Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-08-16

law passed prohibiting any evil, the legisla- I
ture must be convinced that majority Of
the people over whom it has control, are de-
sirous Of having such prohibitory act passed.
In regard to the laws prohibiting horse-rac-
ing, gambling, the sale Of lottery tickets,
the exhibition Of circuses. stealing, forgery,
arson, and murder, they were not enacted
until the legislatures were convinced the
public good required it, and that the public |
would sustain them.
Now, in regard to what may be done to
do away the sin Of intemperGnce. l will
suggest feU things. 1. We can let intox-
icating drinks alone, ourselves, and endeav-
or to persuade Others to follow our example
and you know example, in any case, is more
powerful than precept alone. 2. We can
continue to demonstrate with those who
traffic in the article, and not get discouraged
If they don't cease selling it as soon as we
wish. 8. Temperate drinkers, especially
those who are professors Of religion, can
search the scriptures thoroughly, and there
they may find that he who knowingly tempts
his neighbor to sin, is as guilty as he who
yields to the temptation; and by examining
the path which all travel who become drunk
ards, they may learn that while they use
strong drink temporarily, they tempt their
weaker brethren to get drunk. As one proof
that we are considered guilty in causing
others to sin, will refer you to the case OF
Jeroboam and his household, LIST Kings,
18th Chap, beginning at the 25th verse;
"And Nadab, the son Of Jeroboam, began to
reign over Israel, and he did evil in the sight
Of the Lord, and walked in the way of his
father, and in this sin, wherewith he made
Israel to sin. And Baasha, the son of
Ahijah, Of the house Of Issachar, conspired
against him, and slew him, and reigned in
his stead. And il came to pass when he
reigned, that he smote all the house Of Jer-
oboam: he left not to Jeroboam any that
breathed, until he bad destroyed MIN, &C
eording to the saying Of the Lord, because
Of the sins Of Jeroboam which he sinned,
and which he made Israel TO SIM"
Does not this show that Jeroboam was
considered his brothers. keeper? and that he
was punished for setting an example that
caused others to sin2 Now tellyou who
are professors Of religion, and who still use
Intoxicating liquors temporarily, that it
riH not do. You must not keep this hiding
place for drunkards to shelter themselves
under: Perhaps you now think it does you
good, while in health. Iftbat is the case,
must say believe you are deceived and if
you will let il alone until appetite is wean-
ed, believe you will acknowledge your
error. But admitting it did do you good in
health, is it not your duty to dispense with
the use Of il, for the benefit Of Others For
If profsssed christians will not deny them
selves the qualification of appetite, for the
good Of their fellow men, who shall we look
to, to make the sacri6ce2 I ASK again, who
shall we look to for example, Some peo-
pie say they always had an appetite for rum.
presume they think 90, but they don't
know how many times they got drunk
before they could run alone. Sweetened
liquor has been thought good to still worry
ing children, because il makes them so
quiet, and they will sleep so nicely. Here,
in my opinion, many appetites are formed.
You may take troublesome man, and get
him drunk, and he will be very quiet awhile.
How nicely he sleeps! Rum must be good
because it makes the man so quiet!
9TH. Mothers and fathers too, can read the
injunction of king Lemuel's mother, Prov.
Slst chapter, "Itis not for kings, o Lemuel,
il is not for kings to drink wine, nor for
princes strong drink; Lest they drink anG
forget the law, and pervert the judgment of
the afflicted" How I would ask, is il any
more safe for others to drink than for kings ?
You can point out to your children the dan
ger Of using strong drink, and enjoin itupon
them to teach il to their children, so that if
those on the stage now cannot be reclaimed.
the next generation may be free from this
sin. U.s.. -@-' '.@ So. - = >.~ -. -.
5th. If all protesting christians would
clear their skirts Of the guilt of selling and
using alcoholic liquors, as common drink,
il would give the giant, alcohol, the sever
est blow he has ever had. Then let pro-
fessed christians do their duty. Let all who
do not profess religion, but are friends to the |
cause Of humanity, do theirs. As fast as
people become convinced Of the propriety of
prohibiting the traffic in strong drink by law,
let them speak out, and let the Legislature !
know what they want. II one man wants
ardent spirits only prohibited, let him ask
Tor that. IL others, being acquainted with
the wiles OF the enemy, and knowing the
Inherent coats he wears, ,oa,t all i,ltori-