The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-07-04
An ESSAY.

IN ESSAY,
Read by Miss Mary J. Campbell before the temper
ance society at Frankliz's Institute, at recent
meeting and requested to be published by the
society III the Bolivar Bulletin.
Having been requested Dy our president
to read an essay on temperance, pardon di-
erosion, both temperance and intemper-
ance came into my mind, and as a subject
we will use both First draw aside the
mystic curtain of darkness that wells the
blacklist deeds that mar the page of history
and see the cause, intemperance, as their
cause Adler pens than ours must be en-
ployed to paint one-half its horrors Too
we'll are wO aware of it's dire results-wasted
fortunes, misspent lives mark its pathway
How many of the brightest intellects and
most splendid genius of our country can
date back their downward course to the
day when they first were intoxicated: The
morning of their life was cloudless, not a
speck to darken future that approaches
sublimity itself Time flies on and bears its
treasure nearer the sunrise of a g'o-ious
manhood; but a serpent turks near to be-
guile, and from Its coil arises a murky
cloud that is beginning to mutter low thun-
ders at a distance. 1t is whispered on every
passing breeze, reflected on the pearl-white
brow of its victim that has been SO long the
pride of his friends and fondest hope of his
parents. Some one has seen him with Just
a drink too much Ali soon, too soon, the
news, he is seen drus kl Could angels weep
it seems that this would be the day in the
history of heaven. "Time for silence and
for tear" Could the angelic form of
mother, whose last words were blessing on
her boy, or the wife, whose last glance was
one of love, and whose icy sigh was breathed
out upon a devoted husband, or a sister,
whose farewell words were, "meet he in
heaven" Could these look down upon earth
and on that son, husband or brother stag
gering under the influence of strong drink,
in the misery of that moment heaven would
surely loose half of its glory. We know
not; these may be hid from the view of
angels. Yet, alasl it Is not, mortals. What
must be the feelings of the aforementioned
who have not the melody of heaven and the
society of cherubims to win their minds !
from this heart-rending picture. But have
all the discords of an avenging world and
busy people who take pride in disclosing
their loved ones faults, is there aught TO
console such when in tears they beseech the
unfortunate to abstain Some time the
promise is made but only to be broken. |
Ali too often this the consoling response, 81
pay for my own whisky; it don't cost any
enc cent but me. If [ choose to drink it
is no ones business but mine" Stop mo-
ment and reflect. Does it not cost that devoted |
mother many tears? Is not that lovely wife |
whom you have sworn TO love and honor, |
made miserable for hours when you are alb |
sent, not knowing at what hour you may
be brought home corpse, a victim of some |
drunken rabble? Is not your cultivated |
and refined alliance made ashamed to be |
seen in company with half drunk beau7 |
Some have said young ladies are to blame
for young mems drinking. This we acknowl-I |
edge to be fact, and we are ashamed of I
it, though the weakness of our sex in some |
degree excuses us. A gentleman in every
degree, possessing all charming manners
imaginable; one when he Is sober, has no /
superior, it is hard for a girl to insult when
intoxicated; she feels almost afraid to do SO,
and rather than insult him she endures his
attentions. These are the fewest and least
harmful that could be mentioned. But tenn
perance; with what can It's beauties be COM
pared? Should this meeting speed on, and
in God we trust it may, the good accom-
plishcd here on earth can be only excelled
by the perfect bliss of heaven. Jail houses,
penitentiaries and even the gallows would
lose nine-tenths of its human beings who
are yearly sacrificed to meet the demands of
a violated law. Could temperance be the
altar in each home, around which the fam
lily bow, how soon would be the day when
scatter perennial roses DER smiling land,
devoted only to the service of God and the
good of our fellow man. Hsw many more
would reach that point in life which has
been their highest aspiration; how few
would miss the purpose for which they
were created, and SO many cease to murmur
at the decree of fate; so many brilliant
barques then launched upon the shore of
time
"Freighted with immortal longings,
Hurrying to a hidden shrine,
All unconscious still of evil
Reaching upward to the skies,
Struggling for loftier level,
Striving for earth's purest prize"
Would gain a harbor where storms no
more would rise, but instead of sinking in
the waters where so many life boats have
gone would be wreathed with laurel leaves
on earth and make up some OF the bright
est gems in heavens eternal day.