Page:Sinner's sobs, or, The way to Sion, a sermon.pdf/23

 and inflamed amidst a drunken stew; and they must bear it; they must be stunned by his stupid roar; they must weather the tempest of blasphemy; they must be sickened by the approach of his loathsome person; they, for his prodigacy, must appear half-naked, and live half-starved.

Excessive Drinking is a habit soon formed, stupid in its growth, and hard to root up. At first a man drinks for refreshment, he then takes a larger draught for pleasure, he still adds a little and a little, till he can never have his cups without taking a little too much. His appetite increases as it is indulged; the quantity, which once intoxicated, now does but just cheer him; he feels a craving, he removes it by excess; he craves again, and becomes miserable if he does not again receive an extravagant supply. Thus he degenerates into the finished sot; and then, whatever intervals of remorse disturb him, whatever tears flow, whatever promises and vows are shattered, he generally relapses, grows worse and worse, and—dies. It may be easy, O young man, to refrain in these thy sober days; but intemperance, when perfected into a habit, defies the powers of a warning voice, and would in every instance