The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-05-28
MISCELLANY.
OYER THE FALLS.

Niagara is the sublimest spot on the conti-
nent, but almost every year it becomes the
scene of some new horror that makes the blood
curde to read it. A few weeks since, it add
ed new chapter to the er-growing volume
of the woes of strong drink. Three young
men, who had become intoxicated to the point
of perfect stupidity, undertook to cross the
Niagara river about three miles above the ca
taract. The owner of the boats refused to let
one to them, but, by some means they got
boat, and launched out for the Canadian side.
The little skiff was soon caught in the swift
current of the rapids. A strong and steady
arm alone could save it. The oars-man, who
was the nearest sober of the wrctched trio,
stood up in the boat, and seeing the terrible
danger gave 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 strength gave way,
and then he was whirled along helplessly Ia
the verge, and shot over the cataract
His two stupified companions lay asleep on
the bottom of the boat, and never awoke until
their affrighted spirits awoke in eternity.
Their frail boat leaped off the awful cliff OF
waters like bit of cork, and in an instant
they were engulfed in the foaming maelstrom
beneath. The next morning single leg OF
one of the men was picked up on the Canadian
shore, showing that their bodies must have
been dashed to fragments in their descent
among the rocks below the cataract.
The word Of God describes drunken man
as tone who lieth" asleep "on 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 Niagara. Probably the wretched creatures
in the boat fancied themselves on delightful
sail as they swept so swiftly through the
waters. They awoke from the enchanting
slumber in the jaws Of death.
This terrible tragedy at Niagara is but a
One Hundred Tho . nd of our counsrymen
were swept during the last twelve months.
Commissioner Wells reports that immense
number as going down into the vortex of
"death through intemperance " wittin ono
year. How many fathers and mothers have
over into the abyss, God only knoweth.
But every young man or woman who is play
ing with the wine cup is venturing towards
the rapids. The liquor-sellers furnish the
boats; it is their trade to hire them for
"pleasurs excursions" Every young man, as
he launches into the habit of drinking, laughs
at the idea of any danger. "Whos afraid
not l y In little while he is helpless on
the bottom of the skiff, and shooting towards
the brink of perdition. All the warning cries
of pulpits, and press, and paternallo love cannot
awaken him. He is drugged with the dram
sellers dose of death. He will wake up when
he gets into eternity-not before.
Sometimes poor slave of the bottle sees
his danger, and, like that third man of Mag
ara, jumps out of the boat But he is too
late. He has gone too far, and the disease of
drunkenness has become incurable. His will
has become powerlcss. He cannot control
himself. The rapids Of fatal habits are too
strong for his enfeebled resolution. Now
and then one, by the help Of divine grace,
reaches the shore. Temperance Societies pick
up few strong swimmers, and assist them
with the rope of total abstinence pledge
But the vast majority Of habitual drinkers go
oocr tho falgs. Young man the FIRST glass you
take is step into the boat. The voyage may
begin with song-but 1t may end in a LOST
SOUL.