Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-08-04
INTEMPERANCE

u
We have seldom seen more pow
erfnl appeal to the under standing and
feeling than tina which is contained il
the following extract from an address
delivered by Joan Holmes, Esq be
fore the members of Saco Lodge.
Boston GGlaTY
Temperance is Masonic virtue.
And let il be held in everlasting re.
snembrance, that intemperancc IS a
most fatal and destructive vice. The
foundations and decisions ofthis adver
sary of our peace, the trcacherous arts
by ~ hich il ilatters US from the paths
of rectirudc, and the syren song by
which it lures us into its foul embrace
surpass the powers of description
The cursed, facinating fatal charm by
(which It binds the faculties, captivates
the hearts and perverts and paralyzes
the understanding, ismatier ofthe pro
foundest astonishment. Before the
danger is discovered, escape IS hope
Tess and The willing victim irrctrlcva
bly, lost. Floating gently down a
smooth and delightful current, towards
the brink of tremendous cataracts, he
sees the necessity Of resisting It's force,
perceives not its increase. nor reflects
thrt he is approaching the danger.
Every moment slc power and lncll
nation to resist diminish, while the
dancer ;s increased. He approa
ches, perceives the dashlng, hears
Che roaring and feels the trembling
The current is accelerated, it be
comes Irresistible, he is hurried to
the brink, the abyss yawns, he is
swallowed in the vortex aDc lost Tor
ever. Is the charm irresistible? Does
the malady admit no cure7 Is the
calamity ineyitable2 Can nothing be
done by n,asOnS to prevent III Yes.
let them administer correction with
the hand of friendship Let the ad
1nonilon be homes, faithful and season
able To provide against possible
danger, let them often try the expert
gnent upon themselves, to discover the
alrSt symptoms OF Inc contagiOn.
They will pardon my zeal, for 1t is
I'm the cause OF humanity. am plead
ing for the disconsolate mother, the
helpless orphan, and the brokcn-heart
ed and distracted wife | come with
the tears of disappointed love and the
sush of the wounded heart. l plead
in the name and behalf of suffering viz
tue, neglected and abandoned for rev
ell and riot. | Imagine hear a voice
from the dark, dismal mansions of the
dead. saying 80 ye sons of dissipation
and excess! ye rrodlgals, who riot and
wanton with the gifts of a bounteous
Providence! come and behold the
companions Of y our revels, the victims
of your folly See the fathers pride
and mothers Joy snatched from their
embrace and hurried headlong to an
untimsIy tomb. See the flower Of
youth &c beauty shedding its fragrance
and displaying its glory; but ere the
morning dew has escaped on the
breeze, its sickness, withers and dies.
Here the object oil vlrtuous affection:
there the promise Of connubial bliss:
ihis is the hope of his country, and
that the encouragrment and consolation
of religion--aIl poisoned by int mper
once, all doomed to a premature and
disgracefuI death Look at these and
be admonished
Marin. In eternity there is nothing
10 gain; nothing to loose. AL Is either
gained or lost for ever. In time, there
is an eternity TO gain, or an eternity
10 loose. Not an instant here, but
tells IN the account hereafter. Lille
places you in that pregnant crisis, be
tween a world of mourning and
world of Joy
Population Of the World The
world is supposed at present to con
tam about eight hundred millions OF
inhabitants. OF these four millions
are said 10 be Jews, four hundred and
fiiv six millions Pagans, one hundred
orI C,-,,, r,iliions MahornPtaDs. and