Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-11-12
FATHER MATTHEW'S VISIT TO
-, THE TOMBS.

Father Matthew visited the Tombs yesterday,
in company with several gentlemen, among
whom were Geo. w. Smith, Esq, and David
O'Meara the Rev. gentleman's Secretary. Fa-
Their Matthew was conducted to position in the
second corridor, where he had full view of the
nr;soners. who were ranged along the other cor
ridors. AS soon as the prisoners were all in
view Father Matthew addressed them as fol-
lows:
NV dear friends, came here to sec you, and
am happy in the occasions though | am sorry
TO see YOU in such place. My heart fails with
in me, and my voice faters, as behold such a
spectacle, especially in country like this, where
the road to happiness is open to ALL and so easy
of access.
To address myself TO my cOuntrymen; l feel
that YOU have bighted all hopes that prompted
YOU to leave your native land; and that you
have done so by yielding to vice which has
DESTROYED its Millions mean that of using al
cohoic drinks. And trust that, having now
good time for reflection, you wll,when the term
of your Imprisonment expires, turn from the fell
destroyer of your highest hopes and forgetting
the past, live better lives in future by doing
which, you will yet ensure to yourselves happi-
ness and prosperity. No man ever was born a
drunkard or ever became one from choice. 1t
is by little and little that the vice gains upon its
victims and most truly has it been said, that
the first glass is the corner stone to super
structure of drunkenness Ihope that you will
deliberate upon your condition, and become bet
ter men and women for the future.
Ny dear, beloved friends, have spoken to
YOU as have often spoken BEFORE you have all
the chances prosperity open before you; there
is not single happiness which you may not
taste without the aid Of intoxicating drinks
When Adam and Eve were first placed in the
garden of Eden they had pleasure unalNyed, yet
there was no alcohol there.
Ihave seen, during my tour through this great
crountry, many Of my countrymen, who came
here without one penny in their pockets, and
VINO are now in the honest possession of thou
sands, earned by industry, upright conduct, and
a strict adherence to the principles OF total alb
stinence from alcoholic drinks. II has been said
that once drunkard always drunkard;" but,
by the grace of God, it cannot now be said with
truth, for there is balm in Gilead and physi-
clan there. Returning is not so difficult now
as once it was thought to be- there is nothing
in the way of your rising again to respectable
ity but the vice of drunkenness; reform, and
every good man will give you the right hand of
fellowship. | hope you will do so from this
time forward and / shall be happy, with the
permission of your gentlemany keeper, to pre-
sent to all who are willing to take the pledge,
card and medal, which hope will be worn as
a badge of honor by you all. You will never
regret taking the pledge, so do not suffer your
selves to be cast away forever. You are young
and may yet be respectable, prosperous and
happy.
At the close of the address, Mr.. Edmonds sig
nfed that it would give him great pleasure to
see the prisoners take the pledge, and Speaking
to the prisoners) hoped that they would all feel
constrained to take it and abide by its .princi-
Piles. A table was then placed across the up
per end of the kitchen, where the reverend IA
Their, his secretary, and other gentlemen accom-
panying him, were seated; and the prisoners
who desired to take the pledge, brought in by
divisions. They came up and kneeled in front
of the table, when the reverend gentleman offer
ed up short prayer for their continuance in
the cause. They were about $40, about one
fourth of whom were females, and among the
number were several who are not confined in
the prison.
The scene during the taking of the pledge
was affecting in the extreme. Many of the un-
fortunate inmates of the prison had seen Father
Matthew in his and their native land, and they
spoke of the time and place with tears in their
eyes, declaring that with the help Of God they
would never be found in such place. To all
such the Reverend Father addressed words Of
advice and consolation.
New York Cour. & Enquirer.
A WORD Fifty SpoKEN-A stranger, who
LII,