Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-07-14
Reply Of Bro. A. Mingus.

GENTLE Miss AND LADIES: Tn receiving from
your fair hands this BIBLE, the richest gift in
your possession, permit me, as the representa-
tive of Jackson Division, to tender you our
most grateful acknowledgements for the deep
and confiding interest you have taken in the
welfare Of this Division, in presenting TO Us this
beautiful Bible, which we respect as no common
mark Of your esteem and confidence
We trust that our untiring devotion to the
great cause, propagating alike the happiness of
ali, and more especially yours, with the receiv-
ing Of this Bible by our Division will be fair
demonstration Of the willingness upon our part,
to share the ever grateful powers Of your influ-
ence and patronage. While we look upon the
history Of man, seeking for fame, fortune and
preferment among his felow-men, we look up
on the whole life Of woman as q history of the
affections from which flows pure and generous
wishes. Shall we, association of men pro-
posing to be friends TO female rights, be wan
tonly inconsistent, degenerate IN feeling as
to remain distant to your wishes or spuTn your
patronage and influences We assure you not;
for conscious are We that we indebted to
the generous and noble hearted Isabella for the
discovery of our lovely Continent and We
/ have seen too how female influence has softened
! the impetuous commands of tyrant Kings In an
cient times. And in our own happy land when
countless number OF savages, with tomahawks
eager to drink the blood Of innocence and puri-
ty, Columbia's sons, knowing their obligations,
inspired by female presence grasped the deadly
weapon and drove the savage foe to take shell
Ter in the impenetrable glens, or to effect a safe
retreat under the secret shades of midnight
gloom. When our own Revolutionary struggle
was on hand and monarchy seemed to prepon-
derate in the great scale of human events, was
}. female influence silent? No it was ever found
upon the side of a noble cause, and gave power
to patriotism. And, ladies, while female infu-
L. L al.
gy swaylng as 1t were the sceptre OF human
events, will it not be consoling to your feelings,
{ indeed, to know that you have rendered no
, small assistance in wiping away from Colum-
bias domains the black stain of intemperance
Brethren. what need we fear while we have
such influence at hand, influence that can
change the great tide of human events; what
! need we fear though clerical tipling demagogues
may hurl their anathemas against our Order,
though their misrepresentation undertake to
retard the progress of our glorious cause
What need we fear while the ladies rally around
our standard and take shelter by or side under
our banner inscribed with the glorious beacon
star of our principles.
S To you, gentle Miss as the prime actor in
this matter, besides our sincere thanks for the
: : many compliments and fattering encomiums
! with which you have been pleased to honor our
: Order, we, as token of fidelity tender you the
colors as set forth in this Badge, the emblems of
: which we claim for our Order, as we find Ian
guage inadequate to express our deep felt sensi
bility and gratitude towards you. We finally
tender you our most sincere wishes for your
future welfare and happiness. Though our lips
may at'present cease to lisp aspirations of graft
tude and benevolence in your behalf, you may
rest assured that the same feeling will pervade
the heart of every member of this Division, and
+ continue till lfe's fitful fever is over
i Worthy Patriach and Brethren-receiye this
!. Book, this Sacred Volume; receive it for the
sake of its Great Author; and receive it for the
sake of those who have this day honored us witt
its bestowal Receive its doctrines and its prin
IF ciplespractice its precepts, and be governed BY
l. its laws, for they have proceeded from tht
is Great Lawgiver above, the Father of all good