Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-14
For the Shirt Of the Acc
The Effects Of Alcohol.

Mr.. EDITOR 1t is not my purpose to
give your readers a long or learned article
on the mannerin which alcohol affects the
physical or mental part of man, but to call
attention to the plain fact that it does ruin
both body and mind, and inficts the most
eyere punishment that can be suffered in
this life. l cannot, perhaps, do this bet
ter than by giving the following narrative.
The case came under my own obser-
walton, and | give the facts to the public
by the permission of the %sufferet, who has,I
hope, entirely reformed. 1t is as follows {:
Mr.. -, n man of good character and a
good trade, industrious and quiet as a citi-
zen, unfortunately contracted the habit of
drinking to excess when quite a young
man. Several attempts were made at re-
form, but to little purpose. His friends
did all in their power to reclaim him, but
when the appetite cravcd the beverage, the
admonition Of friends nor his own ~resolu-
lions could prevent its indulgence. Thus
he went on spending several days at a time
in Il state Of intoxication. At last he be-
gan to feel the horrible effects of alcohol
on the nerves and brain. Several DAYS af-
ter he quit one Of his sprees, he suddenly
became extremely fearful. He imagined
that several devils were attending him and
holding their diabolical consultations over
him. In the midst of his fright, he would
ask his friends if they could not hear these
internal spirits as they were around him,
and he would pray with all his power to be
delivered from them. From this short at
tack he soon recovered and remained sober
for sometime. lie again, however, took to
the bottle, and was pretty soon revisited by
his old companions from the lower re-
gions. He now imagined that his life was
soon to end in the most horrid manner
These devils told him that their number
was so great the whole world was under
their care, and was divided into districts and
that by whispering from one to another
they could send a message to any part of
the world in a moments time. They also
told him that Jthfy RaS IS suGp no more,
aud &c no ses~,"d 10 be in n slumber, thew
would summon more help and prevent his
sleeping. In addition to these, there was
a great spirit, which he supposed to be
God, who spoke from above in a voice of
thunder, giving him many orders, which,
though repugnant to his feelings, were
faithfully obeyed. These he supposed to
be given to try his faith. FINALLY his or
ders were SO unreasonable that he disobeved
and then the spirit cursed him, which con.
WINGED him that it was not a good shirt.
and he obeyed no further, which, perhaps
saved his life. And with all this. every
chicken in town was talking to and about
HIM. Let him 60 where he would, all this
host OF disagrecable companions followed,
bidding, directing, discouraging or ridiculinp
and shootingat him great balls of fire, which
would fall near him and burst into flame.
In this miserable condition he spent about
two days, suffering most of the time, more
than he can express. BY good nursing he
was finally restored, and | hope will have
their company no more.
Reader, do you use alcoholic drinks2 If
You do, take warning before you experience
their dreadful effects. See the danger be-
fore you, and shun it by abandoning the
use of all ardent spirits as a beverage, i.
"Look not thou upon the wine when tits red,
when it giveth its color in the cup, when
1t moyeth itself Alright. At the last it
blteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an
adder.'-Proy. xiii. 3l-32. G.