Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-08-08

ume, oy my Iolhes ana my only sister Weeps
day and night, as she sees my own strength
wasting day by day, under the rayages of
intemperanee. have wasted my patrimony,
destroyed my credit, and as you too well know
have undermined strong constitution, by
this uhholy appetite. have tried again and
again, to reform. Ihave made the strongest
resolutions to cease from drinking. Ijoined
the Totol Abstinence and Washingtonian
Societies, but broke my pledge. l could not
help it. was not properly guarded.
was left to lean upon my own resolutions,
which proved broken reed, and before God
l believe this is my only chance for safety.
In this ark, l may perhaps be secure And
in his excitement he approached me, seized
my hand, and fastened his burning eyes full
upon me. could not resist their influence
felt the truth of every word he uttered, and
a feeling Of responsibility l never before ex-
perienced, now weighed upon me.
Harry said /, after moments thought
| your words have awakened a new chord in
my heart. Leave me for time to mYsef,
in an hour return and receive my definite re-
! ply" And that hour was one of fierce men
tai struggle with me. On the Que side,
came the prejudices of education. the posit-
ion of friends, and what | conceived to be
at the best but step in the dark. On the
other, the deep feeling my friend had ava
/ kened by his reference to his father, mother,
and sister; his present fearful position the
dark future that seemed gathering before
him; and the warm confidence with which
he regarded the new organization. At the
i appointed time he returned, and never shall
forget his look Of fervent gratitude and the
I warmth with which he pressed my hand
when l informed him that was ready TO
sign the application. The complement was
made out, and under such auspices our in
J. fant Division cast its banner to the breeze.
For a time friend Harry seemed entirely
reformed. The great change wrought in
him attracted the attention Of the public
and gave US favor in their eyes. We went
on adding strength to strength, until ouI
eight members had grown to eighty. But
alas for Harry, he was taken i'll. His phys
7 ician inconsiderately, had almost said Grim
> inally, recommended brandy. The slightes
, taste seemed to revive the old appetite witt
= all its power, and the first day Of his eonva
lescence was signalzed with debauch.
i And then came, with returning sobriety
? the burning sense of shame and disgrace
which must always follow the violation Of .
: sacred obligation, in every sensitive mind
e saw him on the street. He crossed to avoit
II me, and passed on with averted eve. ii,
Stunned the members of the Order as if thel
IS were lepers. The Division in this conduc
ls fancied they saw contempt for the claims o
: the Order. A charge was preferred agains
Is him, he was cited before committee for tn
al, and on failing to appear, was condemned
i TO expulsion. The question came before tn
'e Division But one feeling seemed to per
OF wade the assembly. He has violated ou
% pledge, brought disgrace upon the Order
: and abused our confidence; let us cut hin
eI of from among us as an unclean thing A
~ that instant young and ardent membe
u sprang to his feet, and with an earnest an,
u feeling appeal, moved the postponenent {
"a the question for single week. The motto
prevailed, more from wish to CRAFTY th
u mover, than any confidence in the result
ne Before the next meeting our Young frien
an obtained an interview, though with great diff
e- Guilty, with Harry, and his words Of symp;
ne thy and kindness, completely overcama hin
" A sensitiveness, which few can appreciate, ha
1e wrought upon Harry, until he was almo
Dr. deranged. He felt a sense of degradatic
&C. never before experienced, and he knew
10 had no claim upon the Order which he hs
ne 50 severely injured.
ar Shortly after | called upon him and he fre
hes " unbosomed himself to me. He said
OF declined appearing before the commits
9t-t ero,, ebo H. 1o1
as liation to offer He expected nothing b
ty, the sentence of expulsion, which he dreadt
up more than death itself From our present
te- tions to the Division they unanimously vot
ge- to re-instate him. The Division rose as
md entered to resign the constitution, and tn
zen with one accord welcomed his return. II
zen unexpected greeting completely unmann
poor Harry, and he wept ike an infant.
lse- stammered out his thanks to the 'Divisc
nat and sank into seat. From that hour
mi was new man. The bitter trial throu
which he had passed. had made known
lad him his weakness and from thence he becal
nd strong. Like gold purified by the fire,
ing came forth from the furnace of his afiictio
lat This example was a1essson to Us all.
knew that had we not sought him out, Il
lrn- he would soon have gone down to a drum
lfor ards grave, and we resolved from then
ged forth to leave no art untried to restore
fallen brother to his lost position.
,out = =
n II Twelve months from that time was su
he'd moned to the bedside of Harry Hartw
The sands of his life were rapidly ebbing
you he had but brief space to live. The frie
to who had interposed with the Division
'een him was there, and never shall l forget
you tenacity with which the dying man clung
pon him, and the fervent blessing he breathed
you on him. He also thanked me- warmly