Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-07-25
From the American Temperance Magazine,
PROSPECTS.
BIZ REV. II. D. KITCHEL.
WatchmanI what of the night9


the evils of Intemperance, and the first bril-
liant successes crowned the movement for
reform, the most sanguine anticipations were
cherished of the speedy and complete tri-
umph of Temperance. The eyes of men
once opened to perceive the terrible ravages
Of this vice-thought surely society would rise
inits might and putaway the cause ofmischief.
The argument in the case was so wholly on
one side, so perfectly conclusive and unan-
swerable, it would certainly carry all minds
and bear down all opposition The dangers
of indulgence once known, men would cease
to indulge. The clamors of appetite and in
terest would soon be overborne. A short
work would be made of it in the earth, and
the victory would be speedily won.
So thought many an ardent friend of this
cause and u long succession of greater and
lesser prophets have prophesied even until
now, Of the good time just coming. We
have all, perhaps, prophesied at times in this
strain. For how could it be otherwise than
that such cause should prosper and prevail!
This is a race reputed to be rational. Does
not the connection still hold between man S
convictions and his conduct? And if so,
our argument will carry the world before it.
But still the good time would not come.
And even yet the good time fingers on its
way. Still as we look out on the twilight,
and cry, 'watchman what of the night ?
the answer is-fhe morning cop,etb, and
also tie night ? 1t is even so in this good
work. The morning and the night still
mingle and contend with each other in the
sky. The red spears of the coming day
pierce the heavens. One after another
broad belts of light shoot up to the very
zenith, and our glad hearts are ready to ex-
claim, behold the morning cometh, and
the night is no more But ever again the
night musters its clouds and piles them on
the breaking day And still we wait and
watch for the slow coming on of the morning.
And now, may it not be pertinent, about
this time, to inquire what o'clock it has got
to be, and whether after all it is time for
daylight yet? You are up some mornings
while it is yet dark, and stand watching
from your window the approaches of day
Long waiting, watching, you have counted
the changing hues of the East. But slowly
the red blush creeps up the sky. Long
since the stars faded. Impatiently you count
the tardy moments-when, when will the
sun arise? At length you ask yourself
after all, as 1t time for the sun to rise ?
What time ought it to rise 2 At sar. And
what o'clock really is it? a little atfer. fire
So then it could not possibly be sunrise yet
You had no right to expect it yet. The
day is doing as well as could be expected
And so is this Temperance Reformation
1t is not an hour yet on the great dial of The
Worlds progress, since this Reform shot W
its flst rays into the unbroken darkness
When did ever moral movement complete
itself in fve-and-twenty years? When die
; ever a great practical truth like that whicl
!. has come down to US in this reform, displac,
: old, popular, universal error, and win tn,
world to its embrace so soon Let US prcph
: esy, but more discreetly. The light shall
shine more and more unto perfect day. Th
dawn was never yet bafied and quenchet
in the sky-and the light of this Reform, il
J the name Of the Lord, never hasting, neve
resting, shall yet come to the noon-tide.-
When it is time. the sun will be up. Al
; ; ready we can see to work. And the gro,
ser forms and methods of this vice alread
:, hide themselves, like creatures Of the nigt
! retreating to their dens.
Let US understand the nature of our work
. It's time for just and rational estimate.
such as these years of stern experience shoul
teach US. We are hearing often that tn
~ enterprise is declining. Many hearts al
! growing faint from hope deferred The
;, ardent anticipations have outrun the poss
. bilities of the case, and they are losing col
= fdence in principles that so fail to keep paC
:, with their wishes. The brilliant triumphs
>. former campaign are no longer witnessed
1t is now a long level Of silent progress an
60 steadfast continuance and many who wel
a once among the most hopeful. have no
- grown weary and remiss Oh if this ey
= could be carried by storm, if one bold stror
: pull would end the strife, men would !;
~ ~ hold of it and do it up. But to endure,
N labor On through long years after this sob
II Sort and having done all, to stand, that
work demanding something Of moral heroisr
Very much to the surprise of many, al
to the grief of all the good, this noble wo
has had a slow and embarrassed career; al
ar- yet this course of things was to have be
to anticipated. It is a reform, beyond othel
~, of nature to proceed slowly. and yet /
It'll the less probably, all the more SUI
all ly because slowly. Contemplate the natu
are of Intemperance, and the yantage-ground
tn, held-a popular and universal evil-a p
20 sonal, domestic, social and legalized evil
are sustained by appetite and interest, by c
rs, tom and law. It had silently moulded
bly, things into conformity to itself. How c
IRE, tain from the first that this Reform, af
ers- passing through its period of derision a
ent, reproach, would finally silence all open
her position would for time have career
has triumphant success, and go from conqr