Weekly New Oregon plain dealer. (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1866-1867, 1866-11-16
WHOLE NO, 36

|
ing their ardent and sincere dcvo-
tion to principles of temperance
and good morals. Like the good
old deacon in the habit of indulging
moderately for the stomach sakc,"
who, when solicited to sign tho
pledge, introduced as an excuse.
Paul's direction to Timothy:
"Takc a little wine for the stomach
sake" " when a bloated blcar-eycd,
half palsicd inebriate arose and en-
dorsed the venerable deacon and
the apostle Paul, likewise avowing
HIS attachment to the principles of
temperance and sobriety. The dca-
oo" "e@ela;os flo tendency of his
influence and regarding his social
responsibility to exert that infiu-
ence to elevate his fellow man, with
ashcn countonance and trembling
hand, called for the pledge, cx-
claiming, My God. is this the class
Of men that follow my example! and
take counsel and courage from the
Inconsistencies of my life and teach
ings?
An evil almost ifno quite as wide
spread, is that of encouraging those
with whom We associate, and over
whom VIC can exercise a salutary
influence, in the occasional use of
Intoxicating drinks. And while
taking upon myself some Of the
reproach of this sill ent acquiescencc
In habits of life that my judgment
tells me is, if not leading, at least
permitting companions and friends to
march on in the road to social ruin
and perhaps infamy and disgrace;
yet looking about me, l am led to
use the language of tho Prince of
Peace when besought in regard to
the propriety of enforcing with rigor
a Jewish law:
"Let him that hath not sinncd
cast the first stonc.''
Our influence has been as dan
gerous. thoughtlcss, and reprehcnsi
bic, in this respect, as was that of
the clergyman down in Connecticut
in times long since gone by, when
the members OF tie h} c6,ffc1f' unfiiif unfiiifitssbd sd
cicty giving out lessons from tho
catec hism. ,."
This clergyman we will call Elder
Crane. In his calls, among others
he called on Adam Smith and his
wife, After an intcrch ange of the
usual civilitics of the day to Mr..
Smith lie says, adam, can you
give me some good brandy?" Tho
brandy was forthcoming; drank; a
lesson in TIE catechism given to
Mrs. Smith; day for hearing it
appointed, when the elder bade tho
the family ''good morning pursu-
ing his visit among his parishioners.
In the course of time the day for
elder Crane to hear the lesson in
the catcchism came around. Unfor-
tunatcly, Adam had used up all tho
brandy, consequently Mrs. Smith
sent him to town to get some for
"brothcr Crane" when he should
come. Adam came homo in a sorry
plight. He had got dizzy from as
sociation with the bottle on his way
home, had fallen down, broken the
bottle and covered with mud from
head to foot was indeed a sorry
spectacle to behold. He had just
explained to Mrs. Smith the situa-
ton of matters when elder Crane
rode up to the gate. Living in
small log house with one door and
single room Mrs. Smith like most
.-o.,e~ ho;ns frnitfnl in expedients
directed Adam to conceal himself
| beneath the bed, and she would fix
matters with brother Crane. The
elder coming in, after the exchange
of customary ciyilities asked sister
Smith for some of that good brandy,
and being informed that they were
out, replied that it was no matter,
he would hear her lesson in the
catcchism and be going.
The first question asked was,
How did Adam fall?" This was a
stumpcr to Mrs. Smith. "Well''
said she, II don't really know how
it was but | believe it was over q
stone heap though
Elder Crane with smile and .
shake of the head propounded the
next question:
"Where did Adam hide himself
after the fall?'