The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-05-07

4A
In Canton during the past week was mark
ed by a visit from the far famed Van Peit
I of New Vienna. Ohie.a reformed saloonls'-
He spoke to a crowded house on FRIDAY
| evening last in the Baptist church, and as
we did not hear him We have no report
On SUNDAY evening, however, We heard
Mr.. Van Pelt in the Presbyterian church
for near an hour, tie house being crammed
full. On concluding he went TO the md
NJ. Z. Church which was also cTan.med,
and spoke there. Considering his early
opportunities and his lack Ci education
and reading he does remarkably well.
At the Presbyterian church on Sunday
evening Mrs. NJ. /. Ballard, Secretary OF
the Woman's Temperance League Of Can
ton read the following report
Since our last report we have VISITED
some 20 s~aloors; were not admitted to the
half-those that received US kindly We
feel thankful too. Some seem to feel very
indignant at our persistency, but we leei
that we are in the very crisis OF the dis
ease IN our city, we have only love Tor our
motto, and feel deeply that the utmost
caution and skill are required on he part
Of those engaged in the work, but The
ruined homes and sOrrowing hearts are
the great motive power and we still trust
we will be received with the same spirit
in which we go.
Saturday morning ere some OF US had
breakfasted, We started for Mr.. Shorbs
saloon, having heard the rumOr that he
was ready to surrender; we were there
before that gentleman himself. After he
came. in a few minutes he had uncoudI-
tionally signed our dealers pledge. He
said, Ladies, you may take possession
and do with every thing as you desire. "
We desired to sell the fixtures. Several
of US started out to announce the glad IT,
dings to the less fortunate members Of the
League. Others Immediately took pos
session and commenced gathering the var
ious articles together, aud taking the L.
cense out of a very pretty frame one asked
him to put in place of it, God bless our
Home" and he said he would. At two
o'clock the bells rung out the glad tldInos,
and in a few minutes nearly 200 ladies'
proceeded to the square where everything
was ready.
Van Pelt gave US a short address of en-
enlargement, and then our feelings found
expression in the best of hymns,
"Au hail the power of Jesus name,
And Mr.. Shorb opened the barrels and the
liquor disappeared in the only manner
suitable for the deadly poison. And a
general shout of thanks was given by the
multitude. We then offered the furniture
at auction, and would thank our citizens
tor the interest manifested and the sub
stantial aid given. The proceeds amoun-
ted to between $50 and 40 dollars. With
pleasure we announce six saloons closed
three s~urrendering, one other, a grocery
has quit selling, this makes seven less.
Van Pelt's presence has given us much
encouragement. If Van Pelt can be re-
deemed why should We despair?
One of nj saloon keepers Is very sick
and we would request your prayers for
his restoration to health and that his sf-
Fiction may be sanctiied so as to show him
the error of his way and bring him TO the
bleeding side of Jesus. We learn he had
christian parents and was, in. his youth, a
Sabbath School teacher. We hear of good
accomplished, of persons coming to town
and usually INDUCING in several glasses
Of liquor, but now going home without,
feeling ashamed, as soma express tito en-
ter a saloon for that purpose. This Is
what we want-to make 1t disreputable
to traffic or indulge in these poisonous al
cohollc preparations.