The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-01-04
THE SOVEREIGN REMEDY.
Total Abstinence the Only Sure Salvation
from Drink.

Total Abstinence the Only Sure Salvation
from Drink.
That alcohol ',abitually used will oc-
casion physical disease there is album
dant evidence. Alcohol is in itself a
feet and inhame the delicate Innings of
the stomach, so also does it affect in
juriously the brain and other portions
of the human body. Latterly the sub
ject of the medical treatment of inc
briefly has claimed much attention in
this country and abroad. Various
specifics have been much advertised,
and many victims of inebriety
have turned to them with more
or less of hope and confidence
for relief and restora ton. Many
doubtless have realized benefit, tenn
porarily at least, from many of these
cures, but many also have been dis
appointed and have again surrendered
to the domination of strong drink
That there are antidotes of value to at
least modify and alleviate the conse-
quences of alcohol poisoning we have
no doubt, but it is beyond the province
of drug medication of any kind to reach
the seat of the difficulty, the abnormal
appetite. 1t is quite impossible, also,
for any treatment to effect a complete
and permanent cure excepting on the
basis of absolute total abstinence from
the use Of alcoholic beverages. Any in
diligence therein is well-nigh certain
to lead rapidly backward again to in
ebriety, even when temporary relief
has been realized.
There is, however, we are fully as
sured, a possible way OF escape for all
from the tolls of the, drink bondage.
1t is by turn ing confidently and rever-
emily to the all-powerful and Divine
arm for strength and support. That is
a resource which is absolutely to be de-
pended upon. 1t is within the reach
of all but to be made available there
must DC a complete and genuine sur
render of the individual to the Divine
will Superficial conversion will not
avail. There died recently. in a Phila-
delphia hospital, at the end of pro-
longed debauch, man of brilliant in
tellect, of fine capacity, who not very
long ago was a popular pastor
in one of the churches of
this city. He became ad-
dicted to drink. surrendered himself to
its dominion, was the object of much
solicitudc on the part of many friends,
was induced to try the gold cure and
other specifics, but nothing awaited
with him. and he finally died the
shocking death of drunkard. Bril-
liant and eloquent pastor that he was
q season, he fell away from the Divine
standard, and when the power of the
Gospel no longer held sway with him,
nc became as the vessel at sea in the
furious storm, without pilot or rudder.
Absolute wreck and ruin followed as
natural sequence. This spiritual
remedy, the only one possible
and reliable for the inebriate, itself
can be made available only upon the
basis of complete and absolute trust
and self surrender. To the end it calls
for the utmost watchtulness and care.
To those who may think themselves
cured and rescued. the admonition is
continual: Let him that thinketh he
standeth take heed lest he fall" Let
it also be remembered that prevention
is easier than cure. Would that all
who are the unhappy victims of the
drink habit might have stopped before
they began! Abstinence is both pre-
ventive and urative.-National Tenn
pcrance Advocate.