The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15

the down grade? In what business will
he 4ucoeed? How long before that ma
viii run through his property? I won
der how be got so far astrRy? Can any
influence be welded to fetch him back?
He must have got into bad company.
Who led him OFF, So you soliloquize
and guess about this man whose voice
you hear OH the street under the star
| light.
Generally Chorua.
Notice that the second noun of my
text is in the plural. NOt "UIarEard, -
but "druHkards - 1t would be dull
work to sing that song solitary aud
alone. It's generally chorus. They
are in groups. On that downward way
there must he oompanonship. Here and
there is man so mean as always to
drink alone, but generous men, big
hearted men, drinking at bar or III res
taurant or in clubhouse, feel mortified
to take the beverage unaCcompanied.
There must be some one with whom to
click the rim of the glasses, some ones
health TO propose, some sentiment to
toast. There must be two, aud still bet
ter if four. and stip better if six, to give
zest to the song of the drunkards. Those
who have gone down could mention the
name of at least one who helped them
down. Generally it is some one who
was little higher up in social life or
in financial resources. Our friend felt
fattered to have an invitation from one
of superior name. Each one drank not
only when he felt like it, but when the
other felt like it. Neither wanted to
seem lacking in sociality when he was
invited. So hundred thouSSnd men
every year are treated into hell. Togeth-
er are they manacled of evil habit; to-
gether they travel toward their doom;
together they make merry over the cow
ardice or Puritanical sentiment of those
who never indulge; together they join
their voices in the song of the drunk
ards. If the one proposes to stop, the
other will not let him stop. When men
are getting down themselves, they do
not want their associates to turn back.
Those who turn back will be the scott
and oaricature of those who keep on,
and there will be conspiracy to bring
them back to their old places and their
old environment and SO have them re-
new the song of the drunkards. There
was a tragedy in New York, September,
1916. A man of marvellous natural
gifts had, after arriving from his home
in England, fallen into dissipated hab-
its, and being fine singer as we'll as
impersonator entertained many a bar
room group at Newburyport, Boston
and New York, but by the grace of God
and the kindness of one Joel Stratton
had been rescued and took the platform
for temperance and moved vast audi
ences toward better life.
A Glass of "Soda."
destroy himp' said some of his old
and they set trap for his
feet. 'How do you do, Nj. Gough2"
said some one on the street in New
York. He pretended to be an old &C.
quaintance and said, 81 suppose 5ou
are SO pious now and have got to he so
proud that you will not drink a glass of
soda water with all cid shipmate. "
"Oh, yes" said Mr. Cough, II will |
drink glass of soda water with any
body. l will drink glass with you"
They went down Chambers street to
Chatham street and into place where
Best Soda" was announced at the
door. After some deg there was hand
ed to him glass of soda water said to
be favored with raspberry; bat, alas, it
was rum, that flew to his brain and
sent him through the street an insane
man, and weeks passed before he came
TO himself and impIored the pardon of
the Christian church that he had join
ed and resumed his wondrous career for
God and righteousness But all the
and places of dissipation rang
with merriment at the temporary down.
tall. All the grogshops and wine cellars
If America took up with new voice and
new gusto and new enthusiasm and
new diabolism the song Of the drunk
ards.
There looms up in my memory one
# the best and noblest friends ever
lad. He had been for 80 years a con-
istent member Of the church knew
not that at about 81 years of age he
lad followed the sea and habits of ine-
piracy had been fixed upon him. But,
converted to God, he began a new life.
Yet it was 80 years war against the
I'D appetite. But about this struggle
new nothing until he was dead. While
'bsent during my summer vacation
eceived a telegram announcing his
eath and asking Inc to come aud Off
late at his obseQuies
arrived at the moment the service
vas to begin and had not much time to
make inquiries about his last hours. In
ny remarks, without any limitations, I
xtolled his virtues While living and
poke of the heavenly raptures into {
which he had entered. Afterward
ound that be had died of delirium ire {
Iens in the hospital, because he was SO {
iolent he cosild not be sufficiently re-
trained in his beautiful home. He had {
cen seized in the street with violent
aims of body and went into an apothe- s
airy store to get medical relief. Some ;
hing there given him set on fire his old
ppetite for strong drink, and, utterly ir-
he went from liquor store {
} liquor store, until. raving maniac, !
be officers Of the law bound him and t
1ok him to the hospital, where he died. 6
ONE time after | said to the doctor in I
40 bnsD,t,1 sg(NF Ii,1 ba Jin2i' I