s to salutary impressions. I was, at this time, deeper in
degradation than at any period before which I can remember.

My custom now was to purchase my brandy--which, in consequence of my
limited means, was of the very worst description--and keep it at the
shop, where, by little and little, I drank it, and continually kept
myself in a state of excitement.

This course of procedure entirely unfitted me for business, and it not
unfrequently happened, when I had books to bind, that I would instead
of attending to business keep my customers waiting, whilst in the
company of desolute companions I drank during the whole day, to the
complete ruin of my prospects in life. So entirely did I give myself
up to the bottle that those of my companions who fancied they still
possessed some claims to respectability gradually withdrew from my
company. At my house, too, I used to keep a bottle of gin, which was
in constant requisition. Indeed, go where I would, stimulant I must
and did have. Such a slave was I to the bottle that I resorted to it
continually, and in vain was every effort which I occasionally made to
conquer the debasing habit. I had become a father; but God in his
mercy removed my little one at so early an age that I did not feel the
loss as much as if it had lived longer, to engage my affections.

A circumstance now transpired which attracted my attention, and led me
to consider my situation, and whither I was hurrying. A lecture was
advertised to be delivered by the first reformed drunkard, Mr. I. J.
Johnson, who visited Newburyport, and I was invited by some friends,
who seemed to feel an interest, to attend and hear what he had to say.
I determined after some consideration to go and hear what was to be
said on the subject. The meeting was held in the Rev. Mr. Campbell's
church, which was pretty well crowded. I went to the door, but would
go no farther; but in the ten minutes I stood there, I heard him in
graphic and forcible terms depict the misery of the drunkard and the
awful consequences of his conduct, both as they affected himself and
those connected with him. My conscience told that he spoke the
truth--for what had I not suffered! I knew he was right, and I turned
to leave the church when a young man offered me the pledge to sign. I
actually turned to sign it; but at that critical moment the appetite
for strong drink, as if determined to have the mastery over me, came in
all its force. Oh, how I w