Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-25

been steadily onward. This opposition has
arisen in different quarters, from sundry sour
ces, uniting wide extremes. The Minister
Of the Gross, who, while he reasons Of the
sublime doctrines Of righteousness and
a Judgment to come, should reason also of
Temperance, a grand element of the for
mer and an essential qualification for the
latter, has opposed us. The fashionable
~wine-bibber, who feels at an infinite remove
from the gutter drunkard, but who is bat
Ting on the same side against sobriety, peace
and God, has opposed US. The distiller,
who has poured out a stream of the elixer of
death, to blight the fairest portions of earth
and curse the home Of man with woes most
agOnizing throb, has opposed US. The rum
seller, who would deal in perdition's ex-
change and barter immortality for paltry.
gain who would build his home on bleed
ing human hearts and wash it with the tears
Of widows and orphans, has opposed U.S.
The poor drunkard, the dupe Of the dealer
In liquid poison, the bond-slave to an acqui-
red burning taste, the embodiment of deep
est degradation and suffering, whom we seek
to save, has opposed us. But this opposf
tion is on the wane, before the burning rays
Of the orb of truth. Already full many a
minister d the cross has joined our standard
and placed back in the banner of Imman-
uel, the bright star of Temperance. There
are now nine thousand sic hundred Of these
Godcommissioned men Of different denomi-
nations, from Bishops down to Licentiates,
with us, and with mighty moral power are
helping to roll on the swelling tide Of this
heaven-bon reformation. Many fashiona
bic drinkers have banished wine from theil
side-boards, and have nobly sacrificed TASTE
upon the altar Of bleeding humanity
Scores Of d%istillers have put out their fire.
and no longer transmit the healthful grair
and delicious fruit into a deathdeahng poi
son. A few bar-keepers have broken u
their bars, poured out their liquors and hav
Joined the mighty host who never buy, no
sell. Hundreds Of inebriates, once falle,
and hopeless, are now clothed and in thei
right minds; good soldiers of the cold ";
ter army. And last, though not least, tho'
sands Of moderate drinkers have sturne
from the certain road TO ruin, and now swe
the ranks Of our Order. And still the CT
is, 10, they come. The night has passed
and the sun is now sailing up the NOR
heavens to his zenith, " when the day wi
be e~nthroned."
In the Spring Of 1S43, the first Divi
ION in this State was organized in th
city. For two years and a half she stoc
alone, an oasis in the desert, pouring h,
l~ife-giving streams of cold water on Il
burning sands Of Intemperance. In Il
fall of las Lafayette Division, No.
was organized at Fayetteville. Up
the fall Of -'48. but IA Divisions, with
little over three hundred members, hi
kindled their altar fires and thrown the
banners 20 the breeze. Now we ha'
one hundred and ninety Divisions viii,
dot the entire surface Of the State, wi
over sir Mousnnd members. But let
not be beguiled into apathy; muc
very much remains to be done. II
enemy still presents a firm front and |
strong holds are to be stormed. He W
contest every inch Of ground, and
driven from the world, will go out wi
deaih-like throes. But certain succe
will ultimately crown our efforts. T
grand means, however, by which Il
victory is to be gained, is moral suasic
The Press, with its mighty power, I
Orator, with bis burning eloquence, a
the members throughout, as living exc
Publications. Of the good Of total abs
hence, are the agencies by which q
means is TO be brought to bear. The
fore Jet US be faithful TO our pledge, Sc
out our Orators and extensively patrc
ize the Press.
c. P. JONES,
G. B. WETMORE, Com.
j. J. SUMMERELL,
60 r.,