Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-12-20
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DAVIDSON COLLEaE, Dec. 18th 1850.

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DAVIDSON COLLEGE, Dec. 18th 1850. h
Bro. GoRMAx: A deep and heart felt in ,
terest in the cause Of temperance, which is !
the cause Of humanity, induced me to solicit I
n number of subscribers to your improved !
and valuable paper. 1 heartily concur in
the necessity and propriety Of your determi-
nation, with regard to publishing all speech
os and Communications, and hope that the
friends and members of the Order, instead
of crowding the columns of your paper with
minute details Of public meetings and cele- !
b%rations, will cOnfne them to those parts
which will BE- of general interest and pro-
ductive Of ONE good. True it is, that We
like to see the names of our friends, and
those who act a noble part in the cause, rails
ed in the estimation 0 the world and echoed
far and wide by the voice of fame yet to
advance the interests of the temperance re-
form is paramount to these. and should be
the great object Of all who have espoused
Its cause. Let then, the genius Of our Or
der be displayed in studied and well diges-
ted contributions to your columns not
wishing 10 exclude many able and ~instruc-
tive addresses delivered on public occasions,
but seeking to give what is of general inter-
est and real utility. Then your paper will
be just what we need,-just what we wish
it for it is impossible to arouse the dull
and languid feelings that will prevail over
too many, uRless something be done to keep
up a lively interest. It is human nature to
~languish, to become careless and inactive,
unless there is something to rouse and ani-
mate. Even the message Of eternal truth
will fall without any saving and lasting eff
feet upon the heart, unless it be cherished
and cultivated. Many, / fear, think that
all that is necessary is to organize temper
ance societies and the work is done. But.
this is a fatal mistake. The farmer who de-
ponds for his living upon merely sowing
seed, will perish and so in all other cases.
The Church itself, that has survived the
wreck Of ages,'' would soon perish, if its
principles we're not propagated by the un-
ceasing efforts Of its ministers. This may
seem the illusions of a casuist but means
most be used. Thus we are convinced of
the necessity Of providing some means to
arouse and awaken the minds of all men in
this great undertaking. The vessel launch
CQ " tue OCCuu oOou AOhc6 " uOHlcubum
without constant force, and ceases to move.
The car mesesb but a short time, unless pro-
pelledby theageney Of steam just SO it is
with the temperance cause. So long as a
lively interests kept up fear not the frown
ofsoorn nor the voice of detractiOn, but we
will ride triumphant over the waves and thro'
the breakers. 1t may be asked how can
this be done? 1t can be done by Subordi
nate Divisions, to some extent, by having
well prepared speeches at all regular meet
ings. But it is a subject so trite and com
mon, some may say, that no man Of ordina
airy talents can advance any thing new or in
t~eresting on it. But let us think hai
Christianity, that has been preached from
the pulpit from Sabbath to Sabbath for hun
dreds of years, become so? No Neithe
has temperance become SO. / never hear,
a temperance speech but / listened to
with interest. But if Subordinate Divis
ions have not members of this kind, let gu
Temperance papers be conducted so as to
waken and keep alive an active spirit. An
especially as | believe it essential to the sur
cess and welfare Of the Order to emplo
able and efficient public agents, who's
hcatEslitlnS anu persuasive eloqucnce, INA
carry conviction to every mind, and ma
kindle the ~slumbering fires of the soul an
arouse all its powers to bold and energet
action. In order to accomplish this obie
It is hoped that the people Of North Carol
ma and especially the Sons of Temperate
while paying thousands to the ministers
the Gospel, viii extend some aid to the eau
Of temperance, which is the handmade
the christian church, and as such, worthy
the serious regard Of every friend of h
manity. Let Subordinate Divisions tn
cheerfully meet the demands of our trav,
ing agents, who should be sent to minist
to the weak. Then will our system VIC
smoothly. Then will the glorious car
temperance reform move with increasing /,
locity, and as it rolls t~riumphantly over I
conquered dominions Of incompetence,
shall drag captive, at its gittering whee
this tyrant that holds Millions of our race
servile bondage and sinks the helpless 8
inhelL E1 HW.P.