Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-10-15
Victory Through PRAYER.

The following incident, illustrating how
the appetite for strong drink may be over
come by the grace of God, we take from the
Advocate: A man had been drunkard, off
and on, for fifteen or twenty years. His wife
was one OF those faithful, praying women so
often found, to the glory of God, in the
middle walks of life The man had often
reformed, and had frequently Joined the
church to which the wife belonged, only TO
be dropped or expelled for drunkenness after
a very short time. In 1874, during revival
at Cambridge City, Indiana, this man again
joined the church, and, so far as could be
judged by man. was spiritually reclaimed.
During the four or five weeks that the meet
ing lasted he was faithful in his attendance
day and night, almost entirely giving up
work. He was cooper by trade. On the
Monday morning after the close of the meet
ing he went TO his shop and resumed work.
BY ten o'clock his shopmates, most of whom
were religious, noticed that he was gloomy,
and seemed TO be working mechanically.
About half-past ten he took off his apron,
laid down his adj, and, without saying word,
left the shop. Their fears were alarmed, for,
though he started toward home, he had TO go
by saloon or two. They watched him I'M
til he had passed the last, and turned into
his home, which had been for four or five
weeks home of unusual hope and happi-
ness. When he entered, his wife was en-
gagged in her domestic duties, singing from
happy heart one of the revival hymns
which had been used during the meeting
He sat down without saying word. In an
instant the wifely instinct saw that some.
thing dreadful was preying upon him, and
she started toward him, saying John, what
is the matter? p 'Ob, Mary said he, I'm
ruined What, john, you have not been
drinking again, have you 2 she said, as the
memory Of his former lapses rushed upon
her. No, Mary, have not, but it seems to
me that | must or die, and ] am sure must
die if | do. That old appetite is upon me,
and now, Mary, there is but one thing that
can save me, aud that is the grace of God.
! want you to get down right here and pray
God to take away this cursed longing for
drink. Mary was woman of faith, and
she did not need one word further. They
kneeled together and prayed together, until,
at last, he said, Mary, have It'll have the
victory. God is giving me strength. He
will save me- He went back to his shop,
told his experience, went to work, and re-
manned a sober and useful man many years
until the time of his death. 1t was a better
shutting up than to be incarcerated day or
two in some strong room. 1t was a shutting
up in God"
| REDEMPTION ny POWER.
similar case is related by correspond
ent of the Free Methodist, which we give be-
low: 81 saw man whose bloated cheek and
trembling limbs made him the sport of
devils, and of men who boast their power to
drink when they will and refrain when they
will. Rum had accomplished its more fin
1 oh i,,b l. 4,
drowning his memory, defacing his beauty,
and depriving him of his manhood. A man
more sunken than he had struck him in the
face, causing blood to flow freely, aud bring
ing to him some realization of his fallen con-
dition. No one spoke to him of hope. 1t
seemed there was no hope in earth or heaven
for him. His money was all in the hands of
the rum dealer. His emaciated wife and
nearly naked children stared him in the face.
Once his was happy home. Peace and
plenty once surrounded himself and family
and hope Of an eternal home frightened
the prospect. But he tasted the first cup,
and rapidly descended the path of degrade.
ton, and now he is dirty, ragged, hungry,
wretched; without God and without hope.
What pity say the wine and cider tip.
piers, that he could not control himself ;
but facts speak in thunder tones. All this
misery, wretchedness and woe, all this starva
ton and nakedness, lay concealed in the first
drink. In this condition a reformed man APP
preached him and said, Brother, there are
better things in store for you But said
the hopeless one why do you call such a
man as | am brother p Because was once
as low in the DEVILS pit as you,' said the
saved man. But Jesus died for you as well
as me, and he is anxious to save you now.
But, said the wretched one, what can such
a man as | do to be saved 2 Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved All Jesus asks of you is to give
yourself to him, with all your wretchedness
and he will make you all over new. You will
be new creature in Christ Jesus. The lost
man believed the story, and gave himself tc
God through Jesus, and is clothed and in hi:
right mind. His filthy rags are removed
and he is clothed in righteousness. He walks
and talks with God, and lives in heavenly
atmosphere. This is what Jesus wants to do
for every drunkard in America"