American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-04-05
A Victim Of Intemperanc
A FEARFUL WARNING.


resided on the paternal farm with his
VITO and children, i'll the home of his
aged parents. p. had been religiously
educated, and had made profession Of
religion and joined a church. But these
were days of darkness on the subject
OF the use Of Intoxicating drinks
Christian churches did not disallow tho
use of alcoholic liquors as beverage.
But if any used them to excess, so as
to produce drunkenness, if they could
not be reclaimed, such were finally cx-
PEELED from church privileges.
In the case of S. p, the use of
strong drink produced it's usual effects:
strong appetite was produced and its
cravings led to such an increased use
OF 1t, as resulted in such open instances
OF drunkenness that he became q scan
dial to religion, and all efforts to re-
claim him proving Intellectual, he was
excluded from the church. But from
force Of habit, or to quiet conscience,
he frequently attended meetings on the
Sabbath.
Time rolled on, but no signs of re-
pcntance were seen in s. 2. A worthy
Deacon, interested doubtless for the
welfare of his wife and children, and
desirous to save soul from pcrdition,
sought an opportunity and conversed
with him; when as nearly as can be
recoiected the conversation was on
this wise.
DeacOn.--You have an interesting
family and good friends, and you have
protested religion; can you not aban-
don strong drink and be again respect
cd, useful and happy?
s. P.-1 know drinking is running
me and disgracing my family, but /
can leave it of.
D.-Why will you not try then?
s. P.-I a0iW. l will begin next
Monday ; and in week l will step over
and tell you the result.
D.-Doso; want to encourage you.
Only three days and he would com
mence his abstinence; only from Fri
day to Monday-thfs was a fatal pro-
crdstlnation, and should be n warning
to all transgrcssors not to put off re-
pentanco and reformation to future
time.
On Saturday (ncxt day. there was a
sale of the personal property of his de-
ceased father; and according to the
custom of those dark times, Git was be-
fore the temperance reformation had
exerted much influence rum was pro-
vidcd, so that all who desired mi ght
take freely, and under its exciting in
fluence a lively competition cnsuo in
the sale; so that in the result gain
would be made, greatly exceeding the
cost of the liquor. S. p. drank freely:
but on the Sabbath was in his pew in
time Of worship; but his abused body
hung ont the flag Of distress. | noticed
during preaching that he did not sleep,
but stupid vacant look marked his
countenance, and here and there a red
spot, in strong contrast with the sur
rounding paloness, gave him such an
appearance that one observed she looks
as spotted as an adder" When the
morning services were past, he went to
n tavern near at hand and procured q
drink. This sharpcned his appetite for
more, and he returned home, some 3
miles, and drank more; then drove to
Il neighborhood meeting, sat stupidly
through the exercises, rode home, left
his horse at the door, and made his way
to the bed. Nils wife finding that, in
addition to the present influence of il
quor, he had not his right mind, sent
for physician. The physician deci-
dcd that he was suffering from an at
tack Of Delirimm IremcnS! Monday,
the day he had appointed to commence
his experiment Of total abstinence for
the week, had como; and he was now
a racing maniac !
lie continued in this state until the
fourth day, when l called to sec him.
The physician was in attendance, and
his patient, under the influence Of the
horrible mania a p0tw, was tossing n
bout and trying to tear his bed cloth
ing, and any garment he could lay hold
Of. SO violent were his rawlings, that
1t was necessary to use force to restrain
him. There were momcnts of partial
sanity, when reason dimly shone out,
like rays of sunshine through broken
clouds. In these he referred to his
promise of abstinence, said he had not
drank since Monday, and did not in
tend to. In about an hour after my
arrival, he suddenly ceased his violent
spasmodic efforts and settled quietly
on his bed The cessation of his talk
ing and raying quickly attracted the
attention Of tho physician, who, press
/ ~ L. ,...l-n LII H. NO.. -. IN c. l.