The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1892-01-29

.PrudenfUse..

know that much is said about the pru-
lent use Of ardent spirits; but we might
as well speak of the prudent use of the
plague-of fire handed pFudently around
among powder-of poison taken prudently
every day-or of yipeTs and seIpents in
PRODUCED prudently into our dwellings. TO
glide about as a matter Of court sy to
visitors. and of amusement to our children.
First or last, in spite of your prudence,
the contagion will take-tbe fatal spark
will fall upon the train-the deleterious
poison will tell upon the system-and the
fangs of the serpent will inflict death.
There is no prudent use Of ardent spirits
but when it is used as a medicine. All
who receive it into the system are not
destroyed by it. But if any vegetable
were as poisonous to as many as the use
of ardent spirits proves destructive, it
would be banished from the table, it would
not be prudent to use it at all. Ii in
attic mpting to cross a river an on elastic
beam as many should fall in and be drown
~ a. RA ~ ~ pm LNaNhSf anu
fail, the attempt 70 cross in thai way would
be abandoned-there would be no prudent
use of that mode of crossing. The effect of
attempting to use ardent spirits prudently
is destructive to such multitudes as pre-
cludes the possibility of prudence in the
use of it,. When We consider the deceitful
nature of this sin, and IFS irresistible power
when it has obtained an ascendency, no
man can use it prudentIy. or without mock
ing God can pray while lie uses it, lead US
not into temptation There is no Deces-
| sity for using it at all: and it is presumpt-
uous to do so.
a wakeful recollection should he main
tanned of the distinction between intem-
perance and drunkenness. So long as men
suppose that there is neither crime nor
danger in drinking, short Of what they de-
nominate drunkenness, they will east off
fear aud move onward TO ruin by a silent,
certain course, until destruction comes upon
them, and they can not escape. 1t should
be known therefore and admitted that to
drink aaily, at stated times, any quantity
of ardent spirits is intemperance, or to
drink periodically as often as days, and
times, and seasons, may furnish tempta-
tion and opportunity is intemperance. 1t
may not be for any one time the intemper-
ance of animal or mental excitement, but
it is az innovation upon the system and the
beginning Of a habit which cannot fail to
generate disease, aud will not be pursued
by one hundred men without producing
many ~drunkaIds.
1t is not enough, therefore, to erect the
flag ahead, to mark the spot where the
drunkard dies. 1t must be planted at the
entrance Of bis course. proelaiming in way.
ing capitals: This is the way to death!.'
Over the whole territory OF prudent Use,
it must wave and warn. For if we can no
stop men in the beginning, we can not sep.
arate between that and the md. He who
lets ardent spirits alone before it is med.
died with is safe, and he only. 1t should be
In every family a contrabrand article, OIL
if it be admitted, it shonld be allowed fol
medical purposes only. 1t should be la.
beled as VIC Il abel laudanum-and Touch
NOT, taste not, handle not should NEE;
the eye OH every vessel which contains it.
- E1tyaet from an address Of Lyman Bech.
En-. D d deLgerf3 L9gG