Farmers' Gazette, And Cheraw Advertiser

THE DIFFERENCE.

John and James were brothers—the last about sixteen, and the first eighteen years when the subject of intemperance was first presented in the place where they lived. This was in 1827. They had just lost their father, who was a respectable small farmer, and they were the only remaining children of their widowed mother. John joined the temperance society at the first meeting he attended, and was soon indentured an apprentice. Liquor was daily brought into the shop, and the owner with his journeymen and other apprentices, usually drank of it. More than half of these have become drunkards, and six of them fill dishonored graves. He who was the owner of the shop, and a thriving, respectable mechanic, is now a poor intemperate journeyman to his former apprentice John.

When the youth was urged by his master and shopmates, to participate in the intoxicating beverage with them, he usually replied, "it will do me no good, and may be the means of making me a drunkard. I cannot break my pledge." In less than two years, John had established a character for industry, truth and honesty, which made him respected by his master and all his companions, while the customers were anxious to have their work superintended, if not done by him. He served out his apprenticeship, when he was made foreman of the shop, in which capacity his good character and correct temperate habits, were the principal means of continuing the patronage of the Public. "Temperate drinking" had led the owner and most of the workmen step by step, unperceived by themselves to drunkenness, with its usual attendants, idleness, profanity, falsehood, sabbath-breaking, and gross dishonesty.

After two years of many trials, and an increased good character, John was made President of the "Young Men's Temperance Society" about that time also, he commenced business for himself. He could select his customers, for his reputation as a mechanic and a man; drew many to his shop. He took his mother to his house, as soon as he had one, and is the solace and comfort of her declining years. He is at the head of a large and respectable establishment; beloved and honoured in his neighborhood; has furnished a large library for the Sunday School, and has been its superintendent for the last two years.

When asked by his old master or any others how he came to be so "lucky?" he replies, "it is not 'luck,' but it was the resolution my Heavenly Father enabled me to make and keep. that intoxicating liquors will do me no good, and may be the means of my becoming a drunkard."

Now see the difference. The history of his younger brother is a brief and sad one. He always refused to unite with a temperance society; said he "could take care of himself; knew when he had enough, and would never be a drunkard, and that he would not sign away his liberty." He too, was an apprentice, had "difficulty" with his master, and left him. Another "difficulty" caused him to leave the second and third places. At twenty-one he was a drunkard; in two years more he was a sot. One cold night last winter, he pawned his poor coat for a pint of rum to a rum seller, a "member in good standing" in a Presbyterian church. He drank more than half of it immediately. He was turned out of the bar-room, and next morning, about half a mile distant was found a stiffened corpse, sitting by a fence in the road, and his bottle nearly empty by him. Young reader, see the difference! and most of all see what led to the difference. We kindly ask you, what course you will pursue respecting intoxicating drinks and temperance societies?