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Teetotaller's Apology.

The glass you offer I, with thanks, decline,

Thanks, for your kindness. Neither ale, nor wine, Nor fiery spirit, I'll accept from thee;

As proof of cordial hospitality.

I value not the less your generous mind;
And, lest you think me churlish, or unkind,
Will give the reason; and am certain you
Must then approve the act, and reason, too.

I dare not taste! there's danger in the drink!
To me, it seems like standing on the brink
Of that dark precipice whence thousands fell;
Whose fearful histories I have studied well.
Men of repute for genius; education :
Religious teachers, rulers of the nation.
These stood as firm as we stand, in our day,
And yet they lost their balance. Who can say
But we,
like those whose ruin we thus see,
From the same cause may find like misery?

Do I mistrust myself? you ask-I do!
And yet I know myself as strong as you
In mind, and will; my self-respect as high:
And, I am sure this fact you'll not deny,
That it requires much firmness to withstand
That which is offered by your liberal hand.
It proves not mental-weakness that I've signed
The Temperance pledge. It needs a constant mind
To resist temptation from the friend we prize:
Not friendship's offering can a friend despise.

And, here, the pledge, a shield is, a defence
To resist temptation. For on what pretence,
Can a true friend, then, urge that thing on me
Which compromises honour?

Thus, you see,
The Temperance pledge gives power to self-denial,
And strength for conflict in the day of trial.
From custom's thraldom it thus sets me free:
And this, to you, my apology.

him

Leaves from my Note-Book.

"YOUNG MEN."-No. 1.

As the years of the fifteenth century slowly waned, a schoolmaster might be observed pursuing his avocation with an eccentricity which has made his name one of our household words. No persuasion could make appear covered before his boys. "Who can tell" -he was wont to say-"what may yet arise from these youth? there may be amongst them those who shall guide the destinies of the world!" Schoolmaster this of the right sort! Worthy of his pupilthe heaven-sent Reformer-Martin Luther!

Times have wonderfully changed since the days when good old John Trebonins wielded the ferule; and it is with somewhat different ideas we calculate the probable future of our children. We watch with ecstatic feelings that brow across which, "sun and shadow chase each other ceaselessly," and even when the wrinkles of time have furrowed our forehead, there is something in the prattle of children-in their pleasures and joys-which recal haly con days, and force us to hum the sweet lines of Willis

"Play on, play on, I am with you there,
In the midst of the merry ring;
I can feel the thrill of the daring jump,
And the rush of the breathless swing."

But it is seldom-very seldom indeed-that we look far forward-as Tennyson hath it "far as human eye can see." Yet how important. Ninety years ago,

Cromwell,

and few who watched the wayward movements of that young Corsican, would have ventured to affirm that, in thirty years, he would make the thrones of Europe totter-that his battle tread would be dreaded as the visit of a destroying angel. About two centuries and a half ago, an honest man Brewer of Huntingdon, doubtless strove hard to make both ends meet. He would have been a bold man who would then have affirmed that the boy "Oliver," would wield the sceptre of England-that tyrants should tremble at his voice, and that before the charge of his Saints the finest infantry in Europe should fly. Yet such are the lessons of history; and in a few years the babe that slumbered in yon cradle has been transformed into the patriot Sydney, or the traitor Oates.

The step from childhood to manhood is not great, and, seeing that we carry so many memories from that marvellous dreamland-memories that in after years are as green spots in a wilderness-into the battle of life, how all important it becomes, that at such a time, influences of an ennobling nature should be predominant.

In the present day, more than ever, we are accus. tomed to be told that the eyes of the world are turned toward the young-that in them all hope centres. They are the objects of much regard, and the subject of great philanthrophic labour. Daily, nay hourly, they are exhorted to remember, that they compose the raw material out of which the future greatness of our country must be shaped-that our ministers, senators, poets, historians, and merchants must all be drawn from their ranks-that, as Dr. James Hamilton tersely put it :-" England in twenty years, will just be what our young men choose to make her." It would be well, indeed, if our young men appreciated this, and more fully understood their responsibilities.

At present I confine my remarks to a distinct class of young men. The fast young man-so exquisitely cartooned by Punch-The haw-hawing swell, whom a very popular English Minister has described as "the joint property of the baker, butcher, tailor and costermonger;" the jolly young fellow who seems to vegetate about the city taverns and drinking saloons, with as much pleasure as did Johnson and Shenstone in olden time at "The Rose" or "The Garter"-the namby-pamby young gentleman, generally too lazy and too selfish to pay attention to any thing but his miserable self-these I reserve for a succeeding effort. Now, my business is with those young men, who, leading exemplary lives, are willing to work, but whose efforts are paralysed by causes over which they should have control. The great element wanting in the character of such young men is energy. Sir Fowell Buxton, in one of those admirable letters, which should be in every young man's library, says: "The longer I live, the more I am convinced that the great difference between menbetween the small and the great-is in energy. No talents, no opportunities, will make a two-legged animal a man without it." And every person at all acquainted with the surgings of the sea of life, must be aware that it is impossible to over-estimate the value of this ingredient in character.

To it, we attribute most of those revolutions and changes which dot the storied page of England's freedom-fight. What was it that distinguished Julius Agricola from all the Roman Invaders of Britain? It was the energy with which he pursued his conquests-an energy that never flagged during eight successive campaigns, until the snowy ridges of the Grampians proclaimed, after the defeat of Galgacus

*H. S. Brown.

and his host, "Thus far shalt thou come, but no further! here shall thy proud waves be stayed."

What was it that laid the foundation-stone of our Indian Empire-"that empire which extends from Cape Cormoran to the eternal snows of the Himalayas; far to the East of the Burrampooter, and far to the West of the Hydaspes;" that won the battle of Plassy, thwarted the designs of France, Holland, and a host of Indian Princes, and raised England from the counting-house to the throne of the Great Mogul ? It was the splendid energy of Robert Clive. What was it that, long ago, stayed the onward march of the Reformed faith on the Continent of Europe-that retrieved the fortunes of the Pope-reformed the very Papacy, and saved it from a grave for which it was ready? It was the energy of Ignatius Loyola, a man whose indomitable resolution and perseverance has formed fit theme for the pen of Macaulay, "the Homer of Modern History." And in still later times, what saved the Church of England-that Church which the old English Cavalier guarded with a chivalrous devotion-from a loathsome paralysis? It was the spirit that came forth when "religion lay in state 'mid the gorgeous trappings of the dead"-John Wesley. It was that spirit which struck the marble statue into life! And what makes the representative men of the world? Was Demosthenes an orator born, or did Cicero's wondrous eloquence come into the world with him? Did Chatham's power or Macaulay's learning come by inspiration? History answers these questions. It holds up before our eyes the great orator, of whom it might almost be said, he "spake as never man spake." His orations delighted and electrified the critics of ancient Greece, and are now the model of our highest school of oratory. But how was this grandeur of style attained? Did it descend upon him by the direct fiat of Heaven? Ah, no! The annals of Greece speak of something else, and show Demosthenes oft retiring chagrined and disheartened to that lonely cave from whence he issued to achieve his noblest triumphs. It tells us that the Roman who stands second on that bright bead-roll, could not at one time, either speak or write Latin correctly. The labour that fitted him to shine like a star in that temple, where Roman citizens erst sat in judgment on Saxon Kings, may be better conceived than described.

It tells us that ere the "Great Commoner" wielded an influence unparalled in our history, he committed to memory the masterly pages of Isaac Barrow; and those letters which Adam Black has kindly given to the world tells us what it needed no seer to declarethat Macaulay did not spring "like Minerva from the brain of Jupiter," a ripe and furnished scholarbut that work-hard work-had palsied the hand which wielded a pen, the loss of which we have not ceased to mourn. These are a few of the triumphs of energy called at random from a mine inexhaustible; but how often do we hear from the lips of those whose tongues it should blister, that miserable sentence, "I cannot do it." Young men, if you cannot, who can. If you cannot grapple difficulties, if you cannot master circumstances, how is the world to get along? Are the young and strong who ought to cherish "noble longings for the strife," to leave the front ranks to be filled by old veterans and tender women? It ought to be a matter of sincere regret that a sullen silence-not to say indifference-is too often the reply to such questions.

"Never name that blockhead of a word 'impossible,' in my hearing," said one of Napoleon's ablest marshals. "We can't perform impossibilities, sire," said another. "Then send me men who can," was the reply. The nineteenth century will be satisfied with less. It will be satisfied with men who can distinguish impossibilities from difficulties. The one

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need not be attempted; the other was made to be, and can be overcome. There is little honor in accomplishing easy things; on the contrary, all honor was, and ever will be, won by doing that which is difficult. As an old writer hath expressed it, "difficulty is the school of virtue and the road to fame."

Our theory, then, is, that work-earnest worksupplemented by indomitable energy, will, under ordinary circumstances, achieve success. Before this irresistible force, difficulties go down and disappear like snow before the sun's genial rays. It rides, like a whirlwind, over adversity, and can defy, by defeating calamity. It is the helm which guides, as well as the winds that waft, the ship on to its desired haven; without it no true manhood can possibly exist.

Still, some cynic may say, " All's well;" but every one cannot be a Wesley or a Cicero. The rule is excellent, but-. Well-precisely so. There is one thing of a certainty from which the most determined man must shrink, viz.-"The turning of a born fool into a wise man.'

But the grand virtue of energy is, that it shines in every walk and condition of life; that its effects are as blessed and as healthy, shown in the poor man's hut, or the peasant farm, as in the study or the counting-house. It sheds a lustre and a freshness about everything that comes under its magic touch. Our young men want it. Too many of them have yet to learn that there is more philosophy in that brave old English adage, "Never say die," than in volumes of our common literature; and all lovers of social progress must admit that if its manly spirit were more common, we would hear less of failure, and the air around us would be less permeated with that namby-pamby sentimentalism which at present dwarfs too many good efforts.

A want of INDIVIDUALITY is the next element lacking in our young men. In these days there is more need for caution against meanness of spirit, than against a self-conceited ambition; and however much we may condemn the language of Tooley Street, embodied in that famous manifesto commencing, "We the people of England," we feel that a slothfulness which would make us indifferent as to whether we are subjects of Victoria or inhabitants of Timbuctoo, is equally worthy of censure. "I am a citizen of Rome," was in olden time a password insuring respect all over the world, but how many of our young men seem to forget that they are citizens of a nobler Republic than ever flourished-who live-vegetate-that is the word, as if they had no interest in the affairs of the world.

What is wanted-and things can never be right until this "wrong is righted"-is, that every man should admit Individual Responsibility. There is an idea current-happily it is disappearing-but the nineteenth century ought to have interred it long ago -that certain men are responsible for certain institutions-the Statesman for politics-the Minister for religion. A dangerous delusion this! In the lastmentioned matter individual duties devolve upon young men of no light nature. It is a fact admitting of no dispute, that ministers can not watch the lives of young men under their care, as they are guarded when under home influences. Employers cannot do 80. The thing is an impossibility. That which is not sufficiently recognised is, that young men are the best missionaries to their fellows. Dust may be thrown in a pious minister's eyes. He may be "sent to Coventry" as soon as his back is turned. His advice, counsels, entreaties, may alike be unheeded; but a young man, with common sense in his head, and something infinitely nobler in his heart, and who is associated with this youth, cannot well be operated on in this way. His ways, manners, habits, and cus

116

toms are well known to his friend, who thus occupies
a superior position for exerting influence. That in-
fluence may not be effectual, the advice may be con-
temned; it matters not, so that duty is performed.
Individual duty then must be recognised among our
They must be deeply impressed with
young men.
the wisdom of that truism which declares " every
body's business to be nobody's." Despite all the talk
it is a glorious sight to see a man riding a hobby, aye,
even to death. For what is the meaning of this vul-
gar phrase? Simply this, that a man concentrates
his ideas upon one object, that he calls to his aid every
legitimate helpmeet-enthusiasm, energy, patience-
every virtue that adorns life. By all means then let
us have our hobbies, and, taking to our hearts the
words of a genuine poet, let us say and feel-

"For brave true hearts that beat aright,
For just, awakened, earnest souls,
There is a watchword, full of might,
Its clarion voice in thunder rolls,

And smites the foe on plain and hill,

What can withstand that grand 'I will ?'

It is a keen edged spirit sword,

Wielded aright it cannot fail;

Its very flashing's will afford

Courage to dastards, turning pale,
Who rally round that leader still,

Whose banner blazons with 'I will!'"

J. W. R., Dungannon.

From the Reb. N. Hall's Speech at Hastings.

"My friend, are not you going to help ?" He may ask me, Why he should? But I say to him, "Why not. You wear the uniform, and it is your duty to go and help." You have probably a life-boat on this coast. There's a ship in distress, and the boat is being launched. There is a cry for the life-boat men. They are all there except one man, and though he has the uniform on he stands by and takes no part in the launch; evidently he does not mean to go in her. I say to him "My man are you not one of the crew, and are you not going to help ?" "Oh, but why should I? what need is there I should risk my life! he asks. I answer him "Are you not one of the crew? Why should you not ?" Garibaldi has lately visited this country, and we gave him a glorious reception. But in coming here he honored us more than we honored him. (Applause). A friend of mine was a witness of the battle of the Volterno. He told me that the Neapolitan soldiers, under cover of a thick mist, and disguised in the red shirt worn by Garibaldi's men, had advanced very near to the lines of the patriots. There was an outlying battery of Garibaldians, but their ammunition was all spent. Everything seemed lost, when Garibaldi came galloping up in his carriage; he rushed from the rear to the front, and he, too, was deceived by the red shirts. But he soon found out his mistake, and he did that which was best to be done-ran away as fast as he could. He saw the extreme danger of the moment, and, gathering a few volunteers, he directed them to fire straight into the column. He found, too, a few straggling horsemen, and putting himself at their head he said, "Now for your country and liberty, charge into that column." Animated by his enthusiasm and his example, these little knots of men stood their ground till the advancing column wavered and fell back again. (Applause). It was entirely owing to Garibaldi that that battle was won. Now suppose there was one battalion pledged to do their utmost for Italy and freedom, and that wherever the danger was the greatest, there they would be to meet it; and that in every possible way they would show their loyalty to Gari

baldi, to Italy, and to freedom; that they had taken a special vow to do this, and wore a special uniform in virtue of that vow. Suppose on such a morning you found the men of this brigade, who had vowed to be in the fore-front of every danger, straggling about in the rear. You would say, "My men, why are you

not in the front ?" Perhaps the answer would be, "Why should I? Show me the particular order that I ought to be in the front, in a certain part of the field, at a certain time, and I'll go." I should answer, "You want no particular and precise order for it. Have you not pledged yourself that wherever danger is you will be there to resist it? that wherever the cause of freedom is in danger you will be there to help it? Is there not a work to be done? and should you not be there to do it? I ask you why not? How can you defend yourself for not being in the front?" (Cheers.)

Our Common Foe.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LEAGUE JOURNAL." DEAR SIR,-The accompanying poem, the production of an earnest friend of teetotalism, who keeps the cause alive in the small town of Castledermot, in the County of Kildare, speaks to our hearts in words of beauty and truthfulness. It is worthy a place in your columns.

Until Irishmen of all classes act on the principle of self-reliance, so admirably pointed out by the writer of this sweet little poem, the elevation of our country into a condition of comfort and prosperity, will be sought for in vain. Those of us who work for this purpose, shall always labour in vain, until the population of our country manfully resolve to free themselves from the slavery and degradation in which strong drink has kept them enchained for many past generations. But when this resolve is made, our people will take a foremost place among the nations of the earth. Great Britain has advantages in her coal and iron mines, which Ireland does not possess; so that it is probable we shall never rival her in wealth. But what of that? Great wealth is not needful to secure wide-spread happi. ness. It often,-if not always,-produces the opposite result. Let us lay aside our love for strong drinks, and there are elements in abundance within our reach for affording us, in full measure, all the comforts and enjoyments we can desire in this life. Happy homes would cover our beautiful and fertile little island, but for the curse we bring upon our selves by our craving for the poison-alcohol-which blasts all our enjoyments in life. It is this appetite which really ruins all our comforts. Gentlemen, when they meet at their convivial parties, drink freely, and often lay the foundation there, of desires which bring ruin upon themselves and their wives and children. There is scarcely a family in the land which has not on its records instances of blasted hopes arising from this cause; and gentle ladies are to be found everywhere, who palliate these excesses; and they have, in numerous instances, to deplore the degradation of husbands and sons, and the misery of daughters, who become a prey to the destroyer.

Farmers, whose days are usually spent in industry and carefulness, when they come to market, indulge in excesses which often lead to much sorrow, Quarrelling arises from this source, and blood not unfrequently is shed, which gives rise to unhappiness among neighbours, who would otherwise live in love and good-fellowship with one another.

Tradesmen in our cities and towns, who might, but for their drinking customs, have happy homes

indeed,-homes of comfort, in which happy wives and mothers might bring up children who would be an honor to them, and a blessing to the land of their birth, are ruined in thousands by these customs.

Our laborers, too, although their earnings are but small, are cursed by the common enemy of our country. With a story illustrating this truth, which I heard within a day or two, and which has many a parallel, I shall conclude this communication.

A friend of mine, who resides in one of our inland counties, and who gives employment to many hands, has one man whom he particularly esteems for many good qualities, for his carefulness of all things entrusted to his charge, in his corn stores, and for his good oversight of the men while at their work. This man breaks out about twice a year with uncontrolable drunkenness; he destroys every article of furniture in his cottage; he abuses his wife and children shamefully, and is sent to jail, out of which he comes a penitent, and is restored to favor, to become again an outcast in a few months, because the temptation to drink is on every hand, and the appetite for the drink becomes too craving for his powers of resistance. The wife of my friend, knowing the misery of the wife of this wretched man, told her lately she ought to separate from him. But the reply of this poor woman should arouse all who hear it to renewed action against this terrible enemy of our race. "Ma'am," said she, " he has so much nature in him when he is sober, I cannot help loving him still." Oh! the endurance of woman is wonderful; and her folly is often even more wonderful. The lady who told me this anecdote is an opponent of teetotalism, although in her own family connexion several have been ruined by the moderation in drinking which she yet maintains is the proper course to pursue. this delusion possesses our people, the labors of benevolence and philanthropy will indeed be up-hill work; but let us remember-"Duty is ours-consequences are with God?"-I am, Mr. Editor, respectfully yours,

While

JAMES HAUGHTON.

35, Eccles Street, Dublin, July, 1864.

ABSTAIN!

THE day shall dawn bright when the sons of our land,
Perceive that it is by their own heart and hand,
Themselves and their country shall, virtu'us and free,
Arise from their ashes the pride of the sea.

Long have we been Europe's derision and scorn!
Too long has disunion our native land torn!
To corrupt agitators we've long been a prey,
While selfish intriguers wrought Erin's decay.
Then, Irishmen, up! Let the cause of your land
Depend on no Placemen, but take it in hand
Yourselves; for officials, both cleric and lay,
Are hirelings who work not for country, but pay.

But, hold! Ere ye seek for repeal of old laws;
Reforms constitutional; any good cause:
Commence to repeal these bad habits we have;
Reform your own lives, else no effort will save.

One custom we heartily wish were given o'er,
The use of strong drink from our land evermore;
The bright hope of genius it lays in the grave,
The arm it unnerves of the vig'rous and brave.
So long as the bowl of strong liquor goes round,
False friendship, disunion, and vice shall abound;
The Patriot's efforts for country are vain,

Then commence from this custom at once to abstain.

117

The Advantages of Temperance, &c.

A Pamphlet by JOHN ROBERT TAYLOR, Author of "Facts for the Thoughtful."

ALL who know anything of the Total Abstinence Movement in England, must know that Mr. Taylor His is an indefatigable worker in that good cause. "Facts for the Thoughtful," would do more to open the eyes of the many who now willfully close them, than the most thrilling platform oratory.

In the pamphlet before us, the Author's reply to Professor Beesly's letter, in opposition to Mr. Somes's bill, is a clear, dispassionate statement, which must have shown the learned Professor that, in provoking such an antagonist, he met a "foeman worthy of his steel." We quote one paragraph from this ex

cellent pamphlet :

"Your excellent article presents two evils for consideration-drunkenness and gluttony; but can it be pretended that there is as much evil in abstaining from alcoholic liquors, as a remedy for intemperance, as there would be in abstaining from food as a remedy for gluttony? You assume two propositions, neither of which can be granted; first, that alcohol is food; and secondly, that food causes gluttony as alcohol causes drunkenness. On the contrary, it is the property of food to satisfy appetite, and of alcohol to excite intemperance. I am not desirous of sqeezing Bordeaux out of the sloe, or to press champagne from an apple, but proceed at once to porter, which was not known in England, until Harwood introduced it in 1730, and of which you state that I am so desirous to deprive the "inmates of workhouses," without stating a word of the more than equivalents proposed. But, as I have before stated, the pamphlet must speak for itself. Now, it will be admitted that the noxious compounds in porter, and the bitters necessary for its preservation, injure by long use the nerves of the stomach, and add to the stupefactive quality; from this very cause brewer's draymen, and other malt liquor drinkers, are known to be short lived, and subject to apoplexy and palsy. It is but too often erroneously asserted, that Providence vouchsafes porter and other fermented liquors for our use and not abuse. What can be said to converting barley into, and the annual consumption of, 43,000,000 of bushels of malt? Can this be any other than abusing God's best gifts? He graciously bestows the grain, and man destroys his blessing! In the last century the crops of grain were so deficient over this island, that the distillation of spirits from malt was prohibited: and thus scarcity, bordering on famine, became a blessing to the human race. But no sooner had fruitful seasons, and the bounty of Providence covered the earth with plenty, than the first gift of heaven, abundance of corn, was again, for the sake of taxation, converted into poisonous spirits, by opening the distilleries. Dr. Franklin maintained, what is now corroborated by the most eminent living medical and scientific testimony, that the bodily strength furnished by beer is only in proportion to the solid part of the barley dissolved in the water of which the beer is composed; that there is a larger

By the Rev. Wm. Henderson, Armagh. SEVERAL years ago I was present at our Court of Quarter Sessions, presided over by the assistant barrister and the usual bench of county magistrates. I had gone there with some friends interested in the Temperance Reformation, for the purpose of presenting a petition against the licensing of additional public-houses. While we waited, a man was placed in the dock for trial, whose case demonstrated the character of the evil against which we were contending, and the need of all our efforts to promote temperance.

Of

The offence with which the prisoner was charged was an aggravated assault upon his own wife. middle age, and attired in respectable dress, his wife appeared to give evidence, and with much reluctance and considerable distress she stated the circumstances of the case, showing the danger to which she had been exposed from his violence, but that it was all owing to drink, for when he was sober, she declared that there could not be a kinder husband and father. I looked at the accused. He seemed a mild, kindly man; but, with the vacant wandering look, and the trembling hand, that too truly evidenced the victim of intemperance. A friend who stood by recognised him, and told me that he had been a graduate of Trinity College-that he had been preparing for the ministry of the Church of England --that he had given promise of ability and success, but the fatal passion for drink had stopped his useful and honourable career. He added that the habit was hereditary, for his father had been a drunkard likewise.

The distressed wife pleaded on behalf of her husband, that he might be forgiven the offence, in the hope that he would not act in the same way again. The barrister reasoned with the man upon the wickedness of his conduct, and urged him to abandon the use of all stimulants. He replied that he was willing to do so, but that he suffered from some malady, for which the doctors had directed him to use a little strong drink, and he would only take what they would recommend. Surely, said the barrister, they may prescribe you something else, for intoxicating drink is worse than poison to you. Pledging himself to sobriety in the future, the pri soner was discharged, after giving bail for his future good conduct.

This is a sad story, but a common one. There are thousands like it, and every reader can supply one or more cases of a similar character, and perhaps with many features still darker and more distressing. What a noble work to take away the stumbling block from these erring brethren, and to rescue them and their families from the ruin in which intemperance has involved them! Is it not a Christlike enterprise? Does not the example of our Lord call us to deny ourselves for our brother's good! My Christian reader, have you yet felt it to be your duty to abstain for the sake of those brethren who are in danger of perishing? Confirmed drunkards need all

the help that the sober part of the community can give them, in order to resist the temptation to indulge, and your moderate use may act fatally in hindering their efforts to reform. After all, it is but a small sacrifice to forego the use of these beverages, as every one finds who has tried it for a time. And what a happy feeling it gives us when we think that in making this sacrifice we are helping to deliver the drunkard from the pit into which he has fallen. Let the whole Christian community be only agreed upon this point, and it would not be long till drunkenness would cease from amongst us.

From the fact of this case, every reader may learn how strong and over-mastering is the love for strong drink. Education is no barrier to resist its progress. A religious profession, with its necessary moralities and decencies, is unable to keep it in subjection. Worldly reputation and the prospect of a useful and honorable life cannot withstand the assaults of intemperance. Here was a man who, we might suppose, was elevated above the influence of this demon lust, but he falls a prey as readily and as completely as those who are not fenced round by the guards that seemed to secure him. Let no man, therefore, conclude that he is safe from this insidious foe because he is wiser than others, or better educated, or because he has a character for morality! and sobriety. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest also he fall. In the present state of society you are safer to abstain. Moderation has been a path of safety to multitudes; but to not a few it has proved a path of deadly danger. Many byways from it lead to the dismal swamp of interperance. Abstinence is the safest course; walk you in it. It is not cowardice that makes us flee from sin and its temptations; it is faithfulness to our own souls and to Him who has warned us to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation.

This man's father had been a drunkard. Parents, think of this. Your example will influence your children. They watch your conduct, and insensibly acquire your ways of thinking and acting. Besides, I believe that this taste for strong drink is transmitted from parent to child, and too often the habit grows and increases in the transmission. I beseech parents to consider the welfare of their children and to put away the temptation and the snare from them. Let them not merely recommend their children to abstain, but let them show the good example, and it will have more effect than a hundred lectures. Begin this work early, and, if they are trained in the way of self-denial and abstinence when they are young, I am satisfied, by God's blessing, they will not depart from it when they are old.

I venture here to address a word to the medical faculty. In this case I have mentioned, a doctor's advice was alleged as an excuse for drinking. I know the same apology is often made. Surely, something may be discovered in the British Pharmacopoeia equally suitable and not so dangerous as alcohol. I implore them to make it their last remedy.

In closing this paper, there is one thing I wish to add. Total abstinence might, and would have saved this man from drunkenness, but it could not have changed his heart nor saved his soul from the condemnation of sin. It is the Spirit of Jesus alone renews the heart, and the grace of Jesus saves the soul. Now, dear reader, I wish you to remember that you may be saved from intemperance and not saved from sin. I have told you that the way to sobriety is total abstinence. But remember the way to salvation and to Heaven is faith in Christ. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."