The Adventures of Lot, the Nephew of Abraham, page 39 by William Andrus Alcott
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them, (or at least were told,) would prove their ruin. Some formed the habit while they were mere boys and girls; others at a later period. Do you ask me to explain, more fully, my meaning?
Many a young person has acquired the habit of frequenting the confectionary shop. Whenever he can get a little money, away he goes to the confectioner, and spends it. Well, the more he spends in his way, the more he wishes to. The cravings of his stomach for such things become stronger and stronger, and they soon begin to affect his appetite, and injure his powers of digestion. Nor is this all. He begins to be more fond that before, of other kinds of excitement.
But presently he reads in some book or paper, that confectionary usually leads a person on into bad habits, and ultimately injures his health. Again he reads or hears about it. He asks some friend if it is so; and is answered in the affirmative.
At length he believes it, and resolves to reform. But he has a little money in his pocket, and is passing by a confectionary shop, on his road to school; so he must venture in once more. Now he has broken his resolution. Now he feels guilt; and he resolves again. -- But again temptation comes, and he yields, and breaks his resolution. At last he becomes such a slave to his appetite, that, with money in his pocket, and a splendid assortment of confectionary before him, and no human eye on him but the eye of the confectioner, he would buy and eat, though he knew he should suffer for it the very next hour. -- And now, in what respects, is he better than Lot?
The young man, away from his parents at school, or apprenticed to some city mechanic, or clerk in some store, finds a leisure hour to associate him his fellow students, clerks, or apprentices; and so away he goes with them. They are going to the confectionary's or the restorator's, for a supper. It is true they have eaten just at dark, and need nothing more till the next day; and, indeed, ought now to be in bed. They know and believe that late and