Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-11-22

now it is perfectly impotent to keep
them from ruin. They have none of
the strength or prudence by which 9TH
ers have been enabled to keep their place.
They have no anchor to drop, nor skill
at the oar. They yield and go down and
perish. But where must we look for the
prime cause OF this destruction To
those whose example enticed them into
the way-the example Of prudent drink
ers.
Such, unquestionably, was the inAu-
ence by which great portion of those
now Incorporate were first drawn into
the snares of death. 1t is not as many
suppose, the odious example Of those al
ready under the dominion of intemper-
ate habits, by which others are seduced f;
the operation Of such disgusting prece-
dents is rather on the side of entire alb
stinence from the means of their de-
basement. But it is to the honor given
the degrading cup, by those who can
drink without what is cor sidered excess
that we must ascribe; in great degree,
the first seduction of all who receive the
ultimate wages of intemperance.
. Again: Entire abstinence from strons
drink should be the rule of all because
to one in health, it neUer does good; but OF
the contrary, 1t alDays fits uery nature,
does harm. We know the general idea
that hard labor, and cold weather, and /;
hot sun demand its use, that little t.
/ stimulate the appetite, and little t,
: help digestion, and a little to compos,
} US to sleep, and little to refresh u
i when fatigued, and little TO enliven u
: when depressed, is very useful, if no
r necessary. And we know how 500
d so many little matters make a great a
S mount. We have often been called
# "behold how great matter little fir
o kindleth." A more unfounded idea ne1
y er was adopted, than that man il
a health can need such medicine. Is ther
s any nourishment in drinking alcohol p
e About as much as in eating fire.
+ But. why, should not the opinions {
= physicians suffice on this point9 If W
O take their advice as to what will cure L
: when sick, why not also as to what wi
: injure US when well3 The first medic,
r men throughout the land 10 not MOI
: perfectly agree, that to breathe foul a
d mosphere is pernicious, than that the US
d of strong drink, in any quantity. is hur
full. .abstain entirely, is their loud an
'e reiterated advice. Many of them wi
ir even maintain that it can easily an
IS proftably be dispensed with in medicine
> But how speaks experience on th
'e head? Who works the longest und,
-e the sun of August, or stands the irme
y against the winter, or abides the safe
J. amidst abonnding disease, or arrives la
k a! the infrmities of old age? The e,
ir pertinent of total abstinence has bee
4 fairly tried in thousands of cases, +
Id those who once imagined they mu
re drink little every day and invariab
s. have they borne a grateful testimony
it its happy effects.upon the health of the
y bodies, and the peace of their minds
O. Farms are titled, harvests gathere
of ships built, companies of militia parad
be associations of firemen labor, fishermi
S; standtheir exposure, the student trir
e. his lamp, the hungry eat their brea
"a and the weary take then rest, with
tie debt of thanks 10 the aid Of the dist
ms lery.
nd ITO be concluded in our nert.