Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1892-05-19
TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
EDITED BY JoNEsBoRo W. G. t. U.
Mrs. KATE B. SIMPSON, superintendent
Of Press Work.


The following charming little sketch
was read by Mrs, w. d. Akers before
the Washington County Sunday School
Convention, held in Jonesboro, Thurs
day, May 5, 1892, and was given to the
press on the unanimous request of the
convention
TEMPERANCE IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
1t was a lovely moonlight night in
June. Robert Perkins had led the We'd
nesday evening prayer meeting and was
going leisurely to his room in a quiet
street. As he neared the house where
he boarded he met an old friend and
schoolmate, who would have hurried
on, but Robert insisted on his stopping
for a few minutes and taking a late
lunch with him. Perry Armstrong was
the son of a wealthy merchant, who
had just taken him into partnership,
hoping thus to win him from drink, in
which he had been indulging too freely
of late. The two boys had been good
friends at school, but since the liquor
habit had begun to wind its chains
about him, Perry avoided his friend,
and it was against his will when he
yielded to the urgent request and went
in with Robert. After the simple sup
per was over they went up stairs to a
cosy room. Robert considered the OPP
portunity providential, and was WON
dering how he might bring about the
conversation he wanted to have with
his friend who was starting in the path
that leads thousands to ruin every year
To his surprise Perry opened the subject
himself by bursting out with Rob
Perkins, | want you to tell me why you
are not a drunkard. 1t is a constant
wonder to me. Here you are, a success
full young man, with the finest pros
poets before, while /, who have had
every chance to make man of myself,
have only the prospect of being a fail
ure and landing in a drunkard's grave
why, Perry! am more sorry than
can tell to hear you talk like that.
Stop, man, and begin over again, nsaid
Robert earnestly.
"Ah, no that is easier said than
done. The cursed appetite is always
crying for more. l am just sobered
from a three days spree and was hurry
ing for a bottle of brandy when l met
you, and | hadn't the slightest idea of
stopping"
THE Lord sentme justin time. said
Robert.
well, answer my question per-
sisted Perry, why are you a teetotal-
er? Your mother died when you were
a mere baby, your father sold rum and
died in delirium tremens, and how you
escaped is a mystery to me. How was
it?
THE Lord saved me-" said Robert
reverently, "but l will tell you what
means He used. was persuaded to 90
to the Maple street Sunday school when
l was about 8 years old, and that is
why | am not a drunkard."
Sunday school " exclaimed Perry.
whoever heard of a Sunday school
keeping its members from going to
drink Explain what you mean.
"a Sunday school trains children to
be useful Christian men and women
and to abstain from everything that
would hinder their usefulness"
well, now, let me tell you what a
Sunday school means to me, interrupt
ed Perry. 81 went to Sunday school
till l was about 10 years old. 1t was
uncomfortable by that time. l learned
the %catechism, Apostles creed and the
Lords prayer. can repeat them now,
for l practiced on them for years, but
what good has it done me pn
well, that Sunday school was a
humbug," answered Robert emphati-
cally, land any school that goes on
like a treadmill from year to year is a
failure. But it may be a great help to
everyone who attends, and if it is not
a blessing it throws away a golden OPP
portunity. l think this Sunday school
| have attended is a model in every
way, but | started out to tell you how
it taught me temperance. The super
intendent was a wide awake man and
always followed up the work of his
faithful teachers by reviewing the les
son after the recitation half hour.
When we had a temperance lesson he
gave it extra attention, and asked us
questions about the bad effects of alco-
hol on the mind and body, and had the
school repeat in concert the words,
No drunkard shall inherit the king
dom of God Now, Twas in the infant
class at that time, but the earnest words
of that man, and especially that Scrip
ture verse, made a deep impression ON
my mind. When 1 was promoted to a
higher class, Miss Manson was my
teacher. Do you know herr"