Permanent temperance documents of the American Temperance Society. Vol. I.

Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Permanent temperance documents of the American Temperance Society. Vol. I. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    519] storm and fatigue, much better without this stimulus, than with it. We felicitated ourselves upon this discovery. But about two years ago, I commenced total abstinence from all intoxicat- ing drinks; and I am constrained to believe, that I have expe- rienced a much more sensible improvement in my bodily and mental powers than when the reform was but half accomplished. I am now nearly sixty-two years old 5 and find, so faras I am capa- ble of forming a judgment, that my bodily and mental powers are better than they were twelve years ago—and that far the greater share of improvement has been experienced since I left off the moderate use of fermented drinks. My health is next to perfect —which used to experience frequent interruptions. My mind is clear and perceptive, without much fluctuation—my tempera- ment, which is naturally ardent, has become calm and even. And 1 hope eternally to bless God that he gave me wisdom and grace to adopt total abstinence from all fermented liquors. And here allow me, dear sir, to say, that, from experience and obser- vation, I believe that the use of fermented drinks is one of the most potent agents in paralyzing the life of active piety, and holy obedience, in Christians. And should this total abstinence prin- ciple obtain throughout the evangelical church, I believe her march would be rapid in her way to her millennial glory. Hence let every Christian and philanthropist do all they can to advance this man-restoring object.” 2. From Colonel Guy Bigelow, of Colchester, Conn. “ In reply to your communication of the 17th of November, I would state that, till the age of twenty-nine years, I was in the habit of using intoxicating liquor of almost every kind. For ten years previous to that time, I was employed during the winter in school teaching, and summer in laboring on a farm, with from four to eight hands ; and, at times, in distilling cider, peaches, &c. I had the art of rectifying and converting them into old spirits, French brandy, Holland gin, &c. I made spice and lemon brandy, and several kinds of cordials, for family use, and to treat friends ; and was in the daily habit of drinking them. I supposed it necessary, especially in haying and harvest time, to enable me to perform my part, which was equal to that of any one with whom I labored. Although for several winters during that time, I abstained wholly from the use of ardent spirit for three or four months together. In 1814, I became satisfied that the use of it was an injury, and came to the determination to abstain from it entirely. I have drunk none since, to my knowledge, except twice, by mistake ; both times it caused a violent head-ache for several hours. The effect of abstinence has been, less fatigue from labor, less effect from heat, especially in the night; of course