Morning Star

From the Genius of Temperance.

THE DEACON'S JOURNAL
OR DIARY OF A RUM SELLING PROFESSOR OF RELIGION.

Saturday night, Jan. 5. 1828.--I have just cast up my profits for the week, and find that my business is rapidly increasing--profits on liquor alone are sufficient to defray all my family and store expenses. Wonder how men can talk about giving up the sale of ardent spirit, when it is so profitable. For my own part, I feel that I have got a family to provide for: and if I do not look out for them, "I shall deny the faith, and be worse than an infidel," as St. Paul says.

Sunday 6.--Got up bright and early. Could not help thinking that if my shop was open from five to six this morning, I might make at least two or three dollars--sufficient to pay my subscription for the support of my minister. Attended divine service forenoon and afternoon. Wonder what the minister meant, when he said "Christians must set the example and abstain from all ardent spirits." Surely he did not mean to attack my respectable business. If he did I shall resent it. Felt quite gifted in my exhortation in our evening conference: I talked considerable about the depravity of the human heart, and the coldness and lukewarmness of the church-- hoped that we should no longer set such bad examples before the world; for my part resolved to live so no longer. Elder B. looked at me with surprise, and shook my hand and said he was glad to see my remarks so pointed.

Monday 7.--One! two! three! four! five! six glasses marked down to squire N. to-day. He is really an excellent customer. How civil! how agreeable! a year ago he would hardly deign to enter my shop. I saw several rods of his meadow wall broken down to-day, and also, that his house was badly out of repair. Let me see; my mortgage on neighbor B's estate is out in a fortnight. Shall hate to deprive him of his homestead, but justice to my family demands it. Elder B. called upon me to-day, and said he hoped I should carry my good resolutions expressed last evening, into effect. Wonder what he meant.

Tuesday 8.--Neighbor B. sent his boy over with his jug to-day, for a gallon of rum. I could hardly bear to refuse it; but he is owing me now largely on account, and I cannot, for my family's sake, consent to run any more risk in trusting him. Squire N. called as usual to-day--paid up old scores and commenced new. Several new customers--trade increasing.

Wednesday 9.--Neighbor B's wife called to-day--requested an arm full of wood and some meal. Poor woman! I pitied her, she looked so downcast. Said her husband was sick at home: unable to leave his room. Hope he will be able to redeem his farm. Squire N. and young S. called as usual. Business fair.

Thursday 10.--Have been astonished to-day to hear that friend P. the tavern keeper, has knocked down his bar! I always thought P. to be a strange chap, whenever I talked to him about his soul; and this act of his has proved him to be a greater fool than I thought he was. However it will be for my interest. Don't know what men mean when they talk about temperance; sure I am temperate in all things.

Friday 11.--Squire N. and young S. got to fighting in my shop to day, over their glasses; and in the midst of it, the father of young S. entered; gave me what he called a blowing up for my hellish business," and called me by other hard names which I bore with Christian meekness, and then left the shop, dragging his son after him. Am sorry that my neighbor S. got so "miffy"--but can't help it--must look out for my family.

Saturday 12.--Squire N's wife and daughter, a beautiful girl of 18, called at my house to-day; begged and entreated me not to sell squire N. any more liquor. Mrs. N. is a sister in the church--how pale and care-worn her countenance is.' She wept bitterly when here--endeavored to console her; but could not promise. Astonishing people should make such absurd requests; as though I was to blame for her husband's misconduct. Neighbor B. crept over to the shop to-day, and begged for a glass. Told him I could not trust; that he must pay me what he owed me, or I should take his property; he wept like a child. Pitied him, but could not help him. Trade increases--must pull down my old store and build larger.

Sunday 13.--Family prayers always on the Sabbath; not time to attend to it week days.-- Squire N. called just as I commenced the service, and wanted me to open the shop and fill his bottle: refused but finally was compelled to oblige him. Attended divine service throughout the day. Conference in the evening; spoke freely upon our duties toward one another, and upon the advantage of having a conscience clear of offence. Saw elder B. and deacon S. look at each other; what can it mean?

Monday 14.--In my shop at day break; found squire N. and young S. at the door. Profits on my bar to-day amount to $9,87 1-2. Mem. Execution on Major B's estate is out Friday--must see it attended to.

Tuesday 15.--A meddling fellow whom they called Hewlet, has been lecturing in the adjoining village on the subject of temperance. Said that a man must have the heart of a fiend to sell ardent spirits. Wonder if he knows I am a professor of religion. Strange he need trouble himself about other folks' business. Squire N. got completely "fuddled" at my shop to-day; had to carry him home; saw his wife weep as though her heart would break; pitied her, but must look out for my family.

Wednesday 16.--Old Capt. P. called to-day; gave a mortgage on his farm, in order to settle my demands against his son Stephen. Said this son had cost him more trouble than all his other children together. Neighbor B's wife came over and begged hard for an armful of wood; said her husband was very low; perhaps could not live. Told her to go to the poor committee; they would assist her. Saw the tears roll rapidly down her pale cheek: conscience troubled me a little, but then I have a family to provide for.

Thursday 17.--Elder B. called to-day; entreated me to give up the sale of liquor. Resented the elder's meddling with my business; told him if he did not keep still I would be revenged. Mem. Must call on the church to-morrow and see if they will allow the elder to insult me.

Friday 18.--Execution against Major B. returned to-day: for want of goods and chattels, arrested the body of the within named def't. Told his son who attempted to talk to me, that his father's imprisonment was just; the boy shed tears. Saw several members of the church, agreed to stand by me.

Saturday 19.--Was called over to see neighbor B. found him dying; could not stay long it was so cold; upbraided me as the cause of his miseries and death. Think he was most wickedly unjust; but then the poor man, he had not his senses. Can't conceive that I am to blame: if I had not sold rum to him others would.

Sunday 20.--Family prayers as usual. Neighbor B's death was announced from the pulpit.--Saw the minister and every one of the congregation look at me. Exhorted in the evening conference as usual; met the eye of squire N's wife and daughter; they looked at me through tears; appeared surprised and agitated.

Monday 21.--Mortgage on neighbor B's estate is out to-day; will not press it until he is buried. Bought the doctor's horse of him to-day and gave him up his notes. A good trade. The doctor appeared to have drank very freely.

Tuesday 22.--Attended B's funeral; was surprised to find his family so very poor; had no idea before that he had pawned his last bed to me; told his wife after the funeral, that she must find some place to move, as the house was mine. Squire N. called as usual to-day; swore a little about the opposition of his wife.

Wednesday 23.--Widow B. removed with her children to the poor house; saw them as they drove past the shop; shall not forget her pale, wan countenance soon; ahem, felt uneasy to deprive her of her home so soon; but then, she was so poor, could be better supported by the town than she could support herself. Elder B. told me to-day, that a man who could oppress the poor was an abomination in the sight of God. Agreed exactly with him on this point; but some how or other he talks too plain on some subjects; what right has he to ask if I have secret prayer? I pray all the time.

Thursday 24.--Stephen P. called to-day and commenced a new account. Told him what his father said. In return, Stephen resolved to get gloriously drunk, as he called it, to pay the old man. Squire N. made seven visits to-day; observed his hand tremble badly. Told him elder B. had insulted me; agreed to stand by me.--Doctor called several times to-day. His custom is increasing.

Friday 25.--Had a temperance tract thrown into my store to-day; confounded insulting.-- Deacon S. said I had injured the cause of religion in my treatment of widow B. told him my conscience was free of offence; had a family to provide for, &c.

Saturday 26.--Widow W. called to see me; entreated me not to sell her son any more liquor; said that he was daily growing worse, and treated his wife and herself with great brutality. Plague on these women and their tears; they think I am alone to blame. Told her I was innocent, did not compel him to drink; if I did not keep it to sell others would; offered to sympathize with her. She called me a cold calculating hypocrite! hard words for her to use: we'll see who'll smart hardest for it. Squire N. and young S. called several times to-day: Peter, the blacksmith commenced a score. Judge D's two sons called and paid up their old account.

(To be continued.)