They were nearly all of one age; all of respectable talents and standing in society; all of them members of the same church; teachers in the same Sunday school-attended the same prayer meetings. Indeed, they were linked together in all good works and words-the hope of the church, and the means of blessing the world. Now, after the lapse of twenty-seven years, let me see what has become of all this promise and hope. "Two of the number died in the triumphs of faith. Three still remain members of the same church." Of several others, he speaks thus: "One went to the West Indies, and in a few years destroyed a fine constitution by drink, and its attendant vices: he died, on his passage home, a drunkard's death! One went out with his companions on a Sunday excursion, in a boat; took bottles of wine and brandy with them-got intoxicated -upset the boat-and all found a watery grave. Another, was respectably married; his prospects were promising; but he acquired the habit of resorting to the ale-house. From little he went to more, and from more to much; and the last time I saw him, ruin-awful ruin-was indelibly, I fear, written upon his brow. He is an outcast from the church, his family, and the world." Of another, he says:-"I saw him some years since; and he looked more like a beer barrel, than a man-a perfect specimen of a bloated bacchanalian." He gives some account of the others, and adds-" Thus has the 'promise and hope' of nine, out of the fifteen, been blighted by the drinking customs." Probably every clergyman of experience will be prepared to admit, that no cause has been so prolific in staining Christian character, and in effecting excommunications, as Intemperance.* Who that has any regard to the welfare of immortal souls, will not, in view of such results, exert his best influence to effect the great change contemplated by the temperance movement? "Knowest thou the value of a soul immortal? Behold this midnight glory: worlds on worlds: Ten thousand add, and twice ten thousand more; * The injunction so pointedly laid upon the Jewish Priests by God himself, not to drink wine or strong drink, when about to engage in the services of religion, and also upon the Nazarenes, was doubtless dictated by Jehovah in view of the demoralizing effects of those drinks. In the tenth chapter of Leviticus, we have an account of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, for offering strange fire before the Lord, which occurred probably under the influence of a perverted judgment, occasioned by those drinks: for God from this time required total abstinence of Aaron, and the entire priesthood, when they engaged in those services."Do not drink wine or strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: and it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations." -LEV. x. 9. CHAPTER V. CAUSES OF INTEMPERANCE. THE question may arise-Why do not all who know the evils produced by Alcohol, abstain from its use? Let us pass in review then some of the more general, and also particular, causes of the prevalence of intemperance in our land. 1. Our views of liberty had an effect perhaps in causing the rapid spread of this evil.Every man here feels that he is a freeman-that he is free from every tyrant's chain. (This spirit of liberty and independence may encourage some, who do not realize the true nature of liberty, to throw off the salutary restraints of religion and morality-to turn their liberty to licentiousness, and the free gratification of their lusts. Thus liberty, a precious boon, is converted into a curse. 2. The laws of our country have encouraged the free use of Alcohol. The business of selling the article has been legalized and authorized by the several legislatures, and certain persons licensed to sell the poison. The whole authority of the state is brought to bear in favor of it; and men regard a license from the civil authorities, a sanction for the business. 3. Again, national habits, till within the last few years, sanctioned the practice of drinking intoxicating liquors. It was generally regarded as a useful and very important drink. The young were gradually trained to love it. The morning dram of the parents, often made all the children drunkards. In a single school of ninety children, twenty-five were intemperate. The teacher said their taste was acquired, by their dipping their bread in whiskey in the morning. 4. The desire of excitement, and of society, also contributed to encourage intemperance.These are elements in our nature, designed to promote our social happiness and enjoyment. Young men often find a strong propensity for excitement, and as they have not at hand the means of a manly and rational enjoyment in the gratification of this desire, they resort to the bar-room, or grog shop, or oyster saloon, to get some stimulants which will minister to this desire. Beware, beloved youth! this is a critical moment in your history-Obsta principiis. Stand off from danger. Avoid the first beginnings of evil, or the first steps will be taken in that downward course, which will lead you to the precipice of perdition. 5. Men often take Alcohol to drown present sorrow. Witness the following case. A man lost his wife, the mother of his children, and he was in great distress. He took some of the stimulating poison, and under its influence seemed full of mirth. He seized the dead body of his wife, and in high glee dragged her across the room by the hair of her head, and threw her into the coffin. But the end of that mirth is heaviness, and the sorrow that worketh death. 6. Theatres must not be overlooked, in noting the causes of intemperance. Boys and young men who frequent the theatre, are in the midst of temptations to drinking and every vice. Late hours, dissolute companions, licentious conversation, and the temptations of the lobby, saloons, and bar, combined at one spot, under cover of night, and beyond the pale of virtuous society, are causes of dreadful energy, to the action of which parents and guardians should look with sleepless vigilance. 7. Gambling is another cause of intemper ance. Drinking is the inseparable habit of every gaming table; and drinking to excess at such a spot, is no discredit, but the reverse. It is the order of the day-the fashion of the time and place. Could the number who frequent gaming tables in large cities be presented aggregately, and could it be known how many fall before the destroyer at such places, it would make society shudder. 8. Sabbath amusements and employments, operate as a fruitful cause of intemperance. How are our young men engaged on the sabbath? A few go to the sanctuary. But what multitudes are found on that sacred day, in steamboats and stages; how many are in houses of gambling and licentiousness; how many crowd the railways, and take excursions to neighbouring villages! And all |