"How Shall I Get Rid of my Habit of Using Tobacco?"
By G. Trask
THOUSANDS propound this question, and thousands try to solve it by well-nigh innumerable expedients. During twenty years of anti-tobacco work, we have witnessed the struggles of multitudes to rid themselves of this despotic habit. Some who have an "iron will" break this habit square off, play the man, and have comparatively but little trouble. Some try to break it off by degrees, use less and less, and this tampering method sometimes succeeds. Some resort to SUBSTITUTES. They use gentian root—they use common red plantain—they chew chamomile flowers, various spices, boneset leaves, the bark of wild hickory, tarred rope, stale tobacco, and everything almost upon which they can lay their hands; some have been cured by a fit of sickness—a fever perhaps has given them an utter aversion to this bewitching poison, and they have repressed the uprising appetite and it has never become their master again. Some good men, impressed with the idea that the habit is a sin, a sin against God and nature, make it a matter of prayer, and God, they believe, gives them strength to renounce it, claiming that he heals the sick now, who call upon him, as in Apostolic times. Some, of a supercilious turn, wag their heads, boast they can "give it up at any time," but never do, and die in their sins. Some, even ministers of the gospel, under the pressure of reform, drop the habit and say nothing about it—they are dumb converts. Some, more generous, more noble, on renouncing it, gladly make it known, others listen to their story, copy their example, and the reform goes on. For any man to renounce a long indulged, tyrannical habit is no trifling piece of business. General Grant with five hundred thousand men at his back, conquered the rebellion, but can General Grant conquer his cigar? The enquiry is being constantly urged upon us, "How can I get rid of tobacco?" We answer once for all, we have no confidence in the prescriptions of quackery, and have but little confidence in antidotes, our own or any other, unless a man is a man and has a will of his own. We say to all who consult us: 1. Resolve, "live or die," that you will use no more tobacco in any form. 2. Use a nervine, gentian root or red plantain, a short time to brace up the relapsed nerves. 3. Exercise the glorious attribute of a moral agent, free will, have a mind of your own and play the man. 4. Look to God, our Saviour, lean upon him with all your might, and you will come off conqueror and more than conqueror. "We speak that we do know and testify that we have seen."—G. Trask.