Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-01-15

CAs 10 hiS ADA " III
his children be frightened when be en-
ters the front door and staggers, whoop-
ing, up the stairs? What chance is there
for that young man, started so early on
the down grade? In what business will
he succeed? How long before that man
will run through his property? L won
der how he got so far astray: 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 on the street under the star
light.
Generally q Chorus.
Notice that the second noun Of my
text is in the plural. Not "drunkard,"
but "drunkards. 1t would be dull
work to sing that song solitary and
alone. 1t is generally chorus. They
are in groups. On that downward way
there must be companionship. Here and
there is a man so mean as always to
drink alone, but generous men, big
hearted men, drinking at bar or in Tes-
tanrant 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, and still bet
ter if four, and still 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 be felt like it, bat when the
other felt like it. Neither wanted 70
seem lacking in sociality when he was
invited. So hundred thousand 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. II the one proposes 10 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 scotf
and caricature 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 tragedy in New York, September,
lS45. A man Of marvellous natural
gifts had, after arriving from his home
in England, fallen into dissipated hab-
its, and being fine singer as well 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
associates, and they set trap for his
feet How do you do, Mr.. Gough'' ~
said some one on the street IN New
York. he pretended to be an old ac-
ouaintance and said, 81 suppose you
are so pious now and have got TO he so
proud that you will not drink glass OF
soda water with an old shipmate. -
"Oh, yes, said Mr. Cough, Il VIII
drink a glass Of soda water with any
body 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 delay there was hand
ed to him a glass Of soda water said IL
be favored with raspberry; but, alas, iG
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 implored the pardon OF
the Christian church that he had Joln-
ed and resumed his wondrous career for
God and righteousness. But all the
Rrogshops and places Of dissipation rang
with merriment at the temporary down.
fall. All the grogshops and wine cellars
of America took up with new voice aud
new gusto and new enthusiasm and
new diabolism the song Of the drunk
ards.
There looms up in my memory one
OF the best and noblest friends l ever
had. He had been for 80 years con-
sistent member Of the church. l knew
not that at about 81 years Of age be
had followed the sea and habits OF me
briacy had been fixed upon him. But,
converted to God, he began new lie.
Yet it was a 30 years war against the
old appetite. But about this struggle l
knew nothing until he was dead. While
absent during my summer vacation L
! received a telegram announcing DIS
death and asking me 10 come and on-
ciate at his obsequies.
Iarrived at the moment the service
was 70 begin and had not much time to
make inquiries about his last hours. IN
nv remarks, without any Limitations, l
extolled his virtues while living ana
spoke Of the heavenly raptures into
which he had entered. Afterward l
found that he had died Of delirium tre'
mems in the hospital. because he was so
violent he could not be sufficiently re-
strained in his beautiful home lie l.
been seized in the street with violent
pains of body and went into an apothe-
cary store to get medical relief. Some.
thing there given him set Oh fire his olo
| appetite for strong drink, and. utterly r.
responsible, he went from liquor store
TO liquor store, until. raving maniac,
the officers Of the law bound ham and
took him to the hospital, where he died
Some time after said TO the doctor II
the hospital, "Of what did he die.
and the answer was Congestion OF th'
brain" said: doctor, l want Z
know the bottom facts, for | was hi
pastor, and he was one Of the best friendi
/ evsr had. Was it delirium tIemenss
| And the doctor responded, Yes. " Did
| regret that at his obsequies had extol
| led his virtues and spoken of the heaven
| ly Joys upon which he had entered' No
| / do not think that my friend was an,
= ~