The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1878-09-04

ing ia MOrEaHtOWu. by Miss Josie
Skiliern.
We, as friends have assembled here
TO perform n very difficult, though
pleasant task. We have had hut lit.
tie experience in composition. We
now appear before you for the purpose
of accomplishing all the good we can,
harming no one. There are none OF
us but who have some influence. We
should endeaver to use it rs much as
practicable. Can it or will it ever be
that any one of our friends who have
met with us on this pleasant occasion
will fill a drunkards grave? May the
great God, who rules heaven and
earth, forbid. Please allow us the
privilege to draw the contrast between
temperance and intemperance. The
temperate man starts forth in life
with an elastic step-heart buOyant
and free-all seems to prosper around
him. He has filled his garner with
earthly luxuries as he nears the haven
of rest. With the mantle of peace
folded around him, we imagine we
almost here him say, Il have fought
the good fight and have finished the
work" The answer, "Well done thou
good and faithful servant, enter into
my joys"
Do you not remember who was the
first drunkard? If you do not, and
will turn 10 the 18th chapter of Gen.
esis, 10th and Dist verses, there you
will find who it was, also who took the
first temperance pledge can be found
in Judges, 18th and 18th verses.
Did anybody mentioned in the
Bible ever take a pledge of his
own accord, Daniel, 1st chapter and
Sth verse.
Was he any better or wiser in con-
science. Daniel 1st chapter and 10th
and 18th verses.
Can our imagination paint the ap-
pearance of the drunkard as he leaves
his desolate home, closes the door on
himself, the eager inmates gasp to
catch the last foot fall, trusting all the
while that he will retrace his steps to-
wards loved ones at home, where there
is nothing but want, degradation and
misery.
Touch not, taste not, handle not the
unclean thing, it stingeth like an adder
and biteth like a serpent, is an old ad-
age, though very true one. We re-
member not longe since having read a
very touching story of drunkard who
had rrn through with his property, re-
turned one night to his unfinished
home, he entered his empty hall, an
guish was gnawing at his heart string,
language was inadequate to express
his agony as he entered his wife's de-
partment, and there beheld the victims
of his appetite, his loving wife and darl-
ing child, moroSa, sullen and mad; he
seated himself without one word, he
could not speak, he could not look up
on them, the mother said to the little
one at her side, "cOme my dear, it is
time to go to bed" and that child as
she was wont, knelt by her mother and
gazing wistfully into the face of her
suffering parent like piece of chiseled
statuary, slowly repeated her nightly
orison, when she had finished the child
but four years of age, said to her moth
er, "dear mother may | not offer one
more prayer" eyes! yes, my child,
pray," she lifted her tiny hands and
prayed, Oh! God spare my papa
that prayer was lifted with electric rap
idity to the throne of God, it was
heard on high, it was heard on earth,
the responsive amen burst forth from
the fathers lips, and his heart of stone
became a heart of flesh. wife and child
we're both Clasped to his bosom, and in
penitence, lie said my child you have
saved yOnr father from a drUnkards
grave, the fathers reformation was
complete, from that day he lived a life
Of sobriety and industry, his home he