The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-08-08
DECISION OF A YOUNG MAN.
Why the Offer of Liquor Selling Uncle
Was Not Accepted.

why the orer of a Liquor Selling Uncle
Was Not Accepted.
Not long since l perused some tenn
perance literature solely to please
bosom friend, who is great advocate
of total abstinence l confess l was
not interested in it, nor have troubled
to analyze my feelings in regard to the
question; but now, my uncle, who is
wine and spirit merch ant, comes to me
and tells me he has decided to retire
from business, and has made arrange
ments for me to carry on that we'll
paying concern. 1t is time l came to
some decision, and while l pace this
room let me now compare my precon-
ceived ideas res pecting moderate drink
ing and total abstinence with what |
have lately learned, and let me try to
put into words the thoughts which,
quite unheeded have been simmering
in my brain of late.
The words of DR.. B. w. Richardson
often occur to me. He says: Il am
recording a matter of personal history
when | say that for one had once no
thought of alcohol except as a food. l
thought it gave additional strength.
L thought it cheered the heart, and
lifted up the mind into greater activi-
ty. L learned, step by step, that the
true action of alcohol is to create
paralysis of nervous power"
What have l thought, and what have
learned?
l thought land thousands are under
the same impression today that AGO
hol gave energy and strength.
l have learned that the secret of the
delusion is in its power to paralyze.
People mistake dulled perceptions and
temporarily eased nerves for strength
Experience shows that athletes, ex-
plorers in cold regions or workers in
the sun have proved the advantage of
abstinence.
l thought every robust, healthy
looking moderate drinker was proof
of the strengthening properties of
alcohol.
I have learned that, thanks to his
constitution, he is hearty in spite of,
and not on account of, the alcohol, and
that insurance companies have proved
abstainers' lives to be longer and
healthier.
thought the Bible commended the
use of alcohol when it said For every
creature of God is good"
l have learned that alcoholic drink
ers can not lie reckoned Gods good
creatures The grain, grapes, etc,
are good, but the drinks are mans
connections, and no does not hesitate
T. destroy the muir nent in obtaining
strong spirit.
l thought the Bible commended the
use of all alcoholic drinks, because it
spoke of wine cheering the heart of
man.
l have learned that the wines of
Scripture times were very different to
the alcoholic liquors of to-day; distil-
lation was unknown, and there was
not the craving for drink then nor the
necessity for total abstinence.
l thought it was not right to abstain
from alcoholic liquors simply because
they were taken to excess by many
persons.
l have learned that it is only hui
manc that men should abstain for the
sake OF their tempted brethren; for the
sake of trying to make this land-so
blighted by drink-a little brighter
l thought it was only the drunkard
who should become an abstainer, if he
could not drink moderately, and that
he was to be despised as most igno-
rant and worthless creature.
! have learned that others should
abstain, that the drunkard might fol-
low their example. have also learned
that, in these days, there are men and
women - educated as well as igno-
rant-with whom drunlxe mess is a dis
ease, in many cases inherited; they
can not even sip an intoxicant without
placing themselves in the most terri
BILE peril. Entire abstinence is their
only safeguard.
/ thought the immense traffic in al
coholic liquors must be beneficial to
the trade of the country.
| have learned that an Incredibly
small number of hands is required for
the manufacture and sale of drink as
compared to that needed to produce
the same amount of value in other en-
ployments; and of course, a much
larger quantity Of other manufactured
goods would be required if it were
not for the very large expenditure on
alcohol.
In the face of these facts, l can
not accept my uncles offer.-Natlonal
Temperance Advocate.
CHAPLAIN BRADSHAW, OF the Ale
rhenv county pal work h GUS. tasti