The Somerset reporter., 1885-01-28
The Smoking Minister.


40 m ,ther. no.her.-' exclaimed little
Harry Graves, as, his hair flying, his
cheeks flushed and his whole appearance
deDoting Intense excitement, he rusbc D-
to the sitting room aud threw himself on a
stool at his mothers side, "what do you
think | have seeu?"
''I'm sure can not tell, was the answer
something very wonderful, judging by your
looks. Why, Harry, my boy, Ellie would
call you her wild Indian should she see you
now. What is its''
"Why, mother, 1t was our minister
smoking! | saw him"
Aren't you mistaken, my son. don't
think Mr.. II. smokes"
We'll, he was smoking tonight, for
saw him with my own eyes You see, Jem
and | were coming home and passed right
by his house. He and another man were
sitting on the back piazza, and, as true as
you live, were both smoking"
Willie, an elder brother who had been
busy with his books, looked up with a mer-
~ twinklt; 10 his eye.
"Well, mother, what do you think of
that' II Mr. Hunt the wise, good minis
ter, smokes, can't Willie Graves, who lays
claim neither to wisdom nor goodness, be
permitted TO follow 10 his steps? You
know you have often held him up as an ex-
ample TO US
M, my son! Initiate as much as you
please, our pastors virtues. As to faults,
Willie Graves has quite enough OF bis own,
without seeking others"
But mother, world so good man
Mr. IL. smoke II he thought it wrongW
at is wrong, whether he thinks SO or
not. AImos any physician will tell you
that, TO the young especially. the habit Of
smoking is deleteriou, in the extreme To-
bacco, possessing Ike alcohol minute do -
OF arsenic, causes, says one, impairment
OF growth, nervous debility, and physical
degradation" II pains M 10 learn that
one respect so highly as our pastor HIS
fallen into his habit. 1t surely is iuccb-
si.tent with the principles be advocates.
| think he would be the last one to advise
his people to initiate him. in this respect.
but mother, have you ever known
person 10 be seriously injured by smoking?
Eyes, Willie, one Case is fresh IN my
memory. II is that of a Young minister,
talented and eloquent, ard possessing 10 an
uUusual degree those genial traits that
caused him TO be universally beloved. He
was strictly temperate 10 every respect but
this; he was an inveterate smoker. Tais
mil ister, whose lie was full of promise,
and who was for a long time bright light
in the denomination to which be belongs,
than wreck. IL is true he has contracted
the habit oi using stronger narcotics than
tobacco, but his best friends hink that the
excessive use Of the Weed, acting on his
| nervous temperament, has been the chief
cause of the great change SO long apparent
in him.
"You speak OF stronger narcotics, moth
! er. You know IL is said by some that
smoker is more likely TO contract the habit
| OF drinking than others; do you think this
| is sof"
Il hardly know. One thing is certain;
nearly all drinkers smoke; but it is eq ially
true that many, wLo have become addicted
to the latter habit, are strictly temperate
in other respects. How lar the habit of
smoking exctes a craving for stronger
stinulants, | can not say. In the case OF
the minister have spoken Of had not the
excessive use OF tobacco clouded his intel
| lect, and duled his normal sense, he never
would have become slave TO opium-a
| slavery hardly less to be dreaded than that
| of strong drink.
THAT smoking is foolish, useless and
injurious habit but few will deny. God
never meant the pure, sweet air he gives
Us TO breathe to be impreguated with the
fumes of tobacco. But it is a sad fact that
We are becoming a nation of smokers.
Even the little boys, scarcely old enough
| TO leave their mothers side, may be daily
seen on our streets, pulling away at some
vile cigarette. Aud no wonder when those
from whom We expect better things, even
the ministers appointed our instructors,
are themselves slaves to this habit"
why, little mother, you are quite a
preacher Well. preachers, you know,
| like To see some fruit of their labors, SO HI
| 'romisc To De ur first convert. My
chains are not very strong rs yet, so I'll
break away before they become tightly
forged From this day, the vile weed and
| will part. III be slave to no such hab-
! it, but for the future touch not, taste not.
handle not the unclean thing
During this conversation, little Harry
had been listening intently, now he burst
| out:
Good for you, Will, Now mother won't
look sober auy more as she does when she
SEES you with u cigar, aud Ellie won't say,
'brudder Willie's tos' don't smell dood.
won't ,iss him If he sm rs But guess
Mr.. H. better look out and not talk TO us
fellows about drinking cider. | love cider
but he said We mustn't drink it cause If
We do We shall want it W en- it isn't sweet,
If he smokes, | just wonder how be can
preach on temperance"
So do I.-Aorning Star.