Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-11-12
New Series---Vel. Iii, No. l.

or perniciouso
Now, in the face of all this testimony
from the best authors, some men will make
use of that substance which causes disease
and death, for the purpose of curing dis
ease and prevention of death, thus sane
tioning the greatest curse that ever afflicted
our country. DR.. Sewall, Professor of
Anatomy and Physiology in Columbian
College, Washington City, says: "Appeal
to the medical profession of the coun-
try, and ask them to correct the false idea
which so extensively may say, almost
universally prevails, viz that ardent spir-
it is sometimes necessary in the treatment
of disease. This opinion has slain its
thousands and its tens of thousands, and
multitudes of dram drinkers daily shelter
themselves under its delusive mask. Ap-
peal then to the medical profession, and
they will tell you-eyery independent,
honest, sober, intelligent member of it will
tell you-that there is no case in which
ardent spirit must be used, and for which
there is not an adequate substitute. But
| entreat my professional brethren not to
be content with giving mere assent to
this truth. You hold station in society
which gives you commanding influence
on this subject; and if you will but raise
your voice and speak out boldly, you may
exert an agency in this matter which will
bring down the blessings of unborn mil
lions upon your memory. Carry the sub
ject into our Sunday Schools. Let the
rising generation be protected but for few
years, and the present race of drunkards
will have disappeared from among us"
Such, ladies and gentlemen, is the voice
of an honorable Professor of Medicine, and
/ would to God they were all like him in
this respect
The Bible requires us to present our
bodies living sacrifice, holy and accepta-
bic, unto God to purify ourselves even az
he is pure; to give no offence to abstain
from the least appearance of evil-whether
we eat or drink, CT whatsoever we do, to
do all to the glory of God Any indul-
gence, therefore, not consistent with these
rules, is rebellion against the Great Law
giver, and must disqualify us for standing
in the judgment The use of such liquor,
instead of enabling us to present our bodies
living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, ac-
tually degrades, and prematurely destroys
both soul and body 1t is incompatible
with that eminent holiness to which you
are commanded to aspire. 1t is utterly in
consistent with anything like high spiritual
enjoyment, clear spiritual views, or true
devotion, On this principle of abstinence
we may account, in part, for that holy
ecstacy, that amazing clearness ofspiritual
vision sometimes enjoyed on the deathbed
!" Administer nothing" said the eloquent
dying Summerfeld, "that will create a stu
por, not even SO much as a little porter and
water, that | may have an unclouded view"
For the same reason the great DIR. Rush,
who so well knew the effect of strong
drink, peremptorily ordered it not to be
given him in his last hours. And it is re-
corded that the dying SAVIOR, when offer
ed swine mingled with myrrh, receiced
It not" | echo their sentiments, and pray
God that my spirit, in the hour of death,
may go to its God sober-thae the guilt of
sending me into eternity in stimulated,
intoxicated state, may not rest upon the
skirts of the medical profession, as is, alas,
too often the case! The truly wise will
not barter visions of glory for mere animal
excitement and mental stupefaction.
The use of any alcoholic preparation is
inconsistent with the sacred honor and dis
cipline of the Church it is inconsistent
with the hope of reforming and saving the
incorporate, and thus shows a aoaut OF lose
to souls. The Christian knows that drunk
ards cannot inherit eternal life All agree
that total abstinence is the only hope; and
by total abstinence mean the fullest ac-
ceptation of the term, viz: never let it
enter the door of your mouth for any con-
sideration, nor under any circumstance.
But is it not preposterous to expect him to
abstain if he sees the minister taking it
home in broad daylight for himself and
little ones, and when the elder, the deacon,
and other respectable men indulge in their
cups. If, then, the drunkard be worth sa-