Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-21
..Mtsrellane0ns.
Total Abstinence in the Family.

Total Abstinence in the Family. .
The total disuse of ardent spirits, on
the part of parents, is the only plan OF
safety in bringing mp their children
How many are the parents whose hives
sare cursed with childreR who, were it
mot that " no drunkard hath any in
heritance in the kingdom of God," they
would be relieved to hear were dead!
But how were those children ruined
"Ah, by those corrupting companions;
by that vile dramshop," the parents
would answer. But what first inclin-
ed their way to that house of seduc-
toni BY what avenue did evil asso
ciates first effect a Judgement in those
children's hearts? How many parents
must turn and hook at home for an an
swer! They have not been intemper-
ate but while the tastes and habits of
their children were forming, they used
to drink moderately of ardent spirits.
The decanter containing it had an hon.
orable place on the sideboard and on
tho table. 1t was treated respectful
ly, as a fountain of strength to the fee
BILE, OF r~efreshment to the weary ; and
as perfectly safe When used in node
ration. To offer it to a friend was a
debt of hospitality. Thus the whole
weight of parental example was, en-
,ployed in impressing those children
with a favorable idea of the pleasure,
the benefit, and the security, not to
speak of the necessity, of the use of ar
dent spirits. Thus the parents pre-
scented the decanter of strong drink to
their children, with a recommendation
as forcible as if every day they had
Il" encircled it with a chaplet of roses,
and pronounced an grafton in its praise.
And what consequences were to be
expected? Children who revere their
parents will honor what their parents
delight to honor. 1t was not to be
supposed that those children would do
else than initiate the high example be.
fore them. Most naturally would they
try the taste, and emulate to acquire a
fondness for strong drink. They would
think it sheer folly to be afraid of what
their parents used. In a little while
the flavor would become grateful
They would learn to think of it, ask
for it, contrive WAYS to obtain it, and
DO very accessible to the snares Of
those who used it to excess. Thus
: easily would they slide into the pit
And thus the history of the decline,
and fall, and death of multitudes must
commence, not at the dram shop, but
at the tables of parents !; not with as
cribing the influence o~fseductiye com
panions, bat with lamentation over the
examples of inconsiderate parents, who
furnished these companions with their
strongest argument, and wreathed their
T. cup of death with a garland of honor.
Such consequences must be looked
for whenever parental example is ex-
pected to be held in reverence among
~children. A father may venture to
the brink of a precipice, and stand
without giddiness upon the margin of
the torrent that rushes by and plunges
into a deep abyss; but will he trust
his child to occupy the same position Z
But if the child sec him there, is there
no danger that when the parents eye
is away, he too will venture, and 90
and play upon the frightful verge, and
be amused with the bubbles as they
dance slong the side of the cataract,
and at last become giddy, and be
drawn in with the rush of the tide
Entire abstinence from the drink OF
druukards is the parents only plan il
training up their children.
Rish0D McTZg0ine.