Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-09-06
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From the National Temperance Magazine.
THE DEMON OF THE CUP.
ROMANCE OF LOVE, HOPE AND PEAcE
BY J. NJ WILLIS GEIST
fConclsded from our las:
CHAPTER III.
A woMA1,'s INFLUENCE.

TuE dream ef bis mother made deep
but not an effective impression upon the
heart of Charles Without, the knowledge
of his friends, he had formed some acquain-
tauce5 III the city Of Lancaster, where his
business called him almost every week,
whose evil influence and example were fear
fully apparent II had been noted for sew
eral weeks in the village, that he very often
drank wine at the inn, and various were the
surmises as TO the probable result of such q
course. But his friends were all delighted
to find that he suddenly ceased to visit the
bar room, and his mother fondly hoped that
she had won him back to safety. Still tho
impression of her dream remained on her
mind with painful distiretness
She soon noticed, however, that her con
spent two days in visiting Lancaster, instead
Of one and she was unable to divine the
reason, he merely alleging that an increase
of business was the cause of the detention
Heretofore, Fanny Maitland had often been
the companion of his visits to the city, but
of late she seldom shared this pleasure
She was noble young girl, the daughter of
an Independent farmer, who had correct
ideas of his daughters education, in which
he was cordially seconded by his wife
They were instructed in all the varied branch
es of household duty, as well as in the pop
ular educational studies of the day. They
were therefore qualified for wives as we'll az
companions. Ardent and devoted in her
attachment to Charles, Fanny never doubt
ed that necessity compelled him to protract
his visits to Lancaster, as well as to give her
less of his company. But the saddening
truth at last wus revealed. His mode
rate drinking" as it ever will in nine cases
out Of ten, ended in cursing him with erav-
ing appetite for daily potations. On hrs
way home one day, in company with some
/ gay companions, he drank several times,
and when he arrived at the village, his bois-
ferrous conduct revealed his own shame
That night he had engaged to see Fanny
He went, intoxicated as he was, and found
her alone in the fower-yard, awolting his ar
rival Hitherto her trusting heart had eau
sed her to turn deaf ear to all the reports
she had heard of his tipping propensities
And when the stern, truth flashed upon her
senses, the shock inflicted on her sensitive
nature, well nigh overcame her delicate
nerves. She, however, demonstrated with
, him in the most afectionate manner. His
feelings were touched by her tears and en-
, treaties, and he promised to refrain in future
from the intoxicating cup. But this was
not enough for the noble-hearted girl. She
feared that he had gone too far to be safe
without some high OBLIGATION of honor to res
I train him, for in his sorrow for pain he had
inflicted on the idol cf his heart, he candid
y admitted that an appetite for strong drink
had been formed. She therefore. desired
him to take the pledge of total abstinence,
throw his influence in favor of the society IN,
the village. But TO this proposition he
wouldnot listen, alleging that if lie did SO, his
acquaintance would take it for granted that
he had not the power to govern himself -
Fanny had discretion enough not to press
the matter too far on that OCCASION She
conceived a. better plan There was cler-
gyman in the village, for whom she knew
Charles entertained a high opinion. He
was diligent laborcr in the good cause, and
was never afraid to preach temperance SER
;, mons to his congregation, Notwithstanding
that the innkeeper of the place was one Of
the elders of his church. To him Fanny
repaired without delay, and opened her
plan, which was this. She desired him to
preach sermon on the next Sabbath, show
. ing that it was the duty Of such men az had
q sufficient moral frmness to govern them
. selves properly in their moral conduct, to
use every available means to encourage t.e;.
e weaker brethren to do likewise, and suggest
4 ed for his text the maxim Of St Paul,
where he declares, that if eating meat caus-
: ed his weaker brethren 70 cfend, he would
y deny himself for their sake. This old man
:, was delighted with the suggestion, and Fan
: ny went home determined to say nothing
more to Charles on the subject until he had
heard the sermon,
On the next Sabbath evening they went
L to church together, and it was the remark oi
n every one in the house, that they had neyeZ
s before heard such deep and powerful dis
+ course from the old man. His text was nap
II PLY chosen, and the application of it was
+ managed with masters skill and energy.
V He conten1ed that it was the duty of every
IN member of society to have due regard tC
a the effect of their own influence and exam
le Pile upon others To Paul, as the Apostle
T., Of the Gentiles, there was no actual Impro
p priety in eating meat but when he saw tha
OF such indulgence in what Is considered on
SC of the necessaries of life, became stumbling
or block to his Jewish brethren, he felt it hi
", duty to deny himself for their sake. So h
so contended it was with total abstinence socie
s. ties. 1t was not absolutely necessary 70
e every one to take the pledge Of sobriety, S
far az his own welfare was at stake, for ther