Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-09-20
TEMPERANCE.


teen a SHE progress Of ma6ysnalI, pure streams,
stealing their way DoiselessIy along, and work
ing deep and narrow channels, until by a gener.
al food and union it has become = wide spread
and mighty river, running and spreading its
broad surface over every land. Nothing can re-
sist its power, and the small margins Of Intern
perance yet exhibiting their muddiness and
filth on its borders, will be washed over and
covered and temperance as q sea, spread over
the whole world. As well may a man breast
an endless and bottomless running tideway, as
resist the power Of public opinion in favor Of
temperance. To be exalted. q man must be
washed in the waters of temperance. Charity
is unwilling her mantle. The drunkard Is not
now considered a criminal, but administered to
as a brother in dread disease and he is kindly
advised TO come out Ofihe slough ; he is eneOur-
aged and assisted his sores and wounds of grief
are healed his wants relieved; and he leaves
his wandering. staggering step, for the firm and
steady walk Of a restored patient.
In a few years, many men of the highest viz.
tues, great susceptibility, handsome accomplish
ments, liberal education, great industry. by an
imperceptible increase Of habit ; by misfortune,
losses, disaPpOiRtments, neglect and i'll treat.
ment, have fallen into intemperance. To one,
application was made tO6lIaD inpnrsan, station,
for which none Of equal talents could be found
to. fill it with honor his duty required temper
ance he promised accepted, fulfilled, became
a most exemplary, wealthy man, and died uni
veEsaIly lamented. Another throsgh his friend
is raised from despair, by council and assistance,
to Profitable employment, and a happy life with
his divided family. A statesman has fallen !; is
displayed before the people as a disgraced man
he reflects, resolves, and now walks abroad,
the admiration Of his constituents, with the
greatest self satislactiOn and with happinessnew-
ly accumulating every day and every hour, and
with increasing usefulness to his fellow-men.-
Another is taken from the lowest state of filth,
disease and degradation his clothes have 10 be
soaked to be loOsed and taken from of his per
sOa; he IS washed, heated, assisted, resume.
his profession his wife and family come to him
and he is now one Of the first members Of soci
ety. A sister is now interceding with a disap.
pointed brother, who has left his lands in tn,
county, and is wasting his youth as a disippaiet
loafer in The city. From his nightly haunts o
Dissipation he is frequently thrust into III,
street. He IS new half reluctant, half deter
mined. Should fTaIeTnal affection overcome
and he go again to his native fields, they viii
never charm by their verdure his loved one i
dead. Duty To his sister /; respect for the mem
Dry Of his departed, may influence, and the ad
vice Of his friends may cause his reform EN-
PlOyment may eause alienation, and a new OBJ
ject gain ascendancy over him, and the last day
of his life be sweeisned by the remembrance q
his early days ofsorrow. There are now man,
struggling in the slough, and many sinkin
deeper and deeper by the weight heaPed uPO
them, Through the crimes of others, neglect, i'll
treatment, unkindness who would gladly rs
ceiye assistance, and be lifted up, while to the
hyPOcTiticalfIiend and advisers they are crying
Have pity on me. "oh 70 my fTiends!p
Many Of the hotels, halls, public festival.
and celebrations are designated BY name &C Ten
Perance" and are conducted on tempeianc
principles. Vast asssmbiages Of people al
called together throughout the country, and
mong their orators are many who have been
: nong the most thoroughly debssed, who maxim
= confessional experience, urge their example u
: on their auditors Millions are signing II
pledge and joining the cause Of the mighty
= gainst the now falling foe, and the whole is e
> fected by kind words and deeds.