Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-06
The frremau.
LODI, Wis, Jan. 2G.b, 1884,

iIobl, w 49,, Jan. ~ u, lOOf
Mr.. Editor:--A few weeks since wa
called to Chicago 10 marry II lady VIII
formally lived IN Vermont, and wa
greatly pleased to renew my Acquaintance
with Vermont Mcthodism, by seeing
number of your excellent MESSENGER l
is more than thirty-one years since
finished my twelve years labors in tha
conference In my thoughts and prayers
| ofcn run over the lists Of those | wa
sweetly associated with on my dlffcren
charges. Il woald give me great joy t
ol,et hrm on their way to the heaven /
inlertinea. But probably majority o
them are already on the shining shore.
rejoice in this assurance that we WHIT
lirger on this side OF the river will soor
be with them. rejoce that l am nov
dwelling in Beulah land and sometime,
realzl that odors from the Paradise O
God are waited upon me, across the
narrow river. In no part of my pilgrim
age, of over sixty years, have | felt sucf
much ol it within me as of late. l have
hl 20 appointment from conference for
several years, but have charge of class
in the Sunday school, and enjoy it the
mos. OF any charge ever had. My hour
with them is the happiest one of the week
Enough far from my native New England
often meet old friends from there
When Oh my way from Nebraska some
months since, | spent Sabbath with
several families in Iowa who were con-
verted unGer my labors in Maine more
than fifty years since. We had not me-
during that time but were of one heart
AMI mind ns much AS we we're half
century ago. There are large numbers
in Chicago and Evanstown from Vermont
The widow of my brother, N. W. Aspin-
wall. though over eighty years old is
still on this side of the river. Some of
your readers may remember her activity
and influence at camp meetings. in com.
pany of Mary and Amey Fletcher (after-
ward Sister Putnam and Scott, (when her
deep toned voice was heard in singing
and prayer.
Evanston is great resort for educators
and those who have been interested in
promoting religious education. Here
found Bro. A, G.. Button and family. Their
surroundings of house, ETC., are beautiful,
but he has suffered greatly, with sciatica
for several years, and seems to be near
the end of The joUrney-stil he seems very
b lppy in that love that is "sweeter than
life and stronger than death" l have
never met him when he seemed TO be So
much in the atmosphere of Heaven.
My labors in Vermont were not direct
cd to pastoral work and revival effort, as
much us when in Maine and Wisconsin
was very black aboitoEist. Probably
some of the subscribers TO the GREEN
MOUNTAIN FREEMAN Of 1914 may remem
Der me. 1t would give me much pleasure
to hear from any of my old comrades in
tie battles of those times against the
slave power.
Thank God! that devil in our country
has been conquered. 1t did my soul good
to meet such men as Alonzo Webster,
Willard Lewis, N. f. Cobleigh, and DR..
Fuller, laboring in South Carolina, Tenn
e,see and Georgia, to heal the wounds
made by that dread monster; In tour
through the south since the war. None
have been more courageous, faithful and
useful. All but Webster have gone to
their reward.
We are now called 10 contend with
another enemy of God and humanity, not
less fearful than the slave power. We
have been skirmshing with the liquor
devil fifty years. In these western slates,
be has organized his forces TO defend his
right, 10 make drunkards, paupers and
criminals and boldly carried the matter
into politics. Prohibitionists believe that
what makes men drunk is deadly poison,
and that the making, selling and drinking
of il should be prohibited, and punished
as the crimes it produces are. BoLh of the
Old political parties oppose US as did the
wings and democrats the liberty party in
1910 1t is wonderful how nearly this
reform is following in the footsteps of that
one, am not given TO prophesy, but |
was never more sure of success before the
election of Mr.. Lincoln, than new am OF
success in this cause. We know that we
have God and right on our side, or rs MIR.
Lincoln would put it that 1--WE are on the
Lords side" a desperate struggle is
near at hnad. | hope to see Vermont take
as active a part in it as she did against
slavery. 1t is foolish for Us TO hope that
the parties that were not organized to do
this work will do it for US. When we get
an organization for president, and all the
under offices, on an issue of such impor-
tancr, that will run through north and
south, it will do much to heal the wounds
slavery has made, and victory will soon
be ours. j. C. ASPINwALL,