Chapter 1

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A

DISQUISITION

ON THE

EVILS OF USING TOBACCO,

AND THE NECESSITY OF

IMMEDIATE AND ENTIRE REFORMATION.

By REV. ORIN FOWLER A. M.

THIRD EDITION.

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY GEO. GREGORY.

For sale by D. S. KING, No. 1 Cornhill; JORDAN & CO. 121 Washington Street. NEW YORK: JOHN S. TAYLOR, 145 Nassau Street. PROVIDENCE: WM. APLIN, 65 South Main St. 1842.

A

DISQUISITION

ON THE

EVILS OF USING TOBACCO,

AND THE NECESSITY OF

IMMEDIATE AND ENTIRE REFORMATION.

Delivered before the Fall River Lyceum, and before the Congregation to whom the Author statedly ministers

BY ORIN FOWLER, A. M.,

PASTOR OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN FALL RIVER, MASS.

Third Edition.

BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY GEO. GREGORY.

For sale by D. S. KING, No. 1. Cornhill; JORDAN &. CO. 121 Washington Street. NEW YORK: JOHN S. TAYLOR, 145 Nassau Street. PROVIDENCE: WM. APLIN, 65 South Main St.

1842.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1842, by ORIN FOWLER, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS,

BY THE PUBLISHER.

Among the evils which a vitiated appetite has fastened upon mankind, those that arise from the use of Tobacco hold a prominent place, and call loudly for reform. We pity the poor Chinese, who stupifies body and mind with opium, and the wretched Hindoo, who is under a similar slavery to his favorite plant, the Betel; but _we_ present the humiliating spectacle of an enlightened and christian nation, wasting annually more than twenty-five millions of dollars, and destroying the health and the lives of thousands, by a practice not at all less degrading than that of the Chinese or Hindoo.

Whether, then, we consider the folly and indecency of the habit, or the waste of property, health and life which it occasions, it is time for the Patriot, the Philanthropist and the Christian, to put forth united, vigorous and systematic efforts to banish this injurious and disgusting habit from the community.

It is a fact, that one reform not only prepares the way for another, but often so depends upon it, that the complete triumph of the one cannot be effected without that of the other. Such appears to be the relationship existing between the use of intoxicating drinks and that of the stimulating narcotic, tobacco. The use of tobacco almost always accompanies the use of alcoholic drinks, and it may be feared that total abstinence from the latter will not be _permanent_, unless there is also a total abstinence from the former. Our temperance brethren, particularly our worthy Washingtonians, will do well to bear this in mind.

The tobacco reform, being similar to that of temperance, must be brought about by similar means. Information must be diffused, the evils of the practice exposed, and the attention of the public aroused to the subject. To aid in this, is the object of the following pamphlet, two editions of which have already been put in circulation, and it is said to have been re-published in England. The favorable reception of the former editions, as shown by the repeated editorial remarks, and the numerous letters of thanks addressed to the author, affords much encouragement for a vigorous prosecution of the enterprise. Three members of the church of which the author is pastor, placed at his disposal a sum sufficient to supply, gratuitously, each of the 1000 Beneficiaries of the American Education Society, with a copy of the essay. Orders were furnished for bundles for distribution. An individual in Maine ordered 500 copies, and 1000 were ordered by E. C. Delevan, of New York, the distinguished advocate of Temperance.

Let the friends of true reform remember the early days of the temperance cause, and take courage. All interested should exert themselves. Clergymen can do much by lecturing and other means. Churches should form Anti-Tobacco Societies, circulate information and induce as many as possible to take a stand against the evil, by enrolling their names on a _Pledge_.

Teachers should speak on the subject, and endeavor to prevent the formation of so vile and tyranical a habit, by those under their influence; for it is a fact that lads in many of our public schools try to hasten their claims to _manliness_, by learning to chew, smoke or snuff. This being the case, we may expect, of course, to find these practices prevalent in our academies and colleges, our medical and our law schools and theological seminaries.

In the early records of Harvard University, says Dr. Mussey, is a regulation ordering that "no scholar shall take tobacco unless permitted by the President, with the consent of his parents, on good reason first given by a physician, and then only in a sober and private manner." How different now! Probably one half, at least, of the students of our colleges are, not in a "sober and private manner," but publicly addicted to this slovenly and disgusting practice.

As the use of tobacco is injurious to health, it is the duty of physicians to exert their influence against it. Their authority upon such subjects is generally respected, and is therefore very important.

To the ladies, it would hardly seem necessary to say a word, in order to secure their aid in a reform that so intimately concerns themselves. In this matter, as in the vice of intemperance, woman, though comparatively innocent, is by far the greatest sufferer. With what a melancholy prospect does a young lady marry a man who uses the filthy plant in any form. He may _at first_ do it in a neat, or even a genteel manner, and neutralize the sickening odor by the most grateful perfumes; but this trouble will soon be dispensed with, and in all probability he will, at no distant day, become a sloven, with his garments saturated with smoke, and himself steeped in tobacco juice. Alas, to think of being annoyed a life-time by the nauseous odor of the vile tobacco worm, and of wasting patience and strength in vain endeavors to preserve neatness in his slimy trail! Little can be accomplished in this, or any other reform, without the aid of females. Let them take hold of the subject, and exert their legimate influence, and public opinion will soon be corrected; young men and old too, will soon learn that by no rule in the code of politeness and good breeding, can the use of tobacco be tolerated.

A word to dealers. How can a man who regards the morals, the happiness and the prosperity of his neighborhood and his country, deal out so useless, so filthy, and so injurious an article as tobacco? Many will of course, excuse themselves by saying as the rum-sellers once did, "If I don't sell it, others will," This plea did not justify the rum-seller, neither will it, the dealer in tobacco. Others will say, "I _must_ sell it, or I shall offend my patrons and lose their custom." But this is not valid even as a selfish argument. A large and increasing portion of the community would be glad to patronize traders who sell only the useful and necessary articles of life. Let respectable traders cease to sell the article, and respectable customers would soon cease to buy it.

The abominable filthiness of the practice of using tobacco, is a sufficient argument to induce all decent people to wage war against it. Stage coaches, rail cars, steamboats, public houses, courts of justice, halls of legislation, and the temples of God, are all defiled by the loathsome consumers of this dirty, Indian herb. For the sake of decency, for the honor of humanity, let the land be purified from this worse than beastly pollution!

Let none be discouraged from engaging in this reform, because it relates to a wide-spread and fashionable vice. With a moderate degree of effort in each town and village, hundreds of thousands might in one year's time, be induced to pledge themselves against all use of tobacco.

During the last winter I drew up the following pledge, and obtained many signatures here and in other parts of the state.

ANTI-TOBACCO PLEDGE.

_We, the subscribers, believing that the use of_ TOBACCO, _in all its forms, is injurious to health, and knowing it to be a slovenly, sluttish, and disgusting habit, do pledge ourselves that we will not_ SMOKE _it_, CHEW _it, nor_ SNUFF _it; and that we will use efforts to persuade those addicted to the practice, to discontinue its use; and above all, that we will not traffic in it, nor countenance those who do; and that we will use our influence to banish the "vile stuff" from New England, our country, and the world._

A gentleman in North Bridgewater, to whom I lent a pamphlet on this subject, said he had not read it half through, before he emptied his pockets of tobacco, and resolved to use no more. He also took a pledge to circulate among his neighbors.

Another man who had chewed tobacco thirty-three years, abandoned the habit and remarked that he would not return to it for fifty dollars.

Two benevolent individuals, in Providence, had two or three hundred copies of the above pledge printed to circulate in the State of Rhode Island. One of the principal clergymen in P. said, a member of his church, a trader, told him that the money paid for tobacco in the city was sufficient to support the public preaching. A gentleman there, who has recently given up tobacco, said he would not go back to its use for a thousand dollars, although it cost him a great effort to refrain from it. A young man, after receiving a private lecture from an anti-tobacco friend, committed to the flames half a dozen cigars he had by him, and signed the pledge.

I have conversed with very many addicted to the use of tobacco, and nearly all express regret at having formed the habit.

A few days since in a town not far from Providence, as I was sitting in the stage about starting for the city, up came a reverend gentleman, a very fine man by the way, with a big cigar about half burned. He had too much good breeding to get into the stage with it, and to all appearance, disliked to part with so good a friend; he accordingly stood outside and puffed away like a steamer, at the same time keeping an eye on the driver; when all was ready, he scrambled in, and we drove off. What an example, for a clergyman to stand in a public street and puff a cigar like a loafer or a blackguard!

Rev. Mr. C., in a village adjoining Providence relates, that a brother clergyman called to preach for him. He was in the habit of chewing tobacco, and Mr. C. took the opportunity to speak to him on the subject. At first the brother remarked that there was nothing wrong or injurious in it; but on Mr. C's pressing the matter and asking how he could preach "righteousness, temperance" and good habits in all things, when he was himself addicted to such a practice, the brother frankly acknowledged that he knew he was setting a bad example, and that tobacco was poisonous, injurious to health and shortened life, but he excused himself by saying he _could not_ give it up, for he found it _impossible_ to write a sermon or preach it with any success, without taking tobacco. Sermons and preaching inspired by tobacco! What better is this, than the inspiration of brandy?

Rev. Mr.----, now of Boston, formerly of a neighboring city, is a most excessive smoker and chewer, so much so that it was a matter of notoriety and remark among his congregation and acquaintances of his former residence. He was a very agreeable man in other respects, but his study, his library, and every thing about him were so completely saturated with tobacco smoke, that the ladies of his church rarely made him a call, and more rarely borrowed a book from his extensive and excellent library.--Is it not time for clergymen to reform themselves in this particular, and then consistently to set about reforming others.

I have recently learned that many _ladies_ are in the habit of _chewing snuff!_ Some of them become so addicted to it as to use enormous quantities in this way. "One of these snuff eaters," I was told, "was accustomed to take herself by the under lip with one hand, and with the thumb and four fingers of the other to fill in an embankment between her lips and teeth." Shocking! Yet, what young lady who carries a concealed snuff-box, can be sure of not coming to this?

I saw a woman who commenced with chewing snuff, and is now a regular tobacco chewer. She said however, that she intended to give up the habit and refrain from tobacco in all its forms.

Unless something is done to check the evil, who can say that we shall not become as bad as the inhabitants of Cuba, where, according to Rev. Mr. Ingersoll, "not only men, but _women_ and _children_ smoke, and some at a large expense." And according to Rev. Dr. Abbot, "it was the common estimate that in Havana, there was an average consumption of _ten thousand dollars worth of cigars in a day_."

BOSTON, July, 1842.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

_From the Rochester Observer._

"Fowler on the Evils of using Tobacco.--'A disquisition on the evils of using tobacco, and the necessity of an immediate and entire reform,' by Rev. Orin Fowler, of Fall River, Mass. This is a very valuable and instructive discourse. We have for two years or more been fully convinced that the use of tobacco, in its three common forms, ought immediately to be abandoned; but never were we so fully sensible of the alarming extent and tremendous ravages of this evil, as when we had read this production. We think no _christian_, who is willing to know and do his duty, can read this pamphlet, without saying on the spot, if he uses tobacco, (except it be judiciously prescribed by a physician.) the use of this poisonous, deleterious weed is a _grievous sin_, and I will abandon it _immediately and forever_.

Mr. F. lays down the position that it is the duty of every man and woman to abstain immediately, entirely and forever, from all use of tobacco, whether by chewing, smoking or snuffing, except it be as a medicine.

In favor of this point he offers the following arguments, which we think he has fully sustained, by well attested facts, quotations from approved authors, and the deductions of sound reasoning.

1. The history of this loathsome weed. It has ever since its discovery been considered exceedingly injurious, and its general use opposed by judicious men.

2. Its ruinous effect upon the health and constitution of men.

3. Its ruinous effects upon the intellect.

4. Its ruinous effects upon public and private morals.

5. The amazing waste of property which its use involves.

6. The mortality which its use occasions.

7. The apologies made by the lovers of tobacco.

8. The eternal ruin which tobacco occasions.

We intend in our next to give extracts from this discourse. We hope it will have a wide circulation, and would commend it to the careful perusal of all christians, especially to ministers, who use this vile and ruinous plant."

* * * * *

Edward C. Delevan, Secretary of the New York State Temperance Society, says, in a letter just received--"The subject of your Essay is one of immense importance to the world and to the temperance cause. The use of this vile weed has been the medium of forming the appetite for strong drink, and ultimately destroying thousands of the most promising youth of our country. You will hardly ever meet with an intemperate person without finding him addicted to the use of tobacco. The public only want light on this important subject, to act. Your able and convincing Disquisition will be the means of doing much good. I hope funds will be provided to furnish a copy to each clergyman in the United States. Send me one thousand copies of the second edition, as soon as it is from the press."

* * * * *

"Fowler on the Evils of using Tobacco.--We are anxious to see this work extensively circulated, for we are confident that it will do good. The pamphlet contains much valuable information, and will be found well worth an attentive and frequent perusal."

_The Unionist_, Brooklyn, Conn.

* * * * *

"Fowler on the Evils of using Tobacco.--The subject of which this pamphlet treats is one which, we are persuaded, has received too small a share of attention from those who are laboring to free our land, utterly and forever, from the thraldom of intemperance. From our own observation, limited as it has been, we are persuaded that the victims of intemperance in the use of this poisonous weed are by no means inconsiderable in number. Probably Mr. Fowler is correct when he estimates the mortality occasioned by the use of tobacco in its various forms, at five thousand annually. For ourself we are convinced that the suppression of intemperance in spirituous liquors will never be effected while the agents and advocates of our Temperance Societies, lecture with a pinch of snuff in their fingers and a huge tobacco quid in their mouths. Tobacco slays its thousands, and doubtless one tenth of the drunkards in our land have become so by first indulging in the use of the dirty plant, and thus creating an unnatural thirst that called for liquid fire to quench it.

Did our limits permit, we should be glad to give copious extracts from Mr. Fowler's discourse." _Batharia Palladium._

* * * * *

_Lisbon, Feb. 3d, 1841._ Mr Fowler--

_Dear Sir_--We have in this county a monthly ministers' meeting.

At the last the use of tobacco was discussed. I was appointed to write on the subject, and derived important aid from your Disquisition on tobacco. I feel that it is a very happy effort, and calculated to do much good, and that it is desirable that it should have a much wider circulation.

The thought occurred to me whether it might not be published by the Tract Society.

This would give it the widest circulation it could have.

I doubt not but you are desirous of having the greatest amount of good accomplished by this effort, and will be ready to extend its circulation if possible.

Should it become a Tract, be so good as to inform me--for I should be glad to place it in every family in my parish.

Fraternally yours, JOSEPH AYER, Jr.

* * * * *

Notice by Dr. Alcott, Editor of the Library of Health.

"A disquisition on the evils of using Tobacco. By Orin Fowler, A. M. Second Edition. This pamphlet finds favor, * * * *. While we have the kindliest feelings towards those who chew this disgusting substance, we hold its use, in every form, in the most unqualified contempt. We care not to whom the remark may apply, whether he be farmer, mechanic, lawyer, doctor, minister, judge or president; but if in the light which Mr. Fowler has shed on the subject, any man should continue to smoke or chew tobacco, or take snuff, public opinion ought to frown him out of the pale of all civilized society. He that will contribute in any way to a tax upon this nation of $25,000,000 a year for such stuff, may well be set down as a bad citizen, unless he does it in ignorance."

DISQUISITION.

In this age of benevolent action, when much is being done to drive away the darkness and delusions of many generations, and to diffuse light and truth through the earth; it excites the liveliest joy in every philanthropic bosom to witness the triumphant results already achieved. Recent efforts to banish the use of intoxicating drinks, have brought well nigh half the civilized world to a solemn pause: and the work of reformation in this matter of spirit-drinking has gone so far, and is yet making such sure progress, that many are rejoicing in the lively hope that the day is nigh, even at the doors, when drunkenness, with her burning legion of evils, will cease from the earth; and the gospel of the grace of God will have free course and be glorified, and the whole family of man become temperate, holy and happy. The God of our salvation hasten that day apace; that our eyes may see it, and rejoice and be glad in it, before we go to the grave.

But ere that day shall fully come, there is much land to be possessed. Many a battle must yet be fought,--many a victory must yet be won. Much light must yet be poured forth,--much darkness must yet be driven away. The world is not yet half reformed. The majority in the best portions of the earth--in this country even--are on the side of free indulgence in every thing that pleases the appetite.

Intemperance in the use of intoxicating drinks,--and intemperance in the use of _tobacco_, in the several forms of _smoking_, _snuffing_ and _chewing_; together with several other evils, which I need not here specify, are even now predominant.

By intemperance in the use of tobacco, I mean all use of this drug except that which is under the direction of enlightened, judicious medical advice. With this exception, _entire abstinence_ from this narcotic substance constitutes the only safe and genuine temperance.--This principle has been adopted extensively, in its application to intoxicating drinks; but before it shall be universally adopted in that application, it must be applied, and applied universally, to the _quid_, and the _pipe_, and the _snuff-box_. Rum-drinking will not cease, till tobacco-chewing, and tobacco-smoking, and snuff-taking, shall cease. Though all who are attached to the quid, the pipe, or the snuff-box, are not attached to the bottle; yet a vast multitude become attached to the bottle, and this attachment is continued and increased, through the poisonous, bewitching, and 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]

[A] It has recently been affirmed that there is a dirty goat in South America which will eat this dirty plant.