The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1877-04-18
TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
EDITED BY A LADY.

tbdT giving ltCcuSc Aot ii3hOt sChtbfs eAb S1nd-
ing year, when our city affairs are to be MAN.
aged by another board eff councilmen.
Let us not quote .sadages" or clothe our
sentiments In obscure language, but let us ex-
press plainly and kindly, the conviction Of our
minds in this matter.
We think there can be bat one opinion as
to the courtesy, honor, or justice of their act
in this matter. 1t seems like reasoning thus,
our successors will not understand as well as
We do the state of affairs and the necessity of
this thing for the good of our city, therefore,
we will arrange 1t before we retire.
BY this time, it must have become an es-
tablished fact in their minds, however unwill-
ing they may be to admit it, that the people
Of this city, whom they served last year,
unite in the testim ony that they have done
not only dishonorable thing-but that the
fact is appalling when they consider the re-
sponsibility that falls on them, in the fearful
results that are inevitable from every glass of
liquor that is sold and drank for a full year in
this city.
The citizens hold them responsble-who
else can they---for misdemeanors or crimes
that may result from the sale of liquor in any
place they licensed for the year to come
crimes of every hue, delirium tremens, yio-
none who drink intoxicating liquors can as
sert that they are safe.
Who can calculate the result of one glass
the first glaos--that a man or boy or woman
may take. In every drunkard's history there
was a first glass. Had not the first glass been
taken. becoming drunkard would have been
an impossibility.
Let the following history as to what was
gained |" by the first glass rest on the mind
Of every reader:
"Ah you here again." said the young
man, as the Christian handed him tract.
1t would not be races if you were not here.
But think YOU might spend your time better
than by coming and spelling peoples plea
sure,
asked him in what way spoiled his plea
sure.
Why, by bringing such things as this,
and holding up texts that bring God into
such place as this"
Then you really believe in Cod and think
he is here ?"
Well, yes, / believe there is Il God. But
it's not pleasant to think about Him when
one wants to have a spree. In fact, I've cast
off all thoughts about Him for years. l once
believed in Him, and was happy them"
There was silence for moment, and as
gazed into his face, deep feeling was evident
ut the remembrance. of former times.
pressed him to return to the Lord. He shook
his head and said
6 No: It's too late for me. I've taken the
step, and there is no going back. was
Sunday scholar, and afterwards teacher, and
then became local preacher. was happy
then. had good name, good character,
good home, three good suits of clothing, i
good shop of work, and good prospect for
the future. And then came change. had
shopmate who often wanted me TO spend an
evening with him at the public house. was
u good singer, and many liked to hear me
sing song. So said, If you will go with
me to the chapel, willgo with you one even
ing to the public house. He promised he
would. One Sunday evening he came with
me, and to keep my word went with him.
Well, don't know what they did, but in an
honr was drunk. was led home some Of
the people from chapel saw me, and was cast
out. l took to drinking, and then all sorts Of
sin followed. had lost my religion / soon
lost my good shopof work then lost my
good clothes. My good prospects were gone;
and had no home. Aud now am what
you see ma"
"And what" asked, have you gained
by your exchangep"
s'Gained? gained?" and an almost de-
moniac expression passed over his face @Pve
gained drunkard's home and drunkard's
character, THAT none will trust. I've gained
all that such life can give"
"And where are you going?"
"Well, suppose to hell, if there be such
a place"
" If there be such a place ! You know
there is such place. But why 60 there when
heaven is open before you? when mercy is
within reach of you? Why not turn again
unto tho Lord ? He win have mercy on you.
Your very character is portrayed in the
fifteenth Of Luke" Then read to him part
of the story Of the prodigsl son. He listened,
and seemed softened, and begged him at
once leave the race-course.
"He replied, ~ must see the first heat,
and will then return home.' About half-an-
hour after he left the course, and went little
way towards his home, when he was suddenly
knocked down and run over by carriage
and horses, madiy driuen by drunken men, and
death put an end to the scene here.
What an exchange What life to live |!
What death to die What heaven to losel
What hell to gain And this. dear reader,
is what tens Of thousands are doing -now.
Arc you among them?
Is it not fearful picture alas, it is truth
and not a picture. ss
A MAMMOTH PETrTIoN.-l Extract from
Christian Woman. =" A petition for Home
Protection, signed by thousands or the best
men and women Of this Commonwealth. the
solid columns Of names measuring ffty-two
yards. passed through this Office recently on
its way to the State Legislature OF Pennsyl-
vania.
But too many of the men of both political
tns.o tbnr