The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-09
For the Columbian Fountain.
HOW TO KEEP THE PLEDGE.


For the Columbian Fountain.
HOW TO KEEP THE PLEDGE.
A reformed drnnkard residing near Balti-
more, (Gen. J IT, stated, that at fourteen
he joined the Church; but when he be-
came voter, he formed, at political meet
ings, the habit of drinking, and gradually
sunk into prolaneness and excess, till he
made way with some tDo quarts Of brandy
in day; and when his money failed, would
keep himself drunk on cider, which was al
most the only product Of his neglected
farm. AS. the last hope Of relief from the
intolerable sufferings thus brought upon
himself aud family, he signed the pledge Of
total abstinence; and knowing how strong
might be the temptation to break it, he load
ed pistol with powder and ball and carried
it with him, resolved that if the cup should
ever again approach his lips, he would at
once put the pistol to his head and termin-
ate his life. He carried the pistol i'll his
pocket seven months, when, riding alone
one dark, rainy night, he reflected, "This
cannot be the way to get strength to resist
temptation; this cannot be pleasing to God"
He continued to reflect, and at length stop
ped his horse, tied him, kneeled by the side
Of the fence, and prayed to God to give
him strength to keep the pledge He con-
tinued to pray till he could rest in the prom
Use, "My grace is sufficient for thee" He
rose from his knees, calmly trusting in the
Lord Jesus Christ to keep him from falling.
He was again received as member of the
Church, and now lives the life of consist
ent Christian.
j 5t ~~>-~>-~~--~~~~~~~-~~~-~-~>s ls q K. IA
/ [coMMuNIcArED.]
The progress Of the Temperance cause
depends greatly upon individual effort. A
large amount of good might be effected, if
a portion of the influence which is exerted
by each member of society over the minds
of those with whom they are connected
was brought to bear upon the interests of
the total abstinence cause; cause which
should be dear to every heart; for who is
not interested in some one who is exposed
TO the worst of enemies, intemperance?
But, unfortunately, it is too often treated
with neglect, and looked upon as subject
fit only for those who are fast sinking into
a drunkard's grave; or else one and another
is heard to exclaim, have no influence,
consequently can accomplish nothing. As
the rill tends to form the rivulet, and the
rivulet the ocean, SO does every one tend to
form the character of the society in which
they move. Therefore, we can all do some
thing; and in this mighty enterprise, ! con-
slider each person as having work to per-
form. Let its advocates be found at the So
cial fre-side as well as in the public hall;
let parents, teachers, brothers and sisters, en-
gage heart and hand, precept and example,
in helping to stay this overwhelming tide of
desolatlon, which is sweeping from our land
thousands of those who were destined for a
higher and nobler purpose. Let the dis
countenance Of society, and the solicitude
which is expended when too late, be used
at the inception of this soul-destroying vice,
and how many would be saved from the
formation of an appetite which soon gains
the mastery Of their better judgment Let
such be the case, and we would no longer
see the young and intelligent ones Of earth
descending from the high estate allotted
them by an all-wise Creator. M.
Alexandria, ID. C.
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For the Columbian Fountain.
Contributions from the Highlands.