Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-08-18
OYER THE FALLS.

Near all Of our readers, probably, have read
brief accounts of the three young men who were
precipitated over the Falls Of Niagara in a small
boat few weeks since. The Illustrated Caris.
iian Weekly gives a full page view of the Falls,
with the boat and three men on the brink, ful-
lowed by an appeal from Rev. DR.. CuYLER, H.
strating the cause which hurled these three
souls into perdiiion. We publish Il in full be-
low, aud ask for II careful perusal
Niagara is the subimest spot ou the continent,
but almost every year ii becomes the scene OF
s1me new horror that makes the blood curdle to
read Of 1t. few weeks since, II added new
chapter to the ever-growing volume OF the woes
Of strong dirk. Three young men, who had
became intoxicated 10 the print Of perfect stupid
ity, undertook to cross the Niagara river about
three m les aboYe the cataract. The owner of the
boats refused tO let one Ia them but, by some
means they got a boat, and launched out for tile
Canadian side.
The little sx,if was soon caught in the swift
current OF the rapids. sr"ng and steady arm
alone could save il. The oarsmln, who was
the nearest sober OF the wretched trio, stood up
in the boat, and seeing the terrible danger gave
a wild shrek and leaped over board TO swim
ashore. The current was too strong for him.
He buffeted the fierce rapids for a few moments
until his little strength gave way, and then he
shut over the cataract.
His two stnp.fed companions lay asleep on
the bottrm THE boat aud never awoke until
their aifrighted spirits awoke in eternity. Their
frail boat leaped off the awful cffof waters like
II bit Of cork, and in an instant they were en-
quilted in the foaming IN ,lestrom beneath. The
next morning single leg of one Of the poor
wretches was picked up on the Canadian shore,
showing that their bodies musthage been dashed
to fragments in their decent among the rocks be-
low the cataract.
The Word of Gnd describes drunken man
as Zone who lieth" (aseepl ION the top of a
mast " in the midst Of the sea. But it adds a
new horror To the picture to lie in the sleep Of
lusensblility on the foamiug edge of Niagara.
Probably the wretched creatures in the boat fan
cied themselves on delightful sail as they
swept 50 swiftly through the waters. Tney
aw9ke from tue enchanting slunber in the jaws
of DEATH
This terrible tragedy at Niagara is but pic
ture Of the cataract OF ruin, over which one hun
dred housdnd of our countrymen were swept
during the last twelve months. Commissioner
Wells reports that immense number as going
down into the vortex Of " death through inlcm.
peTance ,cihm gear. How many fathers
and mothers have stood on tue bank and seen
their sons whirl over into the abyss, Go only
knoweth
But every young man or woman who is play
ing with the winecup is venturng towards the
rapids. Ihe ligunr-sellerS furnish the boats
it is their trade to "hire" them for "pleasurl
excursions" Every young man, as he launches
into the habit of drinking, laughs at the idea o!
any danger. who's afraid? not II" In lit.
tie while he is helpless the bottom of the skih
ard shooting towards the brink of perlilion
All the warning cries of pulpiIs, and press and
! parental love cannot awaken him. He is drHg
ged with the dram.seler's dose Of death. lie
will wake up when he gets into eternity -no
| before.
Sometimes poor slave or the bottle secs hi.
danger, and, like that third man at Niagara
jumps out Of the boat. But it is too lat. lie
has gone too far, and the disease of druukenncs:
has become incurable. He cannot control him
self. The rapids of fatal habit are too strong
| for his enfeebled resolution. Now and then one
bV the help of the divine grace, reaches few
strong swimmers, and assist them with the rope
! of total abstinence pledge. But the vast ma.
jority of habitual drinkers 90 ocer The fails
| Young man the first glass you take is a steT
into the boat The voyage may begin with d
song-but il may end in the shrek Of a LOST
| SOUL.