The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-10-15
WOMANS TEMPERANCE COL
UMN.
Evening Meetings.

The most precious memories Of this
yoar's work, however, cluster not around
these meetings, bat rather around those
held each evening for our reformed men.
Crowded out Of the room mentioned 10 our
last report another was taken, aud this,
too, has become far too small for the com
pauy Of tempted, SHINING ones, who are
each evening seeking instruction or for.
givenoSs. Amid storm, cold and hunger
they have come, from the home Of wealth,
tho gotter and the Jail, slaves of the eamo
fearful habit, and all alike have been
pointed to the Great Deliverer, who is
no respectsr Of persons. One thousand
three hundred aud twenty-five have aris.
en- for prayer in this meeting during the
year, three hundred aud fifteen signed
tho pledge, and not a few have found here
tho cleansing stream in which they might
wash aud be clean.
Among the number of thrilling histo.
ries which have come to the leaders Of
these meetings, but one or two can be
selected in this hssty review of year 60
full Of living experiences. To those who
cannot realize that the roots of this tree
Of death spread over our land until scarce
home, however high or low, has not
somewhere felt its influence, tho follow
ing story will bring a sad conviction
Towards tho close of last Juno o mau,
while under tho influence of liquor, found
his way into eur room and slept until
evening on one Of tho settees. At the
opening of the meeting be left the room,
but reappeared at the close, aud in
voice husky with emotion said-"I have
not gone, something has held me. l have
been behind tho door, aud have heard all
that has been said. Oh! il there is any
hope, pray for me-" The loader hastily
dismissed the meeting, and a few gather
ed around him in prayer. His sad story
was this /: Tho son and grandson Of a
clergyman, graduate Of theological
seminary, ho had given up bis studies
because Of failing health. entered buai-
uess, and soon taken the irst nocisl glass
which resulted in bis becoming helpless
victim, and living SORROW to his wife
and four little ones. The pledge was
offered, and with trembling hand be
signed il for .hree months only, end left
US. At the expiration of that tine the
pledge was returned, and on i. theso
words, "By Gods help have kept this
pledge. ard now renew it FOR oil eternity.
| have also found Christ as my Saviour"
A number Of late have come TO US
from the Jail, aud iu this meeting have
become Zee men 10 Christ Jesus One,
aw4ktnei few weeks ago by the acrds
AID singing Of sister in her visit to his
cell, csmo to our meeting, the nexi eve.
ming was converted, and With The elo-
quencc cf honest feeling is telling the
"old, old story" On Christmas night
the meeting was full of the praises which
the angels sang, and every heart realized
their glad benediction of peace Ono
testified that this was the first Christmas
for nineteen years he had spent as sober
man-apother that it was the first in scv.
entecn ycars--anoiher in ten years
while recent convert spoke, with a JOY
which thrilled all present, of the Christ
who within four weeks had been born
into his life.-From the Second Annual
Report Of the Brooklyn Temperance I'm.
ion of Christian Women.