THE BEGINNING AND THE END.
“What harm can there be in a moderate social glass of wine?” This is a question young men often ask. Remember that “at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” If the sting came at the beginning of the indulgence, few would be led astray. But the pleasure comes at the first, and the sting at the last, and herein lies the danger of drinking wine or strong drink. At first, it sparkles and cheers. At last, it poisons and maddens. At first, it excites to mirth and song. At last, it produces sorrow and curses. At first, it may appear to quicken the intellect to unwonted activity, and impart a captivating brilliancy to the conversation. *At last, it emasculates the mind of every element of strength, and degrades the conversation to the merest stammering or idiotic gibbering. At first, it may stimulate the body to unnatural vigor. At last, it breaks down the strongest frame, and sends weakness into the limbs and trembling into the flesh. At first, there may be health enough to resist the pernicious tendency of intoxication, so that with all the pleasures there are few of the pains of indulgence. At last, drinkers become victims of manifold, loathsome, and distressing diseases. At first, it is a cup of exhilaration in the hands of thoughtless youth. At last, it is a “cup of fearful trembling in the hand of an offended Deity.”—Temperance Record.