The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-01-27

Tie WoSt HdTUeueu cannot lalI 10 Oe SCrucK
with the manifestations which they give of
generous, kindly, and affectionate natures.
From the Journal of Health.
ABSTINENCE AND TEMPERANCE. Alb
stnence is said to be of easier practice than
temperance. We can, by moderate eff
fort, forbear entirely from an indulgence;
but to partake of it in moderation, is task
of infinite difficulty. 1t follows, of course,
therefore, that where there is manifest
danger from our adopting particular prac-
tlce,the possible advantages which may acct
dentally grow out of it ought to be not only
evident but manifold. Is this the case with
spurious, vinous. and malt liquors, and OTTO
bacco? Are the occasional benefits so equiv
ocal and permanent in their nature as to in
duce us to incur the risk of the penalty for
excess? Do our feelings of bodily health
and comfort, and of mental serenity, or our
prospects of life, and the countenance OF
friends, become of more enduring nature
by this habit? To each and all of these
questions, the reply is clearly and unhesi
tatingly in the negative. Ought the fear of
seeming to be dull and unsocial, among
boon companions and merry tiplers, induce
us, even against our taste and inclination,
to sip from the sparkling glass and eventu-,
ally acquire forced relish for drinks,
which from daily experience, we know to
cause the death OF thousands of our fellow
beings? If we cannot stop when we will,
and who dare say that we can stop, and re-
main impassive to the goading of lmperious
Habit, why in the name of reason, virtue
and humanity, should we ever consent to
be guided by her ?-especially when the
utmost advantage that can be promised,
is an occasional forgetfulness of self-a
perversion and debasement of the nobler
faculty of our nature. Let parents mediate
this question profoundly, when they allow,
and even teach, their children to drink
wine from their glass, Or sip the few drops
left in that of their guest; or, because
the little things are puny and delicate,
measures them out an allowance of weak
brandy and water, or porter. Let them re-
| fleet on the consequences of attempting to
overcome the natural timidity and awk-
wardness of youth by persuasion to drink
the health of this lady, or that gentleman,
or totoast the political chief, or celebrated
wit OF the day. Would they see pictured,
before them, with more than mimic power,
the scenes which, by neglect of this eau
ton, they are preparing the future man to
act, they have but to step to the window
opening to the street or.highway, there they
will see figure Keeling along in all the
decriptude of age, without its years-the
senselesness of idiotism, without its harm
lessness-the sport of the idle, and pity of
the thoughful-in fine, confirmed drunkard
Alas! how many very many, when suffer
ing the torments brought on by vicious hab-
its, acquired in early life, can, even though
they spent years in their parental home,
eXclaim:
"--No mothers care
Shielded my infant innocence with prayer:
No fathers guardian hand my youth MAINTAINED,
Call d forth my virtue, or from vice RESTRAINED
This was the lament of the poet who had
never known father or mother. How much
more profound must it be of those who have
had the society ofboth without the admoni-
tons of either?
Show me man who is most carefully do
ing all the duties which the Bible requires
of him, and with the spirit it requires, and |
wish not to inquire what he believes. |
want no other evidence of his genuine faith
| than his benevolent and devoted heart; his
consistent and active life. For only genu-
inc faith could thus purify his affections,
and enable him to overcome the world
and exercise SO Transforming an influence
upon his whole character. On the other
hand, shew me man who lives for the world
suplemely; who regards the things which
are his own, exclusively; who is selfish and
worldly IN all his conversation and deport-
ment, manlfesting no conceIn for his own
immortal interests, nor for those oc his fell
low men, and have evidence enough of his
unbeief,-of his entire restitution of that
faith which is essential to salvation. What
ever he processes to believe, whatever creeds
he may bring forward and advocate as his
own, and as what he views as indispensable
to his eternal well being: his conduct is de-
monstraton that he is an unbeliever. He
has no faith, because there is nothing with
in that works by love, and purifies the heart
and overcomes the world.
The FARMER AND THE BEesAR. A
strong, hearty, lazy fellow, who preferred
begging for a precarious subsistence to
working for sure one, called at the house
| of n blunt Massachusetts farmer, and, and in
the usual language Of his race. asked for,
i" cold victuals and old Clothes" "You
appear to be a stout, hearty looking man,
said the farmer; "what do you do for a
living ?" "Why, not much" replied the
| fellow, "except to travel about from one
place to another" Travelling about, ha ?''
reioine6 the farmer; "can you travel
pretty well?" 20 yes" returned the s:ur.
DIV beggar, "Pm pretty good at that"
"Well them" said the farmer, coolly open
ing the door, "lst's see you travel"
! .Nstp York Constellation