Note 29 — Chapter V · (continued 2)
Reading edition
The influence of the drinking habits of the people on the fierceness of the opposition to Salutistes is illustrated by the following facts:—
During the first week of the work at Neuchâtel two men were observed in the meetings who manifested extreme opposition. One evening while Mme. Chabal was speaking, one of them jumped up in a towering rage, and, shaking his fist at her, cried, “You old viper! I shall make you pay dearly for that!” and left the hall in a violent passion, still shouting his threats in the street. This poor man lost his place as bailiff through drunkenness a few days later, and on Sunday, 26th August, he fell from the second story of a house in Beaume, and died several hours after from the injuries received in his fall.
A workman who had distinguished himself by his furious attacks upon the Salvationists and those who attended the meetings in the Mont Blanc Hall, several weeks after, when ascending a flight of steep stone steps in a state of intoxication, fell backwards, broke his neck, and was taken up dead.