Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-05-27
BELLOWS FALLS, VT, MAY II, 1876

DEAR OPINION: | hasten to
break q long silence to inform you
Of the surprising temperance move
ment inaugurated here through the
labors Of Messrs. Osgood and Drew.
who for a few months past have
been associated together in this
needed work. They came here last
Saturday and held meeting in the
evening in Union Hall, very good
number attending. Sabbath morn
ing Mr.. Osgood spoke ut the Con-
gregatiOnal Church. In the after.
noon and evening mass meetings
were held in Union Hall. Also at
the same place Monday evening,
The attendance increased steadily,
till ut the last one the hall was filled
to overlooking. AS the result Of the
four meetings, q Reform Club was
organized with 700 members, includ.
ing many hard drinkers, some OF
whom were almost literally rescued
from the gutter. Such an uprising
has not been here for years. In
deed, Bellows Falls has long been
considered o hard place, u regular
stronghold of the rum interest, and
some of our neighbors had the kind
ness to intimate to Mr.. OSgOOd be.
fore he came. the impossibility of
getting together a respectable au-
dience for temperance lecture.
Some OF our own citizens were not
over sangulne. The success attend
ing the effort is, therefore, the more
astonishing, and the rejoicings of
the friends of temperance, greater.
The whole community seems arOus-
ell, and the prospect is favorable
for the steady carrying forward of
this work of reform. The remark
has been vcntured that not Il tenth
part as much liquor is sold today
as one week ago. However that
may be, sales must certainly be a
great deal less. We hope at no dis
tant day every rum shop will be
closed for want of customers.
You have already heard of Mr.,
OSgood's wonderful success at
Kcene, N. H.. Brattleboro, and 9th
er places in New England, and per-
haps are ready to ask, what is the
secret? l can reply no more def.
nitely than to say, it is j. e. Osgood
who addresses the audience; that
is, not his words, not his cause, not
elegance of culture nor graces of
elocution, but subject,matter, utter.
ance and manner, vitallized by his
own intense personality. His very
presence is attractive, cOnciliatOry
and impressive. He has excellent
Judgment and ready tact in the
handling Of an audience. He makes
it evident that he speaks from the
heart in full sympathy with his sub
ject. deeply moved, and weighed
down with sense of responsibility.
There is kind of massiveness in
his utterance which serves to carry
his hearers along with him as by an
irresistible impulse. He has power
to move to tears or convulse with
laughter, almost at pleasure. He is
Il capital story teller, and no one is
left in doubt as to the application.
He hits the nail he wishes to drive
on the head every time. He in
dulges in no harsh language, yet is
positive and strong in uttering his
convictions. lie seems to be a man
specially raised up by God to preach
the gospel of temperance, and God
has signally blessed his labors where
eyer he has gone.
Mr. Drew is a reformed man of
five months standing, and in Ger
tain respects an efficient helper. He
also has had sad experience, and
is thoroughly in earnest.
Both speak from their own knOwl-
edge of the dangers of the drink
ing man, of the moderate, fashion
able drinker. Though by no means
ignoring or disappearing the en-
forcement of laws against selling,
they rely solely on moral suasion in
the prosecution of their work.
Spring has come. but still a chill
is in the air. Plentiful rains, Grass
looking finely Lawn mowers al
ready brought into use. Canada
plums in blossom. Trees begin
ming to look quite green. High
water of late, but no special dam.
age done in this vicinity. N.
"A fresh supply Of Carriers cele
DRAFTED ink. the best cOnyinw ink