Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ...engendered by the abuse of alcoholic liquors, but all attacks on this monster-evil had met with discourageing failure. Legislation had been made to conquer it; the ecclesiastical law had been used in vain, and even natural right, brought in to assist in the work of reform, had unsuccessfully grappled with it. Science was drafted to formulate the solution of the difficulty, but the drinking habits of the generation still remained to deal out their woe and miseries to the family and the nation. The evil of intemperance seems to be nowhere greater than in our own country. Americans are admittedly more nervous than any other people; the climate is different from any other, and the dietary is radically diverse from that of European countries, it being estimated that we use thirty per cent, more solid food than the inhabitants of Continental Kingdoms. All these causes with the supreme tyranny of vitiated appetite united have begotten in this young land of ours a pestilence that decimates communities, families and individuals We do not underestimate the great services which science has rendered society in demonstrating the knowledge of the nature of alcohol and its evil effects on the human system, but all the arguments of science can never prevent people from following the passionate inclination to such a masterful vice as drunkenness. The greatest bulwark offered to the devastations of the alcoholic habit is the power of Religion. The Catholic Church must be enrolled in the combat against this vice, if we shall have progress and success. For seven centuries our Apostolic Church fought against slavery and she won; to-day she is contending for her right all over the world to educate her children according to the eternal principles of virtue and...
