Part 6 — TALMAGE ON TOBACCO

At a Friday evening lecture in New York City, Dr. Talmage spoke on the evil habit of tobacco using, as follows:—

“There are a multitude of young men smoking themselves to death. Nervous, cadaverous, narrow-chested, and fidgety, they are preparing for early departure, or a half-and-half existence that will be of little satisfaction to themselves, or of little use to others. Quit it, my young brother. Before you get through this life, you will want stout nerves and a broad chest and a brain unclouded with tobacco smoke.

“To get rid of the habit will require a struggle, as I know by bitter experience. Cigars and midnight study nearly put an end to my existence at twenty-five years of age. I got so I could do no kind of study without a cigar in my mouth—as complete a slave as some of you are.

“At one time I was about to change pastorates from one city to another, when a wholesale cigar dealer offered as an inducement to my going to Philadelphia, that he would give me all my cigars, free of charge, all the rest of my life. He was a splendid man, and I knew he would keep his promise.

“Then I reasoned thus: If now, when my salary is small, and cigars are high, I smoke up to my full endurance, what would become of my health if I got all of my cigars for nothing? Well, I have never touched the infernal weed since. From that time I was revolutionized in health and mind,—emancipated by the grace of God.

“I implore young men to strike out for the liberation of their entire nature from all kinds of evil habits. Even on our railroads they have introduced a pig-pen on wheels,—the smoking-car—and it is being made easier and easier all of the time to sacrifice physical strength and health.

“All those who break down their health through indulgence, and go into the grave sooner than they would otherwise have done, are suicides, and the day of judgment will so reveal it.”

A prominent church man once said: “I used to use tobacco. When I gave it up I had a hard time for ten weeks. I was unable to sleep at night, would walk the floor, but God gave me the victory.”

Dr. Cole, a prominent Methodist physician, said: “I used to use the weed, but I reached the time when I wanted to lead a better spiritual life, and I felt that tobacco stood between my Maker and my soul.”