"You allure to brighter worlds,"
you "may lead the way." I ask you to look at the influence of tobacco upon the health, wealth, morals, and lives of this republic; and then to decide, as in the fear of God, whether the blood of souls may not be found on your garments, if you do not abstain yourselves from all common use of this drug, and warn every man around you to do likewise.[E] Suffer us to point you to Him who went about doing good, and pleased not himself, and set a pure and perfect example in everything; and also to that early servant of his, who would abstain from things good and lawful, rather than prejudice the interests of Zion. What reception would the Apostles have met, when they went about to enlighten and reform the world, if they had carried with them their snuff-boxes, pipes, cigars, and pig-tail tobacco? But a word to the wise is sufficient. Let all who minister in holy things, abstain from this poison, immediately, entirely, and forever; and let them use the whole weight of their influence, and example, to persuade others—and especially our youth—to practice entire abstinence; and this good work will soon be done. We put the question to every minister of Christ: will you do it?
FOOTNOTES
[A] It has recently been affirmed that there is a dirty goat in South America which will eat this dirty plant.
[B] Extracts in point might here be given from numerous letters received by the Author, since the publication of the first edition; but it is unnecessary.
[C] The tobacco imported and used for home consumption in Great Britain and Ireland in 1832, amounted to 20,313,651 pounds—the duty on which was 15,300,000 dollars.
[D] 1,765,000 pounds of tobacco passed up the Erie Canal in seven and a half months in 1834.
[E] Says a distinguished correspondent—the most efficient officer of one of our benevolent institutions, "Not long since a clergyman called on me as agent for one of the most popular Societies for spreading the knowledge of Christ crucified throughout the world: his breath was intolerable, and the tobacco juice had formed a current from each corner of his mouth downward. I need not describe to you my feelings at this exhibition."