Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-05-31
ALCOHOL AND THE SOUL.
Drink Debases Human Nature and Dwhrfs
Moral Growth.

Moral Growth
The human family too often fail TO
understand the meaning Of the word
soul: and as Il is our intention TO con-
slider the effect of alcohol on the sonl'
il win be well for as to inquire what
this mysterious power is.
The soul is conscious self. 1t is the
ego OF ones existence without material
consideration, combining all the pow
ers of intellect, sensibility and will.
Ii will be discovered from the forego-
irg definition that il is not the purpose
of this article To consider the eject OF
alcohol on the system farther than the
relation Of mans senses are connected
with conscious self. and not with phys
zeal self.
The progress of soul-life, or the in
Irrespective power of man, has no foe
more deadly than alcohol 1t has
affected the consciousness OF the entire
human family. As | pen these words
feel that my soul has been injured ny
this great evil; not that have ever
used it. or that my ancestors were given
TO its use, but because the moral
/ Growth of the soul of a world-its con-
| scions self-has been injured and am
a part o. that injured humanity.
we can not. in this article, which we
/ feel might be extended to the length
/ of a three-volume book. treat this sub
ieet biologically or soeiologically. We
,vill simply ask what is the effect Of
alcohol on the intellect, sensioility ana
will
The word intellect comes from the
Latin words inter. between and legere'
torether. and thus suggests to the
mind a power which gathers from
mans surrounding that which we cat
knowledge Have you ever noticed TO
what extent the use Of intoNicants IN
iuries mans power To seriminate, be
tween right and wrong? 1t lngures'
sometimes beyond repair, the cores
nondence between consciousness ana
reality. making unreal things to APP
; near real. This is seen in its worst
, stage in what is known as traumatie
ielirium. but may be noticed IN the
common arunkard who finds enjoy
I ment in the satisfaction of vile pas
sions to the injury of moral life. Inc
influence of intoxicauts upon the SOU
, Is also of nature to cause DOUBT
5 that hesitancv between right ano
wrong-to be favored by error. Tins
NAV be seen in its advanced state wher
i the drunkard ceases TO hesitate before
!. using uncandid expressions or eXeeu
: ting vile thoughts; when he seems u
oriov the polite method of robbery
!. known as gambling. and kindred vices
gut under this heading should b.
S considered the injury that comes u
i ones power of introspection. Nhei
: man becomes addicte to the use OF al
} coholic drinks he loses portion OF Ia
retrospective power. We have oftel
seen the heavy drinker who seemed I
live as though his soul were merely
- sa,ies of sensations. This is seen i
various degrees in the drunkard, just !
proportion as he cultivates passion an
negleets candor or meditation on sell
Consciousness is part OF intellectua
n self. which can not be defined. Ever
S. attempt to define it moves in circle
s. II only admits of self-evident affirm'
n ton. | comprehend my power to rel
son. therefore / am. Alcohol has
tendency TO stultify ones reason, Their
fore it limits ones consciousness, TN
iniuring the very base of his soul-o
, ing. You may have noticed its inJuI
V TO mans sense-perception. or power
u perceive through his senses. You ma
have noticed this in the drunkard WI
has lost his love for the beauties OF a
snd nature, and varied stages may
seen of loss of sense-perception.
nelirium is but the confusion
senss-impressions. The nervous orga
ism has had its effect upon the sem
bility of man and delusion follows.
a nerve be irritated in any unHatur
wav it may convey impressions to on'
senses. Thus continued use of alcoh
NAV go so far as to injure that orga
ism of ones body that receives lmpr'
sions of forms, and causes unnatul
currents to produce fash OF hgl
lie. and cause in the auditory nerve
lr- sound, thus undermining sense-percs
ton. one of the grandest faculties
ms the soul.
When we consider the effect of al
hol upon the sensibility of nan. g
IL consideration broadens to his sensati
". and sentiment Under the former