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Temperance
rather than honoring their Creator.—
Redemption; or the Temptation
of Christ, 21, 22
.
Leads to Use of Stronger Drinks
—Cider drinking leads to the
use of stronger drinks. The stomach loses its natural vigor, and
something stronger is needed to arouse it to action. On one occasion
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when my husband and myself were traveling, we were obliged to
spend several hours waiting for the train. While we were in the depot,
a red-faced, bloated farmer came into the restaurant connected with
it, and in a loud, rough voice asked, “Have you first-class brandy?”
He was answered in the affirmative, and ordered half a tumbler.
“Have you pepper sauce?” “Yes,” was the answer. “Well, put in two
large spoonfuls.” He next ordered two spoonfuls of alcohol added,
and concluded by calling for “a good dose of black pepper.” The
man who was preparing it asked, “What will you do with such a
mixture?” He replied, “I guess that will take hold,” and placing the
full glass to his lips, drank the whole of this fiery compound. Said
my husband, “That man has used stimulants until he has destroyed
the tender coats of the stomach. I should suppose that they must be
as insensible as a burnt boot.”
Many, as they read this, will laugh at the warning of danger.
They will say, “Surely the little wine or cider that I use cannot hurt
me.” Satan has marked such as his prey; he leads them on step by
step, and they perceive it not until the chains of habit and appetite
are too strong to be broken. We see the power that appetite for
strong drink has over men; we see how many of all professions and
of heavy responsibilities, men of exalted station, of eminent talents,
of great attainments, of fine feelings, of strong nerves, and of high
reasoning powers, sacrifice everything for the indulgence of appetite
until they are reduced to the level of the brutes; and in very many
cases their downward course commenced with the use of wine or
cider. Knowing this, I take my stand decidedly in opposition to
the manufacture of wine or cider to be used as a beverage.... If all
would be vigilant and faithful in guarding the little openings made
by the moderate use of the so-called harmless wine and cider, the
highway to drunkenness would be closed up.—
The Review and
Herald, March 25, 1884
.
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