The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-11-06
THE CURSE OF TOBACCO.
The Writer Condemns Both the Guilt.
walton aud Use of It.


BRooKsToS, n. c., Oct. p. 'O2.
| Mr.. T. r. MANNING,
DEAR SIR:-Will you be kind enough
to publish this letter to the public, as
| | am being misrepresented? l did
say that believed tobacco to be one
of the curses OF this country and l
| would not make it, for believe if the
Saviour was tocome today He would
| condemn it. and many are shutting
themselves out of the Kingdom Of
God thereby What, do we see all
| around us today? Those who claim
to be His faithful followers throwing
away the money it brings, burning it
| up and His children in rags crying for
bread. Hear the words of the Mas
ter: "Inasmuch as you did it not
unto one Of the least of these, you
did it not untome Depart, I know
you not. I've told you to keep your
selves from the unclean things of the
| world if you would be followers OF
mine Go into the homes around
us and see how often you will hear
these words: eff you let me catch
you smoking another cigarette l will
whip you. Don't you know it will
kill your And vet you say by your
action it is all right to kill somebody
else's boy for the few dollars it puts
into your pocket.
God says: Thou shalt not kill"
Man says its revenues help to pay the
expenses of the Government. Itpays
a large sum- What doth it profit a
man if he gain the whole world and
lose his own soul?" When death
comes each one of us must fall and
each receive his reward. Ifdeath WAS
to come today would it find us ready?
1t is coming and as long as each one
of us live, we have opportunity to
get ready to meet our God. If we
will turn from our wicked ways and
be faithful followers of God, have
faith in Him, He is able and will fulfill
every promise He has made, and
only destruction awaits every man,
every nation, that will not obey His
will. He is Lord of all and King of
Kings
Oh, Israel. will you bear not con-
tent with our destruction? Look at
| the great trusts trying to destroy
the balance OF the world. Herod
was destroyed not only himself but
his whole host was destroyed and
lost, we are told, for disobeying Gods
| will. For forty years we have seen
this evil grow and many of my dear
| est friends have died, and but very
few have accumulated much wealth,
I hn1 hn
seen plant of tobacco we would
have been better off. | have been its
slave, growing it, and using it.
Many of the fires in town and coun-
try can be traced to it. This is
written by one who does not wish to
anger any one. | ask myself is it
| right to keep silent, knowing this evil
as | do? I'm trying to serve God
with my whole heart, and when the
door of Heaven is closed | expect to
be on the inside. Oh, friends, let's
all try and so live as to let more of
the Christ life shine in our lives.
May God bless you, and let every
| man, woman and child seek this
great treasure, Jesus Christ, our
Saviour, is the prayer ofyour humble
servant, C. l.. MITCHELL.
When the Republican stump speak
ers, with their proverbial capacity
for claiming every good thing that
ever happened, and disclaiming every
bad thing, say that the Republican
party deserves the credit for Rural
Free Delivery, just ask them in reply
| under whose administration it was
started, and ask them if they are
aware of the fact that the present
| efficient Superintendent of Rural Free
Delivery owes his appointment to a
Democratic Postmaster General, and
inquire of them if they do not think
that his continuance in Office though
two Republican administrations is a
pretty good evidence that Postmas-
ter General Wilson made wise selec-
lo