The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-11-04

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<toDr. Summers, tss Head before sIoi,
.stoaa Conference. ~ &,' I'm: 81,
We publish below the material portions Of
the letter OF defence and explanation from,
Rev. w. II. Mausey,' which WINS read before
the Holston Conference at its late session In
Marion, Va: - sl,t77
Dear DR.. Summers,-It is published from
one end of this country to the other that
| use stimulating spirits too freely. Their use
have entirely abandoned, preferring to be
sick, or dead, than to lay myself liable any
longer to such complaints. used them by
medical and otherwise respectable advise
ment. Their use saved my life - >
In 1866 was sent by Bishop Early % Al
eXandria, Va. Always having a feeble,
nervous constitution, and never fiinchng in
my life from the post of duty and danger,
my health rapidly began to give way. Ex-
horted to use stimulants, refused. During
theeightecu months was stationed In Al
eSatfdria ! tasted ardent spirits but few
times, and then only in cases Of real illness
never as beverage. never took but one
drink as mere beverage in my life, and
that was when a boy. At the end of my
term in Alexandria ought to have located
for one year, but had horror Of such
step. WAS then removed by Bishop Dog
gett to Baltimore city. Baltimore was our
frontier work. The membership was
small; i had to make my own congrega-
ton. With such an inspiration gathered
up all my feeble powers, and did my
best, in the mean time helping other charges
all could. My efforts to preach at this
time were succeeded by kind of convul-
sive vomit, and this often followed by a Sc
we're attack Of cramp collie, which several
times threatened my life. ] was told by
friends, and among them the late DR..
Thomas +. Bond, Al. D., and President Of
the Medical University of Maryland, to use
small portion Of whiskey or brandy after
preaching, and it would prevent the vomit-
ing. i had TO do it or give up the station
and stop preaching. tried it and it effect
cd cure, and counteryeiled, after time,
the tendency to collie. The amount used was
small The first summer / was in Baltimore
I was threatened with paralysis ; my health
seemed to give way almost entirely, and !
| was released from my work for nearly four
months. | recommended my work in Octo.
Der, but to ill the pulpit had to give up in
Il great degree pastoral visiting. The state
Of my health caused me to accept the posi-
ton Of Secretary Of the Board OF For
eign Missions. During that summer was
about three months from my work; but
after that my health, for the first time, began
TO recuperAte in such way that thought /
would have no more trouble; and if had
not been put back into regular work for a
wear more | would not have been ineffective,
as have been now tor twelve months.
Our trouble in Baltimore in 1872 kept me
at my post during the summer till fell
there. | stayed, not because was able to
do the whole work, but to prevent de-
molalization. | had to Use stlmulants or
desert my post. In addition to my threat
ened attack of paralysis Q4arvey G. Byrd,
VI. D., Of Baltimore, being one Of the physi-
clans who made the diagnosis), have suf-
tered horribly with neuralgia. My brain
would not bear opates. Again had to Use
whiskcy or brandy. | ceased awhile last
February, but was compelled to resume their
use for awhile. always used them against
my will and one great purpose OF my COM
ing to the country was to get my nerves
gradually relaxed from the tensions OF
| twenty-five years, so that l could
| live without stimulant. | was making
| battle for life, aud in me it was no sin !;
! hence I never concealed it. My intense
horror Of paralysis may have caused me, III
nv mind. to exaggerate my danger. 1t threw
u gloom over my soul, and the year to me has
| been one of darkness; though could feel tue
strong hand Of God leading me through the
shadows. "But lie kuoWeth the way that
take: when He had tried me, shall come forth
az god.' ] could have spared a leg, an arm,
or even an eye, but my fault lay not IN
them. God touched the point of ambition,
and will abide His time. "He perform.
eth the thing that is appointed for me; and
| many such things are with Him." lnevel
dreamed that l could and would be mlsun
derstood and traduced as a common drunk
ard, or that any of my brethren would ever
have believed il. But neuralgia or no ncu'
raleiu, paralysis or no paralysis, have aoan;
doned lis use in any quantity and in AL
circumstances, except the most eXtra0rdl'
mary. e., it must be matter OF lmine'
diate life and death, and never i'll the sense
of tonic, or to relieve pain, or in any con,
tinuous sense whatever. 1t would be well
for all to come, under God, after careful
thought, to the same conclusion. In the
end, all stimulautS are physical and mora
curses. When am able to work without 6
>,imulant will work when | am not able
10 work without stimulant will rest.
sacrificed myself to emergencies without
having the power i'll all instances TO NEE
them. ought TO have taken the advice o
friends, and gone to n place where wouit
have had less responsibility and better sup
rort. r. r. Ny health is now better.
sYour attcctionate brother, as ever,
49,. ..,-.. l. w. f. MuSsEY.
lntahn,. Il 12T. H