Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1870-01-01
For the Regist er.

Ma. ZIrfLE We are now in the
midst of the ChHs,mss Holidays, and are
gr,esed tina, We are compelled TO witness
The usual drinking and drunkenness.
How differently ought The nativity Of our
Saviour 10 be observed ! 1t is an occa-
sion Of rational and religious joy. on &C
count Of The incalculsbie value Of the
Christian religion, and should be sppro-
pristely honored, as We are thankful 1t
was by the Methodist, Lutheran and EPis-
copal denominations OF our town.
How differently was it kept by many
Of our people-bo,h old and young. They
seem 10 think iba, they have special H.
cense 10 drink, ami if it results SO. 10 get
drunk at less, once year-on Christmas
Day. VIVA, strange and sad deluson !!
If the trouble and disgrace were confined
to the offenders themselves. the horrors
of the case would be very much mitiga-
ted. If these unfortunate persons-faih-
ers. husbands and sons could only realize
the nnhapplness they cause in their re-
sPec,ive households, especially TO their
wives and mothers, they certainly would
pause. reflect, and probably reform. No
pen can justly describe the dread that
these afflicted women have OF The return
of this season Of frolc and drunkenness.
And especially the pain, mor'Ihcsllon
and anxiety they suffer when their worst
apprehensions are realized in drunken
husband or son. Husband young man |!
What think you of your guilt ia thus max
ing miserable your wife your mother
Can you forget aud disregard The grief OF
the children Iha, their father 10 drunk
How striking and admonishing the con-
irast with the time VI hen before God and
man he took that woman 20 be his wife.
Can you forge, the sinking Of the fathers
heart, and The great modification OF the
sister and brother. when that son is re-
ported drunk, is seen Keeling on the street,
or comes home intoxicated ? Will you
conlinve this reckless course, foil Of evil
in this world and the next -! The body
and all this worlds goods sacrificed and
more still-the soul lost. "The drunk.
ard cannot enter the kingdom Of Heaven"
Dul am not CTunkd1u ~ 'US Iep!J'
We hope not. 1t is fortunate il your
neighbors agree with you. But il is GER
tain il you are no. drunkard, You are in
the road 10 drunkenness. So that il you
don, wish to arrive at that doomed stale.
you had better change your course and
become Temperance man. No never !!
you exclaim. can control myself, drink
when please and qui, when | please.
So many have said who are now in
drunkarG's grave. One Thing is certain.
as all candid persons admit, that the bes.
and only way not TO be drunkard, is not
10 drink any ,hing Intoxicating.
The custom of The Free Bar a,
Christmas is one cause of the unusual
excessive drunkenness that charscterizes
,hs, season. The free Bar" is some
times public. and sometimes private. The
objec, Of the Public Free Bar" is to
make the drinking house popular. and thus
prove profitable outlay. The object OF
the "Priysie Free Bar" is to gain popular
favor. and repay the hospitality with
fat office. The generosity in both cases
is selfish and utterly regardless Of the
good of their fellow-men. What sad
and ominous fact, that man should make
money or obtain Office OF the sacrifice of
bis neighbours happiness. his property,
his body and soul. A, B. g. e.