The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-09-19
SPRING HILL TIERS.

The temperance reform of this place
halls with satisfaction, the we'll timed
remarks of III. s. NJ" tho cOrrespon-
dent of Mt. Nebo. The evil OF iutem-
pPranCe is growing; many of the best
citizens of our country are temper ate
drinkers, and few men can use intoxi-
eating drinks regularly without sooner
or later losing their balance. and "falI-
ing to rise no more" Under the old
Washingtonian dispensation, bl andy,
whisky, and the stronger stimulants,
were prohibited, while wine was not.
At temperance meeting in one of our
towns, minister of TIE gospel was the
speaker. While he condemned in the
the strongest terms the use of alchOhol-
ic drinks, be spoke of wine as good for
the stomaehs sake and oft intirmities.'
of suffering humanity, and eUlOgized it's
many excellencies. When he closed his
eloquent appeal for Temperance, plain
old gentleman in the audience arose
and asked the privilege OF making a
statement of a case, which he thought
appropriate to the occ tsion. With deep
feeling and a tremulous voice, he pro-
ceeded as follows: There was in this
Uown a young man of much promise,
the only son of his aged parents, who was
a clerk in store at good salary. He
Joined some of his young companions
in a social glass occasionally, and thus
led on, it was not many months until
the foul fiend incompetence had over
come him, and he became common
street drunkard. In this dark hour of
his history, some kind friends of his
family made the effort and succeeded in
restoring him to his ri ght mind and
again he walked forth in the pride OF
his manhood, entered with spirit upon
his business, and was kindly received
by his former employers. Time passed
on, and his family and friends felt that
he was safe from the clutches # the
destroyer He was welcomed into the
best society, often Invited to spend an
evening with the elite OF the town at
the house of some tliend. On one OF
these occasions wine and Wit were
circulating freely. When the sparkling
beverage was handed 10 him, he modest
ly declined it. Sitting near him was a
venerable minister of the gospel. He
reached out and took a glass, and while
slipping, at his leisure, pure juice OF
the grape he spoke in eloquent terms
of its healthful influence upon the hu-
man system; its pleasant and eXhilarat-
ing effects upon the spirits, and the COM
forting assurance that it never LED to in
temperance. The young man listened
atteDtively and concluded that if this
venerable and good man could find so
many apologies and so much to say in
might partake with others, and be in no
danger. When the waiter passed
around again, he took a glass that
glass of wine intiamed his appetite for
strong drink, aud he went forth from
that elegant and fashionable mansion a
ruined man. A few short months OF
hard drinking,-a fearful struggle TO
overcome his love of liquor, and all was
lost, " and said he, 'this young map, noble
in his nature and in all his associations,
fills a drunkard's grave. That young
man was my son, and the venerable
man of God through whose example he
was led to taste the accursed cup, is the
gentleman who has just addressed you"
The feelings of this aged minister can
better be imagined than described.
Are there not others who by their ex-
ample and cOuntenance of this great
and growing evil, may be leading some
noble young man to the gates of death ?
"Then lift not the wine cup, though pleasure
may swim
Like an angel of light, round its roseate
For dark in the depths of the fountain be
low,
Turks the sirens that lure to the vortex of
Sudden and most sad was the death
of Bud" youngest son of Mr.. Orville
McKissack, which occurred on last Sat
urday evening, causing deep feeling
of gloom to pervaIe our whole cOmmu-
nifty. His health had not ben good for
several months past, but no apprehen-
sions were felt of any immediate dang
er, until an attempt was made, on Sat-
urday morning, to awake him for break
fast, when he was found TO be unc1n~
sciOus, in which condition he continued |
until about 4 o'clock, when he gently |
passed away. "Bud'' was a good boy, |
and greatly beloved by his young COM
panions. The suddenne>s of this ter j. |
ole shock, falls with crushing force up |
on his doatins parents. Loving sisters |
and fond brothers mourn his early de- |
parture.
Though painful and unlocked for was the |
closing,
In this dark valley ofhis mortal day!
Be reconciled-a holy trust repOsing,
In Power supreme, who gives and takes !
away"
The Rev. R. G. Irvine, read the burial !
serv ce at the family resldencc, closing |
at the grave; 2ccorGIng to the usage OF |
Tie Methodist church Mr.. Irvine in S |
moring sermon alluded most feeliHgly TO |
the sad bereavement which had fallen so
unexpectedly upon the family. o.
most tender tones besought inc young
men OF this community, in view of the
unexpected death OtOne of their cOnlpan-
ons and the uncertainty Of life. 10 prepare
now without delaY-not only tor death. |
but for life of usefulness on earth.
Key. Mr.. Gray preached at the Pres~ |
byterian church, last Sabbath, highly,
edlfying sermon, giving great satisfac- |
ton to his congregation. He will hold !
a Sacra mental meeting at this church on |
next Sunday, at which time it will be |
decided whether he will be their pastor |
for the ensuing year He seems to be |
pleased with the congregation and the |
county, and will doubtless be pleased to |
serve this people, provided a sufficient |
salary is guaranteed for his support and |
that of his family.