The Delaware herald., 1854-06-28
Extract from lIr. Coughs Lecture
Before the Young Mems Christian Association
in London:

0sJV'c1 1sS &V0H5 &uSW NHTtSItuB ASSOCJutIOW
M IN London:
81 am not going to give you an address full
of my tavorlte theme, but | must speak of it,
must speak of it before this assembly, for
never shall see you again till we meet on that
day when we shall see things as they are. Let
me speak OF one habit which, in its power, and
influence, and fascination, seems to rear its
head like Goliah or Saul above all its kindred
agencies of demoralzation-I allude to the
habit of using intoxicating liquors as a beger-
age, until that habit becomes fascination.
"But allow me to give my opinions upon
these points freely. | consider drunkenness
not only moral evil, but also a physical evil. |
physical evil: and it depends great deal
more upon the temperament and constitution,
and disposition of the young man whether, if
he falls into the drinking usages of society, it
becomes habit or not, more than it does in his
strength of mind or firmuess of purpose. Here
is an illustration which have used more than
once, and when find better, will give it up.
Take three young men-place them in the
same position in society-in the same estab-
lIshment-and | will ask you which Of the three
is most liable to form the habit of drinking in
tOxicating liquors Let me describe them:
ave often meet men amongst us of a cold
phlegmatic temperament; they seldom laugh or
|
other people, but are moderate in all their
manifestations. Constitutionally moderate men.
They have always been moderate, and always
will be. They are very much like lot of tunes
boxed up in a barrel organ. Turn the handle
and you get the tunes without variation for
twenty years, save perhaps, few cracks in the
notes-nothing else (aughter). That mans
temperament stands between him and exc cess-
He always wants Joke explained to him before
he appreciates it. He is moderate in his aflec-
IONS, and it is very hard te offend him. Sharp
indeed must be the arrow which can penetrate
the thick bosses of his impenetrability. This
man may use intoxicating liquors without inju-
ry. | am not speaking, observe, of converted
men. / read in the Christian Almanac the
other day of an old gentleman who said TO his
friend, :" have drunk bottle of wine day
for twenty years, and have enjoyed good
health" "Ah!' said his friend, "but whese
; are your companions!" "Oh :" was the reply,
81 have buried six generations of them"
ayes, young men, that's it (hear, hear. Let
, many here tonight look back upon the fate of
the companions of their youth, let the long
hngersof the memory draw into that memory S
{ chamber the forms of those dear friends, and
how many would they find have gone to death
and destruction through bad habit working
with an easy temperament!
Take another man. He shall be close-fst-
: ed, and mean, and shabby. He shall be of a
calculating turn of mind, always looking out
for the main chance. Such an one as he, who
g upon certain season, got up before Chris
tian congregation at Albany. New York, anC
e boasted how cheap it had been to him to be the
n member of Chr r,stan church. Brethren
n said he, 81 am happy to say have been "a mem
Der of this church for ten years, and that il cos
me but two shlllings." (Laughter.) The min
u lster who heard this, rose, and addressing him
r said, "Then the Lord have mercy upon you
of poor stingy SOUL" (Laughter.)
IS "Take third young man, and he shall b.
N full of fire and poetry. He shall be of ner
:, vous temperament, and generous heart; fond o
y society, and open and manly in everything h.
I, does. Every one loves him. That is the maj
2 most liable to become incorporate. he enter
/ into the outer circle of the whirlpool, an
:. throws care to the winds. There he thinks t
stay but he gets nearer and nearer to the fata
a' guilt, until he is suddenly swept into the vorte
We before he dreamed of danger. This thing
al habit, comes gradually. Many man who ha
ar acquired a habit but does not exactly procee
- to excess, is rescued SIMPLY by possessing cel
'" tain physical qualities which his poor unfortu
Ill nate friend had not. You say you are not sue
g, fool as to become drunkard. So he though
90 like" as if he at first had not the power
leave it off when he liked You say, al hav
~ too much pride in myself, too much sef-respect
ls as it he were not once as proud as you. Th
nd The way men acquire this habit, is by lookln
Is. on those who proceed to excess, as natural
a inferior to themselves. The difference betwee
you and drunkard is just-that you wou
9st leave off the habit, but wont; he would vii
all his heart and soul, but cannot. will pl
the strength of the habit to the test. You st
20 you can leave it off when you please. Now
know you can, and that this is said with rega
to the acquiring of this, and OF all bad habit
~ A man, smoking two or three cigars day, say
al can throw it away when I've a mind to-
ck When hear young men saying this, almo
make up my mind that they never lntend
-. give it up. The power of habit is gradual
80 increasing and destroying your powers of se
AK control. Samson was bound three times, a
when he heard the cry, "The Phllistines a
ter upon thee, Samson," three times he burst
70 bonds. But he fell into Delllahs hands,
laid his head on her knees, and she took off |
locks. Then came the cry, "The Phi1istin
are upon thee, Samsou," and he arose and va
for al will go out and shake myself" but
ore strength was gone. God pity you, young rnt
al If ever you begin to feel the letters of e
habit CALLING you, and you go out to burst the
and md LneIn Weloeu lron panus, eatlng lr
the marrow until you cry out in agony Of spil
aWho shall deliver me from the slavery of e
mia habits Z" A mans power to do q thing
fol- valueless unless he have the will to exerc
law that power. Suppose lay myself on the ira
)ne OF the railway. You come to rouse me, an
ant; say, +" You mind your own business am
was fool enough to be run over; can get up wh
the choose" train comes laundering ale
rse- and cuts my body in two! Why, ain a D,
1 as murderer! had the power and the warnir
tive and go before God, a suicide! | tell y
vim young men, that while the power Of a bad ha
wdi strips you OF nerve, and energy, and freshn
OF feeling, 1t does not destroy your respoI
ass bility. You are accountable for every pow
ven and TALENT and influence of position. Althor
sofa the power of evil habit destroys your power
The good, you are as accountable for it an if ]
had put u forth, and ien, too late, you will
II hn ni -a1.. La