The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-05-28
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Time, Faith, Energy.


II don't see that I am so much
better off, said Mr.. Gordon, man
who had recently given up drinking.
" lost my situation on the very day
/ signed the pledge, and have had no
Regular employment since
"But you would have lost your
situation if you hadn't signed the
pledge, presume, said the in
dividual to whom he was com
planning,
aYes. lost it because I got
drunk and spoiled my job. But to
hear some temperance people talk,
one who didn't know would be led to
believe that, the very moment the
pledge was signed, gold could be
picked up in the streets. l must
confess that I haven't found it so.
Money is scarccr with me than it
ever was; and though don't spend
cent for myself, my family haven't
a single comfort moro than they had
before.
"Though there's no disputing the
fuet that they would have many less
comforts if you hadn't signed the
pledge?'
"No, I suppose not. But I cannot
help feeling discouraged at the way
things go. If had the same wages 1
received before l signed the pledge,
IL could be laying up money. But,
LAS it is, it requires the utmost cccn-
omy to keep from getting in debt
"Still, you do manage to keep
cyen?'
ssYes.'
"On about half your former III
Gomez
ssA little over half. I used to get
ten dollars q week. Now I manage,
by5picking up odd jobs here and there,
ito make about six
\" "Then you are better off than you
were before.
81 hardly see how you can make
that out
"Your family have enough to li7c
upon all they had beforehand you
have a healthier body, calmcr mind,
and clearer conscience. Isn't here
something gaincd?'
Il rather think there is, replied
Gordon, smiling.
"And I rather think you are
b good deal better OF, than you were
before. Isn't your wife happicr!'
30! yes, She's as cheerful as
"a lark all the day.
Sand doesn't murmur because Of
your tight wages?'
"No, indeed! not she. I believe
if I didn't earn more than three
dollars week, and I kept sober, she
would make it do somehow or other,
and keep good heart. It's wonder
full how much she is changed
'And yet you are no better off?
Amt you better off in having a happy
wife and pleasant home, what | am
sure you hadn't beforc?'
"You are right in that. I GER
'tainly had neither of them before.
Oh! yes. I am much better off all
around. I only felt q little dcspon-
dent, because 1 can't get regular
employment as | used to, and good
wages; for now, if had these, Z could
do so WELL
"Bc patient, friend Gordon; time
will make all right. There arc three
words that every reformed man
should writo on the walls of his
chamber, that he may see them every
Morning. They are 'Timc, Faith,
Energy No matter how low he
may have fallen; no matter how
,discouraging all things around him
may appear; let him havo energy,
and faith in time, and all will come
out we'll at last
Gordon went home, feeling in
better heart than when he met the
temperance friend who had spoken to
him these encouraging words.
Henry Gordon, when lie married
had just commenced business for
himself, and went on for several years
doing very we'll. lie laid by enough
money to purchase himself snug
little house, and was in u good way
for accumulating comfortable pro.
perty, when the habit of dram
drinking, which he had indulgcd for
years, became an oycr.mastcring 9
passion. From that period he
neglected his business, which
steadily declined. In half tho time
it took to accumulate the property lie
possessed, all disappeared his bu-
siness was broken up, and lie com
pcllcd to worli4at his trade as
q i1urnoYman 70 a1prOrt Lis lunlilY.