debasing influence of tobacco.

Moreover, the use of tobacco involves a train of evils, superadded to its influence in perpetuating drunkenness, which cries aloud for immediate and universal reformation. It is my present purpose to

consider these evils. And I wish to premise that, in this consideration, I shall urge; that it is the duty of every friend of humanity—of every lover of his country—of every Christian—and of every minister of Christ, to abstain, himself, immediately, and forever, from all use of tobacco, whether by chewing, smoking, or snuffing, except it be medicinally; and to use the whole weight of his influence and example to persuade others—and especially the young men and maidens of this nation—to practice entire abstinence.

I am fully aware that the topic which I have selected, the position which I lay down, and the purpose at which I aim, are not popular. But what then? Did Clarkson and Wilberforce abandon the cause of the enslaved African, when they found that abolition was unpopular in the British Senate? Did Columbus abandon his purpose of attempting to discover a new world, when he perceived that the noble project of his noble soul was unpopular, with princes and people, learned and ignorant? Did Jesus Christ abandon his purpose to redeem a world lying in wickedness, when it became manifest that his doctrines, and the pure benevolence of his holy soul, were unpopular. And has it ever been seemly for one of his true and faithful disciples to abandon the cause of human happiness, and the soul's everlasting salvation, because the work of saving mercy is unpopular?

The theme of our present consideration, is doubtless unpopular.—But we should not, we will not, therefore abandon the purpose of exposing the evils of smoking, and chewing, and snuffing, that dirty weed, which is so hostile to animal life, and so offensive to every creature on earth, that no living being but man—and a loathsome worm, called the tobacco-worm—will taste, or touch, or handle it.[A]

Though it be unpopular to expose the evils of using tobacco; these evils are so appalling, it will not do to slumber over them longer.—We must look at them; we must lay them open—we must raise our voice against them; (we would gladly raise it so high that it should reach every family in the nation.) Yes, we must cry aloud and spare not; or give up our claim to patriotism, and benevolence.

In approaching this subject, I am not unmindful of the pertinacity with which men adhere to old habits. Dr. Rush speaks of a venerable clergyman who closed a long sermon, in which he had controverted what he supposed an heretical opinion, with these words: "I tell you—I tell you, my brethren, I tell you again, that an old error is better than a new truth." There are few who will assent to this proposition in plain terms; but there are thousands upon thousands, who act up to the very letter of it, constantly.—The history of man is extensively a history of folly, delusion, and sin.

No error has been so absurd as not to find advocates—no habit has been so foolish, or so deadly, as not to find martyrs. But of all the delusions, which have prevailed among civilized men, there have been few—perhaps none, but that of intoxication—so disgusting, so inex

cusable, so destructive to health, and wealth, and life, as the habit which we now ask you to consider.

It will be borne in mind that my position is this; it is the bounden duty of every man and every woman to abstain, immediately, and forever, from all use of tobacco, whether by chewing, smoking, or snuffing except it be as a medicine. This position I maintain,

I. From a consideration of the history of this loathsome weed.—The tobacco plant is a native of America. It was unknown in Europe until some time after the discovery of America, by Columbus. It was first carried to Europe by Sir Francis Drake, about the year 1560, less than three hundred years ago. The natives of this continent called it petun; the natives of the islands called it yoli. The Spaniards gave it the name of tobacco, from Tobaco, a province of Yucatan in Mexico, where they first found it, and first learned its use. Its botanic name is Nicotiana, which it received from John Nicot, then Ambassador from Francis II. to Portugal, who brought it from Lisbon, and presented some of it to the Queen Catharine de Medicis, and to the Grand Prior of the house of Lorraine; whence it was sometimes called the Queen's herb, and the Grand Prior's herb.

The practice of smoking it in England, was introduced by Sir Walter Raleigh, about the year 1584.

The cultivation of it is not uncommon in various parts of the globe; but the seat of its most extensive culture is Virginia and Maryland, in this country. In England its cultivation was forbidden—and we believe is still forbidden—on penalty of forfeiting forty shillings for every rod of ground planted with it.

James I. wrote a treatise against the use of it, which he called his "Counterblast to Tobacco." Pope Urban VIII. issued a Bull, to excommunicate all who used tobacco in the churches. The civil power in Russia, Turkey, and Persia, was early arrayed against it. The King of Denmark, who wrote a treatise against tobacco, observes that "merchants often lay it in bog-houses, that, becoming impregnated with the volatile salts of the excrements, it may be rendered brisker, stronger, and more fœtid." It is said to be a fact, that in manufacturing tobacco, it is frequently sprinkled with stale urine.

The use of tobacco never was general in Europe; and within the last fifty or one hundred years, it has been banished from all the polite circles of that part of the world. John Adams, the former President of the United States, speaking of his own use of tobacco, and referring to his residence in Europe, says: "Twice I gave up the use of it; once when Minister at the Court of Hague; and afterwards when Minister at the Court of London; for no such offensive practice is seen there."

But although the cultivation of tobacco has been forbidden in many countries of Europe; and though the manufacture of it is frequently attended with circumstances so disgusting and offensive, that the modesty of this paper will not permit me to detail them,—and though the use of it is abandoned by all the respectable and polished circles of Europe; yet in this nation, and among the lower orders abroad,

tobacco has triumphed: and the only hope of expelling it from our land, lies in enlisting against it the power of enlightened public opinion—a mightier power than any eastern despot wields.

Now from this brief sketch of the history of tobacco, it appears that it was unknown to all the civilized world, till within three hundred years; and that even now, all the polished and enlightened portion of community abroad—and we add, a very respectable portion at home—have no fellowship with the filthy weed. And can any man justify himself in the daily use of a disgusting plant, against the practice, opinion, and remonstrances of so large a portion of the civilized world? Can he be discharging the obligations of his duty, and enjoying the full amount of his privilege, while he suffers himself to be a bond-slave to his quid, his pipe, or his snuff-box? Either an important article of the vegetable kingdom, lay hid from the civilized world nearly six thousand years; or since its discovery, the lovers of