PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

CHAPTER n.
247
DRUNKENNESS.
DR Ulf-xENNESS is either actual or habitual ;
just as it is one thing to be druek, and another to
be a drunkard. \Vb:it we sball de1iv~T upon the sub.
ject, must principally be understood of a habit of intemperance;
although part of the guilt and dangadescribed
may be applicabie io CASU:!! ~cesses; and
oUofit, in a certain degree, forasmuch as every babit
is only a repetition of ~ingle instaoces.
The mLcchief of drunkenness, froDl which we are
to compute the guilt of it, consists in the follosu.g
bad effects :
I. It bernys most cOll$litntiouseitbez into e:ilrav.
agances of anger, or sins of lewdness.
2. It disqualifies L1eD for the duties of their S:3~
both by the temporary disorder of their &mides~ and
at length by a constant incapacity and stu~&ction...
3. h is attended with ex~~ which can often
be iU spared.
4.. It is sure to OCaL«:IDB une2~:i!~ to the family
of the drunkard.
5. It shorten. tife.
·r 0 these tiJn:iCquences of drunkenness mnst be .d.
ded the peculiar danger and mi5Chief of the example.
Drunkenness is a social festive vice; apt, beyond any
vice that can ~ Dlenrioned, to draw in otbe..--s bv ., t!le
example. The d.-inker coliects his circle ; -the" circle
naturally spreads ; of those who are drawn within it,
Inany becolue the corrupters and centre3 of sets and
drdes of their ?WD ; every ~ne countenanci.og, and,
perhaps, emu!atlllg th~ t'est, ull a whole neighbour ...
hood be infect~d from me contagion of a single exam.
pIe. This account is confirmed by what we often ob ..
:'(;!"\'e of drur.kellness, that it is a /{JCIlJ vice; found to
pre\"cil in certain countries, in certain districts 01 a
(,~~ ~!n·. ('It !~: particular towns~ wirhr.l1t anv reason
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