‘ shrink back with horror from that gulf into which it

Q

irnay possibly regard them as the teachers of another

:jt: panacea-twain.

,hflf—

Moral Rama 830:ch .Jons Knox. Royal Cooper & . Branncr. 1841. ' - .

At a General Meeting of the Charlottetown Temperance

Society, held in the Spring of last year, it was resolved to ofibr a Prize for the best Essay on “ The Trafiic in Ardent Spirits; as hearing on the Physical, Moral and Civil Interests of this Colony.” The necessary steps were accordingly taken, and several Essays obtained. In January last, the Judges (the Rev. L. C. Jenkins, Rector of Charlottetown; Riv. Jas. Weddell, one of the “aster-s of the Central Aca- d‘hli and Daniel Hodgson, Esq, Coroner, &c.) pronounced their decision, and awarded the Prize to the Rev. John Knox, the author of the Essay now in course of publication. The subject is one intimately connected with the well-being of every community, large or small; and we do most sin- cerely trust, that the laudable spirit manifested by the Charlottetown .Auxilisry Temperance Society, in taking upon themselves the sole responsibility of the publication of this work, will be met by a corresponding degree of liber- ality on the part of the public generally, for whose benefit the Work is intended, and which the extreme importance of the subject warrants them confidently to expect will be cheerfully awarded. 0f the merits ofthe work itself, it is not our intention to speak at present. We shall, therefore, content ourselves on the present occasion with merely making some extracts from the firstpart of the work— leasing our readers at full liberty to form their own judg-

mg'nt tllsreon.

Ir isiadmitted by all correct observars of men and things, that the influence of objects and events upon the great mass of mankind is regulated by the extent of their du- ration and the frequency of their occurrence. When the recruit is first introduced into the camp, the glittering of weapons, the martial sound ofthe music, the neighing and prancing of horses, the clashing of arms, and the distant thundering of artillery, awaken emotions in his bosom to which he has hitherto been a stranger. But habituate him to the unccasing activity and danger of the military life, and, as " familiarity produces neglect,” so war shall be deprived of its horrors—at least, they will be greatly modified, or appear soto him-the recruit shall become a veteran, and fear shall give place to in- difi'erence. Take a youth who has been favoured with what is termed a moral education, and place him in the midst of immorality and vice, and his soul, detesting such an unhallowed procedure, will shrink back at the first commisfion of crime ;. but if he be the daily or hourly spectator of such vile and unjustifiable transactions, his aversion to them will be gradually diminished, his conscience will become less susceptible of impression, and its warning voice being ultimately unheeded, he will regard them with indifference, and, perhaps, become hardened in crime.

But, to apply thes ,emarksto the present subject— with intemperance gave all, to a greater or less degree, become familiar. rom our infancy, we have seen this sco'npge of the human race spreading his sweeping devas- tation'ovcr the length and breadth ofthe civilized world, without encountering any opponent, competent to dispute hhgrouud, or obstacles sullicient to obstruct or impede hil progress; but, on the contrary, countenanced and pro ted, either directly or indirectly, by all classes of men in the land : the effect naturally produced on our

' in, wiminal indifference to, and, in runny cases, a palliation of,this mottstrom evil, unless when it presents itself in its most aggravated fotm.

But we are intelligent and reflecting beings. Place vividly before our minds the awful nature of the evil—— expose its native deformity—point out the enormity of the guilt. the miserable degradation, the perpetual ra- morse, and the numerous and aggravated woes which it entails on all who are the subjects of its influence—and you will change the opinions which we have hitherto entertained respecting it; and by a removal from the scene oftemptntion, there will be effected on the cha- racter and conduct a thorough and salutary reform. The intemperate will be staggered in his career of folly-—

precipitates its victims—and, if the remedy be promptly applied, saved from those evils which be sojustly dreads. Tile moderate drinker will be startled at the discovery of his enlarged participation in tho drunkard's' guilt, whose crime he encouraged, and whose ruin he hastened by his example—will be impressed with a deep sense of his consequent responsibility, and vow henceforth to touch not tilt: ensnnring cup—to avoid a weight be is so unable to bear, and ultimately to abstain from'even the “ appearance of evil."

But those impressions may be gradually effaced—the continued presence of the evil may cause us to regard its deformity with indifference, and, according to the princi- ple with which we set out, we may again be eutrammclcd

y its withering influence. In,this, as in every other matter, we are anxious to deal with our fellow men as intelligent and reflecting beings. are anxious that tlteir actions should proceed from principle, not from impulse—that they should be the result of true and enlightened conviction; and as our impressions are effected by knowledge, it is of the utmost impor- tanee that it be real and sufficiently extended; for if our knowledge be defective, our impressions or convictions will be proportionably imperfect. To create, increase and perpetuate enlightened convictions, by presenting the subject in'its multiplied diversity of aspect—by repeated appeals from the pulpit, the platform and the press—by exposing the drinking customs which are the sources and pillars of intempcrnnce—and thus lead to the entire abandonment ofthe pernicious princi- ple, is the grand aim of that cause for the support and promotion of which Temperance 'and Toial Abstinence Associations have been instituted—a cause which de- mands the attention of individuals and communities—of the patriot, the philosopher and the christian—mud which it is alilte their duty and their interest to maintain and extend.

There are many, we doubt not who look upon this subject with very different, and, if may be, with oppo- site feelings; who regard temperance and total abstinence associations as feeble. ineflicient, uncalled-for, and, it may be, unscriptural institutions—their promoters as misguided enthusiasts and fanatics—as well-intentioned toyvard their fellow beings, yet miserably weak in the timid. and widely mistaken in their calculations of the means to be adopted for the removal of the evil—who

ospel—as the disseminators of discord—as the enc- mtes of the pleasures and as innovators on the privileges grid comforts of man. UMersal experience proves, that every attempt to effect a change upon the opinions and customs of a people, will meet with opposition, even when that change is supported by the strongest argu-

ficial and demonstrable results. Its 'opponents may belong solver, difl'ereut classes, and resist the propose t change for very difl'erent reasons. 'Somei "31:9" examining the nature ofthe change—Without “3'8 "1% its arguments or considering the extent. and ImPOY‘a‘W ofthe blessings it proposes to secure, reject it, simply CID: the ground ofits being a deviation from the " gcod o ‘ way" of their fathers—depriving them ofthe endol'me” ofthose supposed comforts and customs in winch theg have been reared. and to which they are warmly 3" fondly. though blindly and criminally, attached._ Others may be induced to oppose a change pregnant wttlt bene- fits to their fellows, because it wguld dry up the 50W“ from which their own wealth is derived. It wouldhe well, however, for such to remember, that that whlch they will not do, enlightened public opinion can. 50?“ persons may oppose us themselves by turnlug the" "“ fluence against us, and attempting to prejudice the pub- lic mind, and thus retard the progress ofthose prmfll’les whose operations alone can efi'ect the change. I‘th may work upon the ignorance and prejudice of those dependent upon them—ofthose who are enslaved by the evil, or who are‘unable rightly to. think for themselves; and may stimulate such to turn their blinded zeal agflnst those institutions which would terminate their ruinous and‘degrading trafiic, by enlightening the eyes of their blinded devotees, and leading them to abandon a course so debasing in itself, and so pernicious in its present and perpetually increasing consequences. Another class may oppose us on what they coustder grounds of reli- gious consistency. They maintain that the Gospel alone is able to save us frotn intcmpcrancc and its attendant evils, and regard Temperance Societies as a sort ofrtvals to Christianity—-as putting forth pretensions that they are unable to support, and as professing to accomplish that which they can never possibly perform. They think, that to become members of a temperance society, is to cast a stigma on the religion of the Saviour, by a tacit acknowledgment that these associations can do more for them than the religion of the Bible. \Ve can only re- commend to such a consideration ofthe subject, which cannot fail to prove the groundlessness of their objec- tions; to open up to them the pnth of duty, and to fur- nish them with such motives as shall constrain them to devote some part, at least, of their influence to the. advancement of these important and benevolent institu- tions.

I remark, at the outset, that intetnperance is a mighty evil, as seen from the nature of the substance by which it is produced, and from the numerous evils which are the result ofits influence. It is not a natural substance— that is, not the product (if creation; but is generated by the decomposition and corruption q! vegetable matter. It has been branded a virulent poison for centuries, by the most eminent chemists and toxicologists. It in- creases the sensibility and quickens the circulation of the parts to which it is applied. When taken inwardly, it imparts heat to the stomach; thickens the fluids; pas- ses through the whole system; excites the brain; unfolds the passions; weakens and impedes the opera- tion of the reasoning powers; deprives of physical energy; produces uncousciousnees or profound insensi- liility; induces palsy, apnplexy, and other diseases; and ultimately degrades and destroys the man. .

The individual who is the subject of the influence of this degrading habit, is soon brought to poverty, arising not only from the waste of money expended in intoxica- ting drinks, but from the time lost while engaged in their consumption ; the loss his business sustains by his neglect, and his consequent inability rightly to discharge his duties for some time after he has returned to them. He is exposed by it to many «licenses and accidents; it brings npoploxy, fever, indigestion, derangement of the liver, and many other diseases. “It gives a claim to the pestilence, which it now overlooks.” It degrades and debilitates the mind; clogs, weakens and impedes the memory and judgment; blunts his genius, and totally unfits him for intellectual exertion and enjoyment. It deprives him ofthe happiness and unfits him for the end of his existence, and renders him it stranger to those finer emotions of the heart which are essential to the constitution of true social enjoyment. It ruins the body, debacasthe mind, and renders its victim incapable of the friendship and unworthy the confidence_of his bre- thren. His relations blush to recognize him; his children dread and shrink from his presence; and she, whom he ought to love. cherish and console, shudders at his ap- proach. it desolate: his home; deprives him of his sub- stance; robs him ofhis character; renderg him a prey to every vice; exposes him to every unballowed influence, and make.- him an object of pity or derision, as it mav be, to his fellow men. it renders him dead to a sense (if his responsibilities, to the love of virtue, or the abhor- rcnce of vice. It breaks down every barrier of moral obligation; hardens his heart to trample the laws of his Maker under foot, and prepares him for every species of enormity and crime. lt quenches every noble and virtuous feeling; deadens every pure and generous prin- ciple; stimulates every vile .and unhallowed desire; muses into active and fearful energy the wilder passions, and abandons him to the unrestrained fury of the violent corruptions of his nature.

The misery a drunkard inflicts on himself is ve'ry in- significant, when compared with that which he imposes on those with whom he is connected. The closer the relation, the more numerous and aggravated are the evils resulting from it. His character and conduct have a lamentable influence over his family; they materiallv, though indirectly, affect their character and destiny.‘ His wife and children, who are miserably fed and wretchele clothed, are neglected at home, while he spends among dissolute companions the money which should be devo- ted to their comfort and happiness. The wife once thought that she had a husband, and the children that they had a father; but so far as the endeartnents of these relationships extend, or the discharge of the duties "i. sing from them are concerned, of such .they are now utterly destitute. They hear of domestic comfort and happiness; offender-hearted, affectionate and indulgent fathers; but all their knowledge is by the H hearing of the car," as such never visit their dwelling. They are habituated to scenes of riot and misery, and thev gynw up in ignorance. wretchedness and crime. They are destitute of a knowledge either of things or of thoughts and their minds have had no cultivation but from iniqui: tous habits and examples. which are too readily formed and too eagerlyimitated. . They are hardened in crime, and regard and practise note in its most glaring deformi; ties, without fear or «motion. They hive received from their parents a constitution entrammeled by disease. an impaired and unenlightened mind, poisoned by t‘hei; conversation, example and neglect; and are left to grape their way through a selfish and designing world wirhom a friend to counsel and protect them—to pn'mue the same course of infamy, and with their expiring breath

inputs, and as productive ofthe most bone-

to implore a curse upon the authors of their wretched-

d ductive of the. mmlt m

ken husband" is 7 ischievous consequences, '23:: erted over the wife'ofhhts boss‘tartltf,"imch re ist it it ist e cau‘ _ bled to M:lly ari amiable and interesting l the influence of an intemperate

h frectitudei to!” d from the pat 0and plunged in

tvorld. The influence of the drum

successfully ex when she is ena _ sorrow and'sufi'ertng. femalehas, througl

band, been turne lizd 'of her character and her peace,

wretchedness an’d, beggary.’ it .1 ‘

we inclination, we might adduce heft-angina):

son's-cursing and injuring their parents,h0 cplildren

imploring the vengeance of Heavelp upon“; .e or Wives

t into to we ,

whom they had brough _ ' h b nds. and " ' miserable their us a ,

neglecting and rendering _ h the loved

the wrves w om y ,

of husbands even murdering .1] der the ' ' had quarrelled, ti tin

and With whom they net er:

maddening influence of this most monstrous of all human

infatuations. The influence ofthe

drunkard/is not confined to the family circle——it extends 13 his coml’flllwns,’ ghoéfilgi seduces and ensnares in. this destructive v'ic .h acter constitutions may be undermined and their c arht m blasted; their families may be neglecmd and bmug l ruin ' they, in their tui'n, may corrupt and seduce 0‘ ‘ers by their society and example; and the influence (sf 0:: drunkard may be extended throughout society, an f1‘) petunted to the 'end of time. How alarming; theirel ct;- tion, that he is responsible for this tncalcui‘ab elppsc lle , being the certain, though remote. cause. 0 't a ', res_ When we glance at its effects on socrety, our imp sions ofits malignant tendency are not by a“): “185’” diminished. We see one person starving fro"n P'Mhlng poverty; another. fretting under pining sickness, ba third, racked with dreadful pain; afourtlt. grieve Y the misconduct and thoughlessness of a friend; and a fifth, mourning the loss of a near and dear relation. We see an aims-house, in which an unhappy mulli- tude, many of whom were once prosperous and removed from want, and some ofthem evcn wealthy, areOthrown together, and dependent for su'bsistence on the miserable pittance ofpublic charity. We see an hospital, in which numbers ofsick and disabled persons are collected : one burns with a fever ; another shivers with an ague; a third is powerless with palsy; and a purple hue plays,.as if in mockery, upon the cheek ofa fourth, while. hlS vitals are gnawed by the canker-worm of consumption. Wewsec a prison, the abode of poverty and crime, in one part of which numbers of wretched mortals are doomed by their relentlesp creditors to waste a great part of their existence, while their families are left to wretcheduess and beggary. In another part, numbers of miserable wretches receive the tedious reward of their crimes; and in that dreary, lightl'ess, iron-cased cell, a condem- ned and chained felon trembles in terrible suspense—the feeble hope of a pardon, and the torturing expectation of adeath-warrant, rising alternately in‘ his bosom. We turn with horror from such receptacles of woe, and has- ten for reliefto that stately mausion,‘t fitted by its adorn- moms to delight the mind; and by its many conve- niences and external beauty, to be the dwelling place of peace. Buthark! what hideous yells, groans, weeping, gnaslting ofteeth, and screams of torture; what blasphe- mies and bitter scornful laughter. are these that now salute our‘ears, and tear our heart-strings to their very centre? NINE-TENTHS or ALL THESE HQRI‘HD woes CAN BE IDENTIFIED as 'rrrc PROGENY_0F THIS ROYAL- MONSTER—VILE INTEMPERANCE! s s a a a

We now proceed to ofi‘er a few remarks on the in- fluence of ardent spirits on the ‘health, industry, chat-nor ter and prosperity of a community.

We are first to glance‘at the influence which these drinks exert over the health ofa nation. As a commu- nity is made up of individuals, the only way by which we can estimate the effects of an article on the general health, is, by an attentive observation of the influence it exerts over the physical system of the individual inha- bitant. The result of our investigation proves, that the use of intoxtcating drinks .

Immms DIGESTION.-—Tlle fact that spirit of wine is employed as a conservative for anatomical pre- parations, establishes the incontrovertible truth, that they retard the decomposition of the [contents of the stomach. We see this confirmed by the experi- ment. of the late Doctor Beddoes, of Bristol. He gave an equal quantity ofthe same meat to two young dogs of the same litter; and be poured down the throat of one of them, ifitmediatelyaftor feeding, a small portion of spirit of wine and water. About five hours afterwards, both ofthe-m were killed, and the contents of their stomachs examined. The animal that had received the spirit, had the portions of meat but little altered in appearance; they were‘as angular as when out by the knife, and quite as firm tn their substance. The halfof the meat in the stomach of the dog that had not received the spirit had entirely disappeared; and the remaining portion soften- ed. to a pulp, and all the angles rounded off. It is thus evydent from reason, analogy, and the incontrovertible eyidence of facts, tliatfitrong drink is a successful preven- tive of the digestive process; and we have the testimony of the most celebrated. medical practitioners, that the LnosLobsttnate cases of indigestion have been produced

y t e habitual, though, perhaps, moderate use Of these destructive substances. t ..:.‘.':::‘::i::';:.v‘:":e be “ti” Seward mat h“ijnuso een stated. It is related of Miss dren whose ale f- g needmet with a family or Poor Ch“. “trained herpme d‘ces an emaciated bodies bad forcibly the children in an '0'.“ “he “I” ‘9‘" by “"3 mother of mm 1h d.d’ "s‘v‘rlo he? "Murry how they were fed,

el 1 not eat much, and that what they did eat was not sufficient to nourish themwitbout gin and water All" maling to the mother the pernicious effects likel I Lglzosgowrsuch a regimen, the lady advised her y .a Mile food with the money she expended on . . on which the woman, with an unha a 1" - gm' her knowledge of the properties ofppy‘ '9‘) "gallon or spirituous it [1013 answered, “ If I do the , I shall not be abl q . ' them; when I gave them no gin I was un ble to satisfy their wants, for they were always huin I? $1,“) supply efl'ects are apparent in the habitual, drignlier f be same :lure years; his appetite is impaired, and his more ma- I es ' ' __ g tion injured effects produced by the frequent Use

of opium and other narcotic s . ~ ' ubsta thatofmtoxrcatingdrinks. new" as we” as b

I proceed to rem ' . I Eyrmsss 'ro Disnasn.— I‘hough all enlighfialiinduitat It. ogtsts declare their convictio ' e hyslo'

. . . . n that ' ' administer spirits after disease has bceii drinfightieilfe to . ~. . . . . ex~

cept In some peculiar cases, yet mdrvrduals h

to put.

excellent preservative from c

of this favourite panace , in, whom age and . , - . .-ex made wrse, are consulted as infallibleoratlzligeglfe have every

‘ y are an ontagton. The advocates

ness-thb pargnts by whom they wereushercd into the

emergency, and cry up the mer't ‘ ' remedy, partly from ignorance, and gaffly‘hfflfi io'verelgn 4 t- A Lunatic Asylum. ’ , o m many

4.

i-"I'csselaW;'fromrtheir'having ' to the article’ ‘ question- From tho . .

powers of D

y the sale of it