COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTRACTS. 63 



tion of this degeneration would indeed be most unphilo- 

 Bopliical, on a basis of facts such as are patent to 

 common observation ; but that these facts are patent, is 

 sufficient to excite the alarm and sharpen the self- 

 watchfulness of all classes of Americans, who can look 

 forward to the tremendous consequences of a degrada- 

 tion of the national nerve and muscle, through intempe- 

 rance and had habits of living. ...... The 



ftishionable classes of American society are more noto- 

 rious for their luxury than for their refinement or 

 ambition." 



78. I am given to understand that there exists a rule 

 among a large and influential religious sect, when a 

 student presents himself as a candidate for examination 

 for ordination, which compels him to answer, Whethei 

 he smokes tobacco, or uses it in any form ? If he con- 

 fesses he does so, he is remitted to his studies until he 

 gives it up, and can aver that he has ^' thrown away to- 

 bacco for ever." 



79. The great Wesley, I believe, first suggested the 

 rule, which still obtains, that no minister connected with 

 the Wesleyan body should use snuff or tobacco, unless 

 prescribed by a physician. 



80. Adam Clarke, LL. D., a Methodist divine, pub- 

 lished in 1837, among his detached pieces, a dissertation 

 on " the Use and Abuse of Tobacco." It is unnecessary 

 for me to enter at present into a formal criticism of hia 

 treatise, but in referring to such authority in support of 

 *ny views, I may be permitted to quote the following 

 case. At page 29, he says : '^A person of my acquaint- 

 ance, who had been an immoderate snufiF-taker for u^ 



