MODERATION V ABSTINENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1932, 31 August 1888, Page 3

MODERATION V ABSTINENCE.

m* The moderate drinker derives from alcoholic drinks a measure of comfort and probably a temporary excitation of hie nerves ; does not that represent the whole gain I Against this must be Bet the purchase of the article (a serious Item m ordinary domestio expenditure), the subtle injury done to his nerves and derangement oi digestive system, the peril to his self control from a narcotic constantly associated with enervation of the will ; the force of his example upon friends, members of his family, and others who may be less capable tban himself of resisting tbe drink thirst ; and laßt, though not least, a conscience more or less aware that tho weight of his personal -sanction and influence is lent to customs which imperii the health, life, morality, and religion of the land Of course he will repudiate responsibility for the drunkenness of his neighbor ,* he is not , his brother's keeper ; he is annoyed to be I told that moderate drinking is the only , road to drunkenness", aod that there would be no abuse if there were no use of strong drink. But is he toking due heed lest by any mea a a this liberty of his become a stumbling block to tbe weak I Does this moderate drinking quite accord with the Christian disposition, "If meat maketh my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I make not my brother to stumble ?" The total abstainer losbb such gratification of the palate as tbe intoxicating cup can Bupply— what besides ? On the other hand he is very soon conscious of better health, calmer nerves, and more vigorous digestion ; he possesses more genuine energy, more lasting endurance ; he recovers such a general buoyancy of spirits as emancipates him from the craving for unnatural stimulation ; he can fearlessly teach his youngest child to follow his safe example ; he can assure himself that his influence m regard to drink is indeed harmless and constructive, if, indeed, it be not also aotive for good. Is not his the more expedient choice ? Nor is this all :— 11 Wouldst thou go forth to bless, be sure of thine own ground. Fix well thy cantre first ; then draw thy circles round. " Total abstinence is the better centre for every effort of reclamation. Oan any earnest man tolerate as his friend the deadly enemy of his neighbor? Is it not matter of experience that he must either desist from the use of intoxicating drinks or cease from personal attempts to rescue the drunkard? Doubtless the majority of moderate drinkers are as sincere m their denunciations of drunkenness as the total abstainers are ; but are their protests as effective, and made with equal moral energy ? Tho difference between moderate drinking and total abstinence is tbe difference between silent condemnation of a deadly evil and an avowed antagonism against it. Moderate men are an useful element m a community — solitary men are not without influence of a kind. But moderate men are not the stuff of which reformers are mado, and solitary mon grow cold m their isolation. These are tiroe. when two armies m England ate standing face to face— the one of men whoß< interest is to ply the nation with strong drink, the other of men determined, bj God's help, to put an end to tbe ruinoui traffic. Men of heart and conscience fee : that m such a war neutrality is inexcus able. For only as we take our stant boldly, decisively, and together, can w< maintain m ourselves or create m othen that deep fountain of moral conviction that tide of redeeming «eal, and tbat irre sißtible enthusiasm which shall win thi day. " Naught shall make us rue, r If England to herself do prove but true.' —Rev. W. J. Woods, B,A