperate man
/ he travelled ten miles to attend o meeting of
Temperance Society, for they were feto then
and far bet,ceen, il beng in the year 's7. H
signed the Pledge, procured copy of tb
t constitution; circuatedit among his neigh
! bors and townsmcn, and obtained within
Flew weeks more than 100 signatures. Hi
fc.fe took copy ofthe same, Gprocured from
among the. ladies', more than 80 names; thus
} lthrough gh their influence, large Temperanc'
Society was formed in town, This man LEG
tured among tho people, On the true Wash
Iingtonian principle: he went to the poo
: drunkard, took him by the hand, told him hi
was man stiA, that he might lipe and b
/, sesperted; and for the encouragement Of 9th
ers, he related his own experience ,whlcl
was mighty to the pulling down Of the strong
holds Of Iateniperdace. And now, in closing
these remarks, permit me to ask aifew qnes
) tions: What are the friends Of. Temperanc
doing in Rageana? is there any regularly or
ganiaed Society in Town, for the promotion
Of fTemperancel if so, where ID il? I hav,
Il not been able as yet, to discover any traces
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