p. 445 | Appetite by John B. Gough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 23, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 28.

Appetite.

By John B. Gough

A GREAT many claim to have the appetite for rum removed. If you ask me if I have, I will answer, I don't know. Desire is all gone, but I don't know if the appetite is or not, and I won't know! Heaven helping me I will never find out, for the only way to test it is to take a drink, and I advise you not to try it. I don't know what appetite is. It is a mysterious something we can't explain. Colonel Blank was a periodical drunkard. He would have a spree, then for a long time let it alone, then his shoulders would begin to twitch and jump, and his friends knew that the appetite was coming on, and he would go off on a lengthened spree again. Finally he became a Christian, and every one rejoiced with his careful walk and consistent life.

He united with the church, and on a certain Sunday was to take his first communion. A friend was talking to one of the deacons on the day of the communion service, and spoke of the Colonel's conversion. "Yes," replied the church officer, "he is to commune with us today for the first time."

"Where do you get your wine for sacramental purposes, deacon?"

"Oh, at any of the stores."

"What!" exclaimed the questioner, "you don't mean to tell me you use the wine of commerce, the alcoholic, intoxicating wine, do you?"

"Why yes; what harm?"

"I would not dare to do it; don't let the Colonel have the cup to-day with that wine; pass him by any way; but don't let him touch his lips to it."

"Oh," replied the deacon, "the Colonel's a Christian now; it won't hurt him."

The hour for the administration came, and the Colonel was there with the rest; grateful friends were made happy with the sight, as he bowed there with tearful eyes for the first time in his life. The cup was passed, and the Colonel's turn came to taste the wine. He raised his head slowly, touched the cup with his hand and raised it reverently to his lips, tasting it, and starting like a man afrighted, quivered from head to foot a half a second, and then clutched the glass and drew it fiercely to his mouth; they tried to tear it away, but in vain; nor would he release his hold, in spite of all their efforts, until the glass was empty. Before night he was drunk, and in ten days was dead!! He died in fearful torment. The appetite was not dead, but slumbering.—John B. Gough.