The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-10-31
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
DuRvavr. Oct. 9Th, 1850.

Tempcrauce Lecturer, has been giving US
a treat in this city two evenings this weel,
and is il the course Of his appointments Il
lecture in Davenport on SATURDAY and Sun.
day tho I'd and 3D. Of November. though,
il might not be undressing TO your n,-
merous readers aud especially to the friend:
Of Temperance 10 send you short sketch
Of his life, which gather from the ''Na,ion
al Temperance Offering for ISL.
This distinguished laborer in tho cans.
Of Temperance, was born in tho city o.
Baltimore, State Of Mary September
2Sth, 1897; me was the son 81 pions ia
Their, whose death occurred when his sou
tho snbjcc, Of the following remarks, was
but II years Of age, his mother being poor
and left with large number Of children
and John being the Oldest of tho male chill
dren, he was bound by the Orphans' Court
to the trade Of halter, at which trade he
served until no was 81 years Of age. \
was a, this early ngo he was thrown int
the worst Of associations; no began thus
early in life to accustom himself to the ha-
b,,ual use Of Intoxicating drinks-,he hab-
il growing stronger and stronger until he
became periodical drunk ard.
When % years ofage, be left bis native
city and wandered to the western country
lie a, last reached the State Of Kentucky =
this was in the year 1910, he took up his
residence in the village Of Bedford, county
Of Henry, where he remained about three
years; it was during his residence IN the
above State that he became confirmed
drunkard. Returning TO his native home,
he saw tho necessity ofrestralning himself,
being under The eye Of his rions mother.
Shortly after his return home, he married
a devotcdly pions young lady, BY the
namc OF Rachel Thompson, by whom he
had six children; three Of whom are now
living, viz: William, Elizabeth, and Han.
nah, The last named, the Temperance world
will at once recognize as the devoted child
who, under God, was the instrument Of bis
final reformation, which took place in Bal
timore on tho 10Th of June, 1910. The
ever memorable Washington Temperance
Society being formed Of many of his old as
socia,cs, he resolved at once to Join them,
and the moment be did so, he found favor
IN the sight Of God, and his fellow men.
In the month of March following the fer
nation Of the above Society, tho friends Of
in the city Of New York, hear
ing Of this extraordinary movement, which
then numbered more than a thousand re.
formed drunkards, resolved to have some
Of them come to tho city Of New York and
hold temperance meetings; negotiations
were entered into at once for a delegation.
accordingly five proceeded 10 the city OF
New York-amongst them was the suhiec.
Of our remarks After laboriny with his
companions for somo time in the city Of
New York, the friends of the cause in the
city Of Boston, hearing Of their wonderful
success in the reformation of the most aban-
doned drunkards, resolved to have some 81
them pay the city Of Boston visit; accor-
dinghy Mr.. Hawkins ana William L
Wright went on, and held many interesting
meetings, to which thousands focked, and
brought with them their unfortunate
friends, who signed tho pledge and reform,
ed their lives. Tho great mass meeting
held in old Fanouil Hall, the Cradle Of Lib
eriy, will long be remembered; when the
two speakers entered, the Old Cradle rock
cd with the greatest burst Of welcome ,ha,
ever was known in the city Of Boston,
When they took their seats on the stand
they were eyed closely by tie vas, multi.
tuda with astonishneni; after tho meeting
was opened with prayer, Mr.. Hawkins was
to the audience by that inaefa,i-
gable philanihropist, Deacon Moses Grant.
It may to well for us at this point of our
narrative, to give tho reader some Of his
remarks upon that memorable occasion.
1When ! compare" said he, ''lhc past viii,
tho present; my days Of in,cmpcrance with
my present peace and sohriety; my pas,
degradation with my present position in
this Ilall-Thc Cradle Of Libcrty-I nm
overwhelmed. Ilsee,ns 10 inc holy ground.
never expected TO see this Hall. | had
heard OF it in boyhood. Twas hero tina,
Oils and the elder Adams argued the prin-
ciples Of American Independence, and we
now meet here 10 declare oarselyes FREQ and
independent; to make second Declare.
tIon-not quite 50 lengthy MS the old one !:
but IL promises lifc jihartv .J II,