Part 1 (2/2)

I have conversed with very many addicted to the use of tobacco, and nearly all express regret at having formed the habit.

A few days since in a town not far from Providence, as I was sitting in the stage about starting for the city, up came a reverend gentleman, a very fine man by the way, with a big cigar about half burned. He had too much good breeding to get into the stage with it, and to all appearance, disliked to part with so good a friend; he accordingly stood outside and puffed away like a steamer, at the same time keeping an eye on the driver; when all was ready, he scrambled in, and we drove off. What an example, for a clergyman to stand in a public street and puff a cigar like a loafer or a blackguard!

Rev. Mr. C., in a village adjoining Providence relates, that a brother clergyman called to preach for him. He was in the habit of chewing tobacco, and Mr. C. took the opportunity to speak to him on the subject.

At first the brother remarked that there was nothing wrong or injurious in it; but on Mr. C's pressing the matter and asking how he could preach ”righteousness, temperance” and good habits in all things, when he was himself addicted to such a practice, the brother frankly acknowledged that he knew he was setting a bad example, and that tobacco was poisonous, injurious to health and shortened life, but he excused himself by saying he _could not_ give it up, for he found it _impossible_ to write a sermon or preach it with any success, without taking tobacco. Sermons and preaching inspired by tobacco! What better is this, than the inspiration of brandy?

Rev. Mr.----, now of Boston, formerly of a neighboring city, is a most excessive smoker and chewer, so much so that it was a matter of notoriety and remark among his congregation and acquaintances of his former residence. He was a very agreeable man in other respects, but his study, his library, and every thing about him were so completely saturated with tobacco smoke, that the ladies of his church rarely made him a call, and more rarely borrowed a book from his extensive and excellent library.--Is it not time for clergymen to reform themselves in this particular, and then consistently to set about reforming others.

I have recently learned that many _ladies_ are in the habit of _chewing snuff!_ Some of them become so addicted to it as to use enormous quant.i.ties in this way. ”One of these snuff eaters,” I was told, ”was accustomed to take herself by the under lip with one hand, and with the thumb and four fingers of the other to fill in an embankment between her lips and teeth.” Shocking! Yet, what young lady who carries a concealed snuff-box, can be sure of not coming to this?

I saw a woman who commenced with chewing snuff, and is now a regular tobacco chewer. She said however, that she intended to give up the habit and refrain from tobacco in all its forms.

Unless something is done to check the evil, who can say that we shall not become as bad as the inhabitants of Cuba, where, according to Rev.

Mr. Ingersoll, ”not only men, but _women_ and _children_ smoke, and some at a large expense.” And according to Rev. Dr. Abbot, ”it was the common estimate that in Havana, there was an average consumption of _ten thousand dollars worth of cigars in a day_.”

BOSTON, July, 1842.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

_From the Rochester Observer._

”Fowler on the Evils of using Tobacco.--'A disquisition on the evils of using tobacco, and the necessity of an immediate and entire reform,' by Rev. Orin Fowler, of Fall River, Ma.s.s. This is a very valuable and instructive discourse. We have for two years or more been fully convinced that the use of tobacco, in its three common forms, ought immediately to be abandoned; but never were we so fully sensible of the alarming extent and tremendous ravages of this evil, as when we had read this production. We think no _christian_, who is willing to know and do his duty, can read this pamphlet, without saying on the spot, if he uses tobacco, (except it be judiciously prescribed by a physician.) the use of this poisonous, deleterious weed is a _grievous sin_, and I will abandon it _immediately and forever_.

Mr. F. lays down the position that it is the duty of every man and woman to abstain immediately, entirely and forever, from all use of tobacco, whether by chewing, smoking or snuffing, except it be as a medicine.

In favor of this point he offers the following arguments, which we think he has fully sustained, by well attested facts, quotations from approved authors, and the deductions of sound reasoning.

1. The history of this loathsome weed. It has ever since its discovery been considered exceedingly injurious, and its general use opposed by judicious men.

2. Its ruinous effect upon the health and const.i.tution of men.

3. Its ruinous effects upon the intellect.

4. Its ruinous effects upon public and private morals.

5. The amazing waste of property which its use involves.

6. The mortality which its use occasions.

7. The apologies made by the lovers of tobacco.

8. The eternal ruin which tobacco occasions.

We intend in our next to give extracts from this discourse. We hope it will have a wide circulation, and would commend it to the careful perusal of all christians, especially to ministers, who use this vile and ruinous plant.”

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