Year: 1874

Fifty years ago there was a great deal
Of intemperance in Middletown and the
neighborhood. Many Of the young men,
as we'll as Of the middle aged and the aged,
were given to the intoxicating cup; and
spent their time in daily lounging in the
tavern and about the stores.


After breakfast, many would ride into
the village from the country around. and
while they spent their time to no good
purpose in the tavern or elsewhere, their
poor horses would stand in the street, in
the cold or heat, from morning to night.
My heart often pitied the poor brutes,
while | felt constrained to blame their
more british masters.


This course of conduct brought many a
promising youth to an untimely end, or
sowed the seeds of useless and wretehed
life and hopeless death.


Among the Incorporate men of that day
there lived, in southeast direction from
Middletown, man Of family by the name
Of C-y.


Mr.. c. was probably about forty years
of age, but was far in the road to ruin
when 6rst was introduced to his acquain-
tance, which occurred in the following
way: He had lost child by death, and
l was called upon to preach the funeral
sermon. | accordingly went, and on en-
tering the house he addressed me in some
what the following language: " Mr. w.
| ann in affection, but Affections are to be
expected, and when they come, we must
try to be submissive" While he said
this l had smell of bis breath, and
judged what kind Of man l had to deal
with. Yes" replied l, 1.-the Lord
sometimes sends Affections for our good ;
but the most of our Affections are brought
upon as by our own sin and folly He
probably understood my hint, for he said
no more, but moved to his seat on the side
of the bed.


determined to preach to him as point
edly and faithfully as could.


During my discourse saw boy ride
up to the door, dismount and enter the
house with a jug, which | rightfully sup
posed contained liquor was much
moved Ivy the boldness of the thing at such
time, but said nothing, determining to
see more of the jug before left the house


After the services were over and the
friends had left the house with the corpse
remained behind for the purpose of hav-
ing serious talk with the man. AS he
did not follow the remains of his child
but remained sitting on the side of the
bed, | sat down by him and for some time
kindly demonstrated with him on the evil
of his course, and exhorted him to forsake
his cups and become a sober man and
christian. After talking with him some
time, he said, "Mr W, will tell you q
secret am mo0nst,uch 7" " Moon.
struck +? (said ID No, sir, you are rum
struck and if you don't reform, you viii
soon be deathstruck, and, | am sorry to
add, heU-struck.


He seemed somewhat affected, and
felt encouraged. Now" said |, "f you
intend to reform, as beginning, bring to
me that jug which l saw brought into the
house while | was preaching, and let me
throw it into the street, and then do you
determine to drink no more. He tried to
escape by saying that it would be of nc
use to destroy that as he could send fol
more. |, however, persisted, and at
| iouStu He DTouSut Tue SGsstl ~ mt, anu ]
walked to the door and threw it as far as
| could inte the street, and with pleasure
saw it demolished and the liquor spilled.


After some more talk and prayer with
him | left. Not long afterwards learned
that had not got far from the house be.
fore he sent the boy for a fresh supply
and that he still continued his downward
| course


l cannot say ho many weeks or month";
after this it was that | was told that ht
was very low, and near his end. I wen
to see him and found him on his bed witt
a tumbler of brandy or other liquor on ,
small stand by his bedside


| walked up to him and said, Mr.. G
did not tell you what would be your enc
if you did not give up the intoxicating
cup and now entreat you, for probabl,
tho last time, to prepare for death ant
eternity" He did not ask me to pray fo
him, and did not offer to do so, but i'm
m0diately left.


He did not live long and it adds to tn,
sorrow for him that many others came t.
similar end, with whom had no inter
course.


Perhaps the above facts, though havin;
occurred so long ago, may help forward
the good cause of temperance, which an
happy to find is at present engaging th
attention of the good people of Middle
town. j. W.