Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-14
TEMPERANCE Reform.
HARTFORD, Conn, March, 1877.

To The Editor Of the Journal:
l learn through the columns Of the Journal,
which reaches me every week. that much interest
is being felt and great effort manifested in behalf
of the temperance cause in Maine. This is very
gratifying to me, for realize the importance Of
earnest and jealous work in this cause, and also
feel interest in the we flare of my native State.
and sincerely hope and pray that those who are
interesting themselves will receive the encourage
ment and applause they SO justly deserve.
desire to write you in relation to temper
ance reform club which l visited in this city
shor. time since, and as one Of the most active
and influential members in this club was once one
| of Augustus fallen young men, perhaps 1t will be
interesting to your readers TO know that the city
of Augusta has q Temperance representative in
Hartford The club is called "The Good ssmar-
tan Reform Club" and truly does it maintain
such principles. for it has certainly been good
Samaritan to many poor victim of rum. This
club was organized about seven years ago by four
Of Hartford's most prominent citizens, all Of whom
have gone to reap their reward where there are
no drunksrds. Judging from the experiences
which heard them relate, many Of the very low
est Of runs victims have been gathered in, and
so well cared for and encouraged that they have
remained firm and faithful to their pledges for
five, six and seven years. The experiences OF
these men are various and interesting. One man
well along in years had INDUCED in strong drink
for over forty years, some days drinking as many
as twenty or more glasses of liquor. lie signed
the "Good Samaritan" pledge, almost four years
ago, and had remained faithful to the same ever
since, and is deserving Of much credit. as his wife
continues . drunksrd and causes him much
trouble. Another man, an ex-president of the
club, and during the war q major in the rebel
army, says he was born of christian parents, and
was constant sabbath school attendant, but alter
leaving his home fell into bad company, COM
menced drinking, and finally drank to excess, un-
til he became . confirmed drunkard. lie was
wounded in battle, and laid on the battle field
three days and nights, suffering intense agony.
He promised God then if he would spare his life,
he would reform and serve Him the remainder of
bis days. He was taken to the hospital. and after
. lingering sickness recovered with the loss of .
leg, but he soon forgot his promises and all his
good resolutions and went back to his cups. A
few years after he was stricken down in New Or
leans with the yellow fever and lay at the point of
death. lie again made promises to his God as be-
fore, and resolved to abandon al his evil ways if
he shoul Id ever recover. lie was restored through
Gods mercies, but before, he forgot all his
promises and commenced drinking harder than
before. After wandering hither and thither for
six or eight years.-dissipated, drunken, and
wretched, not knowing whittier he was going or
what was to be his final doom on earth, he scci.
dentally found himself in Hartford, drunk and
ragged. Having no money or friends, he took
lodgings on the public park. Scarcely had he
laid himself down when GOOD Samaritan" who
CHANGED that way accosted him. put him on his
feet, urged him to visit the club with him. and
prevailed upon him to sign the pledge. He did
so, and from that time forward he has been So
Der, steady man, . faithful and most valuable
member and officer, having been president two
terms. lie has since made profession of religion
and is now trying to live christian life. Another
young man had fallen very, very low. had been
ncarcerated in eighteen different prisons and jais
for drunkenness and crimes committed when in
toxicated was fol- seven years separated from
his wife and family through the mean. Of liquor,
and had suffered hardships, disgrace and wretch
edness. This young man knew not where he was
going, or even where he was, when he found him.
self in Hartford without money and among strsn-
gers. The following day after his arrival. which
was Sunday, as he was passing the old State house
he saw a crowd Of people in the yard and curiosity
led i'm TO stop and learn the cause Of it. 1t hap
pened to be Good Samaritan temperance meet
ing. Judge Barber, one of the founders Of the
club, was speaking at the time, and 20 forcible
and appropriate were his remarks, that this young
man, though drunk at the time, applied them TO
himself, thinking that Judge Barber intended
them expressly for his case, and he cried out in
loud voice, "Say, Mr.. how do you know me so
well I" A police officer near at hand colared the
young man, and was about TO drag him to the sta
ton, when Judge Barber called out to let the man
remain, and he would take care Of him. lie did
take care Of him, and the young man signed the
pledge that afternoon, and has ever snce-almost
| i've yeafs-been an ornament to the temperance
cause During that time he has taken from the
gutter and cared for at his own house, sixty seven
Of the most degraded drunksrds to be found in
this city, many of whom have reformed, and be-
come useful members of the club and society. He
has filed important Offices in the club, and has
just been reelected its President for third term
Ex-City Marshal Heath could remember this young
man as one who when . boy caused him much
trouble, and Augusta people could recognize him
as one of her rudest boys, but he is now an honor,
and Augusta can well feel proud Of having so
honorable and respected = worker in the temper
ance cause to represent her in this city. May
God help him and all who are earnestly working
to remove this evil from our land and crown their
efforts With reat success.
Yours truly,
H. A.