Grappling with the Monster; Or, the Curse and the Cure of Strong Drink

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Arthur Timothy Shay. Grappling with the Monster; Or, the Curse and the Cure of Strong Drink

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I. THE MONSTER, STRONG DRINK

CHAPTER II. IT CURSES THE BODY

CHAPTER III. IT CURSES THE BODY.—CONTINUED

CHAPTER IV. IT CURSES THE SOUL

CHAPTER V. NOT A FOOD, AND VERY LIMITED IN ITS RANGE AS A MEDICINE

CHAPTER VI. THE GROWTH AND POWER OF APPETITE

CHAPTER VII. MEANS OF CURE

CHAPTER VIII. INEBRIATE ASYLUMS

CHAPTER IX. REFORMATORY HOMES

CHAPTER X. TOBACCO AS AN INCITANT TO THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC STIMULANTS, AND AN OBSTACLE IN THE WAY OF A PERMANENT REFORMATION

CHAPTER XI. THE WOMAN'S CRUSADE

CHAPTER XII. THE WOMAN'S NATIONAL CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

CHAPTER XIII. REFORM CLUBS

CHAPTER XIV. GOSPEL TEMPERANCE

CHAPTER XV. TEMPERANCE COFFEE-HOUSES AND FRIENDLY INNS

CHAPTER XVI. TEMPERANCE LITERATURE

CHAPTER XVII. LICENSE A FAILURE AND A DISGRACE

CHAPTER XVIII. PROHIBITION

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There are two remarkable passages in a very old book, known as the Proverbs of Solomon, which cannot be read too often, nor pondered too deeply. Let us quote them here:

1. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

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Looking at our laboring classes, with the fact before us, that the cost of the liquor sold annually by retail dealers is equal to nearly $25 for every man, woman and child in our whole population, and we can readily see why so much destitution is to be found among them. Throwing out those who abstain altogether; the children, and a large proportion of women, and those who take a glass only now and then, and it will be seen that for the rest the average of cost must be more than treble. Among working men who drink the cheaper beverages, the ratio of cost to each cannot fall short of a hundred dollars a year. With many, drink consumes from a fourth to one-half of their entire earnings. Is it, then, any wonder that so much poverty and suffering are to be found among them?

The causes that produce crime and pauperism in our own country, work the same disastrous results in other lands where intoxicants are used. An English writer, speaking of the sad effects of intemperance in Great Britain, says: "One hundred million pounds, which is now annually wasted, is a sum as great as was spent in seven years upon all the railways of the kingdom—in the very heyday of railway projects; a sum so vast, that if saved annually, for seven years, would blot out the national debt!" Another writer says, "that in the year 1865, over £6,000,000, or a tenth part of the whole national revenue, was required to support her paupers." Dr. Lees, of London, in speaking of Ireland, says: "Ireland has been a poor nation from want of capital, and has wanted capital chiefly because the people have preferred swallowing it to saving it." The Rev. G. Holt, chaplain of the Birmingham Workhouse, says: "From my own experience, I am convinced of the accuracy of a statement made by the late governor, that of every one hundred persons admitted, ninety-nine were reduced to this state of humiliation and dependence, either directly or indirectly, through the prevalent and ruinous drinking usages."

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