Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-02-09
Some Sober Thoughts.

The evil and ruinous effects Of intemperance, have
been seen and acknowledged by all. We have exert
ed our best energies for many years, in condemnation
and denunciation Of this evil practice. To what ex-
tent our labors have been appreciated and rewarded,
we shall leave our readers to determine. No man is
at a loss for the remedy no force can COMPEL a man
10 drink Intoxicating liquor against his will. Not to
drink-nott to get drunk-is as much in the power of
every man, as not to violate any one of the ten COM
mandments; and we are told expressly in the Scrip
lures, that mo drunkard can enter into the kingdom
of Heaven" Notwithstanding this awful denuncia-
ton, it is maintained by many PROGRESSING christians,
that drinking q small quantity of Intoxicating liquid,
is perfectly harmless. We win suppose, then, that
drinking too ~much-getting drunk-is a sin Of the
most deadly character, since it excludes the victim of
this habit from the bliss of He.v ven; and that drink
ing in moderation is not only right in itself, but an
act which may properly be associated with many of
religious duties. Now, if this be safe or sound doc
trine, there must be between these two extremes a
certain quantity, measure, even to a drop, at which
sobristy ceases, and ebriety begins and however del
icate and imperceptible may be the shades of differ
ence towards this blending point, it 10 Of the utmost
Importance to all professors Of religion, to all phil
anthropists, yea, to all who love their fellow-men,
that they should be able, without the possibility of
mistake. to draw the line, and point 1t out to others
before they venture to set an example to the comm
nifty by yenturing upon a course which If pursued
far, mu at inevitably end in ruin, death-endless pun
ishment-and which can only be entered upoa with
perfect safety, by ascertaining what has never yet
been discovered, exactly WHERE the point of danger
is.
Let the sturdy moralist, the PROFESSOR Of religion
pause, before he ventures to ruin and murder Others
by his example or precept. No man possesses nerves
! go stout, q head 30 strong, a liver SO sound, that car
defy the assaults of intemperance. Yet we see edu
Gated, welLinformed, benevolent, moral, and ever
members of churches, sit down to the cheering glas
of social entertainment, and while they take tn
first, then the second, and perhaps the third, the,
converse, discuss subjects important to themselvc
and their fellow men-take counsel together-fse
themselves mentally illuminated, corporally and spin
itually refreshed. In this conditiol, they rise fror
the festive board and look out upon the movin
world around. They behold the victim of intempel
ance passing by, their delicacy is shocked by til
sight, and they draw back with horror from his de:
radiation and his shame.
This inebriate began his course precisely IN tn
same way. He had at first no more intention, n
more fear of passing the line which separates til
drunkard from the sober man, than these gentlemen
Just from their p~otatlons had ; but owing to the veal
ness and infrmity Of poor human nature, he owe
stepped the line before he was aware whittier b
habits were carrying him, and he lived and. died
DRUNKARDl as
Could the youth, to whom the flavor Of HE drink