The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-02-24

From e work entitled |" Our Neighbour" by
WV. MACK.

WN. MACh.
The customs of society have pow
erful influence. Some follow them,
because they prefer them: others,
through thoughtlessness; and others,
because they are popular or are in
common use. Aud while looking al
what is due to neigbbor, these or at
least one of them demands attention.
Yet, while that is regarded, which the
word, temperance, as now generally
employed, suggests; it is not denied,
that there may be excess In eating, an
improper use of certain drugs, extrav-
agance i'm dress, mania in speculation.
But, in looking at only one of these,
the question arises, Is temperance
moderation or abstinence Doubtless,
the true answer is, that it is either,
according TO the case in hand. The
original of the word, found i'm the
New Testament is literally self-con-
troll, self-command, having the mas
terry; and is sometimes used for mod
Grafton, at others for confluence or
abstinence. The Latin word, from
which the English one is derived, is
also employed both for moderation
and abstinence. And, in both these
senses, the English word is used at
the present day. On the whole, there
fore, the idea seems to be, in view Of
the etymology of the word, that what
is lawful may be INDUCED in modera-
ton, if no injury follows: but, if the
practice is attended with injury, tenn
perance is to be understood in the
sense of abstinence.
The drinking custom is widespread.
The injurious effects being too plain
TO be denied, the blame is generally
thrown upon those who are pro-
nounced deficient i'm self-control. Yet,
these deficient ones are neighbors.
Are there, then, no obligations resting
upon those vino feel, that they do con-
troll themselves, with reference to
those who come short i'm this import
ant matter? Are they not neighbors
DO we not owe them duty? Would
ii not be better for them and us, if
this deficiency did not exist? Assur-
eddy, if they are injured, it is proper
TO consider temperance under the as
pect of ABSTINENCE FROM THE SOCIAL.
LIQUORS.
And 1. Regarding the subject i'm its
social phase relieves it from the OBJ
jections made by invalids and those
following prescribed directions.
lie, who feels himself compelled to
comply with the prescriptions of some
judicious physician, may consider
himself entirely exempted from what
is now propounded. 1t is bad enough
TO take physic, without being subject
ed to limitations about the imprOpri-
ETY. of thus doing. To have every day
or occasionally to swallow a certain
potion, because and only because the
mixture has been authoritatively en-
Joined, must, it may be inferred, he
disagreeable enough in itself; judging
from the common practice of not ap-
plying to physicians, except when
persons feel actually compelled to
seek their advice and assistance.
,. Whoever partakes OF the social
cup is not certainly safe.
lie, who dallies with serpent,
whose fangs have not been extracted,
may receive the virulent poison; he,
who walks along the verge of the dam
gerous precipice, may be hurled head
long below: SO he, who sips of the
cup of intoXicatiOn, and claims to be
drinking moderately, may at length
take too deep draught.
How many have thus been ruined
And ruined, because believing they
could indulge, and yet certainly be
safe. While their friends have seen
their approaching ruin, they have i'm
agined all to be well. They have en-
tered the outer whirls of the vortex of
destruction; but, soothed by their
supposed security, they have floated
thoughtlessly along. While all has
seemed calm, they are all the while
approaching the rapid centre of the
tremendous m;elstrOm. AT last, they
may suspect some danger. Yet per-
chance, they have so Supplied their
powers, that the necessary effort to
escape requires more resolution than
they can muster. They make exertion,
but the onward tendency of tempta-
lion to ruin overcomes their purpose;
they resolve, but fail; they strive, but
are conquered. Broken in spirit,
weakened in moral power, inefficient
i'm carrying out their occasional good
resolves, they are drawn to the terri
BILE vortex nearer and nearer; and
either by some dreadful calamity, or
resulting disease, or murderons wea-
pom, they sink beneath the wave OF
time forever.
3. In some cases. sadness reigns at
home, while the social circle is joyous.
Alas! what scenes earth has wit
messed! Ion wife, with detected
look, is watching at the midnight hour.
She now knows that to be true, which
she long refused to believe; and
which, when forced 10 admit, she care
fully strove to conceal from her warm
est friends. Ouce, yea, once it was
not so. And yet, she patiently waits.
At last, some one stumblcs at the
door. 1t is hel husband. And now
his reproaches; perhaps his blows;
she must endure. Her children she
must preserve, as well as she may
from his violent rage. The place is
not hell; no, it is only drunkard's
home. At length, depressed with his
debauch, he sinks a helpless, senselcss
wretch! She casts herself upon her
bed, but not TO slumber. Those eyes
are too wakcful, that bosom has too
many signs, that spirit is too wretch
cd. And thus wastes her life, till he
by death relieves the world of his eX-
ample and his debauchery or she, bro
ken-heartcd and worn out by suffer-
ing, finds resting place in the grave.
4. What is called "a little" may do
much hurt to the invited, if he par
takes of the social draugbt.
The phrase, "a little" is such an in
definite something, that it is a pity it
is ever used i'm this connection. One
mans "little" may craze another; stu
pity a third person; almost, if not
quite, kill a fourth. The man, whom
many, many, drinks per day does not
satisfy, talks abou: "a liitle;' aud so
he, who occasionally sips the intoxi-
eating cup.
The law of habit is now at work.
And habit operates in two ways: it
demands that TO which VIC have been
accustomed; it likewise prompts to
multiplication of the acts, which we
have been accustomed TO perform.
True, a man of great strength of pur
pose may resist this latter influence of
habit; indeed, may break up his hab-
"a, ,,,f;,o lv. ypf how easy is II If