The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-11-24
THE uNAppRrc1ATED DANGER.

| iOllOWltIH 10 dhCu IOu u bpCCCu VI
Ex-Governor Briggs, Of Massachusetts, when
and where delivered We know not. We copy
it as furnishing striking illustrations Of a
truth which cannot be too often impressed
upon those who fancy that they " can drink,
or let It alone;" that The growth Of the
drunkard's appetite is imperceptible to him.
self, though painfully evident to his friends
and associates. Were this truth more gen.
orally appreciated, fewer cases Of hopeless
intemperance would occur to challenge the
public sympathy, or pity, or scorn. The
path of safety is found in entire abstinence
alone, and multitudes who have fancied that
they could walk securely in the way initia.
tory to drunkenness, have found, too late,
that " "wine is mocker," which, "at tho
last, bitc'h like serpent and stingoth like
an adder"
Ssys Gov. Rs;ggs: -. ----ss-.- ...-..s
81 recollect one member Of Congress who
was always rallying inc about our Congress.
sional Temperance Society"
Briggs" he used to say, " am going 10
Join your Temperance Society rs soon rs my
demi John is empty" But just before it be.
came empty, he always filed It. At one
time, towards the close Of tho session, he
said to me:
81 am going to sign the pledge when !
GET home. l am in earnest" continued he |;
/" my demtohn is nearly empty, and am
not going to fll it again" He spoke with
such IN air Of seriousness rs had not be.
fore observed, and it impressed me and I
asked him what 1t meant what had chang
ed his feelings.
"Why," said he. &" had q short limo
since, visit from my brother, who stated
to me fact that moro deeply impressed and
affected me than anything recollect to
have heard upon the subject in any temper.
ance speech have ever heard or read"
"In my neighborhoOd is q gentleman Of
my acquaintance, well educated, who once
had some property, but is now reduced -
poor He has beautiful and lovely wife,
q lady Of cultivation and refinement, and o
most charming daughter.
"This gentleman became decidedly in
temperate in his habits, and had fully alarm.
ed his friends in regard to him. At one
time, when number Of his former associ.
ates were together, thoy counseled as to
what could DO done fol him. why don't
you send your daughter away to O certain
distinguished school = which he named"
"O, cannot said he, { it is out Of
the question. l am not able to bear the
expense. Poor girl! wish could
"' Well,' said his friend. If you will
sign tho temperance pledge, l will DO at all
the expense Of her attending school for one
year."
"What does this mean - said he. do
you think me in danger Of becoming q
"No NATTER said his friend. 'about
that now; but will you do as I said!'
"' And j. said another, will pay tho
rent Of your farm a year, II you will sign
the pledge
"' Well, these offers arc certainly liberal
but what do they mean! Do you think
me in danger of becoming drnnkard 3
Wha, can It mean But gentlemen, in view
Of your liberality, will mako an offer. I
will sign IL yon will
"This was proposition they had not
considered, and were not very well prcpar.
ed to meet; but for his sake they would and
did sign, and he with them.
I" And now for the FIRST timo the trnth
poured into his mind, and hc saw his condi.
ton, and sat down bathed in tears.
80 Now said he. gentlemen, you must
20 and communicate these facts to nv wife
.l-poor woman! know che will bc clad
TO hear Of Il, but cannot tell her.'
TTwo OF them started for that purpose.
The lady met them al the door, pale and
trembling with emotion.
/ "What,' she inquired. Is the mattor 7
What has happened 10 my husband!n
"They bado her dismiss her fears. assur.
ing her they had como to bring her tidines
but good tidings, such rs she would Be-
glad 10 hear.
WYour husband has signed the temper.
unce pledge; yes, signed i in good faiti.'
"The Joyous news nearly overcamc her
che trcmbled with xcitelncnt-wept freely,
and clasping her hands dcvotionally, she
looked up to Heaven and thanked God for
tho happy change. ....f. r..
"tNow,' said she. have husband M
hc once was, In the days Of our early love. ,
90, But this was not what moved me- said
the gentleman. There was in the same
vicinity another asntlcman-a generous,
noble soul-marricd young-married well,
into charming family and the flower Of Il.
His wine drinkin. habits had aroused the
- n ~. C-:o,Js nnl ona d,v ,vl.,