Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-16

We remember very distinctly a vcnera-
ble-looking old "brother' whose place
was seldom vacant at the prayer-meetings
and who was always ready to give in his
testimony and tell what "the Lord had
done for him. And he really had occa-
sion to be thankful, for the Lord had
been very good to him. The old mans
name was Griggs, if our memory is not
at fault, and we shall never forget when
we first saw him, and the "great moral
drama" that was then and there enacted
and in which the hero of this little cpl
sode took prominent part 4 temper
ance meeting was being held in the old
courthouse one evening. some time
previous to the revival meetings spoken
of,under the direction of the Village Tenn
perance society. The old gentleman re-
ferred to in some way wandered into the
meeting and was invited to remain dur
ing the exercises. He had imbibed pret-
ty freely during the day and was full
clear up to the muzzle, as they say, and.
besides he had with him IA JUG filled with
two quarts of New England's favorite
beverage, for which he said he had eX-
changed his last bushel of corn. He took
Il most "active' part in the proceedings
and Collected to about all that was said
and done and was a great source of an
noyance to all who were present. But
the presiding officer, who, we think, was
James NJ. Slade, was patient and forbear-
ing and let him remain, and by kind
words and entreaty they finally induced
the apparently incorrigibe old chap to
sign the pledge and give up his jug and
its-to him-precious contents. The Jug
was then and there duly labeled prepara-
tory to being assigned a conspicuous
place among the "sOuVenirS" of the soci-
ETY.. From that night Mr.. Griggs' refor-
nation began, and. so far as we know,
he became Il sober, industrious citizen.
and at the great revival that soon follow
ed Il devout and humble Christian. In
relation to the jug of rum that hc sur
rendered, or sold-for they took up col
lection and paid him for tive would
like to know its subsequent history. l.
it still preserved in the archives of the
society; and. if not, why not, and who
drank it:
Incidents. inappropriate and out of
place, are liable to occur even at funeral
or IA religious meeting. One evening dur
ing the great revival large and interest
ed congregation were present at meet
ing held in the auditorium of the Metho-
dist church. After the sermon. the pas-
ed for prayers to come forward and kneel
at the altar. Among the large number
that responded to the invitation was
"Black sam IA notorious young darkev
whose rascalites will be remembered bv
all the older citizens of Middlebury that
are now living. lie prostrated himself
with the rest, and apparently was very
penitent and sorry he was so lawful
wicked. The exercises were continued
to very late hour,as was often the case,
when finally the dOXology was sung. the
benediction pronounced and the meet
ing dismissed. All but Sam prepared to
take their departure. He was determin-
ed to "hold the fort and remained kneel-
ing at the altar until Mr.. Ayers touched
him upon the shoulder and gently re-
minded him that the hour was late and
the services were over. and that il was
time to go home. sam finally assumed
perpendicular position. but there was bad
blood in his eye, and turning to the min
ister he replied, "Yes, you want me to
leave, do you: but if wasn't id Mig
ger you would remain and pray with me
all night" sam finally left. quite dis /
gusted with his treatment, and we never
heard of his making any further efforts |
III the direction of reform, and we fear |
that he has gone, long years ago, to the |
place where the bad darliies go. The |
last we heard of him he made his appear |
ance in Malone, NY IA year or two after
the above incident occurred, and he sue
ceeded in passing himself of on the kind .
hearted abolitiOniStS there as a simon
pure fugitive slave from Tuscaloosa. |
They took stock in his wonderful stories
about the cruel treatment he received AT
the South. his escape from ''Ole Massa." .
and his perilous journey northward to
the land of the free. rid the underground .
railroad, and they fed him for several .
days on pancakes and molaSses and .
other nourishing diet, and then they for
warded him to the next station" on that
same great mysterious route.
JAY KAY.