The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1874-02-19
AT WASHINGTON G. H.-THE SURRENDER
OF BECK AND PASSMORE.

AT WASHINGTON C. H.-THE SURRENDER
OF BECK AND PAssMoRE.
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.
WASHINGTON G. H., O., Feb. 10.
A recital of the stirring events of
the last few days will prove that the
interest in the temperance movement
here has suffered no abatement, but
is in fact on the increase. Although
meetings have been held every morn
ing and evening since Christmas
Day, yet the congregations are larger
now than ever before, and even more
enthusiastic than at any previous
period of the work. Let us now ex-
anime the record of facts since Fri
day last.
On the morning of that day intelli-
gence was brought to the prayer
meeting then in session at the NJ. E.
Church that Chas. Passmore had
opened beer saloon, in a room in
town which he had quietly prepared
for that purpose, in the back part of
wagon shop. Of course, in view of
all the facts in the case, this was re-
garded as q daring and insolent act
on the part of this man. No violence,
however, was used or harsh words
uttered, but committee of ''faithful
women" was Immediately dispatched
to interview him. Stubborn and de-
termined they found him to be. Then
began the work in earnest. The
praying band" was soon summoned,
and it was not long until they had
gathered at the saloon door, and
though it was closed against them,
yet once more they knelt in the snow,
earnestly pleading with God for help
and deliverance; once more their
sweet songs foated heavenward on
the morning air. That night the
people filed the NJ. E. Church, and
while the addresses were marked
with an unusual fervor and earnest
ness, still kindness and gentleness
characterized every word and resolu-
tion-and indeed this spirit of love
the spirit of Christianity, has been
the grand secret of our success. The
siege began again early on Saturday
morning. While again refused ad-
mittance, IN the snow and on the
snow the women stood and knelt all
day, never closing their work until
half past 10 o'clock at night. Oc-
casionally Passmore would come out
and talk to them, but in derision of
their work and declaring his purpose
to continue. Doubtless his big run
of visitors helped him to feel so Sc
cure, for Judging by the number of
calls he had during the day, men
were evidently livery dry" That
night, at the close of a most enthu-
siastic meeting, the great congrega-
ton formed in line of march and
moved to PASSWORDS saloon to hold
a prayer meeting. During the sing
ing he would come out, smoking his
cigar, stand and listen, but whenever
a prayer was offered he retired to the
saloon, closing the door after him.
Once while out he spoke, thanking
the women for their "serenade," but
expressing contempt for all their
prayers. While he stood for awhile
to listen to their earnest, fearful
pleadings, it was a strange and sol
emn sight, and when, in deepest feel
ing and most tender tones, we sang,
"Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, just
now!" that night scene was indescrib-
able; nor was Passmore's heart I'M
touched, as the sequel will show.
Want of space will not permit me
to record the delightful and impress
sive exercises of Sabbath, but 1 must
hasten to say that at 8 o'clock on
Monday morning the Presbyterian
Church was filed with people in at
tendance on the business mems pray
ermeeting-anew feature in themove-
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