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 better type  of  Christian  than  the  timid  teetotaler who does  pot  dare  touch  liquor  lest  he  become  a hopeless  drunkard? Certainly the  jolly  bather  who rushes right  in  and  swims  away  out  and  confidently dives and  floats  is  more  admired  than  the  other  who does not  dare  try  it. Yes, but  of  the  two  he  that  is ashore  is  the  safer;  the  other  may  get  beyond  his depth and  weaken  and  sink  in  a  moment  before  a helping  hand  can  reach  him;  or  his  example  may  entice out  others  less  strong  and  less  experienced  than himself, so  that  he  becomes  responsible  both  for  their loss and  his  own. Remember he  that  loveth  danger shall perish  in  it. No one  claims  total  abstinence  is a  great  virtue — no,  it  is  an  absolute  necessity  for some, a  wise  precaution  for  others,  a  good  work  for all. Still it  is  false  to  say  that  it  is  inferior  to  temperance, for  the  temperate  man  likes  a  drink  and takes it;  the  total  abstainer  likes  a  drink  and  does not take  it,  and  Christ  decides  which  is  the  better: " If  thou  wilt  be  My  disciple,  deny  thyself.,,  Well, but  you  say,  I  am  a  free  man  and  to  pledge  anything that  interferes  with  my  taking  a  drink  destroys  my liberty.  Friend,  never  take  the  pledge  against  your will,  but  only  freely,  either  for  the  good  of  yourself or  neighbor  or  for  the  greater  glory  of  God.  Yet the  law  vaccinates  men  against  smallpox,  restrains criminals  from  blowing  themselves  up,  and  keeps madmen  from  jumping  off  the  Brooklyn  Bridge;  and does  it  destroy  their  liberty?  Then  why  not restrain  the  drunkard  who  is  all  at  once  infected  with contagious  disease,  is  a  criminal  and  a  madman?  The