Self-control 329 



But later Dr. Bachman broke his chains. With 

 his indomitable will, he could not, without con- 

 tinued struggle, remain a slave to a habit he 

 deplored. 



At the close of the war, (1865), he wrote to Mr. 

 R. G. C., a member of his congregation, thanking 

 him for sundry useful and valuable gifts. 



" My heart is overflowing with gratitude, more 

 than language can express. I ought to suffer with 

 the community around me and I have not suffered 

 in proportion with others. One thing, however, I 

 have done, I have practiced a little more self-denial. 

 I had been a snuff-taker for forty years, and I had 

 tried three times to wean myself from the vice. I 

 have done it effectually now, and my snuff-box is 



lying idle in my daughter C 's desk ; so I use 



neither spirits nor tobacco in any form." 



This was nine years before his death. He never 

 once again " opened and tapped his box/' proffered it 

 to a friend, or took a friendly pinch from his neigh- 

 bor's snuff-box. 



