The Progress., 1897-01-16

sentiment of those who never indulge to-
gether they join their voices in the song Of
the drunkards. If the one proposes to stop,
the other will not let him stop. When men
tre getting down themselves, they do not
want their associates to turn back. Those
who turn back will be the scott and carl
cature of those who keep on, and there
will be conspiracy to bring them back to
:heir old places and their old environment
and so have them renew the song of the
drunkards There was a tragedy In New
York September, 1S45. a man of marvel
Gus natural gifts had, after arriving from
his home in England fallen into dissipated
habits and, Being fine singer we'll as
! inpersonauor, entertained many a barrooIn
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 temper
ance and moved vast audiences toward
! better life. Destroy him, )" said some OF
his old associates, and they set a trap for
his feet "How do you do, MI. Goughf"
/ said some ono on the street In New York
| He pretended to be old acquaintance,
| and said, ~ suppose you are SO pious now
| and have got to be proud that you will
not drink glass of soda water with an
old shipmate. - "Oh, yes, - said Mr.. Cough,
| II will drink glass of soda water with
anybody. will drink glass with you.
| They Went down Chambers street to
| CuaCnan street., ana luCO u place Wner0
- Best Soda WAS announced ut the door.
After some delay there was handed to him
! n glass Of soda water said to be favored
with raspberry; but, alas, 1t was rum, that
| flew to his brain and sent him through the
street an insane man, and weeks passed be-
| fore he came to himself and :mplored the
pardon of the Christian church that he had
Joined and resumed his wordrous career
for God and righteousness. But all the
! grogshops 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 and
new gusto and new enthusiasm and new
diabolism the song of the drunkards
Efec: Of Song.
There looms up in my memory one Of
the best and noblest friends I ever had
He had been for 80 years consistent
member OF the church knew not that
at about 2l years of age he had followed
the sea and habits Of inebriacy had been
fixed upon him. But converted to God he
began q new life. Yet it was 80 years
war against the old appetite, but about
this struggle l knew nothing until he was
dead. While absent during my summer
vacation received a telegram announcing
his death and asking me to come and
official at his obsequies. ! arrived at the
moment the service was to begin and had
not much time to make inquiries about
|
any limitations, extolled his virtues while
living and spoke of the heavenly raptures
into which he had entered. Afterward /
| found that he had died of delirium tremens
in the hospital, because he was violent
| he could not be sufficiently restrained in
| his beautiful home. He had been seized in
the street with violent pains of body and
went into an apothecary store to get medi-
cal relief. Something there given him set
on fire his old appetite for strong drink,
and, utterly irresponsible, he went from
liquor store to liquor store, until n raving
| maniac, the officers of the law bound him
and took him to the hospital, where he
| died. Some time after said to the doctor
in the hospital "Of what did he die:"
And the answer was, Congestion Of the
| BRAIN" I said: Doctor, l want to know
the bottom facts, for l was his pastor, and
| he was one of the best friends ever had.
| Was 1t deliriuln tremens?" And the doc
tor responded, Yes. - Did 1 regret that
| at his obsequies 1 had extolled his virtues