Richland beacon., 1875-10-23
4 Minister'S Fall.
A Painful Scene and Touching Con.
f2SS!cn.

We find in the Maroa Gll) News,
of the 18th of September, an account
of the resignation of Elder J. '.
Bcckman As pastor of the Christian
Church of that village. For some
time past the reverend grnllcman's
habits have been such a. TO cause
great grief to his friends and bring
reproach upon the Church At the
close of the sermon, which was
preached by ncighboring pastor,
Elder BcCkman made thc following
address, which we give as Il warning
to all men, both young AMI old, to
avoid the sin and shame which have
come upon this man:
A. man have the highest con
crplion Il, 10 what The i.c and charac-
Ter Ut a minister OF the gospel ~hoHid
be. know that he should lead u
consistent and upright lie, that can
In looked 10 hr The community "a an
example of purity and righteousness.
Knowing that my life has hot been
such in all RESPECTS, | desire 10 tender
to this church, for which | have
labored So long, my resi- gnalion
You are aware that | refer To my
sin Of intempcrancc. This may he
my last opportunity of addressing
you, and | want to ask yuu hat You
will not charge this great shar.c to
the religion Of Christ. 1t teaches
better things. Charge it all to my
own depravijy and sinful nature. 10
you who have not this habit, it is
strange that | should yield to tempta-
ton. | well remember the time
when | thought it strange that others
drank aud ruined themselves with
alcohol
| am glad that there are so many
young hen here this morning that |
may lift my voice in warning, and
beg them TO profit by my example.
You thirk now that YOU are strong,
and in no danger well Remember
the tine when believed the same
Twelve years ago, when | reached
forth my inexperienced hand and took
the Intoxicating cup, thought | was
strong; but | developed babit that
now holds me in chains, and in the
most awful slavery that humanity
was ever subjected to. 1t holds me
in its embrace when | seek my bed
for rcpose; it disturbs my dreams
during the weary hours of night, and
seiZes me as its prey when | rise up
in The morning TO enter upon the
duties of the day
Profit, Oh profit by my example !;
see what it has done for me. There
was a time when | stood as fair as
any minister Of the Church in Illinois;
there was time when | lad as
bright prospects and as cheering
hopes for the future as any of my
classmates. o! that | could bring
the whole world to hear my warning
voice. Young ladies, you can do
much to remove this curse from the
am ong your companions.
Brethren, / sever my connection
with you as your pastor with a sad
heart 1t would he sad under the
most favorable circumstances, but
much more so as it is. But | shall
remain with you in the church, and
labor in the community for liveli-
hood | will come to your social
meetings and work with you in the
Sunday school, and will do what
can to atone for the great sin | have
committed.
God knows | do not wish to injure
His cause. Pray for me that | may
yet overcome this besetting sin.
trust | shall be able to conquer. But,
should | go down under the wither-
ing influence, | ask that you remem,
ber me kindly. Whenever you meet
me, and under what circumstances
remember there was time when you
were proud of me. But treat ME as
you may, act towards me as YOU
choose, beg that you will remember
my wife kindly. DO not give hel
pain and sorrow because of my
wrong doing. Poor woman, she ha-
already suffered enough. l married
her a sweet and innocent girl. Sh,
has been a patient and faithful wife
Again, | ask that you will kindl,
remember my wife and children.