Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-07-18

SAD E" WVulhu duyduceQ 10 UeT i
true sphere as tho bosom consort, counsellor
and comfort Of man, and the enlightened
Pious tutor of his children-to see dignf6ed,
sober, humane, refined. thriving republican
Americans, should labor and pray for SO
glorious a result To oppose such efforts is
as futile as TO hold up a hair with a design to
stop the lightning or chain the sunbeamsl |
The moral destinies of mankind must adj
vance with equal pace with physical skill
and ingenuity, although the panorama can
not DO Displayed at grand exhibitions, as in
the Arts. The triumphs of moral power are
% be Jetti in their still, genial aud purifying
social influence, in e~xalting and blessing a
Nation. Let us hope that ere this half CEN
tury close, the trophies of the benevolent
christian enterprises Of the most civilized ma
tons, will be firmly erected in every coun-
try and cline, TO sare men 10 girtue will
then cclipseall the buteheries and eonqucsts,
that blot our degenerate, mortal annals
Having illustrated the present state of
our Order, and limited that ineeneeivably
greater developments Of social and moral
benefits are interviewer with its future pro
gress. let US be understood distinctly, that
no enlightened Son of Temperance regards
the Order as a Religious institution. To
eU5tiSe, IS not to conUeTt-but the more YOU
humanise aud moialize men, the higher you
In them from the pit-the nearer you lead
them to the Temple, to the Bible, to the
means of grace, and the hope Of salvation.
Who does not know that thousands Of our
most enlightened church members have
Ennaa1 Ike To,.w-.. De-. - - -
70 them like the angel that was sent to Cor
nelius Heading them to the ministry and
10 God. Yet " who builds on less than an
Eternal Basis for eternity, fond as be seems,
dooms all bis hopes to death r. tOthcr
foundation than Jesus Christ, the Great
Corner Stone, for salvation, can no man
lay. Il Is nevertheless true, that, Tenn
porance Is the true foundation stone Of the
social and civil virtues. They can never
flourish where in~temperance debases the
heart. disorders the reason. and renders
Stubborn tho passions and will.
We hold, that cold, pure water is the
simple beverage Of man-that it is the prop
or outward solvent Of bis food for nutrition
1.-The proper diluent Of his blood, when
thirsty-the iavigoratiug fluid Of his frame.
That the healthiest and most robust men
used none other drink-that its effects on
the intellect are also equally beneficial, as
illustrated in the cases Of Newton and Locke.
Selkirk (thc original Of the Robinson Cru.
soc 5of Defoe) after several years residence
atIuan Fernandez, where he could get moth
ing but pure water, acquired double his U
Sual strength. After getting on board, OF
his return home, and resuming his former
spirit drinking propensities, in three or foul
months, no was made by liquor, weak al
any other man. We contend therefore tina
men shoald return to the beverage of nature
and dssnss medicinal drugs. and intoxicatin,
potions, as beverage. We maintain tina
alcoholic drinks are poisonous, in proportion
70 their strength-that there is a fascinating
effect in their use, engendered by habit
which leads to increased doses and NOR
frequent drinking, hence g habitual exces
for habit Is only the frequent repetition Q
hesanes act u
VIZ hold that, for the sake of the risin
generation for the sake-of our fellow citizen
Whosa violated tastes and corrupt habits :
larm US, for themselves, their wives, chi
dran and relatives-for the sake Of yourselves
and our social aud moral interests-for tn
sake Of our country s honor, peace and wealth
for the sake Of this life, and immortal liz
we and all men are under moral and soei'
obligations to promote the cause of Tempe
ance, BY precept and example. We hol
that every man who admits Temperance I
be a good thing is bound to 'be zealou
" affected" in its practice, and the extel
sion Of its principles. Further. we holC
thai as the Order of the Sons of Tempe
ance Is the best kaeWH social institution, f
our self government, and social inf
ence on all classes in Church and State, tn
until a better way is disclosed, we are bour
TO patronize and sustain that organizatiC
which embraces the greatest strength Of IN
ed action, against a wide spread evil. w
know that Churches are annually excludiE
members for i~ntemperaaee. So are ci'
courts Furnishing their members. Hen
that moral tone given to the greatest numb
Of our fellow citizens, in this cause, is
be encouraged and sustained by every go
We further hold, that as we have no Z
usinian mysteries, no profane nor immol
ocotos9, enab " ID an eHtifeiJ uiHoouuod p
udice, to naisaPply any scripture denunc
tons against our Order. Our secrecy
necessary to maintain proper unity, dispat
Of business, wholesome discipline, and
freedom from imposition on our funds
Hence our proceedings are secret; we requ
password, which IS often changed, and
with closed doors, to do good, and hun q
cure evil We wear badges, and 60 in ?
e~assions, 10 enlstthat moral and social ini
enos, which we WELD for the interests of
country aud humanity. To those who