The bases of the temperance reform: an exposition and appeal./ With replies to numerous objections. By Rev. Dawson Burns.

Obstruzctive Efficts of Stirong Drinzk.
when those whom we seek to benefit are habitually tampering with their faculties of reason and will-soaking
their brains with beer, or inflaming them with ardent
spirits. The struggle of the school, and the library, and
the church, all united against the beer-house and ginpalace, is but one development of the war between
heaven and hell."* WVith human nature, weak always,
depraved often, the issue of this contest is too often certain. But the drinking system makes such a condition
chronic in our midst. The institutions formed to elevate
and bless the people are impeded and half paralyzed by
this common foe. What they attempt to do is imperfectly performed, or half undone again, by this one agency
of evil. The persons to be acted upon are made by it
either incapable of appreciating the efforts for their good,
or indisposed to co-operate with their friends. "A sound
mind in a sound body," is the condition of great success
in all benevolent and educational and religious enterprise; but the drinking system is incessantly operating
to increase and confirm unsoundness both of body and
mind. Then, again, it reduces the number of workers in
all good works, diminishes the pecuniary support they
would receive, and tends to discourage the most zealous
laborers. While the drinking system remains, the obstructions it causes must continue, and those who would
desire to give free play to every noble movement, and to
ensure a glorious success for each, should energetically
aid in putting the drinking system out of the way. It is
emphatically the great "stone of stumbling, and rock of
offence," and its removal is imperative, if moral, social,
and spiritual reforms are to advance and triumph.
To sum up- the benefits of the drinking system are, at
best, questionable and infinitesimal; its evils are ubiquitous and tremendous, and, because directly involved in
* Mr. Charles Buxton, in.,Vorth Britisht Review,, Feb., x854.
25