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DANGER OF MODERATE DRINKING.

tution respectable, and cause it to become beneficial to society, is to attend to its principles and adhere to its dictates, by using every exertion that may be made for contracting the habit of temperance among ourselves, and encouraging it in others. It is thought to be a hard thing by some, to deny themselves entirely the use of ardent spirits; but what disadvantage can any person calculate from such abstinence? To a person who has never, by regular drinking, contracted an appetite for liquor, entire abstinence can be no deprivation of selfgratification at all!

And should a person plead that he considers it his privilege to gratify his appetite in the moderate use of ardent spirits, there may be more danger of an increase of appetite than he is aware of! He may be on the very brink of falling into a state of intemperance. No person becomes intemperate instantaneously. An appetite for strong drink, which generally ends in intemperance, is contracted by the regular habit of constant drinking! Our institution devises an effectual remedy for this growing evil in a safe and reasonable restraint. If such restraint were productive of no apparent advantage to society, it can surely do no harm. But advantages may safely be calculated, both to individuals and to society at large. And hence appears the importance of a strict adherence to the institution. We are all liable to the failings and frailties of human nature; and none knows but what God, in His providence, has devised and superintended the erection of this institution, to save some of us from unfore seen danger and impending RUIN!

GUARD AGAINST EVITM.

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It would be an unheard-of instance, if every individual person, who has or shall subscribe to this institution, should be entirely faultless. Perfection dwells not below. It is desirable that all should conduct with becoming propriety, and adopt and pursue that standard of rectitude which will do honor to the institution, save their characters unspotted from reproach, and save themselves from future destruction. But let not the enemies of the institution say (because some of its members deviate from the principles they profess) that the institution is not good! This would be discovering an incongruity unbecoming the character of man. For if the utility of all institutions was measured by this rule, not one of them would staid. Not even the holy institution of the Christian religion would be exempt from the general charge; for many of its adherents, by profession, are not what they profess to be! And even the family of the Saviour would fall under censure, for a Judas Iscariot was among them.

To guard against the evil propensities in man, reduce them to a compliance with good rules, or render the impenitent offenders public examples, for the restraint of others, discipline is necessary in every institution. Where this is neglected, and offenses are committed with impunity, nothing advantageous to society can be expected from this or any other institution on the earth. If we, my friends, have a desire that good may result from the formation of this society, then let us pay a proper attention to that line of conduct which will be the most

likely to insure success. Let every member consider that much of the good, the happiness, and prosperity of

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IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION.

society depends on his own individual conduct. And let us all consider, that for all our conduct we must give account to God, who will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil!

CHAPTER VIII.

[AN ADDRESS on Temperance, delivered on the East Line of Ballston, February 26, 1833, and repeated the same day, by request, in the Baptist Church in Ballston Spa.]

ON THE BREAKING OF A RUM-JUG BY A REVOLUTIONARY

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :

SOLDIER.

Agreeably to the recommendation of the National Temperance Society, and the concurrence of its auxiliaries, as far as their pleasure is known on the subject, this 26th day of February has been designated as a time to be de voted to temperance meetings simultaneously, by the friends of the cause in the American churches, and throughout the American Republic. Ardent desires have been manifested, that all laudable measures might be adopted to arouse the friends of temperance to activity and perseverance in the cause, where auxiliaries are formed, and that where there are none, in cities, towns, or villages, no pains should be spared in endeavors to bring the people in such delinquent places to feel the importance of a general concurrence, as co-workers with God and the American people, in a successful warfare against the intemperate powers of darkness. For this purpose we have assembled in this place to-day, and by appointment the duty devolves on me to address you on the subject which has called us together.

136 VINDICATION OF TEMPERANCE PRINCIPLES.

quainted with it; and its virtual language to the community is, examine for yourselves, and see whether it is worthy of your attention and patronage, or whether it merits your disapprobation and deserved odium. Espousing its professed principles, and confidently believing that its object is to promote the good of society, I appear before you, this day, in vindication of the institution now under consideration.

The formation of this society has excited the attention of curious inquirers, the result of which has already been a diversity of opinions relative to its effects upon the conduct of its adherents. Some view it as a deprivation of the liberties peculiar to the appetite, and as an infringement on the natural rights of man; while others turn the whole subject into ridicule, and make sport of the institution which inculcates reasonable restraint. To bring all men to think alike on every subject can never be expected, while the human heart is governed and biased by such a variety of motives and propensities. In common with others of my fellow-men, I claim the privilege of adopting sentiments for myself, and am willing that others should enjoy the same privilege.

In my view of things, the basis on which the institution under consideration is founded, is a conviction of the unhappy consequences resulting to society from the prevalent and, in many instances, the intemperate use of spirituous liquors. To remedy this long-established and deep-rooted evil; to eradicate it from society; render it odious and detestable; and to substitute temperance, sobriety, and virtue in its room, are the professed objects of this institution.