St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-04-19
How Clergyman Was Cured of Using
Tobacco.

About forty years ago, Mr.. John Tap
pan, one of those genuine philanthrop-
lists for which Boston was noted half
century since, lived in an elegant man
sion Oh Summer street. He had retired
from active business, but had fitted up
an Office in the house, where he receiv-
ed business calls. He was a scrupulous-
ly neat man, and had particular alb
horrence of the use of tobacco in any
form. He was as strong in his antipa-
thy to its use as he was to the use of
ardent spirits. The surroundings of his
office were to the minutest particular
indicative of the individual man. One
of the leading avenues through which
went out his benevOlence was that of
aiding INDECENT churches and helping
impecuniOus clergyman. On one Oc-
casiOn a well-knOwn clergyman of
Vermont came to Boston to obtain aid
for his church. He called on good old
Deacon Proctor, then a leading hard
ware merchant, and made known his
wants. The good deacon took him at
once to the residence of Mr.. Tappan,
introduced him, and left. On being in
vited to take a seat, the clergyman put
into his mouth huge quid of tobacco.
Looking around to see where he should
expectorIte, he saw an open coal fire,
but the bars to the CRATE were polished
steel. This wouldn't do. Next his at
tentiOn was directed to copper coal
scuttle, the outside of which shOne like
FURNISHED gold, and it was heaped with
camel coal. Here was his opportuni-
ty, and he discharged his stream of sa-
Iva, making a perfect cascade over the
coal. Being relieved, he commenced to
state his case, stopping frequently to
discharge his tobacco juice. Meanwhile
Mr.. Tappan sat fidgetting in his seat,
and finally interrupted the good clergy
man by stating that he had made it a
rule never to give anything to an in
temperate man, and rising bowed the
clergyman out.
Overwhelmed with grief and mOrtii-
cation the good man sought deacon
Proctor and burst out with the excla-
nation: 81 have never been so insult
ed in my life"
Deacon Proctor asked him to give an
account of his interview with Mr.. Tap
pan, which he did, not dreaming that
the tobacco had anything to do with
his sudden dismissal.
"Sit here" said the deacon, 81 will
go and see Mr.. Tappan."
Arriving at the office he found the
windows wide open, and girl scrub
bing. "Mr. Tappan," said the deacon,
"yOu have hurt the feelings of one of
the best of men, devoted Christian
and faithful pastor,-what does it
mean ?"
Mr., Tappan repeated what had hap
pened, and pointed to the cOalscuttle.
"Why, sir, it will take week to get
this room purified"
The deacon returned and smoothed
over the matter as we'll as he could, and
the clergyman took his leave.
In just one year from that day the
clergyman again made his appearance
at the store of deacon Proctor, and ask
ed him to accompany him to the house
of Mr.. Tappan. Arrived there, the
clergyman looking hale, hearty and
clean, extended his hand to Mr.. Tap
pan, exclaiming, ''My dear sir, you
have been the means of breaking me OF
vile habit, which l thought innocent,
but which had got hold on me little
dreamed of. From the day of my last
interview with you L have never put
tobacco in any form into my mouth
and by the blessing and with the help
of God, never will again."