ent our bodies a
living sacrifice, holy and acceptable," _actually degrades, and
prematurely destroys both body and mind_. Dr. Rush, after enumerating
various loathsome diseases, adds, that these are "the usual, natural,
and legitimate consequences of its use." Another eminent physician says,
"The observation of twenty years has convinced me, that were ten young
men, on their twenty-first birthday, to begin to drink one glass of
ardent spirit, and were they to drink this supposed moderate quantity
daily, the lives of eight out of the ten would be abridged by ten or
fifteen years." When taken freely, its corrupting influences are
strikingly manifest. And even when taken moderately, very few now
pretend to doubt that it shortens life. But nothing can be clearer, than
that he who thus wilfully cuts short his probation five, ten, or twenty
years, is as truly a suicide, as if he slew himself violently. Or if he
knowingly encourage his neighbor to do this, he is equally guilty. He
is, by the law of God, "a murderer."

But besides prematurely destroying the body, alcoholic drink injures the
immortal mind. To illustrate the blinding and perverting influence of
even a small quantity of such liquor, let a strictly temperate man spend
an evening with a dozen others indulging themselves "moderately:" they
will be sure to say things which to him will appear foolish, if not
wicked; and which will appear so to _themselves_ on reflection; though
at the time they may not be conscious of any impropriety. And if this
"moderate indulgence" be habitual, there must, of course, be an
increased mental perversion; till conscience is "seared as with a hot
iron," and the mind is lost to the power of being affected by truth, as
well as to the capacity for usefulness. And is this destruction of the
talents God has given, consistent with the injunction to "glorify God in
body and spirit?"

Again, the habit of drinking _is incompatible with that eminent holiness
to which you are commanded to aspire_. The great Founder of Christianity
enjoins, "Be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." This
will be the true Christian's desire. And a soul aspiring to the image
and full enjoyment of God, will have no relish for any counteracting
influence.

Is it said, that for eminently holy men to "mingle strong drink" may be
inconsistent; but not so for those less spiritual? This is making the
want of spirituality an excuse for sensuality; thus add