Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-29


sign the Pledge-Speeches by J. X. Os.
good, Rev. Messrs. SsndersOn, Ecob and
Penney, and DIR. Brickett.
The wave of temperance reform that has been
sweeping with such irresistible power and inhu-
ence over many of the towns and cities Of our
State, has at last reached this city, and the
movement seems auspicuous for the Inauguration
of such a crusade against king alcohol that shall
send him rocking from his throne into the gulf of
despair, where he belongs. Reformed men, who
within themselves have felt the dreadful power of
this destroying demon, are generally the projec-
tors Of these movements that have taken such a
hold upon the hearts and conscences of the peo-
pie. The meetings in this city yesterday after
noon and evening were projected by these men.
The different churches willingly gave up their
meetings, to allow their members to engage in
this work which is 50 valuable adjunct to true
religion, for when the bad spirit is in a person,
there is no room for the good spirit.
The first meeting yesterday was held in tic af
ternoon
In THE METHODIST CHURCH,
which was very well filed, the most of those pres
ent being the church-going people, and not that
class in the community which this reform designs
most to reach and benefit. On the platform in
front Of the pulpit were Rev. Messrs Penney,
Sanderson and Ecob and Mr.. J. X. Osgood. The
exercises began with the singing of the hymn,
30 for thousand tongues to sing"
Rev. Mr.. Sanderson then read the well known
temperance and total abstinence chapter in the
long at the wine cup" A tervent prayer was
offered by Rev. Mr.. Ecob, another hymn was sung,
and the well known reform lecturer
Mr. j. X. OsoooD,
introduced to the audience. He said it seemed
proper that the subject should be considered on
the Sabbath, and from the character of the
semblage he satisfied that the good christian
men and women of Augusta are interested in this
movement. He should not attempt 10 give con-
nected temperance address, but should give some
scraps from his eventful history, and he
begged the christian sympathy of those who had
not like him felt the crushing weight Of the de-
stroyer. If there is anything drinking men need,
it is sympathy. He wished TO tell the young men
present Of the
DANGER LURKING IN THE SOCIAL GLASS.
and the lighter and milder beverages Containing
alcohol. There is no sorrow like that which
comes to the home of the drinking man. All sins
and vices put together are nothing compared with
the sin of intemperance. Eighteen years ago he
was business man in the city OF Gardner; SIX
teen years ago he had an
HONORABLE AND LUCRATIVE BUSINESS.
He was respected and beloved, and had a happy
home. But as he reviews the past years. he was
compelled to look upon crooked and thorny Path,
wet with the tears OF a fond wife. In a few short
wears after beginning to- drink even moderately,
he stood a
WRECK UPON THE SHORES OF TINE.
All honest square, reformed men will tell you that
it is the mild drinks that produce final ruin; after
thoughtless indulgence in the mllder beverages,
he found himself in the deadly folds of the mon
ser. This is the story all reformed men will tell
you. Six hundred thousand just such me in this
country are going on in the same way, and lo5,-
600 fill drunkards graves annually 1t Is pleasant
to review ones life and trace out the bright and
shining spots but oh how terrible to review the
life that has single bright spot for the eye to
rest upon But this is the drinking mans view.
The speaker thought he did not inherit the love
of strong drink he had to learn to love it, as the
boy learns to and love tobacco. He became
CONSTANT IMNoDERATE DRlSKER,
in which condition he continued until the 9TH Of
August, three years ago. 1t a sad condition
to stand in his own city and feel that he had not
friend; business all gone forfeited all right TO
the respect of decent men and women. Glad he
was there came
A DAY OF REDEMPTION.
At midnight on that eth of August, he stood at his
garden gate, his last dime spent. lie loved his
family as you love yours; but the bottle had al
lurements for him which his family did not
possess. Through the window he saw his wife
sitting and weeping and waiting for him. The
question up in his mind, why Is she weeping
and waiting The answer came-because OF
Rum! Why this abode of poverty, these tremb-
ling limbs and shattered frame Z
BECAUSE OF Run!
was the true answer that came ringing through
the chambers Of his soul. He then went into the
presence of that loved wife, raised his right hand,
and said, II aeger will drink again, God being my
helper!' God had been his helper and had en-
abled him to keep the pledge. lie IS now happy,
his family is happy, and the church and society
open their arms wide to receive him.
At one time he was about given up. Ills own
neighbors thought he was
Too FAR GONE TO SAVE.
This is a mistaken notion; no man is beyond the
power of help and human kindness. Every H.
temperate man has a door to his heart, il we can
only find it, 1t will fly open to the magical touch
of friendly hand, and the persuasive invitations
Of the Gospel.
Through this reform movement, started in Gar
diner, much has been done in this glorious work
of saving men. From this movement sprang the
idea Of
TEMPERANCE CAMpMEETING,
which was held last season. the first ever held IN
the State, and perhaps in the country. There
the reformed men gave bits of the personal eXpe-
renee, many felt constrained TO pray, reformed IN
ebriates told how they were rescued from the gut
ter were found drunk in the streets, IN wheeloar-
rows, on the sidewalk drunkards sent out to dis
turb the meeting by the rumsellers of Portland,
signed the pledge, and went out reformed men,
under the influence of the
PRAYERS OF GoDLY WOMEN.
On the 18th of August will begin temperance
campmeeting at Old Orchard, to continue ten
days, the influence of which will never die until
every rumshop in the State is closed.
He spoke Of the power of slavery. AT one
time it was thought that it would never be over
come But the anathams of the pulpit were
launched against il, antl-savery societies were
formed to resist its progress, and the day OF dev
GRANGE came to the slave. So will it be with the
rum power, when all these moral agencies are &C
lively at work In closing, he urged the men with
whom he had drank to quit their cups. If he
could only do something to redeem these men
from the power of rum, he could lie down upon
his bed and die in peace
Mr.. Penney then led in singing the thrilling
hymn
"Therc is a fountain filled with blood
the congregation joining
REV. Mr.. SANDERsoN
said he could say "Amen!" to all that had been
said but should endorse it more heartily had the
speaker taken more radical ground. He hoped
.I.o