An Eloquent Preacher Made a Drunkard by His Cigar.
I KNEW a young clergyman, whose oratory obtained for him the admiration of many influential persons, among whom was a gentleman of fortune, who courted his company and taught him to smoke. The young minister was warned of his danger, but could not be persuaded to renounce what he considered a harmless indulgence, and claimed that his cigar soothed his mind and composed his feelings. A friend, in reply, told him the mind never wanted composing when in health, by artificial means, but only when discomposed by improper causes, or the feelings soothed but when they should not be irritated; and added, “Beware how you indulge in a bad habit.” Impatient under the rebuke, the clergyman rejoined, “I smoke but seldom, and could almost do without it.” Seldom and almost are two fatally ominous words. Seldom will become regular, and almost be converted into always. And as smoking and drinking are sworn companions, “Let me beseech you,” said his friend, “not to make them yours. Ministers should be a fence around the pit of perdition. Some inexperienced youth may see you smoke, and imitate your example, and become a confirmed smoker, and, sooner or later, a confirmed drunkard. The line of demarkation being once effaced, he may soon be lost in the vortex of sin.” Little did this young preacher suppose this to be a picture of his own mournful case. But, by his habits, his splendid talents soon became dim, his hearers forsook him. His wealthy host, who first taught him to smoke, witnessed his growing desire for stimulants, and with a look more expressive than words, would say of him, “that in spite of praying and preaching, professors of religion like the good things of this life, as well as others; and that, after all, saints and sinners were pretty much alike.” The days of this eloquent young clergyman were ended in ignominy. Around a once most promising, talented preacher, a gloomy curtain was drawn; and a life which promised to be happy and illustrious, was early brought to a miserable close. His intemperate habits, it was supposed, killed his young wife, and made a beggar of his child. He died in a madhouse, blaspheming the very Saviour he had preached. Avoid smoking. “It is the devil’s leading string, commencing with a hair and ending with a cable.”—Geo. Trask.