Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-08-13
DUlmme Z
Power to Resist Evil.

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MEN often boast of their power TO resist
evil, and express wonder at their felIowman
being SO easily overcome by strong drink
We have heard this again and again. and
the vain man boasts that he could always re-
strain himself within proper limits of induI-
gence-that the appetite for strong drink
could never overcome his moral strength
that he could take his glass when he pleased
and incur no risk of ever being a drunkard.
Ihls is all an erroneous theory: we have
lived long enough to have seen men who. a
few years ago, boosted in this manner. and
today, are confirmed and almost homeless
drunkards.
We believe it is a conceded physiological
truism that there is in the constitu ton of
man a latent thirst for stimulation, capable
of being aroused by qualification to a contin-
ual and unlimited demand for nervous and
cerebral excitation. 1t is a dangerous ele-
ment In our natures-one that is capable of
developing our worst physical and brutal
passions, and, at the same time, destroying
/ cur best moral perceptions.
But, says the young man eager after SEN
/ sual qualification, l can indulge in the mod
e crate use of intoxicating beverages without
htgunaiItg aAy rsk ofpermanent nJA-Ia am !,
r strongI can resist evil will stop short
d Of danger-am | a brute that you would curb
me with moral obligations ? There is dan
IF ger at every step in the indulgence. Wee
d 1t necessary, we might direct the attention.
lie OF the reader to many bright stars that have
become dim and fell from the galaxy Of
= science and letters through the influence of
Id strong drink, but we prefer to turn the rea-
k der's eye around the circle of his own obser-
Walton. Look and see. Is there no one that
thought himself stronghold you thought
n strong-that all thought possessed great pow
la er to resist evil, who has proved himself
,f- weak at last by being overcome by the enc
my and sunk under the insiduous slabs of
ley his daily assaults? No matter what NAV be
M the mans moral strength, if he begins to
I'VE crafty that inherent desire for stimulants he
ich runs the risk of awakening a thirst in his DO.
som that all the waters of a thousand Ke
drons cannot quench. Ere he is aware Of
it, the little spark in his breast has been fan.
ass ned into a fame-the very thought of hi
Dor grog parches his lips with a burning thirst
he may struggle against it, but the dragon
the of the wine-cup pinions him fast-presse
him down with an iron heel-and he is hur
Of a ried on, on, on in a wild, maddening caree
lers of excitement until his blasted mortalit
vii sinks exhausted in the grave, and his immol
ting tai part realizes the truths of a ~drunkard
int eternity
for The only safety is in absolute abstinenC
that from all intoxicating beverages. Say whi
pom you please about this being an evidence
hole weakness and mans distrust in his own abb
SEN ty to resist evil-call him a coward if yo
ain will, but the man who tastes intoxicating
;, by quors at all runs the fearful risk of dying
the drunkard. Is this too puritanical? VI
sr in warn you of the danger, and urge you to r
tuck sist evil from the first, lest when you beg
you may find it too late to overcome. Tou,
the not-taste not, and you are safe. \