Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-03-21

is generally termed ''hGrd cases" Much
however, TO the sorrow OF the good,
warm.heatted pastor, but few of his in
hnential members seemed inclined to
join in,ihel good work. This failed TO
surprise me. when | understood, that
within two miles of the Church there
were four or five distilleries in full oper-
alton, scattering the seeds Of disease,
death and destruction throughout the
Ineighborhood. -Four of these were
owned by members of the church.
Notwithstanding this opposition, the
success that crowned my eff'rts was so
encouraging. that determined to perse-
we're. and meetings were held day and
night. until the entire neighborhood, had
been reEolutionised. an three of the
distillers had signed the pledge and aban-
doned their business. More than five
hundred bad given their names. and uni
ted their efforts in the good work; but
sill one man held back he was mem
ber and Elder Of The church: ahd the
only remaining distiIler.
All the enireaties Of his pastor, all the
circumstances Of his brethren, all the
persuasions Of the three diStillers who
had signed the pledge. were unavalling.
He would not yield. To save him from
loss, the society offered to purchase his
stock, but all 10 vain.
Il El ier M-had commenced life poor,
bit he was now a wealthy man. And
as the light Of the temperance reforma-
ton difFused itself abroad, his neighbors
could see that his Golfers were filled by
draining every penny from those who
! were rich previous TO the establishment
/ Of his distillery. Many were the bonds
and mortgages he held, for which the
givers had received disease and death.
! Yet Elder N-held a high place in
h The church, and "thanked God that he
n was not as other men. Was the IFible
d pei sent TO the heathen. he gave largely !;
i but the prayers Of the wretched and
i suffering around him., made SO by his
Il own hands, he regarded not. Daily pray
) ing thai he and his might not be " led
d INTO temptation" yet he furnished all
d with means Of mo al, temporal and an
IL eternal deaih.
IS Elder M--did not escape the fangs
l. of the serpent of his still. or two sons,
: his only children, one already filled a
runkard's grave, the other was fast fol.
.e lowing TO the same end. This son was
d highly accomplished young man. who
hut for the habit cI iniempeiance into
M which be had fallen, would have been
v the pride o.the circle in which he moved
ls Aniable, intelligent. with mind finely
ID cultivated he was the pride of his fa'h-
>. pr's heart, and should have been ths
= stay OF his declining years. But alas
n aIas although young, he was drunk
III ard. M
le The meetings had now been snmi
r. time in progress. The distiller had beer
~ a regular attendant. and at times seemed
d. almos, ready to yield to persuasion
as and the better feelings that sometime
al would seIze upon him. The last meet
ing Of the series had been announced
Of and when arrived found the churc
in full 10 overflow ing, and the distiler an
he his son occupying seats near the desk
pt After the lecture, | approached the ol
Nd man, and again solicited him to sign tn
nd pledge.
mo" sail he, " cannot / will no
i my mind is fully made up, | will nj
sr ign the pledge; but" continued HI
m. I'll tell you what will do: there
TO- John, if you will get him 10 sign, n
s stick TO il for one year. will give you
ma thousand dollars. God knows, ] woul
ri give half that am worth to see him r.
re formed; as for myself think it my pri
inv ilege TO drink little when I tn,nk
md want it. do not drink much: and
tho am not willing 10 >ign away my libert
sti. because can govern myself
At then went 10 John, and infoIm'
inv him that bis father was anxious for hi
Of to sign the pledge.
all g why should give up drinking VIII
and he refuses to do so, and <till continues
; make and sell that which makes 7
the drunk. No! no the old man don't cal
ters me in that way
ow. Finding that John was at that m
rom ment far from sober, and not likely
in. comply with bis fathers wishes, NOV
fly off-but | was soon stopped by Jot
and who said:
be Is father very anxious for me
sign?n
teu- Yes. I replied, he has offered to +
isits one thousand dollars TO secure your ma
! in TO the pledge.
:eed eThen il il be such good thing"
soon joined John. why don't he sign hi
selfs | know HIM; he has often /
me, me he would give me any sum if wo
-. only give up drinking. Now I'll sh
from YOU how much he cares about it, h
gem uery snxious be is" and getting up Fl
i he his seat, he said" Ladies and gen
as rnn., mn fnthar The Elder over iher