Taking Chloroform

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 3, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 14.

Taking Chloroform.

HUMAN nature needs a strong reign and a steady driver, and constant watchfulness is needful lest we enter into temptation. When a sudden surprise of fear entangled Peter, the old Galilean boatman reasserted himself, and he denied, and lied, and cursed, and swore. Wine and strong drink loosen men's tongues, and liberate all the evil of their natures. Any agent which paralyzes will, and destroys consciousness and self-control, is liable to lead to developments which may surprise the beholders.

The Wesleyan Advocate tells of two ministers who were neighbors and friends, to one of whom, Mr. A, it became necessary to administer chloroform. "During the delirium of waning consciousness, he used very unclerical language, even doing as 'the army in Flanders' is said to have done. Sometime afterward, the other preacher, Mr. S, dislocated his thigh-bone, and the surgeon advised the use of chloroform. The patient objected, saying he had tried to live right, from his youth up, and would rather suffer than now, in his old age, to put it in the power of any agent to make him disgrace the cause he loved so much, and which he had spent his life in trying to promote.

"The reasoning, pro and con., I need not repeat. But the surgeon prevailed. Mr. S inhaled the chloroform. The surgeon being cautious, and not willing to kill any one, even with chloroform, used minimum quantities. The intended effect was not speedily induced. While inhaling and waiting the patient talked on, about in these words: 'I don't think you will succeed, doctor; I don't think you will succeed. I don't think you will succeed,—succeed—succeed—ceed—ceed—ceed.'

"After awhile he began again, 'Doctor, I don't think you will succeed.'—'Why, Mr. S, the bone is already reduced; lay your hand on it, and feel.' He felt, and exclaimed, 'Wonderful! wonderful! thank the Lord. But how did I behave?' 'Beautifully, touchingly—you sang, and preached, and prayed, and called up mourners; you gave us a little of the best of everything.'

"Now, what is the key to this difference in two good men? Mr. A lived irreligiously, acquiring bad habits, to mature age. But Mr. S became pious in boyhood, and lived consistently all his life."

Those who think to pursue a course of sin for years, and finally become Christians at the end, little know the power and permanence of evil habits. A tree was once broken down by the wind, but it was found on examination that it had been cracked many years before, and straightened up and healed; but when the strain came it broke in the old crack. A broken bar of iron usually shows an old, rusty flaw; and many a broken-down man may trace the final wreck of his life to the result of sins indulged in years before.—The Safeguard.