Chap. III.]

INTEMPERANCE IN DRINKING.

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are used only as a medicine. All who receive them into thesystem, it is true, are not destroyed by them. But if any vege-table were poisonous to as many, as the use of ardent spiritsproves destructive to, it would be banished from the table ; itwould not be considered prudent to use it at all. The effect ofattempting to use ardent spirits prudently is to multitudes sodestructive, as to preclude the possibility of prudence in the use ofthem. And, when we consider the deceitful nature of this sin,and its almost irresistible power when it has obtained an ascen-dency, no man can use spirituous liquors prudently, or, withoutmocking his Maker, can pray while he uses them, “ Lead us notinto temptation.”

2. A vivid recollection should be habitually maintained, that aperson may be guilty of great intemperance without actualdrunkenness. So long as men suppose, that there is neithercrime nor danger in drinking, short of what they denominatedrunkenness, they will cast off fear and move onward to ruin bya silent, certain course, until destruction comes upon them, andthey cannot escape. It should be known, therefore, and admit-ted, that, to drink daily, at stated times, any quantity of spirituousliquors, is intemperance ; or to drink periodically, as often as days,and times, and seasons may furnish temptation and opportunity, isintemperance. It is violence done to the system, and thebeginning of a habit which cannot fail to generate disease, andwill not be pursued by one hundred men, without producing manydrunkards.

In respect to the reformation of those over whom the habit ofintemperance has obtained an ascendency, there is but one alter-native ; they must resolve upon immediate and entire abstinence.Many a man is equal to practising entire abstinence , who is une-qual to the practice of temperance. Some have recommended,and many have attempted, a gradual discontinuance. But noman’s prudence and fortitude are equal to the task of reformationin this way. If the patient were in close confinement, where hecould not help himself, he might be dealt with in this manner ; butit would be cruelly protracting a course of suffering throughmonths, which might be ended in a few days. But no man, atliberty, will reform by gradual retrenchment.

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