Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

224 DANGER IN THE DARK.
injurious to society, as is the vending of strong drink!
But allow me to recommend to you the temperance
pledge; I found it of signal advantage to myselfand
am sure it will be to you."
"I ought to reform, and will perhaps, make the
attempt; but incline to the opinion that total abstinence
would be more difficult for me, than a reformation
to moderate drinking; if I attempt to quit it,
altogether, I shall be more likely to fail."
"In that, be assured, you will find yourself mistaken:
he who drinks at all, is.i.n a position perilous
to himself; and also under the influence of an evil
that has a deleterious effect upon others. Moderate
drinking is the road to immoderate ; 'tis a down-hill
way, and the lower we get the greater is the difficulty
of climbing up again: keep out of the current, if you
would not be swept into the Whirlpool."
"I cannot deny the correctness of your position,
. but feel that for me it would be an uncertain under- '
taking."
"Nothing will be lo~t by making the effort; and
if successful, you will have gained all. My friends
sometimes accuse me of being actuated by too much
zeal in the cause of temperance; my apology is, I
have felt the withering curse; I know its ruinouS
power; I've seen its deep damnation I and having
been rescued from the horrible pit of inebriety, I
want to save others. Nor will I be satisfied, till I
see the Upas of intemperance torn up by the roots,