Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-06-20

dSOHZeu uPOH Tue cTOsS. -....
James grew up warm hearted boy, and
among his young companions he was uni
versal favorite. Jim Boynton is too good
natured to refuse doing anything we ask, -
said Ned Granger one day to a school-fellow
who feared that james would not join par
ty of rather doubtful character, which was
forming for what they called frolic. And
this was the truth. Here lay the secret of
Boynton's weakness--he was too good-na-
tured for this very desirable and truly am
liable quality, unless united with frmness OF
character, is often productive of evil. But
we pass over his boyish life, and look at him
in early manhood.
He was fine figure, with handsome IT.
telligent countenance, and his manners have
received their tone and polish from a free in
tercourse in refined circles. He passed his
college examination with credit to himself i
but, from sheer indeeision of character, hes
itated in choosing profession. At this time
an uncle, who resided in the South, was a.
bout retiring from mercantile life, and he
proposed that James should enter with him
as junior partner, while he would remain
for year or two to give his nephew the BEN
eft of his experience. The business was
lucrative one, and the proposal was accep-
! ted
James left his home at the North, and
went to try his fortunes amid new scenes and
new temptations. His uncle received him
warmly, for the old man bad no children of
his own, and James was bis god-child. His
uncle's position in society, and his own
frank and gentlemanly demeanor, won him
ready access to the hospitality of southern
friends, and it was not long before he fell in
love with pretty orphan girl, whom he fire.
quently met at the house of common ac-
quaintance. That the girl was portionless
was no demerit in his uncle's eyes. Not all
his treasures, and they were large, had chok-
ed the avenues to the old mans heart, and
the young people were made happy by his
approval of their union.
After visit to his friends in the north,
james returned with his bride; and in q
modern house, furnished with every luxury
J the happy pair began their welded life
f And now, who so blest as Boynton Three
years pass away, and two children make theil
home still brighter Does no one see the
cloud, ''Not bigger than mans hand,
! upon the verge ofthe moral horizon?
S Boynton's dislike to saying No. wher
0 asked to join few male friends at dinner
: or, on party of pleasure his very goot
nature, which made him SO desirable com
n panion, were the means of leading him il
; the steps to ruin.
: "Come Boynton, another glass?'
o Excuse me, my dear fellow, l have real
n ly taken too much already"
-"Nonsense it's the parting glass, yo1
must take it. And Boynton, wanting il
frmness of character, yielded to the voice Q
the temper Need we say, that, with indul
/ gence, the love for the poison was strength
II ened
: For a while the unfortunate man strove t
n keep up appearances. He was never seer
I during the day, in a state of intoxication
4 and from doze on the sofa in the evenin
: or heavy lethargic sleep at night, he coul
~ awake to converse with his friends, or attenr
,e at his counting-room, without his secret hal
! it being at all suspected.
% But who, that willingly dallies with tenn
q tation, can foretell the end Who can "la
the fattering JUNCTION to his soul,'' that in
! downward path he can stop when he pleases
Z and unharmed retrace his steps Like th
NJ moth, circling nearer and still nearer to tn
i fame, until the insect falls with scorche
), wing, victim to its own temerity, so wi
- the pinions of the soul be left scathed an
h dropping.
j Soon Boynton began to neglect his b.
70 sines, and he was secretly pointed out as
os man of Incorporate habits. At last he va
"A summed, shaken off, by the very men wh
~ had led him astray. Who were most guilty
n Let heaven judge. Here let US pause, an
No ask why it is that so many look upon fe
low-being verging to the brink of ruin, witt
rs out speaking one persuasive word or doin
y one kindly act, to win him back to virtue
=, Why is it, that when fallen, he is thrust sti
, {? farther down by taunting and contempt ?
ms Oh, such was not the spirit Of him who can
an ITO seek and to save that which was lost.
Such was not the spirit of him who sal
,;s Neither do condema thee go and sin
nc more" How often; instead of Throwing Il
od mantle of charity over brothers sin, i
ro- stead of telling him his fault Between tn,
;Io and him alone,' is it barred to the light
nv day, trumpeted to cold and censure-lovir
> world, until the victim either sinks in
be gloomy dependency, and believes it HOP
n less for him to attempt amendment or el
,or stands forth in bold defiance, and rush
sta headlong to his ruin. Not one human /
.bo ing stands SO perfect in his isolation, as
ID be wholly unmoved by contact with his f
Iba lows what need then, for the daily exerci
ro- of that God-like charity, which ''Sufere
NV long and is kind, which ''Beareth all thin
,ed believeth all thing, hopeth all things, enc
mn reth all things" Seven years have 60
- with their records to eternity-where
James Rovnton now