A Rum-seller's Story by Exchange

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 28, 1883

A Rum-seller's Story.

By Exchange

A MAN named Stacy, the owner of a splendid drinking saloon in New York, signed the pledge lately and closed his house. Hearing that a party of lads had formed themselves into a temperance society, he went to them and gave them his experience as a rum-seller. We repeat some of his recollections for our larger audience:—

"I sold liquor," said Mr. Stacy, "for eleven years—long enough for me to see the beginning and end of its effects. I have seen a man take his first glass of liquor in my place, and afterwards fill the grave of a suicide. I have seen man after man, wealthy and educated, come into my saloon who cannot now buy his dinner. I can recall twenty customers, worth from one hundred thousand dollars, who are now without money, place, or friends."

He warned boys against entering saloons on any pretext. He stated that he had seen many a young fellow, member of a temperance society, come in with a friend and wait while he drank. "No, no," he would say, "I never touch it. Thanks all the same." Presently rather than seem churlish, he would take a glass of cider or harmless lemonade. "The lemonade was nothing," said the rum-seller, "but I knew how it would end. The only safety, boys, for any man, no matter how strong his resolution, is outside the door of the saloon." —Exchange.