Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-05-02
From the Wilson IN. c. Advs,ce.
Ramsey, the DISAPPEARANCE Lee
turcr-Onc of His many At'-
ventures.

But few people in This section. and
we may add the entire State, but have
seen or heard Theodore Nixon Ram
sey, who by his untiring zeal and de-
VOtiOn to the Temperance cause has
won for himself the appropriate and
pleasing subriquet, 1.-THE Great North
Carolina Temperance Apostle" He
is an uhccasing lobOrer in the vine
yard, filling his appointments from
Cherokee to CurrituCk year after year,
regardless of weather or any other
frowning obstacle, and never seems to
weary in well doing. AS n lecturer,
Ramsey is Is rather above the average
of telling professionals, cOurtly in
manners and address, Of pleasant de-
livery, and withal quite interesting
He Is generally successful and has
doubtless done much good by orgaui2-
ing Temperance societies throughout
the State. But it cannot be expected
of "the apOstlen tie be ut all times sue
cessful. He sometimes meets with re-
verses-one Of which and the attend
ing circumstances we now propose TO
relate.
1t was in the fall and winter Of 1874
that Ramsay made long list of ap-
pOiutments for the northern tier of
counties bordering on Virginia; Rock
irgham, Person and CaswelI being the
first OH the list. This was his first raid
on the many distilleries, Illicit and
otherwise, bar-roOms, corner groceries,
and whiskey swillers of this section,
and his appointments embraced every
cross road-and other places Of public
gathering. In Person and Rocking
ham he met with ilattering success.
The people everywhere responded to
his flaming and characteristic posters
and large audiences greeted him. -
Temperance societies were being or
ganized every day and the Temperance
press of the State doomed with eXtrav-
agant reports of the achievements of
Brs, Ramsey. Thus stimulated, Ram
say pressed the war with renewed Wig
or, even to the very border of the
bounds Of discretion.
Leaving Person county, flushed with
victory, he meanders TO his first APP
pointment in Caswell, Unfortunately
for his prospect in the new and un-
conquered field. his appointment was
in that section of county where the
Primitive Baptists largely predomi-
nate, and it was at the Westinghouse
of this denomination that lie was bill
ed for an appearance, 1t would be
well, just here to state for the infor-
nation of those unacquainted with
the teuets of this strictly piOuH and
devotional sect, that they TeligiOusly
oppose secret societies of every charac-
ter, especially society of men claim
ing for its main support and back bone
one of the most prominent christian
gTaces-temperance. They deny the
right of an association of men to in
teTpret the biblical phrase, "be We tenn
perate in all things" as total absti-
stence from either "meat or drink"
and whenever occasion or inclination
demand they do not hesitate to take
little for the stomach's sake"
Ramsey was on time at the meeting
house, and after an introduction to the
large audience by newly converted
brother, who accompanied him from
his last appointment, proceeded with
his usual discourse. The congregation
was all attention, Selling every word
as it fell from the speakers lips with
an avidity that encouraged him on to
oratorical flights hitherto unknown in
his professional career. The horrors of
the Liquor traffic were never before
portrayed in as hideous colors, and
the artless grace with which he DASH
ed to the floor the glass of wine (pre-
pared for the Occasion) would have
done credit to the renowned Cough.
With majestic stride no stepped for
ward to the stand, and delicately rails
ing to his arms length the glass of
sparkling water" spoke piece on
"cold wateT.n
MY hearers said he, it Is the bev-
erage prepared by God for man. This
pure, Sparkling beverage is Gods own
creation, and the wine pointing to
the wasted article on the floor is the
work of the devil. It's use il forbid
den on every page Of Gods Holy
Word" This was his grand perora-
tion, and in which he said much about
"cold water.n After thanking the
audience for their kind attention, &c,