Grappling Libri GmbH Grappling with the Monster; Or, the Curse and the Cure of Strong Drink Paperback

THE MONSTER, STRONG DRINK.There are two remarkable passages in a very old book, known as the Proverbsof Solomon, which cannot be read too often, nor pondered too deeply.Let us quote them here:1. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceivedthereby is not wise."2. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hathbabblings? who hath wounds without cause? who hath, redness of eyes?They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look notthou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, whenit moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like anadder."It is many thousands of years since this record was made, and to-day, as inthat far distant age of the world, wine is a mocker, and strong drink raging;and still, as then, they who tarry long at the wine; who go to seek mixed3 T. S. (TIMOTHY SHAY) ARTHURwine, discover that, "at the last," it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like anadder.This mocking and raging! These bitings and stingings! These woes andwoundings! Alas, for the exceeding bitter cry of their pain, which is heardabove every other cry of sorrow and suffering.ALCOHOL AN ENEMY.The curse of strong drink! Where shall we begin, where end, or how, inthe clear and truthful sentences that wrest conviction from doubt, makeplain the allegations we shall bring against an enemy that is sowing disease,poverty, crime and sorrow throughout the land?Among our most intelligent, respectable and influential people, this enemyfinds a welcome and a place of honor. Indeed, with many he is regarded as afriend and treated as such. Every possible opportunity is given him to gainfavor in the household and with intimate and valued friends. He is giventhe amplest confidence and the largest freedom; and he always repays thisconfidence with treachery and spoliation; too often blinding and deceivinghis victims while his work of robbery goes on. He is not only a robber, but acruel master; and his bondsmen and abject slaves are to be found in hundredsand thousands, and even tens of thousands, of our homes, from the poordwelling of the day-laborer, up to the palace of the merchant-prince.PLACE AND POWER IN THE HOUSEHOLD.Of this fact no one is ignorant; and yet, strange to tell, large numbers of ourmost intelligent, respectable and influential people continue to smile uponthis enemy; to give him place and power in their households, and to cherishhim as a friend; but with this singular reserve of thought and purpose, thathe is to be trusted just so far and no farther. He is so pleasant and genial, that,for the sake of his favor, they are ready to encounter the risk of his acquiring,through the license they afford, the vantage-ground of a pitiless enemy!