Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-04-13

oeslIe or tne prosperity OF our Order, remain
Brother, In L. P. 4 F. ELIJAH KNOX.
To wv S. RINALDI; +. F. CUNNING, J. F. GIL
LEsPIE; Com.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN [ have re-
GREETED, for reasons that I need not here
mention, that promised the committee of
arrangements to address you on this anniver-
sary occasion. | assure you that feel the
responsibility of my position. and am trem.
bllngiy alive to my own inability to perform
the task which have undertaken. trust,
however, you will look compassionately up
on my feeble effort, while attempt to give
you some general remarks on celebrations,
the object of our Temperance Association,
the evils of intemperance, and the duty of
each individual to aid in the promotion of
Temperance.
1t appears, from our condition, that we
were created for each others society. In
viewing man in all his social, intellectual,
and moral relations to his fellow man, we
may justly conclude that it was the design
OF the Creator that he should be So
clal being. The declaration, after the Gre
alton Of the first man, that it is not good for
man to live alone appears to apply as we'll
to him in his social, as in his domestic ca
pacity. Setting aside the natural love we
have for society, we can at once see our help
lessness if separated from those whom God
Las designed to be our fellow-helpers in the
voyage of life. Thus situated, I'VE should
be unable to endure the severity of a North
ern climate, or contend with the wild beasts
of the torrid zone;;' and many things
would conspire to bring about our speedy
ruin. Nothing can be more appalling to
human nature, than the idea of being sepa-
rated from our fellow men and there is no
surer mark Of insanity, than the notion which
some have imbibcd, that it promotes spirit
ual happiness to be secluded from the world
! From our natural love for association, we
infer that God has implanted this principle
within us for the wise and noble purpose
that our happiness may be increased in every
relation and condition Of life. Ifsuch be the
case, any society of persons associated for
the good Of each, or for the promotion of
any benevolent object, may with propriety
set apart days for celebration, or for assem-
bling, in order that each may more particu-
lary give his attention to the cause in which
he has engaged. The Jews celebrated sew
eral anniversary occasions, such as the Passo-
YER, the feast of Pentecost, and the feast of
TabernacleS which were appointed by God
himself. The custom of celebrating certain
events has been handed down from nation
to nation since the days Of the Jews; and
nations OF modern origin have their feast
days, or days Of celebration, indicative Of
certain events. We, as citizens of Ameri-
ca, feel gratifed with the privilege of cele-
bratlng the anniversary ofour country's free.
dom from British oppression; and on its
return, how many pious hearts, sensible of
our exalted privileges as nation and peo-
pie, in the enjoyment of our free institutions,
send up tribute Of thanksgiving and praise
to Him who ruled our battles and led our
little band of American patriots to certain
victory While nations follow the custom
OF celebrating certain anniversaries, as we
have said, for certain classes or divisions Of a
nation, to celebrate certain events which they
may think fit; since such divisions are only
another form of society united for the pro-
motion of certain object, which they think
beneficial Tor themselves and for those who
may join them.
In our Republican Government there are
no restrictions laid upon the people, in form
ing such societies or associations as they see
tit, provided they do not interfere with the
rights OF others, and are in accordance with
the laws of the land. For this reason we
have many forms Of society, and each have
their days of meeting and celebration, occa-
sionaly, if not annually. Among these are
the various christian denominations, The
Tract Society, the Bible Society, and Mis-
sionary Society; and who will say that the
interests of these associations are not pro.
NOTED by their occasiona. meetings, or cele
brations On such occasions, we that are
weak among the number, are strengthened
and edited, and better enabled to endure
the trials and temptations which war against
our well-being and serve to bring US int
} captivity TO the enemy of the cause which
we have espoused.
Last, but we are happy to say not tn
least, there is an organization called the Son
of Temperance. We say not the least, ant
we think with proprety, five take into con
sideration the great moral evil which thi
Association wishes to remove. The societie.
before alluded to, have for their object higL
and Draise worth Eza44I;--- i-.' :.
Society, :aR 10 It's mission Of love, Is sending th'
gospel to many nations. Its radiating in
: fuence is illuminating the dark and untu
/. tored minds Of the Heathen; and sciene'
!, and civilization, which always 60 hand il
! hand with the gospel, have already opene'
l to their astonished vision the truths Of Ma
|, Z ture's book, bringing gladness their hearts
L and confidence in the God of their bsine. =
The Bible society has done much IL dstribu