New Hampshire Statesman And Concord Register

Moral and Religious.

For the Statesman and Register.

Remarks of Mr. Sutherland, of Bath, at the meeting of the Lyme Association for the Promotion of Temperance, January 3, 1828.—The following resolution having been introduced by Col. Philip Turner,

"Resolved, That the success which has already attended the efforts made to promote Temperance, demands our grateful notice, and furnishes encouragement for continued and increased exertion."

Mr. Sutherland arose and said:

The revolution which has taken place in the public mind, with respect to the use of spirituous liquors, is to me as pleasing as it is unexpected. It is in reference to that happy change that I now arise to second the resolution which has just been offered.

I know not that on this occasion I can subserve the interest of Temperance so well as by giving you a little of my own history; and yet in adopting that course I am well aware I subject myself to the charge of egotism and vanity. Nevertheless, such is my enthusiasm on this subject, that on other points, I am perfectly willing to hazard my reputation.

In early life I was much in the habit of receiving the hospitality of generous friends; and although I believe one shilling would pay for all the strong drink I ever called for at the taverns, I was in the habit of making what is called a temperate use of it at the tables of my friends. When I commenced house-keeping, I followed in the beaten track. I procured ardent spirits, and offered them to labourers, and visitors. In process of time, I began very seriously to question the propriety of the practice.

I saw that intemperance was making fearful havoc in society. Drunkards were seen reeling and staggering in our streets, till we saw them reeling into hell; and many others, who as yet, knew very well what they were about, were fast approaching to the same awful crisis. I began to feel that the temperate part of society were contributing their full share to the evil. The longer I contemplated the universality of the dangerous practice of sipping intoxicating liquors, the more I became alarmed. I hardly entered a house, even the poorest, without encountering either a rum bottle, or an apology for its absence. To what purpose, I frequently asked, is this waste? Could nothing be done to arrest the progress of the fell destroyer? What could I do?—

While musing on this subject, the idea occurred of total abstinence. But what! was I to set up myself as a pattern to others. I knew not that an individual in public or private life, had adopted that maxim. And would I dare to be singular? Notwithstanding the novelty of the experiment, (without any vow) I determined to drink no more: nor to keep ardent spirits in my house, either for laborers or strangers. I immediately spread my reasonings and my purposes before my beloved hearers, in a sermon on the subject. I told them, that whilst I should be as glad to see them as formerly at my house, I should never offer any of them ardent spirit; and neither should I accept it at their houses. This tacit compact was formed about sixteen years ago; and to this day it remains inviolate.

Do you ask me what loss have I sustained by giving up a favorite beverage? I answer freely, none. I have an excellent relish for my breakfast, without the aid of bitters, and I leave all the food and fruit I use, to the successful operation of the gastric juices. I sustain cold, and heat, and fatigue, with equal—nay, I will boldly assert, with greater bodily comfort than any drinking man in the community.

Do you ask, what gain I have made? I answer, there is some advantage on the score of economy. Ardent spirit forms no item of expense to me, neither do I subject any of my numerous friends to any expense of that nature on my account. Besides, I have saved my constitution from being enervated by the operation of a slow poison; and although not very sensitive on nice points of honor, I feel not a little gratified that I have saved myself from the silly habit of swallowing frequent doses of condensed vapor.

What good may have resulted from my exertions in the cause of Temperance is not for me to say. Neither have I the vanity of supposing that the present state of Temperance in Bath, has grown out of these exertions. But it affords me the sincerest gratification to say, that of late it has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. Several months ago, a meeting was called for the purpose of considering the subject, at the close of which, a society was formed of about 50 members, on the principle of total abstinence. A day or two ago a meeting was called, when it was found the number had amounted to one hundred and fifty. It is composed of men of all classes, some of whom were so far gone as to be considered irreclaimable. One only had apostatized: others who had been in the habit of hard drinking for many years, had not only dropped it entirely, but declared that they now enjoy themselves well, and can perform more labor without stimulating liquors, than ever they could with them.

Far be it from me to insinuate that all our temperate men are embraced in this society. Stimulants are going fast into disuse among us. Our stores do not sell one half the quantity which they formerly did; and one barkeeper (where only one tavern in town) declares that he does not sell more in a week than he used to do in one day: and it is much the same in the adjoining towns.

When I compare the present state of society, with what it was sixteen years ago, the contrast is truly gratifying. I then felt myself standing alone. So far as I recollect, there was not another single minister who acted on the principle of entire abstinence. And now, if there is one clergyman of any denomination, who is a man of respectability, who does not act on that principle, it is to me unknown.

Not only have all clergymen united in proclaiming an exterminating war against this enemy of human happiness, but I see another auxiliary battalion formed, who has nobly volunteered its service in the combat. Physicians from Georgia to Maine have come forward, professionally, to put down the tyrant. I rejoice in this aid. Ministers of the Gospel appeal chiefly to the moral faculty, and that is very blunt in most men. Physicians have access to a more feeling power of the man, and are more likely to succeed.

And what is to me yet more unexpected, even Lawyers have almost all come over to the ground of total abstinence. It is now almost as rare to find a drinking Lawyer, as a drinking Minister. Go to the boarding houses of your Courts of Justice, and of Legislation, and you find the offensive liquors nearly as thoroughly vanished, as from the tables of ordaining councils and ecclesiastical Associations.

Nor is this all—you find a respectable portion of Farmers, Mechanics and Laborers, abandoning unnatural stimulants. And if you visit the wealthy and the fashionable, you may pass over almost the whole breadth and length of the land, without ever meeting with the intoxicating glass.

Are not these facts encouraging to Temperance Societies? Let them thank God and take courage. Let them put forth all their strength, and press upon the foe, until ardent spirits of every kind are driven to their legitimate places—the shelves of the Apothecary.