The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-04-04

glad you understand it. You will see
by what ! have said that one does not
become drunkard at once. 1t is a
gradual process. Unconsciously man
enters the line, and in the first easy
and pleasant stages is not aware % his
danger, although his friends are Otter
alarmed and warn him of his peril.
But he laughs at their fears, and ssys
he knows enough to take good care of
himself"
Now, Uncle John, please explain to
me the law and power of habit"
Certainly, will. Brie fly, it is this:
ANY action of the mind or body, any
organ of the body, comes to act with
greater ease and power by repetition,
by acting once and again and again,
till the act is performed easily, scarce
ly without thinking. And with the
sense of taste. there is this popularity
which makes it so dangerous, the
pleasure of the sensation when the Or
gans are stimulated is greatly in.
creased with every experience, and So
calls for, and at length even demands,
repetition of the pleasure.
Thus one glides easily and
pleasantly into the drink habit,
and every indulgence adds a new
and stronger link to the chain
which binds man to his cups. Now,
James, | have told YOU that when a
youth steps into the drunkards line he
is unconscious of what he is doing. He
has often looked upon the miserable
wrecks of humanity with adherence,
and yet with pity, and would shudder
at the thought of becoming such
wreck himself. But on some festive
occasion he drinks glass OF wine.
This little step is his first in the line.
He thinks nothing of it. BY and by
he takes another glass, and at length
another. Some day he dimes at a
friends house and INDUCES with 9TH
erS at the table, drinks little more
than ever before, and enjoys the pleas
ure of the evening to high degree,
and is unusually brilliant in con.
versation. After a time he is prepar
ing for some public performance, or
writing an essay to read before his
class, but feels little dull, and now
remembering how glass of wine or
brandy stimulated his mind procures a
glass now alone by himself, and feels
wonderfully helped, almost inspired.
In short time he seeks and enjoys the
company of those who are in the same
line, butin more advanced stages. Thus
he goes on, step by step, till at length
he finds himself on the down grade,
gravitating with increasing velocity
and irresistible momentum. Now he
is fully awake to his perilous situation
health gone, unable to perform his
duties, his family in want, himself a
beggar, and loathed by all that know
him. In despair he cries, am ruined,
am lost. His friends urge him to
reform. He promises, but says: Can
l reform? He resolves to abandon his
cups, but breaks his resolutions. His
resolutions are no stronger than cords
of burnt flax. The chain of habit
binds him. The chain that seemed like
a wreath of flowers, which he twined
around himself in youth, has turned to
adamant. The habit now grapples and
holds him to his cups like hooks of
steel, and they are barbed hooks from
which he can not release himself.
Nothing now but the grace of God can
save him.
Now, James, my young fellow, l
have tried to show you where all the
drunkards come from, how they fall
into line, and why they stay there till
their sad end is reached. You see how
the line is perpetuated As soon as one
falls at the end of This course, another
starts in at the other end of the line,
and so it is true,
The drunkards will never be dead
And this is the reason why,
A new one comes to Take his place
As fast as the old ones die.
Rev. |. II. Northrop, in n Y. Evan.
gelist.