The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-01-06


Who is there among Us ut the present time, that
possesses ono spark Of philanthropy, that does not
feel to arise AMI extend helping hand in the GO
rious cause Of Temperance. No matter whether
it be "lordy man. or the gen,ler sex; should not
all feel equally interested in subduing an enemy
that has so long s,akfd our land unmolested, save
a few puny efforts nj wv and then. How grateful
ought we to be that iuch is not now the case, We
not only see few, but many, very many, advo-
eating the sweets Of sobriety, and soliciting both
friend and foes to abstain from that which to
deveope oil the lower propensilies of nature, and
unfit US for obcying the higher laws Of humanity
and usefulness, and which will eventually plunge
its vo,ares into the vortex Of eternal wo, Most
Of the efforts and reform thus FAR, have been
wrought by father, brother, or husband, bat will
you not now allow US, who IN most cases here
had TO endure the disgrace, worse effects. as con-
sequences Of the inebrates life, 10 cooperate with
you in reclaiming such'-Ladies, should we, and
can we remain inactive while this grea, revolution
is among us. We may well ask is there moi some
thing for me to do, some duty to perform, not thai,
we should step aside from the sphere propriety
POINTS out, yet may not ouT influence be AZ salu-
,ary in the family circle, ms that Of public actor,
for i, is not BY harsh or commanding tones, that
we are to persuade our friend or neshbor to alb
stain from his daily dram, but on the contrary, it
is by bland and gentle efforts. Perhaps we too
often think, that one who has been addicted TO in.
temperance for a series Of years has los, all the f.
ner feelings of the heart, and this we know to be
ceiyo kindlins spark Of susceptibility and thus a
kind word sinks deep into the hear, and produces
the desired effect, whereas r,proach only serves
to irrilate the passions. Let US unite in this great
and good cause, and not desist until the iniosci.
ting cup is dashed from every lip that now adheres
to it with such n strange infalunlion as 10 forget
the comforts, and happiness Of himself and friends
How many wives and mothers during the last
twelve months have been made 10 weep with joy
unspcakable at the restoration Of once kind CON-
panion or atIcclona,e son. How many daughters
who have in secret prayed for lost father, clos,
TO all paterhal affection and sympathy had their
hearts expand with joy and gratitude at his reform
But le, US look around ara there no more sorrow-
ing hearts from The same cause, VI no more homes
10 DO made happy from the same change; il there
wcro none, then might we well renmin Indifferent
20, so long MS the fumes Of this poisonous drug
meet our Senses so long let not all possible effort
cease by which to reclaim both by prscept and
deed, those who would DO ornaments to society
friends to humanity, and blessing 10 themselves,
were it not for this sin. say again let usall, MS
one, act to abolish as beverage, fom our land
this u.onsicr-ihen will we with complaccncy Sit
down and chant the funeral dtse Of King Alcohol,
and meihinks 1t will be- no mourufui strain either
May the future generation have !, 10 say Of this,
that our conques, was greater, and more praise
worthy than ever yet achieved by any nation
1ha, we have effected that, which was never be-
fore effected, and put beneath our feet monarch
that has had undispned sway among all people,
nations, and grade-and one too who has thrown
around lis most faithful subjects. battered garments,
empty purses, swollen ,isnge, feeble step and
finally, deihroned reason Of her empire, and uddcd
oil the worst evils earth contains oh! who, tina,
has seen the baneful effects Of Alcohol land who
has not seen it) can stand silent. or refuse to give
his name yea, his hear, aud hand also, in Destroy
ing tina, which has caused so much human misery
and suffering. To person who had never seen
or heard Of the effects Of distllated spirits on the
human system, and intellect, it would seem al.
most incredible Bu, re need no proof, or exam
ple., we have seen and experienced enough al
ready to n,ince-it is no fiction but painful re-
aliiy. We have also learned from experience thai,
this fend is Of such a Temperament, as 10 exclude
all possibility Of being on friendly terms. for ere
we are aware Of il he so n.inua,es himself into our
affections to blind Us, to all his defornitie, and
crafness, and before wo are aware Of il we be-
come parm, il not hot cronie,. Then why no,
spurn so vile, and decefu thing, ere /, be too
late.
We would no, forge, 10 give all due praise to
the father Of mercies for thus prospecting this glo
rious cause. beyond the most sanguinc uniicipa-
tons Of its warm advocates, and may the Tempe.
ance ship, continue TO sail. and the chariot Of re.
form continue to roll, until not an incbratc shall
be found in our land, or an INDECENT family, made
so by niemperance, and may E-not be found
in arrears in this great and good work.