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GRAPPLING WITH THE MONSTER
OR
THE CURSE AND THE CURE OF STRONG DRINK
BY
T.S. ARTHUR
A MAN-TRAP," "CAST ADRIFT," "DANGER," ETC.
INTRODUCTION
In preparing this, his latest volume, the author found himselfembarrassed from the beginning, because of the large amount of materialwhich came into his hands, and the consequent difficulty of selectionand condensation. There is not a chapter which might not have beenextended to twice its present length, nor a fact stated, or argumentused, which might not have been supplemented by many equally pertinentand conclusive. The extent to which alcohol curses the whole peoplecannot be shown in a few pages: the sad and terrible history would fillhundreds of volumes. And the same may be said of the curse which thispoisonous substance lays upon the souls and bodies of men. Fearful asis the record which will be found in the chapters devoted to the curseof drink, let the reader bear in mind that a thousandth part has notbeen told.
In treating of the means of reformation, prevention and cure, oureffort has been to give to each agency the largest possible credit forwhat it is doing. There is no movement, organization or work, howeverbroad or limited in its sphere, which has for its object the cure ofdrunkenness in the individual, or the suppression of the liquor trafficin the State, that is not contributing its measure of service to thegreat cause every true temperance advocate has at heart; and what welargely need is, toleration for those who do not see with us, nor actwith us in our special methods. Let us never forget the Divineadmonition—"Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is forus."
Patience, toleration and self-repression are ofvital importance in any good cause. If we cannot see with another, letus be careful that, by opposition, we do not cripple him in his work.If we can assist him by friendly counsel to clearer seeing, or, by acareful study of his methods, gain a large efficiency for our own, farmore good will be done than by hard antagonism, which rarely helps, andtoo surely blinds and hinders.
Our book treats of the curse and cure of drunkenness. How muchbetter not to come under the terrible curse! How much better to run norisks where the malady is so disastrous, and the cure so difficult!
To young men who are drifting easily into the dangerous drinkinghabits of society, we earnestly commend the chapters in which will befound the medical testimony against alcohol, and also the one on "TheGrowth and Power of Appetite." They will see that it is impossible fora man to use alcoholic drinks regularly without laying the foundationfor both physical and mental diseases, and, at the same time, lesseninghis power to make the best of himself in his life-work; while beyondthis lies the awful risk of acquiring an appetite which may enslave,degrade and ruin him, body and soul, as it is degrading and ruining its