Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-07-11
The Colporteur and the man with a Jug

A TRUE STORY.
About six years ago, a colporteur of the Amerl-
can Tract Society, was travelling on horse back
through one of the most mountainous portions OF
Cherokee, Ga, laden with books for distribution
and sale. When passing through a narrow gorge
between two hills, where there was scarcely room
for more than one person to pass; he met a man
with a Jug. The Jug had no handle but was held
by an old greasy leathern string tied around the
neck. The colporteur accosted him
Good morning, sir, can | sell you a book
sNo, sir, / have no money! was the reply. .
Where are you going, my friend, with yourJug :
sTo the still-house, SIR
Suppose you take the money, with which you
propose to buy the whiskey, and buy a good book
and go home without the whiskey and read your
book, and promise you it will be far better for you.'
But, sir, | have no money, and l am to get the
whiskey on a credit
sWell, my friend, | will make another PROPOSE
ton. l will buy your jug, and give you a book for
it. You can then go home, and read your book,
and and DO , without the liquors What do you say
The man with the jug hesitated awhile, and
then replied twill let you have the Jug
, The colporteur took the jug, and gave him a
copy of the Temperance Manual, and hanging his
; new purchase on his arm, journeyed on till night.
when he gave the Jug to the lady of the house a
which he spent the night. Visited several familie:
before night, however, carrying the jug, which wa:
a great matter of astonishment and wonder to al
: who saw him, and the question was frequently ask
ed eWhat are you going to do with that Jug?
. The colporteur heard nothing more of the maj
from whom he bought the jug, until this year, du
ring the sitting Of the Superior Court in the coun
ty of C, six years having elapsed. Being a
r court, still engaged in colporteurage for the Trac
Society, he was accosted by a gentleman with tn
enquiry, Do you remember trading for a jug sew
n eral years ago IN the hills above here p Il do, sill
replied the colporteur. { Yonder,' said the gentle
man, pointing to a sober looking man, lis the ma
e from whom you bought it. He was at the tim
,, you met him a drHnkard-a pest to society. No
he is a sober man, and has been ever since the da
you took his jug away from hum. He is now a
orderly and consistent member of the Method
Church, and enjoys religion. He is industrio,
and supports his family well, whereas while !
owned the jug, he did little else than make his vi
it to the still house, and fill and empty his Jug
The colporteur feeling some interest, inquired
the reformed man how the change was so sudden
wrought on him-Ewas it the tract p eNo, sa
Y. he, 1T was your determination and the interest Y
seemed to manifest in my welfare, and besides Il
a you took my jug, and that set me to thinking
til then l went home and read the tract, and determi
" ed by the helpof God, 1 would never drink anotl
y drop-and have been enabled to keep my pro
ise.'
This is a plain, unvarnishedtale and shows h
>; much may be done by strong personal efforts
- Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou sh
find it after many days. ]. w. B