Connecticut western news., 1890-07-30

rough deeds done, for perhaps in those awful moments you struck her! It may not take from your memory the bitter thoughts connected with some little grave. But it is not too late to save yourself, and secure for God and your family the remainder of your fast going life.
 But perhaps you have not utterly gone astray. I may address one who may not have quite made up his mind Let your better nature speak out. You take one side or the other in the war against drunkenness Have you the courage to put your foot downright and say to your companions and friends, 'T will never drink intoxicat- ing liquor in all my life; nor will I countenance the habit in others2" Have nothing to do with strong drink It has turned the earth into place of skulls, and has stood opening the gate to lost world to let in its victims, un- til now the door swings no more upon its hinges, but, day and night, stands wide open to let in the agonized pro- cession of doomed men.
 Do address one whose regular work in life is to administer to this appetitel For Gods sake get out of that busi- nessl If woe be pronounced upon the man who gives his neighbor drink, how many woes must be hanging over the man who does this every day and every hour of the day.
 GOD GRANTS NO LICENSE.
 Do not think that because human government may license you that there fore God licenses you l am surprised to hear you men say that you respect the original package" decision, by which the supreme court of the United states allows rum to be taken in states like Kansas, which have decided against the sale of intoxicants. I have no respect for a wrong decision. I care not who makesit. The three judges of the supreme court who gave minor ity report against that decision were right, and the chief justice was wrong. The right of state to defend itself against the rum traffic will yet be dem onstrated, the supreme court not withstanding. Higher than. the judi cial bench at Washington is the throne of the Lord God Almighty. No enact ment, national, state or municipal, can give you the right to carry on a busi ness whose one effect is destruction.
 God knows better than you do your self the number of drinks you have poured out. You keep a list; but a more accurate list has been kept than yours You may call it burgundy, bourbon, cognac, Heidsiech, sour mash or beer. God calls it strong drink. Whether you sell it in low oys- ter cellar or behind the polished coun- ter of first class hotel, the divine curse is upon you. I tell you plainly that you will meet your customers one day when there will be no counter be- tween you. When your work is done on earth and you enter the reward of your business all the souls of the men whom you have destroyed will crowd around you and pour their bitterness into your cup. They will show you their wounds and say, "You made them;' and point to their unquenchable thirst and say, "You kindled it." and rattle their chain and say, You forged it." Then their united groans will smite your ear, and with the hands out of which you once picked the sixpences and the dimes they will push you off the verge of great precipices, while rolling up from be- <neath and breaking among the crags of death will thunder "Woe to him tha4 giveth his neighbor drink!"