Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-08-01
HERrroRp. n. C., july Is, 1851

BRo. GoRMAF Our Division has seldom
figured in print, and but for our regular re-
turns, you might think that it had ceased to
exist. But in rejecting upon what a mighty
work we are engaged, and what we are vain
enough TO believe we have performed, our
hearts well with gladness, and the tear Of Joy
fses Involuntary to the eye Of humanity
We therefore ask your indulgence for a little
Standardization. Our Division numbers about
forty, and there are in the Town, a Union of
the Daughters, and a Section of Cadets. Our
numbers are small, but we can boast Of as firm
and energetic a band as were ever linked to-
gether by the triple chain OF Love, Purity and
Fidelity. Providence has smiled propitiously
upon our labors. Wherever we 90, intemper-
ance spreads her wings Of gloom in flight, and
the blighting shadow Of her pinion hovers only
over the ruined heart Of the hopeless drunkard,
or the frozen charities of the selfish bigot. We
have frequent meetings in public, at all of
which the hard rock has been riven and the
pure waters Of conviction gusbed forth to re-
fresh and reward our labor. Our cause finds
an advocate in every humane heart, and wins
the approval Of every thinking man. In vain
does sophistry endeayer to fetter public opiD-
ion by the cord of casuistry-in vain is the
Church invoked to ban our cause. Men see
the ends of drinking, and not the voice of ap-
UtllLt VI AAG Wins vi GOYtloNil NNh hlAoANiO
their Judgment rs to the best method of arrest
ing its mischiefs. And the Church loads us
with her free and unbribed blessings, and
showers her benedictions upon our service in
her cause. In vain the clamOr Of appetite
tunes her confused notes in unison with the
priestly drawl Of the creed-stickler, and seeks
TO dull the ear to the sweet anthems of Tem-
perance. Wherever we go we leave our mark;
from every. quarter Of our country we have re-
eeived encouragement. And as well may the
Alpine pebble aspire TO stay the impetuous
avalanche, as that passion or prejudice shall
still the teachings Of our Order, whilstits voice
is that Of humanity, and its acts those of Char
ity. Our citizens deserve our thanks for the
promptness with which they have espoused oul
cause, and the fellowship they feel for US. Oul
county is fast becoming temperate, and as tC
pop~ulation,there is not a more temperate Tow
in the State than HEREFORD. Happy indeed fol
our Academy is it, that it is so, a boon to tht
students, and a relief to their parents. MANY
of the young men themselves are members O
the Order, and the Principal is also a member
The Summer session of our Academy ended
on the 10th inst. As the close of a splendiC
examination, terminated by glowing and elo
quent addresses delivered by the students
addresses which won the admiration of tn,
learned and the gifted-it was remarked b,
many, that never did they see young men a
any College so cool and selfpossessed. Ca
any one say that the glorious principles of on
Order had no hand in inspiring the noble ser
timents of those speeches, which thrilled tn
blood like the notes of natural eloquenee-
Can any one say that the young man who me-
er spoke in the presence of ten persons, whe
called upon to face a thousand from every pa
of his District, and to speak in their hearin
his maiden essay, with the eye ola father upo
him, the hope of a mother or sister tremblin
In anxious suspense-can any one say that al
~stinence from all that intoxicates did not ASST
the speaker then ? It must assist men in sue
exigences it keeps the nerves firm, and III
used to stimulants at other times, they feel LEI
sensibly now the effects of depression. o.
Order IS invading the halls of learning as w
as the pulpit and other professions. And e.
there be any parent so unrefecting as not
secure for his child in the slippery ways
school days, the wholesome example ola ter
perance teacher and the ~virtuous influence
a temperate community. As an humble mer
Der Of the community / feel proud that O
noble Academy is surrounded by such prof.
tiOus influences. May blessings attend Il
iberality that endowed it and blessings up,
those who so ably conduct it. Our Divisi'
celebrated the 4th in a manner worthy the ds
and worthy of Americans. In the mornin
the declaration Of Independence was read, al
IN Grafton pronounced, whose burning e
quenee and lofty views reused the warm bio
Of freemen, and sent it tingling through eve
pore, freigted with the stern resolve to couI
through veins Of freedom or to curdle in dea
After paFtaking a repast, the company again
sembled and listened to an address on TIE
peranee, whose startling array of facts, a
strong arguments, proved the weakness a
wickedness Of drinking, and must have ma
those who indulge, feel anything but pleas
in their enjoyments. The Grafton and addr
VIII long be remembered as an intellect
treat by hundreds who heard them RI
must conclude, and beg pardon for this leng
Intrusion. Yours in L, P & F,
]. W. A