Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-10-06
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remarkably changed. lie was q good
workman, and could earn fair wages at his
trade Instead of iding half of his time,
and spending more than half of what he
earned in drink, he worked all of his time,
and placed in the hands ofh is prudent wife
every dollar be made. This accounted for
the change.
Thus matters went on for nearly year,
when the excitement Of experience meet
ings, and variety of other means OF keep
ing up an interest among the reformed men,
and occupying their minds having subsid
ed, Simpson began to feel restless and
lonesome. and was often strongly tempted
to drop into some Of his old places of resort,
and pass an evening in good fellowship with
former associates.
As this state Of dissatisfaction increased.
Simpson became more and more unhappy.
He wanted something to sustain him
something extra TO his mere pledge
Deeply conscious of this, and conscious that
he was in imminent danger of falling, he
became anxious, gloomy, and despondng
One evening, after sitting at home for an
hour, and reading over the newspaper of
the day. even to the advertisements, he
took his hat and said
al believe I'll walk out for awhile feel
so dull
His wife looked up at him and tried to
smile. But she felt troubled; for she had
noticed, for some time that he was not alto.
gether himself What the cause was, she
did not know. But wife is never far
wrong in her conjectures.
When Simpson left his house, he walk
ed away. with bis eyes upon the pavement,
undetermined where he should go He
had gone out merely because he felt too
restless to stay at home. Now that he was
in the street, he was as dissatisfied as ever.
Moving on with slow measured tread, he
had gone distance oftwo or three squares.
when his car caught the sound of music is.
suing from noted drink ny establishment,
a short distance ahead Qlickcning his
pace, he was soon in front of the house,
when he paused to listen. The music was
from n hand organ, the owner Of which
having been employed by the rumseller,
as means Of drawing custom, and sue
ceeded admirably, Simpson came near be,
ing enticed within the charmed circle of
his bar,room. But just as he had placed
his foot on the thr shold, bis better sense
came to his aid, and be tore himself away
Walking on again, with his head down,
he felt still more wretched. The danger
he had just escaped, made him fearfully
aware OF the dangers that beset him on ev-
cry side. So wrought up in mind did he
become, under sense of his condition. that
from vivid picture Of himself
again an abandoned drunkard, which his
imagination had conjured up, he stopped
suddenly, and said aloud:
"God help mel What shall I do?'
A hand was laid upon his shoulder, and
voice, that he had heard before, said in sur
prised accents:
Simpson? Is it you? What is the
trouble now?"
1t was Merrill, who had encountered him
again, just at critical moment. Simpson
urned quickly, when he felt hand upon
MS shoulder, and looked into the face of
he intruder half sternly.
"What ais you now, my friend ?" resum-
ed Merrill. "a good temperance man
should never be tioubled in mind"
"You think so. We'll perhaps not"
"You're good temperance man."
81 am not SO sure of that"
"What!" in quick, surprised voice, "you
have not broken"
No, no. Not yet But heaven only
Knows how soon may do so. l am bese:
with temptations that il seems impossible
Tor me 10 withstand"
alt was not so at first"
"No-The excitement of meetings and
concerts, and the relation Of experiences,
occupied my mind. But these have died
away. and am thrown back upon myself
again-my weak, weak self If | do not
fall il will be miracle. l see every tav
ern pass in the streets, and think, spite
If all my efforts to keep such things out of
ny mind. Of the mixed liquors which would
hrill my taste like nectar which are there
% be obtained. What shall do? | feel
is il spirits were leagued to destroy ne,
md that unless receive more than human
strength, | will inevitably fall"
"And so YOU will" was the solemnly |
spoken reply.
merrill! why do you speak SOP" Simp
son said quickly. "You will drive me at
,nce to destruction. want encourage.
nent, not prophesy of ruin. You saved
ne once--cannot you do so again ?"
"Do you remember what was said TO you
IN the night you signed the pledge, by our
President ?" asked Merrill
"No What was it?"
"Look up and be strong! They that
IRE for you are more than all who are
'gainst you"
81 had forgotten"
"You have not looked up then?"
"How up? don't understand you"
"Up to Him who can alone give power 10
very good resolution. If you have been
triving in your own strength, no wonder
hat you are on the eve of falling. Exter
lal exeitemenls and reasons of various
Iinds. may restrain reformed man for
ime. but, until he place his cause in the
lands of the All Powerful, he is in immi-
tent danger"
"But how shall do this? l am not
ellgious man."
"Why have you RETAINED from drink
ng~
because it is debasing vice; vice
hat, if indulged, will beggar my family, as