A LECTURE ON TOBACCO. 69 



science in Business " gives many such instances. Some 

 were wakened to the evil after selling to little boys. One 

 reports that, though he has turned hundreds of tobacco- 

 customers away, his business has improved ; another, 

 whose returns from tobacco were ;^ioo a week, sent a 

 circular to his customers that he could sell it no longer. 

 There is an abstainer in Bridport who has given up the 

 sale. David would not offer to God of that which cost 

 him nothing,^ and our religious convictions demand sacri- 

 fices as well as offerings ! 



We must not underrate the difficulties attending this 

 reform. It is no easy thing for those who are enthralled 

 by tobacco to give up its use. When this is compulsory, 

 as in gaols, or when they have been almost compelled to 

 do it by their doctors, after the first weeks of misery are 

 over they have generally found their health improved. 

 But the conflict with habit is always hard. Let them re- 

 member the penalties of defeat and the glory of victory. 

 He that ruleth himself is "better than the mighty; " and 

 though tobacco is but a weed, he who can trample on it 

 may prove a hero. Never despair ! " We are saved by 

 hope." In the midst of craving and suffering, he who 

 has resolved to maintain his manhood may look forward 

 to the time when his health and spirits will improve ; when 

 he will not be a nuisance to others, nor waste his best sub- 

 stance in a folly. We who have never been brought under 

 this bondage have, on our part, to encourage those who 

 would be free, to be patient with the irritability and ill- 

 temper which sometimes attends the effort J and to show 

 that good-fellowship and good-nature and cheerful enjoy- 

 ment are most natural to those who do not allow them- 

 1 2 Samuel xxiv. 24. 



