Section 229. AN ORATION ON THE POWER OF HABIT. I.

I will now speak of a habit which I believe⁠[1] is, more than any other, debasing, degrading, and embruting to man⁠[2], both⁠[3] physically, intellectually, and morally. I am not going to give you an address⁠[4] full of my favourite theme [temperance], but I must speak of it⁠[5]. I must speak of it before this assembly, for I shall never see you again till we meet on that day when we shall see things as they are⁠[6]. Let me then speak of one habit which, in its power, and⁠[7] influence, and⁠[8] fascination, seems to rear its head like a Goliath or Saul above all its kindred agencies of demoralization; I allude to⁠[9] the habit of using intoxicating liquors as a beverage, until that habit becomes a fascination⁠[10]. You will allow me to give⁠[11] my opinions upon these points freely. I consider drunkenness not merely to be a moral evil, but also a physical evil, and⁠[12] it depends a great deal more upon the temperament, and the constitution, and disposition of the young man, whether if he falls into the drinking usages of society, it becomes a habit or not, than it does upon his strength of mind or firmness of purpose⁠[13].

Take a young man, and he shall be full of fire⁠[14] and poetry. He shall be⁠[15] of a nervous temperament and generous heart; fond of society, and open and manly in everything he does. Every one loves him. That is the man most liable to become intemperate.