Page:Sermon on malt.pdf/18

 tal as corporeal diseases. Many of them, too, are diseases of a portentous and fatal type. The momentary effect of this stimulus is exhiliration. Under its influence the mental powers are strongly excited, and are sometimes capable of making a mighty and gigantic effort. But this state of excitement cannot long continue, and it must be followed by a tremendous intellectual reaction, it is a blazing fire which consumes itself, and soon burns out. Let it be remembered, likewise, that the discriminating powers are not aided, even by the present excitements of spirituous liquor. The imagination may mount on a loftier pinion, or fancy display a gaudier plume in the sunbeams; but, in these very cases, the understanding is generally embarassed, and the judgment grossly perverted. I would not trust the man - I care not what his intellect may be - who is excited by strong drink, in any business which demands cool investigation. The mind is biassed, impatient and unstrung. The powers of discrimination are blunted, even by a moderate use of this stimulus. It ought to be remarked, too, that the more buoyant faculties, Which appear for a time to be aided by this excitement, soon flag; and the imagination which was accustomed to soar, crawls upon the earth, if not stimulated even to intoxication. I am fully persuaded, and the remark is of vast importance to professional men,—that the most happy and healthful efforts of intellect, are those which are made upon the simple beverage of cold water.