A Visit to the Poor Drunkard’s Home (2 of 2)

Abstract

This article from the The Band of Hope Review, Jan., 1851, is a form of ‘documentary exposé’ which was common in temperance propaganda. Interestingly, this was the first issue of a magazine for children, showing what was to be one of the main strands of content, the sensational. The image draws on the motif of the squalid room empty of household items, which had been established by Cruikshank in The Bottle four years before.

His bad companions, he trusted too much to himself, and did not seek earnestly for Divine strength. He still pleaded for a little drink! although he frequently found that the little led to much. The Almighty bore along with him, but it was of no avail. He again gave way to constant drinking, notwithstanding that the cholera was raging in the neighbourhood. One the last Sabbath that he lived, he was int eh public house, and with a fearful oath declared that the cholera could not touch him. “Verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth”. He was almost immediately smitted by the pestilence which he had just been ridiculing. He was carried to his desolate-looking home and within twenty-four hours was a LIFELESS CORPSE. “He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy.” Let this case act as a caution. The poor many whose end we have narrated, was once a find promising youth, and might have become a man of talent and usefulness but for his Intemperance On inquiry we found that when a child he had been indulged with the “bottoms” of his father’s glass. From this apparently trivial circumstance a taste for liquor was early formed, which strengthened with advancing years, and was never quenched until he was arrested by the cold grasp of death.

“He that being often reproved… shall suddenly be destroyed.” – Prov. XXIX. 1.
“The way of transgressors is hard.” – Prov. XIII. 15

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A Friend has written to us recommending a series of easier Bible Questions, for younger children, for which he offers 10s. towards prizes – We are disposed to adopt his suggestion, and accept his kind offer. Who says “Yes?”

We have to return our thanks to numerous friends who have addressed us in terms of approbation. To those who have kindly presented a copy of the Paper to the Sabbath-school Teachers in their localities, we are particularly obliged.

A. Howell, Gloucester. G.R. Gill, Ipswich. If all our readers will copy your example, we shall soon have to rejoice over a large circulation in Sabbath Schools. Please to persevere.

G.A.B. We shall probably require a new block for our title next year, and will carry out your suggestion.

T. Howard, E. Moore, G. Budd, T. Hodgson, R. Watson, S. Thompson, R. Fox, J. P. Draper, W. Gaisford, F. Atkin. Received with thanks. We regret that we have not space this month.

Our communications are becoming so numerous, that we should be disposed to issue the Review fortnightly, instead of monthly, if such a course would meet with the general approval of our readers.

LONDON:- PARTRIDGE & OAKEY.
DUBLIN- J. Robertson.
EDINBURGH – Messrs. Oliphant. GLASGOW – G. Gallie.

Sold by TWEEDIE, Wellington Street, Strand; HORSELL, Paternoster Row; and WOODLEY, Fore Street, London; ACKLAND, & COOK, Bristol; KERSHAW, Leeds; PENNEY, Darlington; YOUNG, Leighton Buzzard, and all Booksellers in Town and Country.