Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-30
A True Story.

In the central part of Pennsylvania, in
town of about two thousand inhabitants,
Bacchus reigned supreme. The young men
were fast becoming his victims. Protracted
meetings were held, but seemed to be Of no
avail. One evening at the close of the ex-
ercises, letter was read, stating that Colonel
S., reformed inebriate, would like to come
and labor in behalf of the temperance cause.
Many objected, but correspondence was
opened and the Colonel engaged.
The day came but the Colonel, who had
been drugged on the way, appeared at the
meeting very much intoxicated. He was
taken from the lecture-room and told that
it was of no use for him to do anything in
that place. He pleaded with them: "Do
not send me away; give me chance to re-
deem myself. have not tasted liquor be-
fore in two years." He wept bitterly and
knelt and prayed most earnestly. The
crowd below, who overheard him, were
moved to tears. He was kindly provided
for, but his cravings were so terrible,
that the next morning he was at his cups
again. While under their influence. he
made most excellent temperance addresses
to the Young men. This continued for
nearly three days.
The expressions Of indignation against
him were strong; yet, in spite Of all opposi-
ton, one of the committee said to Colonel
SIS wife, who had come in search of him I:
/" When he gets all right, bring him back to
me- and will go to every member in the
congregation and ask permission for him to
speak in the church if it is refused, l will
apply for the town hall, and if that fails, he
shall stand upon my porch and speak" The
Colonel did return renewed man. lie
signed the pledge again, and confessed his
sin before a crowded house. al leaned
upon my own strength, said he, pulled my
hand out Of Gods hand, and 80 fell" He
was intensely interesting as he described his
struggle to get hold of that hand again, how,
over and over, he had knelt down in the
snow upon the high road. He continued
speaking thus every night for two weeks.
As result Of his labors, one thousand
three hundred signed the pledge, woman's
temperance union, also one among the men,
were formed. The town was canvassed for
signers to a remonstrance against liquor
license, the result Of which is, no license /
One OF the best physicians Of the town is on
his feet again; one Of its lawyers looks like
a new man, and has since joined the church,
and there is joy in many u home because
of it. The friends of Bacchus pour forth
their venom in such expressions, as, 81
could kill that Colonel s., for il he had not
come here the license would have been
granted" and like expressions against those
who were the means Of lifting him from the
gutter. ..a..
One of the churches has decided that II
will expel any member who signs an ap-
plication for license. They consider that II
is disreputable TO put their names TO such an
application and have them published in the
town paper. One hotel which has had a
license for sixty years is closed, and the PEG
pie rejoice, not on account OF the landlord
but because Of the saved ones, the happy
homes, the order and sobriety which now
prevails.
Colonel S has done great work in two
other towns, and still the work goes on
Christian al Work.