Primary Sources
Preface from Youth's Temperance Lecture (1841)
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Preface from Youth's Temperance Lecture (1841)
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The object which I have kept constantly in view while preparing
this work for publication, has been to convey to the mind of the youthful
reader as much truth, in relation to the causes and consequences of
Intemperance, as is possible in so few pages. I have long been impressed
with the belief that something of the kind was needed to supply a
deficiency in the Sabbath school library, as well as in the private
libraries of parents and such as are entrusted with the education of
youth. That all, into whose hands the books may fall, will be pleased
with its contents, is more than I expect. I anticipate for it rather a
cool reception from the sellers of intoxicating drinks, as well as from
distiller, brewers, &c. If it should be condemned by many of the charges
of ultraism, I should not be surprised; but to such I would seriously put
one question not whether the principles it inculcates may agree with
their practice, but whether they believe it calculated to exert on the
minds of youth an injurious or a salutary influence? That is the test by
which it should be tried. If it is calculated to exert a pernicious
influence, or even a negative one, it can have no claim to the favor of
any class in community; for there is quite enough of error and unmeaning
trash now in the market, in the shape of books for children. But if, on
the contrary, its tendency to be to guard youth against the seductive
influence of dangerous and vicious habits, I feel confident the work will
commend itself to the judgement and patronage of an intelligent public.
I would take this opportunity to express by indebtedness to an
esteemed friend for a number of the poetical sketches contained in the
work.
C. Jewett
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From Youth's Temperance Lecture
by Charles Jewett (1841)
From the collections of the American Antiquarian Society
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