Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-11-05
Nenperanre.
WHAT. ROB POOR MAN OF ms BEER,
Antidotes for Intemperance.

This summer our hearts were panied as
we read an account of young man at Long
Branch who was drowned in the surf while
his friends sat on the shore looking on, ut
tefly unconscious of his peril. What must
have been the agony of that soul as he real
lied that his signs of distress were mistaken
for the playful movements Of the accom-
plished swimmer, and his cries for help lost
amid the roar of the waves. What a life.
long regret to those loving friends, that they
could not have been aware of his sufferings
and flown to his relief. That was one in
stance, aud we cannot forget it but multi
tudes OF men are going down every day into
the gulf OF intemperance. Overcome by
their appetite for strong drink they yield to
the temptations which surround them and
plunge headlong into dissipation. When
man throws aside all moral obligations, and
ignores family ties and the requirements of
society, the world looks coldly on and leaves
him to his fate. 1t has no conception Of the
bitterness of his despair when, in his sane
fierce struggles to free himself from the en-
tanglements of the monster who has him in
his clutches, nor of the overwhelming sense
which comes over him of his weakness TO
grapple with him. To those who are prac-
tically engaged in temperance work comes
some idea-through the related experience
OF men rescued from drunkard's grave
OF the secret longing which lies in the heart
OF these poor victims to be free.
1t is this terrible apprehension of the fu-
ture and an intense longing to escape from
their degradation, which comes to these
wretched men as they feel themselves more
and more powerless to resist the enemy that
induces them to make use of the nostrums
and mixtures which unprincipled men make
and sell, pretending that they will destroy
the appetite for strong drink, but which Of
ten only drag the poor fellows down deeper
in the mire, aud bind on their shackles all
the more firmly. To fill their Golfers with
gold, will men thus deceive with false hopes
their fellow-creatures to the ruin of their
souls.
A reformed man, who not long since
| graphically told in our hearing the story of
his struggles and efforts to get rid of the
rum fiend said that in his extremity he
heard of an antidote TO be had in Chicago
at 50 90 bottle He sent for it, and per-
severed in taking it for some time without
success. At last he took it to chemist
who analysed it, and found it TO be COM
posed of three-fourths whiskey
"Oh," said the now free man, I" | had well
nigh gone under, but Christian friend who
never, even in my darkest days, forsook me,
brought me where | was willing to accept
Christ as my Saviour and strength. Here
had an antidote, certain and sure which
cost nothing. had it without money and
without price, and now that my feet are
upon the rock, look with horror on the
abyss from which have been snatched, but
| no longer fear"
Because, then, man seems given up to
his evil appetites, shall we desert him and
let him die Shall we not rather watch
with him, so that if he shall at any time cry
out in the bitterness of despair for help, we
may be ready to lead him to the sure place
of safety, the rock, Christ Jesus ?-CAristian
Inteugencer.