Danger of Moderate Drinking,
A so-called moderate drinker once became very angry with a friend who claimed that safety is alone in totally abstaining from the use of ardent spirits, and who allowed his fantastical notions to insinuate that the moderate drinker himself might then be beyond self-control. “To make plain the question, who is wrong,” said the temperance man, “will you just quit one month, not touching a drop in that time?” Said the other, “To satisfy your mind, sir, I will with pleasure, though I know myself, I will do as you ask to cure overwrought ideas.” He kept the promise, but at the end of the month he came to his friend with tears in his eyes, and thanked him for saving him from a drunkard’s grave. Said he, “I never knew before that I was in a sense a slave to drink, but the past month has been the fiercest battle of my life. I see now I was almost beyond hope, and had the test come many months later, it would have been too late for me. But I have kept the pledge, and by God’s help I will keep it for life.” Moderate drinkers, just try it one year, and see how near you come to the rapids beyond which there is no returning.—Western Weekly.