The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1879-06-26

o. D "
AatnoH Meets Saturdays, Al o'clock.
80 HEADsBoR3 LODGE. No 1853 Wet
Il J. Naaeat 81 81 PARKER, Lodge urpu
BY, A. - b anett. Meets Saturday, Al I.Sj.
DuN'r Ask ANY0NE ro TAKE MS
Ftn>r GLASS.
Good eople despise the man who
leads men astray the man who, 10 the
strength Of noble manhood. might
have blcst mankind. been the support
aud pride Of some atlectionate family
circle. a living illustration OF what God
designed when lie made usin our image.
Even I'll moderate drinker. he knows
that he il wasting his money aud hurt
ing bis own home. de knows how one
glass may start soul on the wrong,
aud make Of beautiful boy blear.
eyed sot. HC knows how be may
blaoken soul for all eternity; yet
misery loves company, and he draws
his fellows into the same maelstrom.
We saw recently a man whom society
barely tolerates, because be is rich, bis
face all disigured by loathsome d.
sease, holding bis handsomely dressed,
pretty boy OF five by the hand, in front
of one Of our largest saloons. The
child pulled vigorously at his fathers
arm, as though be knew already the
fumes Of whiskey and tobacco but the
father chided him, drew in among the
throng, aud drank and Chartered with
the bloated set.
Not many weeks since, man OF
thirty five or forty years Of age, intoxi-
Gated, came into one of our Friendly
Inns, surprising it might be saloon, or
some place where a man without food
or shelter might spend the night.
When he came to himself, aud found
that Christian women had the home,
instead OF saloon keepers, his heart
seemed touched. He was man of
nucommonly fine physique, Of most
gentlemanly manners, the son of cler.
gyman, an officer Of ine position in the
war, prominent instructor for years,
a public speaker on temperance as
well as other subjects, one Of the fnest
conversationalists | ever met, and yet
perfect sot. He had come to the
years of young manhood, a handsome,
eloquent, noble.principled young man,
the pride OF parents. and an honor to
bis community. There came into his
circle man Of as fine bearing as him
self. They became friends. They
walked and talked and rode together.
One day, alter delightful ride, the
friend drove to public house. and
asked him to drink. For moment he
was shocked. then panied, then sorry
to refuse, then proud to feel that one
glass would not harm him, then afraid
to say no, and--drank it He went
home ruined man, body and soul, and
the wreck Of nearly twenty years fol-
lowed. lie fought liquor in desper-
ate struggle at that time, but it gained
the mastery. Sometimes he had
glimpses Of what be might have been,
but fell at the first temptation.
At the Friendly Inn some Of the good
women prayed with him. He tried 70
find Saviour whom he had never
known lie hoped be bad his feet on
The rock lie spoke yet eloquently,
with some OF the old FIRE uodimmed.
He looked again like man who had a
purpose TO live and make bis mark A
glad light came into his yet fine face.
A friend, after much difficulty, found a
place for him. aud gave him some
money he work was near a saloon.
Temptation was too strong Before
nightiall he WAS besotted, helpless
thing. lie lett the city, sending back
ou!y ouce letter iul OF bitterness of
despair, a useless wreck, lost soul !
A boy Of nineteen came TO us recent
ly. He bad no money, no home, no
friends He had been drunkard for
twelve years. bis body utterly broken,
aud his nerves shattered Born ia New
York, be was an orphan at bis earliest
recollection. de ran away from the
poor old woman who had cared for him
because she whipped him when she
was drunk lie slept in boxes, and
did little odds aud ends for penny or
dime Finally sea captain spoke
kindly to him aud his heart warmed
towards him. de hired him TO do an
errand for hin. aud when il was done,
aud the child came back eager for
bread or few pennies, be paid him
with glass oi liquor That glass
made au old man Of him al nineteen,
one who bad been kicked about the
world. aud seen nothing but sorrow
aad destitotion.
There was CLEAN Of sunshine-only
one. 10 little side pocket Of latter
ed coat was Testament. with biz
name 10 il. tie gin Of lady who loved
The Saviour She was the one person
il al the world whom be cared 10 re.