Richland beacon., 1875-08-21
For the Beacon.
DOTS ON TEMPERANCE,
No .

The "Arch Enemy" of our race
tells us that this poisonous bererage
is harmless tone of Gods creatures);
that the church is temperance society
enough, and that these outside organi-
cations ought to be opposed by every
meek and humble follower Of the
lowly Lamb of God. Are these
things so? Is hiS bererolJe horm-
less! To determine the question, leI
us survey the field of carnage and
gather up the testimony Of its slain
victims.
Sec that young man, in company
with the willy gambler, entering the
"doggery" for the first time in his
life. The hope Of fond mother and
loving sisters centre in him. No
cloud filings its shadow across the
threshold of that happy home That
noble boy is the only prop of the
family, as the husband and father now
sleeps in the silent grave. AS he
leaves home they watch his preciou'
form till lost in the distance. On r
return the echo of his well-kno,.
step falls upon their listening ears az
thrills their hearts with ecstatic j.
AS this dear yoang man enters
den of pollution, located near l.e
gates OF dark damnation, see le
gambler, aided and abetted by he
doggery man. forging the chain. 70
wrap around his limbs, thus secu &
the destruction of both soul ard DO !,
The mysteries of cards, dice, billiards
aud the faro bank are explained to
him, intermixed with frequent pota-
tions of the cup. His brain becomes
maddened and bis imagination intoxi-
Gated with the future prospect of un-
alloyed bliss in store for him, in this
newly discovered panacea for al, the
ills of this present life. For the time
being his mother and sisters are for
gotten. His eldest sister, net able
longer to restrain herself, with heart
surcharyed with grief and anxiety,
exclaims: "Mother, oh my mother,
what keeps my darling brother out so
late?" The mothers heart is break
ing, and she answeres not. AT late
hour of the night they hear his un-
steady step. and, reeling in, he falls
into their loving arms.
All! what pen can paint this great
sorrow, as one heart string after an
other is being sundered by its scortch-
ing and scething power upon these
bowed and stricken FERNS? Ny heart
sickens and my brain reels under the
task. In the morning, on the stool of
repentance, he promises amendment.
Joy springs up in their hearts, as
they lift themselves up, aud gaze into
the future. now as bright as if no
cloud had ever rested upon their hori-
Zon
The gambler anticipates this, hunts
up his victim, and meets him as if by
accident; be takes him cordially by
the hand, and, slapping him upon the
shoulder, says: "Old fellow, we
shall look for you around tonight
don't fail to come, as we are expecting
a splendid time" "No," respond.
the repentant youth, IL promised my
mother and sisters this morning neve
TO 60 to such place again."
This expert in doing the bidding Q
his master turns away as if offended
remarking, 81 am mistaken in th
mani thought you had the sand Il
goar cra,o,' not one TO be tied to th
apron strings of any woman" Hi
pride is aroused, and by way Of apolt
gy tells this agent of the pit: e" Yo
can count on me-my mind is mad
up TO come"
He goes, and the raven wings {
despsir are spread over those crashe
and bleeding hearts, never to be lifte
again. Why enlarge!
This is no fancy sketch. Tho'
sands in our world are now bein
thus destroyed by this harmless {!
beverage" Satan, as if to surpa:
himself in audacity, tells US that tn
harmless beverage is one Of God
creatures. In this grave charge S
tan stultifes himself in the eye
every intelligent being in the vast ur
verse OF God. He makes the pu
and lofty one partner in our gui
thus aiding and abetting him in OF
everlasting overthrow. Sustain SUI
O charge, and at that moment
ceases to be God. and that glorio
anthem chanted by the heaven
choirs, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord G'
Almigbtyl" would be husaed
silence. zone Of Gods creatures
Can q bitter stream issue from
sweet fountain !! Make this char,
good, and the crumbling Of the thro
upon which be sits hersIds forth t
destruction Of universal nature.
AZ