Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-01
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE AND VIRGINIA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Awful Gardeners Narrative.

The Newark Mercury has a sketch Of a
speech made by Mr.. Orvile Gardner. ut n
temperance meeting in that city, OH Monday
evening. The hall was crowded to over
flowing We quote from Mr. Gardner >
speech:
The life now lead is life of peace and
JOY. have been bad man and | AN as
named Of it. What n bad man ! was years
ago! WAS Awful Gardner" What Il ter
rblc name But have got religion, thank
God for it. felt sorry here tonight rs
thought OF my past transgressions. felt
glad To see many here, and | am glad TO
stand up before you, rs monument OF Gods
mercy. Now, my dear friends, | have to
bring in religion in this little conversation OF
mine, because think religion and temper
unce ARE closely connected with each other.
\ drunkard has no happiness here or in
eternity. Sobrety Is the best lie to lead.
know it by experience best Of teachers.
My life has been an eventtul one. have
passed through many scenes. when my brain
has been "n lire through the Use Of strong
drink. We 20 in IL saloon aud sit down, aud
paying our shilling, take the liquor dealt out
IA us, and then wait for some one to Come III
and treat. Some one does come IN, and
we drink again, until we find our way in the
gutter have been incarcerated III prison;
oh, how many times, | can't tell. own
the corn. have been locked up all over the
country. have been locked up here, In
New York, Albany. and all through Canada,
and away down South, always for getting
drunk, or getting in fight while under the
influence OF the muddenng cup. There is NO
us OF talking have been through the mill.
But II merctul tod has spared Inc, and stay
ed my steps ere yet 1t Was too late. l have
dissipated in all the uxuries the devil has
ever been able to cook up. 1.-The ever got up
Il new dish, WAS chief imp in setting 1t
forward. Now, Oh Sunday, with my wife ON
my arm, | go to church. My God. what
change What IL mercy that lie sent His
Son down t. the earth 10 save sinners.
II may wander away from the path Of
righteousness, but trust can never forget
the day on which Jesus converted my heart
and washed my sins away. was unspeak-
able happy knew then what constituted
true happiness. | would advise all to get
religion. What Is more noble than to see u
young man espou>e the cause Of temperance,
and what looks worse than 10 un old man
staggering towards Il drunkard's grave! Ii
is very warm here to night but I've been IN
much warmer places, from which only es-
capped hy the mercy OF God. | had hard
work 10 leave of drinking rum. Gin and
sugar in the morning seemed necessary u
my existence. was u perfect slave TO rum.
Rum led me into all sorts Of trouble. and ney-
cr vet got me ont of Il single scrape. Rum
is II very large two edged sword, and with it
the devil cuts of scores Of human beings. Ii
nearly took my head OH did not sign the
pledge. My conscience kept troubling me
every time took drink OF rum, and went
Ia Boston To ste il II spree with boon compau-
ions there would not destroy its pangs.
The first move made there, WAS locked
up. Some friend got me out OF jail, and
got drunk and kept drunk for some time.
had little touch Of the tremens, and raised
tourstory window to jump out and kill my
self, but the Lord saved me. | had to walk
the street all night for fear | would jump
from the window. | returned, bringing my
guilty conscience with me- Finally, got
bottle ot old Jamaica, and went down on
Long Island and there. alone, | struggled
with the appetite within me. | prayed TO
God to aid, and he did. rose up and said.
"God, will quit" | resolved never to
taste another drop Of liquor. and | buried the
bottle. God has aided me. and may it please
Him, the bottle will never have resurrec
ton. Man can accomplish great and won
dsrtul things il he only puts himself in OK
errlsp