Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-21

mass of mind, will be like the rain an" "e blu"
that come down from Heaven, and water the
earth, and cause it to bring forth and onu. l"e
trusts and the SHOWS Of 5000 winters VIII De ior'
ever dissolved, and the springtlme OF m'''enlai
beauty, and the autumnal fruit OF mllienia' S'o-
ry. open upon the world.
Your Committee, in reference To ther own
operations, state that they have adopted every
measure which has occurred TO them as likely u
increase the number and influence OF the society.
By request, the Ministers of the different deno-
limitations of Christians, i'll special d'scourses'
have brought the subject before their respective
congregations Chief Judge Cranch, at the re-
quest OF this Committee, delivered an Address
before the Society at its last Annual Meeting,
which, we believe, produced good effect upon
our community. We have had two thousand co.
pies of this Address printed for circulation, one
thousand Of which for the Washington
Temperance Society, they conserving to pay half
the expense of printing We have had prepared
concentrate from which To strike certificates Of
membership for the members OF the Society
This, we think, may be useful, and will afford
those who feel little awkward in refusing to
present ardent spirit to their friends and VIsiters
as an article of luxury, delicate method for ex-
planning the cause.
A Society has been formed, since. we think,
our last Annual Meeting, i'll the Methodist Epls-
copa Church; and there is one among the color!
ed people of the town. Since that time, also. IS
persons have joined our Society. There mas
been an Auxiliary Society formed in the Second
Presbyterian Church, containing, when last re-
ported, SO members, making the whole number
Of our Society Us.
Two or three individuals have given up the
sale of ardent spirits, and joined the Society,
since the last Report. Though our advance has
been slow, we trus' we are still moving onward.
Our numbers, we confess, are small, when COM
pared TO the population Of the town. We regret
! it much, and could we bring our fellow-citizens
to think calmly and seriously upon the subject,
we believe they would act differently. Many
tell US that they have no need to join Tempe
rance Society, for they are already temperate
For that very reason we wish them to join.
Now, whilst temptation is weak. let such avail
themselves of the shield which these Societies
present them against its influence. We can ne
yer be too secure, aud those who think they stand
should take heed that they do not fall. 1t is
perate come. The most debased sot was once a
temperate man; and, had he been applied to to
Join Temperance Society. would probably have
given the answer we now generally receive. that
there was no necessity, he was temperate enough,
and believed he should continue SO through life
But now you see his state. How different might
have been his condition, had he, when he had
comparatively but little love for that which has
been his ruin. entirely abandoned its use, and 81
ven to the public an honorable pledge never 10
taste or handle it. Could such an individual
awake to his real situation-could he but see the
awful abvss that lies before him-we think he
would raise his voice, and, with earnest desire
that it might reach every ear, warn all against the
use of ardent spirits.
We fear that but few of those who are addict.
ed to intemperauce awake, in this life, to sense
of their condition. But who is there that believes
the Bible to be a revelation from Heaven, that
! does not wish that he could rush before such an
individual, and save him from the gnawing Of
! that worm that never dies? II. then. there are
any who value their own security, let them de-
clare an Incorporating enmity to ardent spi-
rits. IL they do this, we then invite them to our
ranks In union there is safety and strength
The good of your country, the cause of virtue and
good morals. and of your families and friends. de-
mand this at your hands. Many of the best, most
learned and most influential men in our country,
are not ashamed to be found in her ranks, to en-.
rul their names in the list of members, and to pro-
claim to the world their adhesion to the cause.
We have thus presented you with sketch of
the state of the Temperance cause generally, and
of the operations of our own Society.
Before we conclude, we would address few
words to processing Christians who yet withhold
from Us their names and influence. We would
respectfully ask them if they see nothing in Tenn