Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-11-15

We begin in this number of our Paper, and
shall continue in future numbers until it is fin e
ished, an " Address to the Young Men Of the t
United States upon Temperance" by Bishop a
McIlvaine, of the Protestant Episcopal Church. a
The distinguished Author, who is one of the i
oldest, most learned and pious Prelates of that
influential denomination of Christians in the
Union, takes the strong high ground of total
abstinence from all that can intoxicate, as being
the only remedy for this great moral, physical,
and mental scourge which is so direly affecting
our happy land and appeals, with a force and
~earnestness almost irresistible, to all good citi-
zens, and young men particularly, to engage in
the crusade against this monster vice, by abju-
ring at once and forever the cup of enchant-
ment, which leads to desolation and death.
After urging the necessity for total absti-
ncnce, and the duty of all, as men, as patriots,
and as christians, to aid in every effort that is
being made for the eradication of Intemperance
from the land, the venerable man of God thus
closes his excellent Address, the perusal of
which, entire, as we shall lay it before our
readers from time to time, we earnestly ask Of
all into whose hands it may fall:
In order to exert ourselves with the best eff
feet in the promotion of the several objects In
this great cause to which young men should
apply themselves, let us associate ourselves into
Temperance Societies. We know the mpor-
lance of associated exertions. We have often
seen how a few instruments, severally weak,
have become mighty when united. Every
work, whether for evil or benevolent purposes,
has felt the life, and spur, and power Of cooper-
alton. The whole progress of the temperance
reformation, thus far, is owing to the influence
of societies to the coming together of the tenn
perate, and the union oftheir resolutions, ex-
amples, and exertions, under the articles Of
temperance societies. Thus examples have
been brought out, set upon a hill and made Sc
cure. Thus the weak have been strengthened
the wavering confirmed, the irresolute embold
ened. Thus public attention has been ava
kened, public feeling interested, and public sen
timent turned and brought to bear. Thu!
works have been performed, information dis
tributed, agencies employed, and a thousand
instruments set in motion which no industry o
individual unassociated action could havl
l. reached. Let temperance societies be multi
D piled. Every new association is a new bate
ry against the stronghold of the enemy, an
Q gives a new impulse to the hearts of those VIII
have already joined the conflict. Let us aris
and be dilligent, and be united and may tn
God of mercy bless our work.
We rejoice to see that this most ~infuenti;
branch of the Church Of God (the Episcopal
are being enlisted on this great subject N
body Of Christians perhaps in the land, have
in their power to do more towards a~rrestin
this evil, than have they; and if we can b.
have their cooperation and aid, we fully b
leve that the torrent of Intemperance viii
turned back, and the rayages of the monster
y almost entirely unknown in the land. N,
does this conviction arise from the opinion tn
:; they need so particularly the corrective of I
~ tai abstinence principles, but because of the
i prominent position in society, the immense i
l fuence they exert in matters of State and wi
the public at large, and the high moral pow
= they possess of frowning into d~isrepute tn
pernicious custom, which is producing so muI
evil in the land.
: As another evidence of the increasing int
est which the Episcopal Church is beginnil
to feel on this great subject, we record wi
much pleasure the following Resolution ado
= ted by the Protestant Episcopal Convention
Virginia:
ResoLed. That this Convention, regardi
the incorporate use of ardent spirits as one
m the most alarming vices of our country, as pl
ON senting one of the most formidable of all b;
riers to the snread of the Gosnel of our tn