Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-01-24
OUR DUTY TO THE ORDER AND
....,.y !, TO THE WORLD.

I
s..,,.0 TO THE WORLD.
a LEcsuRR 10 THE SONS OF rEaPERAScE.
"A EBy q .Msusbsr Of TIE Order. ]
The obligations resting upon every mem
Der Of the Order to promote the harmony,
increase the prosperity, and preserve unsul-
lied the reputation Of the Sons Of Temper
ance, Is more comprehensive than appears to
tie u1releeting mind. It is opposed to all
dishonofsble and unbrotherly conduct, and
enjoips the practice Of those virtues which (
render any man blessing and ornament to
Tie sphere 10 which he moves. From the |
slightest consideration It viii appear to the
Son Of Temperance, that
1. He Is morally bound to guard spith
dilif<af jealousy tie honor and interests efI
tie Order.
& IN the performance Of this duty he viii
feel himself solemnly called upon to resist
the admission into the Order Of fany man, be
he high or low, whose moral character is not
a,suffeient guarantee that be will become a
worthy member An personal paftiaIity
and I'll considerations Of personal interest
viii Be set aside, in the endeaEOr to guard
our Temple from the intrusion Of those
whose presence would pr0fane it. But the
judieions Son Of Temperance viii use Just
Discrimination He viii not reject the man
that has staged from the path Of virtue,
when he discovers lAe signs Of true re-
pentance ip The wanderer. Then the past
VIII Be forgiven, Instead Of laying the
slightest obstacle in the way ofsueh an indi-
Eidunl, the true Son Of Temperance will ex-
tend bis hand with warm welcome. and by
every efort be can make, assist his unfor-
tunate brother TO regain the. confidence Of
mankind, and establish himself upon foun-
dalion of virtue and honor. q
a With the same conscientious regard for
bis duty will the Son Of Temperanee be gov
cfned IN his selection Of officers for the Di-
vision to which be may belong He viii not
vote for individuals merely because they are
his friends, or through desire to promote
bis own selfish views, but considering the
good Of the Order as paramount. The on
y questions he viii ask, are, who IS the
/. best qualified for the Office who will per
form Els duty with strict iidelitya who viii
Be devoted to the interests Of the Order
who possesses aeharacter and reputation thai
may Be appealed to in proof Of the purity o.
onr ins,itniion. when it Is assailed by mis-
guided or malevolent opposers 2
B. The faithful Son Of Temperance vii
also Be distinguished by his prompt AMI
cheerful obedience to the laws Of the Order
Decentralization and. rebellion are fatal t
the prosperity ofany confederation. Iwoull
net adVise such submission to wrong a
might Be construed into approval thereof
bat reason and experience teach that it
better to bear with some evils until they cal
be removed legally, than to attempt thei
removal BY any preeipitate and disordeTl
action. Our minds are 50 constituted tha
we cannot think alike. Even the best meal
ures may be honestly opposed BY those VIII
cannot discover their saluiary tendency
What then is the duty Of the Son Of Ten
perance, when any enactment Of the Gran
and Subordinate Division having jurisdi
ton over him, does not meet with bis appr
val To Tebel2 Certainly not. Let BIZ
Meg the law while It is in force; but n:
constitutional means to procure its n
peal If he cannot succeed in having Il
obnoxious enactment repealed. and feels th
he cannot, IN conscience, submit 70 il,
has bat one course to pursue. AS an no
orahle man he is bound to withdraw. b
let him do 50 peaceably, and with due rega
for he opinions and feelings Of others
4. The Son of Temperance has duties
perform in reference to his brothers Of I
Order. These duties are based on the
vino preeept, 7" All things whatsoever
would that men should do to you, do ye eV
30 10 them" The law of kindness shor
Be imposed upon bis heart, bis lips, his han
and His purse. He should cultivate ths
noble sympathies which dignity our natu
and ever feel for his brcthren as those
whom he is bound by the ties Of comm
humanity and with whom be has enter
into a solemn covenant to reciprOcate ben
olent affectians, He should avoid all har
irritable and uncharitable remarks, o
strive p win by gentIeness and eouEte
rather than to bear down or drive BY
ausleFIty and responsiveness Of his mann
In bus brothers prosperity he should Q
reloiee but when he sees that his brot
N prosperity is unduly elated, or becom
fpfseAnl Of his duty as a man. and pursu
acoarse that must end in misfortune. he
hePromps with the necessary admonition
And when adversely oyertakes membe
A the Ofdcr, he should prove the sincerit
his traternai regard by doing all in bis 1
er to soothc and relieve the afflicted brot