Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-03-03


,ciH, you will soon find US drawing off again e
and drawing back until, like the terrapln, y
our shells have become closed and shut up, :
with an ear deaf to every good thing without,
and with nought inside, but the Sup~er-tranScen-
dental concerns of me and mine. The slckly,
depraved, misanthropic, abhorrent and occurs
ed sentimental philosophy of the age. seems to
have mixed and entwined itself with all the
business and pursuits of life. Its existence is
CO. extensive with that OF man himself. We
have it fully and manifestIy exempii6ed even
here in this our little Division of the Sons OF
Temperance. We have men here who have ?
been governed and controlled by all the lntiu- 5
ences to which [ have adverted. Some, actu G
ated by motives Of curiosity, and IN search OF
fresh novelty, have associated themselves a
mongst US, and with minds that cannot rest sat
fed with the something for two days in success
sion, they have gradually grown tired OF that
which to them has become stale-and now,
nothing, nothing but the fear. OF the censure
and ridicuIe of the world, makes them even
hangers-on in this institution. Others, laying
aside selfish considerations for a little while to
take hold on that which they know bears the
( impress of God, as virtue, morality and phi
lanthropy, have held out faithful for a little
while, until the cold calculation of self-lntereSt
has again seated them upon the three-legSed
; stool of individuality-telling them that as Indl-
viduals perhaps they were not likely to be so
very much benefited after all-and SO IT IS,
these too, like the others, are only kept among
us to save appearances before the wo.ld.
And now, though strange as it may seem,
!. with all these facts staring US in the faces II
every member of this Division were present to
. day, and the question were propounded, there
perhaps is not a single one who would not rise
J up and proclaim his undying love and dego-
ton for the cause-Oh! shame, where Is thy
blush! Oh consistency, thou art a jewel! Go
tell it not no! in Gath, preach it not in the
streets ofAskelon! There is now too much truth
in existence for this world to be long deluded
by such specious humbuggery. In this age
he mems actions are taken as the opponents OF
lis their feelings. And such heartless and windy
or professions coming from your lips will fall upon
| the ears of men as " sounding brass and tlnk-
at ling cymbals, " when every action of your lives
nd proclaim loudly to the contrary. Then, gen
Sc tIemen, let me humbly advise you not to per
ch jure your consciences any longer. Do not put
50 50 on any more cloaks to save appearances before
u the world. If you cannot fpd it in your hearts
- - to be good and true Sons Of Temperance, take
~. your dead weight from off our shoulders. q
back again to the world, that it may be saiC
of you as of old" the dog is returned to hi
he own vomit again, and the SOW that was washed
to her wallowing in the mire."
zen Thus briefly, sir, | have endeavored to poin
out some of the insidious and ~distempered in
fuences which are now busily at work in thi
m Division, and which i fnot promptly and boldl
5he subdued, must inevitably bring about its dc
struction. Then allow me to say, that wit
~ q" such a lamentable state Of things existing {
tbo mongst US. it behooves every true and geneI
'by Gus Son of Temperance of this Division,to com
ON up to the rescue. If we cannot dispel and pl
hat to instant flight our lukewarmness and inditfi
and renee, and be fully aroused from our presel
ing death-like slumber, the days Of our prosperi
are past and gone, our progress is forever ar
hat eternally at an end-yea, the finger prints
'kle B viii soon appear upon our walls, al
Gus it will require no Prophet Daniel to read al
: IA interpet-meae, meme, teket u~Phersia.
In conclusion, brethren, let me urge you
~ come forward at once with an invincible dete
! = mination to shake off this mighty incubus. L
US rise up as men in the pride of strength, al
! off like Richard, the Lion heart of ETgland; trc
lily, blow, forever crush to atoms the lurking APP
i've, thy, the bastard hypocrisy which now poin
its dagger at the very vitals of our glorious |
the stitution.