The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-07-11
AN ADDRESS

Delivered before Ho'card Division, No 9, Sons
IF Temperance. and the T. o. of Rcchabites.
By p. W P HENRY p LESLIE Printed
by order IF The Dioision.
Worthy Patriarch and Brethren:
shall deain you but few moments on this
occasion first because have not had time to
prepare myself. and secnndly, when consented
To address the Division, expected that no one
hut the members Of this Order would be present:
but tn my utter establishment. ! find myself sur
, rounded by members of twn different institutions:
and now If my own feelings consulted alone
should retire from this stand, and give place TO
some brother, mere wurthy and more able 10 do
that justice 10 the noble cause we are engaged in.
which ii demands For, brethren, we have COM
menced the erection of Temple, on whose can
stone the sun shall never set--whcse base shall
encircle this earth, and the foundation of ths glo.
hous monument is the great Temperance cause
abstinence from all that makes man beast, and
hloIs out from his image all that is manly and
Godikp
Look back upon the "reminiscences Of the past,
and see what this cause has done, and is still do
ing for mankind !; look upon ourselves look al our
homes, IOnk upon the domestic scenes there pre-
scented, and then say if you can, that the breath Of
Temperance is not filled with all the fragrance of
peace and happiness Let us follow from it's f,un-
tain head stream of pure cold water See it
gushing forth from sumo lofty mountain nivinG
life. vigor and vitality. 10 the mountain Iilv
whose delightful fragrance scents the morning
breeze behold, The beast of the forest and of The
ned. seek lis cooling streams trace ii as il seeks
lis way through valley and glade. bestowing lite
10 all animated creation; see it watering the
mighty oak. whose branches tower Heaven wards;
view 1t winding its way through your fields ma
King The grain laugh for joy; go with it still far
Their, and see it deepen and spread into the mighty
river, on whose banks are built our villages and
cities, filled with the busy hum of industry, and
on whose bosom float The ships of all nations, la
den with all that man requires for his comfort;
view, say, stream Of water through all these
scenes, and then tell me if you can that il is not
an instrument in the hands of a mighty Benefac-
tor, for the benefit of his creature man
wish II were in my power to analyze drop
of pure cold water as it springs from its mother
earth and hold it up to your view, drop though
1t be, II bears in It's little bosom, peace, plenty
health and happiness; what can be more pure,
more lovely, than The sparkling dew drop glitter
ing IN the morning Sun. Brethren, when turn
my eyes over nature and there view the many
benefits conferred by water, | wonder that all men
are not lis worshipers, and do call themselves
either Sons of Temperance or Sons of Rechab-
Bnt why dwell on theme so familiar 10 You all
let us now Tor moment contemplate river of
liquid fire let it be gin. rum or brandy, and com
pare IFS effects upon The human race cataract like
see it carrying destruction before it, overwhelm-
ing kingdoms, empires, and cities. No lily with
It's beautiful foliage springs mp and flourishes the
dlstillery; look within the walls of one Of these
manufactures OF mans great enemy, and there
see the compositions the filth, yea the poison
there collected. 10 be used To make this fire wa
ter; and then see ltas it passes through the diff
terent scenes of society it in the cut glass de-
canter OF the rich man look how it stings and
bllghis tile fair prospects Of some promising and
beloved son; trace it through the middle class of
society see 1t taking from the pocket Of The honest
hard working man, that which should be given
10 the comfort of his family, and pouring ii into
the lap Of The liquor dealer, " hu spurns him from
his door when loaHt, with her whitening hand,
Overtakes him.
Go visit the home Of tho poor vrcIchcd inebri-
ate, and ask that heart broken wifi. ask those
miserable half clad children, Why it is YOU see
Them thus and their answer viii be- that NV
husband or my father is druukdrd Brethren.
need tell you that intempetsncc is the fruitful
parent If vice, pauperiSm, and di>ra>c aecd tell
you that IL has changed The affcciionate husband
the indulgent and loving parcrt. to a demon in
human shape; need ! tell You, it has wasted
| health, mind and character. and brought many a
! brilliant and noble miud tu premature grave
| View TINS the datnnng influence of ntpmperanco
and do you not feel proud that you can call your
selves Sons Of Temperance. Yea let it fill yonr
hearts with gratitude. to think, that yOn are safe
| from It's bIighling and dangerous Influence. Zone
circle il never enter. that circle is here il is
here" Let rs then raise orr voices loud in praise
Of this institution, and all others Of a similar Or
! DEF fJf they are not only founded upon Temper.
an-e bot they arc reneuted together by 1--we.