Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-31
ORIGINAL PAPERS
For the Spirit Of the Age.
THE VICTIM OF T0DDY. :
FOUNDED on FACT.

FOUNDED or FACT.
DIR. Hammond was a skillful Physician
and pious, benevolent man. His patients
were always sure Of his sympathy, as well
as Of his eminent ability to relieve them,
and his earnest faithful endeavours. But
the good Doctor did not hesitate to speak |
his mind plainly when occasion so requi-
red. Many word Of counsel and encour
agement has he spoken, and many whole
some admonition given to the thoughtess
and the wandering He never failed to
warn his patients Of their spiritual as well
as their temporal danger, and there was
one vice which he particularly abhorred,
and unsparingly denounced the love of
strong drink and its degrading consequent,
drunkenness. Against this dreadful evil,
no opportunity was lost by this faith
ful man Of warning, particularly to parents
and guardians, with whom he believed it
rested to form the characters and direct
the destnics of the rising generation.
Doctor Hammond was called one very
cold night to the house of certain trades
man whose infant son was i'll with the
Group All the family aud several neioh-
bors stood around the little sufferer, as it
lay on its mothers knee struggling for
breath Dismay was depicted on every
countenance, at the momentary expecta-
ton Of the king Of terrors.
"Doctor," cried the agonized mother,
"see my child is diving. o, dear Doctor
save my child, don't let my little Tommy
die"
Il shall do all that I'll can, my dear mad
am" said the Doctor, as he seated himself
calmly and took the hand of the child.
"Tommy is very i'll, it is true, but all
things arc possible with God. He has gra-
ciously placed within our reach, remedies
for those fearful diseases and given us the
knowledge to apply them. How thankful
we ought to be for this blessing"
The Doctor said no more, but applied
his remedies, so skllfully and diligently,
that the disease began to yield in very
short time. Gradually the labcred breath,
inc ceased, and the infant reposed in the
pentlest sumher. The Doctor sat watching
the sleeping child, while he did not fail tc
direct the gratitude of its parents to the
true fountain of their present mercy.
"Wel my friends" said he, your chile
is saved, and you must remember, that i
is God who has blessed our efforts in it
behalf; to Him is due your gratitude, ant
trust YOU will prove it by leading the DO.
in the way he should 90 you cannot be
oin too soon, for be assured Satan will seiz
the earliest opportunity TO ensnare him"
After satisfying himself that the chill
was indeed relieved, the Doctor rose to de
part but the father entreated him to b
seated for few moments, and leftthe room
In short time he returned, with pitche
of smoking toddy in one hand and a tun
bier in the other. Advancing to the doc
tor, he said in very respectful and graf,
ful tone of yoice-"I could not think, 81
oflettinr you 90 out into this cold night witt
out something to warm you; especially a
ter all your kindness, sir. Do take drin
Doctor. here is some warm toddy."
81 thank you, Mr.. jenkins" replied Il
Doctor, rather gravely, 81 never take al
kind of strong drink. have never four
that it contributed either to my health
comfort. Besides, consider ardent spir
one Of the deadliest poisons, and the 10
of it one of the vilest propensities whl
mankind has ever been addicted to. The
being my opinions, scrupulously ave
setting my fellow creatures any such IN.
rious example"
"Whv Doctor" exclaimed Mr. Jenki
al did not know you belonged tothe Te
peranco Society. When did you join !.
al am not n member of the Temperar
Society,"" replied the Doctor, for reast
of nv own, unnecessary to speak OF nc
but [ endeavor both by precept and exa
pie, as far as | am able, to live up to
rules Of tho Gospel, If these rules j
been better observed in this Christian la
there would most probably never HI
arisen an occasion for such a combinat
as the Temperance Society. conslde
the bounden duty of every man, won
and child, to carry out Gospel princil
in using the manifold gifts of God,
then there would be no drunkenness
gluttony, or any other excess requirln
combination against such evils. adj
sometimes ardent spirits may be used y
benefit as medicine, (for everything
created for some good puTpose) but t
its use should be directed by some cor
entious physician. assure You SIR IN
long practice, I have metwith comparati
few casesrequiring it." 4.
81 beg your pardon, Doctor" said
Jenkins @when offered you this
dy did not suppose you would tai
seriously. For my part, think now
then little toddy does one good, par