Intemperance

 

 

INTEMPERANCE

Intemperance is an immoderate use of any of the goods of the world and leads to poverty and disgrace, abuse of language and the committing of most of the crimes in the country.

It may be used in different ways as having a great desire for the goods of the table or studying too much and not taking due exercise.

Of all the sins of intemperance there is nothing so fearful or degrading as the common sin of drunkenness.  It was indeed very common during the past few years.  But thank God it is by degrees lessening.  And if it was done away with altogether it would be of a great benefit to the country as well as its inhabitants.

Mental intemperance is not counted so sinful as that of physical, as it is not so common and most of the uneducated never have heard of it as they do not go in for examinations.  Therefore their mental faculties are lying idle and they are troubled with nothing but to earn an honest day’s hire and return homewards in the evening tired and weary after his hard day.

But education is getting so very common at present that if you are not a very good scholar you will not be taken into any establishment, and the people are taking advantage of this, sending their children more regularly to school.

Intemperance should be avoided as far as possible as it not only destroys the body but it destroys the soul and brings us on the level with the beasts.

Dated: 14-10-1907

Editor’s Note:  Above Essay is from Delia Mahon’s 1907-1908 school year copybook