December 25

Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby, is not wise.—Proverbs 20:1.

DO I seriously endeavor in all things to aim at self-control; and if need be, self-denial, according to the will of God? Do I diligently and prayerfully strive to keep in subjection all the bodily appetites and propensities and passions, that they may not have dominion over me? In eating do I avoid excess? And especially as to drinking, do I "touch not, taste not, handle not," not only that I may not be injured, but that I may set a good example to others?

Strong drink is not only the devil's way into a man, but it is man's way to the devil.—ADAM CLARKE.

O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee "Devil!" Oh! that men should put an enemy to their mouths to steal away their brains, and that we should with joy, revel, pleasure, and applause, transform ourselves to Leasts!—SHAKESPEARE

The death of modesty; the grave of wealth; Reason's destroyer; murderer of health; The bane of character; the beggar's friend; Of crime, the source; of self-respect, the end; The wife's deep anguish; children's woe and shame; Degrading men to brutes, in all but name; Spreading on earth such woes as none can tell; The curse of all for life; and then the gate of hell: