The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-27
For the Columbian Fountain

For the Columbian Fountain.
II is with feelings of deep regret we ever
hear of one of our reformed temperance
brethren falling back again into his former
wretchedness. It has often cheered our
hearts when VIC have learned that one who
SO long sacrificed all that was noble in
mans character, has had the moral resolu-
ton to break in pieces the chains which
bound him. Yet it sometimes happens, that
before VIC have time to congratulate hlm
and his friends upon his restoration, 10 ne
has again fallen.
What, then, shall we do as Temperance
men2 Give up? No, never! How does
our merciful Father treat us when we step
aside into error? The small, still voice
whispers in our hearts, and bids. us turn
again to the fountain of life. Yes, the foun-
tain OF lfe--a rich fountain, ever open, ever
pure, ever inexhaustible. And in our phys
ca world he has opened fountain Of life,
a rich fountain, which ever beauties his
footstool, and serves as an emblem to re-
mind us Of that higher Fountain, which
gushes up in moral beauty, purifying our
natures, and fitting us to enjoy the holy as
socialon Of that nobler existence, which
awaits all those who drink at the spiritual
Fountain Of the universe. Then let us as
Temperance men call our fellow men to
this physical fountain, that they may drink
Of pure water; then their minds will be
strong, their affections freer from corrup-
ton, and they prepared to approach, and
drink Of that purer Fountain which makes
glad the city of the living God Let us ad-
dress our fellow-citizens as men, as hus-
bands, as fathers, and as social companions.
With permission, will say word or SO
to my friends The human heart was pure
when first from the hand of its C.eator; but
disobedience discolored and corrupted the
fountain; man no longer offered the pula
alteration Of mind and heart TO his Maker,
but darkness was upon his mind, and deceit
and falsehood in his heart. Thus it is with
us, when we forsake the pure fountain
which God has opened for our nourish-
ment, and drink Of that liquid fire which
overthrows the intellect and chills the heart,
mental blindness and moral darkness covers
our natures. As husbands, you should be
governed by the high principle of unwaver-
ing sobriety, that yonr homes may be a
happy scene Of social harmony and COM
fort, that you may ever receive the smiles
Of her to whom you have pledged your
most sacred affections. How shall | sufIi-
GENTLY impress this obligation upon you' ]
would tat were possessed Of language
powerful enough to thrill it into your very
natures, to picture to you the desolalion
deep, dark, biting, which must follow a de-
partnre from it. o! who can picture the
anguish of woman's heart when she is
cursed with an incorporate husband What
hopes have been crushed, what bright an
ticipations have been withered and blasted.
Instead of home Of beauty, made happy
by all that can endear us to social life, we
behold household wreck; and guarding its
threshold, is the emacaled spectre of pow
erty and disgrace. Be guarded, be cautious
Stain not your natures with this moral
crimc-delhrone not your reason--spread
not pail OF darkness and despair upon
your household circle. As fathers, ever i'm
press it upon your children to flee from the
touch Of the fatal cup as they would from
a deadly serpent-lor the one could only
poison the body, but the other will surely
corrupt the soul, and sink it into eternal
darkness. Look upon your child-inno-
cance beams from his countanance, intellect
flashes from his eye, Gods moral image is
enstamped upon his youthful nature. Who
shall be responsible for his future destiny !?
Who can tell on that voyage of life, the
unnumbered sources of sorrow, pain and
deep anguish Of spirit? Who can estimate
the ordeal of alfliction and temptation /?
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