Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-09-20
TaAirs' BrpartmRut.
From the National Temperance Magazine.
AN ADDRESS,
To the Daughters of Temperance.
BIT MRS. scraps W. HOLMES.

NJ MAos SEhARA W.. hOLAEN. !
THS DESIRE Of happiness implanted in the
human heart, is one Of the strongest emotions
VI our nature. II is one that shows at once
human origin and human destination. The
whole family Of mankind are in search of
happiness. Every energy Of the human
mind is tasked to produce the desired result.
Many place the boon in wealth, and will
compass land and sea to gain the acme Of
human bliss. These sacrifice home, friends,
the common comforts of life. the wealth Of
affection, principle, health, indeed every
thing that could make life desirable to the
acquisition Of their object. And why? Be
cause they see beneath the glittering dust the
happiness which their dissatisfied spirits
crave. They toll on amid burning sands and
desert wastes, endure cold, hunger and fa-
tigue, pain and p~rivatiOn, to accomplish the
one grand aim, TO acquire wealth And
they may be successful-in their Golfers the
golden treasures glitter-thc Injuries that
wealth can purchase surround them. But
are they happy Are they satisfied? The
care-worn cheek. the f~altering step, and the
reetlessness Of soul that is told in the sunken
eye, answer that the pursuit has been vain.
And even the possession is uncertain. The
storm and the tempest may destroy, che
flames may consume, or the blighting mil
dew may wither forever. At best they are
held by slight tenure. The full possession
Of ample wealth is unsatisfactory, and be-
comes a source Of narrowing care there is
still something wanting to complete earthly
JOY, which wealth and its a~ppnrtenances can
never bring.
If We turn to the v~otaries of pleasure and
ask for happiness, we are equally astonished
at the result. The cup of pleasure pals up
on the lip, and he who quaffs deepest turns
away in bitterness of heart, as from the drug
ged chalice. Not that we despise wealth or
renounc pleasure no, when properly used
in connection. with the higher and boiler du-
ties oflife. they contribute much 10 human
happiness ; but when we depend upon them
as an entire source of enjoyment, they fail
Of producing the desired result.
We next turn to the pursuits of ambition
and fame. They, too, are unsatisfactory.
The dazzling heights of fame may be gained,
ambition may be stated by princely palaces
and prineely power, yet the soul is unsatis-
ned. An Alexander, a Caesar or a Nape-
leon may be cited in proof this. They, a.
mid their splendor and renown, were not
happy, were not satisfied, were not secure.
The banquet hall Of Persia, the Forum Of
Rome at the idea Of March and the rock
bound coast of st. Helena, tell but too faith
fully the end Of a career of earthly glory
whose starting point and FINAL goal was am
bition.
From these considerations VIC NAV perceive
that though these possessions and pursuits,
when properly held and exercised, contri-
butte to human enjoyment, yet they fall short
Of producing that amount Of happiness that
the soul Graves, or is capable of approaching.
To realize the full amount of happiness Of
which we are susceptible, we must follow out
tho impulses Of our higher and better nature.
The full powers Of our mental and moral be-
: ing must be developed and brought into ac-
ton. The soul wants culture. The capac-
tiles with which we are endowed, those which
often Ito dormant, are a living fount Of hap
piness, if we would but allow them to ex-
pand beneath the genial influence Of Judi
cious culture and exercise. The present
state Of the world favors that development
OF soul upon which so much happiness de.
penas. The organizations and associations
Of the present day are doing a work of re.
form. They are in a measure r~enovating the
human soul. The first step they make in
this reform is to place all within their limit.
upon an equal footing. Here merit alon,
takes precedence. Here are no artificial dis
tincions based upon wealth or circumstance
Here, If there be within the frazier caskets
soul, it has a chance to expand, beneath th,
genial and fostering care Of the association
Its powers are developed-ealled out-no
forced, but induced into healthful action
We are each Of Us conscious of possessing
soul, q spirit, q something that moves Us
that owns no earthly origin. and We are G
qually well aware, that upon the action G
this innate thinking principle our earthly an
eternal welfare and happiness depend. W
are all aware that il becomes our duty /
cultivate this soul, to make it rich in feeling
thought, purpose, and action. This need
no proof. Else why our various institution
Of learning2 Why our organization, f
mental, moral, and social improvement 2
Why the institution of the Sons of Temp
rance, bat that they may renovate the &
man soul-that they may reform the erin
and strengthen the virtuous in pure and no
purposes Why do the Daughters Of Ter
perance, under their strong organization
combine their less sufficient efforts to aid Il
great work of progression? 1t is that und
the full Consciousness Of duty, no human /
ing can be idle. 1t is that the assurance
happiness to agreatcr mass ofhunan beinr
rising through their efforts, stimulates the
on to action. We cannot toll for IL