DRINKING AND DEATH.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1872, 8 October 1874, Page 3

DRINKING AND DEATH.

To the Editor of the Thames Advertiser, Sib,—Another fellow-min gone into eternity, and by what means? The same sad tale -drink, accursed drink. Life is God's gift. We value it above all riches. In case of danger, all that a man has will he give for his life ; yet ninety-nine out of every hundred die sooner than they would by violating the laws of health; every unnatural stimulant helpS;to bring us nearer our graves, Of all other causes the use of intoxicating liquors is the most powerful. Nature truly bears up under a great deal of torture from drink; but it gives way at last, as in the case before us. Many persons talk about intoxicating liquors doing them good; no doubt they think so, because they judge by momentary feeling instead of fairly testing it by its general tendency and effects, Everything that God iutends us to eat and drink does more good than harm. Let us judge of intoxicating liquors by this rule: the evils it produces are painful facts always before our eyes. We may lay the blame upon men taking too much ; but while man is what he is, exoess is certain; it has always been so; and no doubt will always be so, and therefore there is no remedy but that of total abstaining altogether. These drinks are not the gifts of God, as many would have us think; they, are all manufactured articles, and as sure as powder .and. ball are made to kill, sfo surely are strong drinks made to intoxicate. And the fact is, that if they did not intoxicate, people would ceaso to take tbem, however much they pretend to the contrary. It is a great pity but people would examine the c : aima of strong drink by its general effects. Moderate drinking is a curse in every community. It is a regular quack medicine, making splendid promises, but performing no cures. It is the landlord's birdlime by which he secures his victims, and fastens themin his cage. It is tho whirlpool of ruin, in which thousands have sunk to rise no more. Moderate drinkers speak in favour of sobriety, but act in favour of drinking. You wish the teetotal cause God speed, and invite the world by your example to cast it out. ]f you wish to do right, banish drink from your homes, abstain yourselves, and teach your families and others to do the same; you will then act a consistent part, and be a blessing to your country.—Yours, &c„ . G-. S. '