Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-12-07
Mt. JACKSON, VA. Dec. 5. 81.
Dear Herald :

MI. JAChOON, a. 1--we -
Dear Herald:
Permit me through your
columns to congratulate the people OF
Mt. jackson and surrouh ding commune
~ on the success of the Temperance
movement that is now so rapidly spread
ing throughout our beautiful Valley.
Mt. jackson is rising! The bands OF
the intoxicating bowl, that has held her
10 bondage to the service OF the demon
drink for years past, are now being
sundered by the Francis Murphy Tenn
perance movement. And may God
bless and speed the work till every
.hrackle shall be loosened and the good
people be free and happy people Let
me prove what say.
Mr.. J. w. Pence OF S"eetze, lad.
formerly Of HawklnstOwn, SHENANDOAH
Co. Va. has recently returned TO
Shenandoah Co. as an authorized agent
to set IN motion and carry on the
Murphy Temperance cause.
When Mr.. Pence left the Valley some
u , ears ago he WAS known as one oil
tie worst druukards Of the Valley, per-
fectly under the control Of the demon
appetite, drink. lie lived and suffered
in this State OF bondage, HGtil about
fou. Years ago. when by the grace oil
God he was rescued, ard to-day comes
to his old home not only temperate
man but good Christian and warm
advocate Of temperance. Being man
who has been all aloog the enemy's
line, he speaks with great in'eres! 20
all, Tor lie speaks from experience.
On Thursday hight last, the first
night e Dec. he lec.ured in Mt. Jack
son to crowded house. His expert
mental lecture brought tears to many
eyes. The songs Of his wife and little
halt grown daughter lent power to his
story. All seemed touched and ready
for an effort looking TO tn destruction OF
dram drinking in our little village.
AL the close OF the lecture an inyita-
ton was given to all TO come forward
and lake the Murphy pledge of total
abstience from the use OF Intoxicating
LIQUORS as beverage. To the wonder
Of all some 6S OF 20 took the pledge.
This gave great encouragement TO all
temperate people present, and another
meeting was appointed for Monday
night the 5th.
At tie close &C The fist meeting many
persons came up and gave Mr.. Pence
tokens OF Their appreciation Of bis noble
work in the way Of cash TO some con-
siderable amount. one good friend 10
al good causes giving $500.
Or Monday night the house was
again crowded and all seemed eager to
hear the lecture and sign the pledge.
Alter a short address which had great
effect upon all present, an invitation
~as given for more signers. During
the singing Of some temperance pieces
10y Mr.. Pence's wife and daughter, they
came by the dozen from all parts OF
the audience, until the humber was
swolled to 1874. 1t seemed as II 'he
whole Of Nj. Jackson was going to
decide for temperance aud let the
demon beast Of drink die.
At least five sixths Of tie dram
drinkers ONT. Jackson took The pledge
and most all of the christian people of
The town.
\ Temperance society was then or
eanized, with Samuel Hammond, Egg.
as President; Messrs. L. II. Rinker and
John {. Ruby, Vice.Presldents; Mr.. }.
II. Spengler, Secretary; Mr.. p. NJ, 5.
Bird. Treasurer; and Rev. j. 5. Moser,
Chaplain.
Badges Of blue ribbon were ordered |
to be made and pu: upon each member.
The meeting then adjourned 10 meet |
on next Tuesday night at 81 O'Clock.
This success surely gives room for
congratulations to our little town. We
trust the good work has but begun, and |
that soon every man. woman aud child |
in our town viii be numbered in our |
temperance lists. our bar rooms closed, |
our streets quiet, Our homes SAFE our
people happy, aud our business pros
porous.
These blessings will certainly follow,
if all lake the pledge and keep it. and
may God help all 10 do SO.
Very truly yours.