Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-06-16
From The New York Observer.
THE RAvAGES OF THE DESrROfEk.
TALE OF TRUTH.

4 TALE OF Truth.
During brief term Of missionary service
in which engaged some years since, met
with family whose history: and especially
an incident in it, affords another striking ex-
ample of the degrading influence Of intoxica'
ting drinks. Upon entering their wretched
abode, perceived at once that was in
drunkard's home. The novels Of the intem-
perate have an aspect too well known 10
need description. Upon engaged in conver'
saton with the different members OF the
family, found that with one exception they
were all suffering from the effects Of recent
indulgence. The father, man quite adj
vanced in years, and son who was just IN
the prime of life, were too far gone to make
a sensible reply to my questions, and when
they volunteered remark it was humiliating
to listen TO it. A daughter.ih-law, who had
an infant in her arms, showed by her idiotic
stare that she too was besotted with rum.
The mother alone did not give the evidence
Of recent indulgence but even she, as al.
forwards learned, had long been addicted 10
the degrading vice. Finding very soon that
could not benefit them by tarrying, left it.
The only one who was in condition to pro-
fit by a religious conversation was altogether
averse 10 entering into it. Oftwo neighbors,
one Of whom was an elder in the Presbyte-
rian church, | learned the following particu-
lars. ... ........
Several years before, the father Of the
family was the owner of large farm situa-
ted in the vicinity of his present abode, and
was prospering in the world. Like multitude
of others, he became addicted to intemper-
ance, and his farm was no longer able TO
yield him support, and afford the means Of
gratifying his unnatural appetite. 1t was
mortgased, and the money thus obtained was
spent for rum. Soon it became necessary to
sell the FARM and the balance, some hundreds
of dollars above mortgage, being paid in
ready money, was in short time expended
for that which was fast running his estate,
himself and his family. He had now become
confirmed and degrading drunkard, living
only for the qualification of his vicious thirst
for strong drink. His wife, too, once his boz
som friend, became his bosom companion in
his debauchery. Nor did his influence end
here, He not only taught his children BY his
example, to court the vice, but he compelled
them to drink. Unlike most parents who
are drunkards themselves, he seemed dcsi.
rous TO render them as degraded as himself.
One only out of large family, broke through
! his fathers influence, and he became res.
pccted member OF society. The rest, male
and female, fell under the influence of tho
destroyer, Incredible as it may appear one
of his children actually died Of intemperance
miserable drunkard, at the age of twelve
the father sent for a supply of the poison
which was causing his death, and when hs
breathed his last the family Was in a state OF
beastly intoxication. His body remained upoa
the bed, in the same state In which he died,
for day or two, and nothing wa. done, nor
were they able to do anything to prepare it
for burial A neighbor, accidentally having
prepared coffin, placed the remains OF the
child in it, and the family started for tho
place of burial which was more than mile
distant, taking with them the jug OF rum.
Arriving at the graveyard, they found that
no grave was dug. Obtaining tools, they
went to work to prepare one. stopping FIRE.
quently to make a drain upon the jug. This
was soon exhausted, when one OF the number
was despatched for fresh supply. Again
they commenced digging, and they dug and
drank, and drank and dug, until grave was
opened, into which the coffin was placed,
and having hurriedly filed it up, they all re-
turned in state of intoxca,ion to their misera-
BILE home.
Such facts show how completely the de.
mon of intemperance not only blights the
fairest prospects, and brings ruin and dissracs
upon families, but also roots up and tramples
upon all tender sensibilities and affections OF
the heart. Under Its influence fathers, and
mothers too, become monsters, and losing all
sympathy for their own flesh, and blood, can
revel in debauchery around the dying bed
and lifeless remains, and on the grave of
: their offspring. 1t is worse than brutalizing
in its helsh influence.