, 1844-03-16

OF human happiness. that Satanic IN
genuity has ever yet forged in the re
gions below. 1t is the most finished
production if diaboIicai cunning, to
accomplish the aims of its maIevo.
Ience, with which humanity has ever
been scourged. 1t is no wayward
conjecture, that if the archives of the
INTERVALS could be explored, it would
be found recorded upon their ada
mantine pages that he who first de.
vised the scheme Of intcmperance as
a means Of charging the dominions
Of his king, was hoRored as having
out-deviiied hic cOmpecrs. and earned
4 more distinguished infamy as the
reward Of his maIign discovery.
lntemperance, TO change the meta
phor,) is a curse that, in the heart and
centre of civilization, has reared its
colossal form TO heaven, until lis
shadows have darkeHed the borders
Of heaihenism itself; nothing is per-
mittcd to bloom or flourish within It's
Gcath-dispensIng ~shaie-its approach
wiihcrs, ITS presence blasts, its touch
dcsiroys-it is the lighting, burning.
maddenirg. consuming spirit Of evil;
the wee Of all woes. the curse Of ali
other curses which aiilict the world
Without one favorable aspect to re-
deem it from unqualified execration,
We behold it the perfect ideal of de-
formity, hatefuiness. and sin; and to
aggravate the maturity of lis ugli-
ness, it is voluntary, seli-inilicted.
But we may derive, still further
light Upon this point, by answering
the question, where may it be found?
i is not, then, in pagan Elhcopia,
Shrouded, in the darkdness of intel
!ectual midnight that we shall see it.
The wild, unGisciplined Barbarian
whom we so much commiseratc, is in
a state Of thrice blessed Ignorance up
this point OF civilized refinement.
Nor can we find It among vagrant
Arabs, wandering through moral and
material deSerts.--the crude teachings
of the Mosiem faith are still sufficient
10 mterdlct this primary breach of
moral and religious obligation. Nor
vet IN benighted BurmaH, lost in the
tarnomiesS abyss OF the most hidcous
heaihenism, shall we seek it success
fully. We shuider with Instructive
horror 4. the recital Of their practices.
but they can produce nothing to
match this custom OF ours. TIE
wretched idolater pleads the COM
mand OF heaven in defence of his
wldow-burning rites; bot the widow
Strengthening institutions Q! Christianl-
anIty clam NO such authority for
their perpetu;ty. No; mtemperance
is pre- eniInent!y tine VICE of Christen
dom, and it llourishes luxurIantly IN
the soil of the Repubiic-the nation
of freedom, law anu self-governmcnt;
the country OF schools, universities,
Semln&ries and churches; of teachers
and ministers, newspapers and books
in The midst OF all the multiplied
and cDncurrlng influences, embraced
by the highest state Of Christian CIV
Illzation. When we reflect that this
appalling evil Is not an infection OF
Infinite wrath upon weak and inpo-
tent beings, but that mai in the full
freedom OF choice draws it down up
his own head, that he, and not his
Maker, is the author OF the curse;U
is then that we arc conscious Of the
possibility OF Its removal. Ii its vast
ness, considered alone, would forbid
human effort 10 attempt the task OF
It's overthrow, the fact That II IS Of
mans creation, subject to his will, en-
courages US 10 Continue cur cxert!on
for lis removal.