Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-10-27
The Sons Of Temperance.


We do not wish to disparage any institu-
ton, or order, to aggrandize one to which we
Ire attached but we speak the honest SEN
iments of our heart when we say, that, in
our humble opinion, there is no benevolent
institution in existence that is doing more
permanent good than the order of Sons
True a few, who have felt the dire sting of
I~ntemperance, after remaining with us for a
time, have returned to the liquor-pots and
their slavery again, but by far the greater
proportion continue upright, sober and ex-
emplary citizens.
There is one feature connected with the
order claiming our special attention 1T is
a fact to which all who have been, or who
are now, members of our fraternity will bear
us testimony, that among US, and between
US, as brothers, there exists a peculiar afini-
ty-a fraternal sympathy generous love
that all of US have experienced, yet none,
perhaps, are capablesof' describing to the I'M
initiated. Now, we hold that an institution
that is capable of uniting men in bonds of
love frmer and more abiding than those of
common neighbors and citizens, causing each
to regard the other as q kind and affection
ate brother, is an institution that eommends
~itsolfto the public, and claims at the hands
of the christian and moralist a hearty support.
and cheerful cooperation in the disscmina-
ton of its principles and doctrines.
"Ahw says one, 4 can underStaad my
you regard the member~o1 your Order with
a more ffaternaf injection than you do those
DOT connected with you:-it IS se!fshness."
We know this charge is laid at our doors
frequently by the enemies of our Order, but
in all candor and honesty we do enter our
protest against it, it is not s~elfshness that
bids us regard each other with a brothers
love-it is the instructive, indescribable prin-
ciple that is rooted in our bosoms the mo-
ment we are indicted into the secret circle
of honor where each is a shield to the other,
l then it is that we find we love the brothers,
and nothing can swer1s the hallowed princi-
{ pie, Each one might repeat after Butler =
q "To forbid me not TO love
As to forbid my pulse to move,
My beard to grow, my ears to stick up,
Or, when I'm in a fit, to hiceup! !"
Another feature connected with our orga-
~nization we wish to notice, in our present
article, is the pleasure the members realize
y in the Division Room, and here let us rtmark
that our friends from without our walls lose
many a pleasant greeting, and fail to realize
le many pleasures of association: Here the
$ mechanic, the farmer, the laborer. the trades
y man and the professional man meet and
join hands in q friendly, social greeting, &C
tuated by the same spirit of love, and incl
ted to deeds of benevolence by the same spir-
- it Of Philanthropy, The meeting in the Di-
~ vision Room with cheerful brothers is one Of
: the pleasures and blessings of life that VIC
= hope we may never be denied.
And yet another feature, and it is Que thai
never fails to thrill the soul of the Son o.
eh Temperance with the %liveliest emotions of Joy
Q To see a friend and neighbor, one who ha.
~ been the victim of the bowls whitening curse
III after having been chased for years by til,
'er Demon of Drunkenness until he is robbed 0
earthly friends, of property and of life's bless
~ ings, to see him totter feeble and emaeiatSt
across our Threshold seeking a refuge Their
:" from the all pervading destroyer" an,
- claiming at our hands aid as friends, a
:" brothers to shield him from the gided snare
- of the tempting Syren! We love to hold u
the hands Of si,ch an one, and shield him
- and build up Hope in his heart by proyin
Is to him that we are indeed his friends an
brothers What a happy feature is thu:
that the poor inebriate, whom the world cast
- out as " common and unclean," may com
and repose under our flag of Purity and d
'n0 honor to himself and his country! This h
'n' does by example and association -:
CHI nI;Lo +ho stain,d rrob tbo. ahi.ona;
EN- Grows pure by being purely shone upon"