PREFACE TO FIFTH EDITION. VII 



ethical view, the yielding to such a habit is worthy 

 of one's better self — is not, indeed, a lowering of 

 the moral tone. 



Says Archdeacon Farrar : " It seems to me that, 

 when man has so many natural wants, it is not 

 desirable to add to them another want, which can 

 only be regarded as artificial. " 



Governed by the same principle, Sir Isaac New- 

 ton refused to smoke, "because he would make no 

 necessities for himself." 



Is there not sound philosophy in what Tolstoi 

 writes : w It is incumbent upon us, as far as in us 

 lies, to surround ourselves and others with the 

 conditions most favorable to that precision and 

 clearness of thought which are so indispensable to 

 the proper working of our consciousness ; and we 

 should certainly refrain most scrupulously from 

 hindering and clogging this action of consciousness 

 by the consumption of brain-clouding stimulants 

 and narcotics. " 



Is not compliance with any doubtful indulgence 

 weakening to the moral sense ? Must not contin- 

 uance in such indulgence by one who admits that 

 it is foolish and injurious, check his religious aspir- 

 ations, and bring him down to a low, earthy level? 

 Are those who make self-indulgence their law fitted 

 as good soldiers for the real battle of life ? — espe- 

 cially as leaders of those who are pressing by 

 thousands into the ranks ? 



I desire to express my indebtedness to all those 



