The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-05-17
DOMAIN OF TEMPERANCE.
THE EvIL oF DRUNKENNESS.

The end OF the drunkard is in many
cases an unhappy death. Death often
overtakes him' suddenly, writes Rev.
Joseph Schuen in Sacred Heart Re
view. There is no other vice that so
frequently brings on an unexpected
death as the evil Of drunkenness.
Some are frozen to death whilst they
are intoxicated, others fall into the
water and drown, others are killed in
a brawl or by accident. If you ex-
anime the statistics OF accidental
deaths you will find that very great
number of those that were killed were
drunkards. Such death is a terrible
misfortune; it makes one shudder to
think Of being called away from this
life in the state of sin, unprepared,
incapable even of making an act of
contrition or of raising ones thoughts
to God. Such people die impenitent.
If they do not die whilst intoxicated,
their death still has many terrors for
them. 1t may be that when laid upon
their dying bed and the devil stares
them in the face they make an act of
contrition and strike their breasts in
sorrow; yet their life will haunt them;
they see that they have given their
years to the service of the devil in
stead Of the service of God, and they
are not without fear
The end of many drunkards is eter-
nal damnation. "Drunkards
shall not possess the kingdom of God"
Il Cor, vi, 100 There is nothing
more to be said. The Apostle declares
solemnly that the kingdom of God is
not for the slaves of their depraved
appetites. Our own reason would teach
us the same even if the Apostle had
not spoken so clearly. The life Of a
drunkard is a life of sin-can we then
suppose that the gates of heaven
stand open continually to invite such
one to enter? You can not suppose
this for a moment; your own good
sense must tell you the contrary. For
such one there can be nothing but
eternal ruin.
We have looked into the beginning,
the progress, and the ultimate goal
of the drunkard's career. God grant
that you receive true horror of the
vice of intemperance; and that each
one of you will take heed lest your
heart be overcharged with drunken
ness. Take the advice of the Apostle:
BE not drunk with wine" (Ephes. V.
49,. If you are concerned about your
temporal and eternal welfare you will
be on your guard against excess in
drink and will entirely avoid strong
drinks, such as whisky. There is
nothing wrong in taking drink in mod
Grafton, but if you find in taking it
craving for strong drink, be on your
guard, for you are in great danger
and total abstinence may be the only
salvation for you. The less frequently
you are seen in drinking places the
better it will be for your good name,
your health, and your eternal saliva
ton. Do not follow the example Of
some young men who spend their last
penny in drink, sit in the saloon half
Of the night indulging in evil CONVEX
sation, gambling, and drunkenness
Do not let your companions induce
you to drink when you do not care
for more; never treat or be treated
This latter rule would save the ma
jority of those that in time become
drunkards. If you want a drink, pay
for it yourself. Be on your guard
against associating with young men
that are given to overindulgence; evil
companions corrupt good morals.