Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-12-02
SAD, But sALuTAsy.


account Of the resignation of Elder j.
V. Beckman, as pastor Of the Christian
(Unitarian-Baplist) church of that
Village. For soae time past the res
verend gentleman's habits have been
such as to cause great grief TO his
friends and BRING. reproach upon the
church At the close of the sermon,
which was preached by neighboring
pastor, Elder Beckman made the fol-
loving address, which we give as a
warning to all men, both young and
old, to avoid the sin and shame
which have come upon this man
s'As man | have the highest cons
ception as to what the life and charae.
ter of preacher Of the Gospel should
be. | know that he should lead con.
sistent ana an upright life, that can be
looked to by the community as an exs
ample of purity and righteousness.
Knowing that my life has not been
such in all respects, l desire: to tender
to this church, for which l have labor-
ed SO long, my resignation.
A little boy stranger came to a
family in Augusta last week, and a
bright Ave year old brother, who had
heretofore been the only child i'll that
household, was brought to see the
newscomer. He greeted the little one
v it'll; apparent pleasure and delight,
patted it playfully under the chin and
smoothing down its soft hair. Then
all at once came the inquiry, Say, how
was God when you left ?''
You are aware that | refer to my
sin of intemperance. This may be the
last opportunity of addressing you, and
want to ask that you will not charge
this great shame to the religion of Je~
sus Christ. 1t teaches far better things.
Charge it to my own depravity and sin
1ul nature. To you who have not this
habit, 1t is strange that should thus
Weld to temptation. | well remember
the time when | thought it strange that
others drank and ruined themselves with
alcohol. | am glad that there are so
many young men here this morn
ing, that | may lift my voice in
warning, and beg them to profit by my
example. You think now that you are
strong, and in no danger. I we'll re-
member the time when | believed the
same. Twelve years ago, when l reach.
ed forth my inexperienced hand to take
the intoxicating cup, l thought | was
strong; but l developed habit that now
holds me- in chains and IN the most aW-
tul slavery that humanity was ever SUBJ
.j4cted to. 1t holds me in its embrace
when | seek my bed for repose; it dis
turbs my dreams during the weary hours
OF night, and seizes me as its prey when
l rise up in the morning to enter upon
the duties of the day.
''Proft, oh !! profit by my example !;
See what it has done for me- There
was time when I stood as fair as any
minister of the church in Illinois there
was time when l had as bright pros~
poets and as cheering hopes for the
future as any of my classmates. But
now they have all gone because of ins
temperance. o! that | could bring
the whole world to hear my warning
voice. Young ladies, you can do much
to remove this curse from the world by
not countenancing its use among your
companions
Brethren, I sever my connection
with you as your pastor, with a sad
heart. 1t would be sad under the most
favorable circumstances, but much more
SO as it is. But l shall remain with
YOU in the church, and labor in the
church, and labor in the community
tor livelihood; l will come to your So
cial meetings, and work with YOU in
your Sunday school, and will do what l
can to atone for the great sin I have COM
mitted.
"God knows I do not wish to injure
His cause. Pray for me that l may yet
overcome this besetting sin. I trust
shall be able to conquer. But, should |
go down under the whitening influence
l ask that you remember me kindly.
W henever YOU meet me, and under
what circumstances, remember there
was time when you were proud Of
Inc. But treat me as you may, act to-
wards me as you choose, beg that you
will remember my wife kindly. Do
not give her pain and sorrow because
Of my wrong doing. Poor woman,
she has always suffered enough. l
married her sweet and innocent girl.
She has been a patient aud faithful
wife. Again, ! ask that you. vii
XII ndly remember my wife and children.
Z Receipt for HARDNESS.