Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-09-28
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
FiIeIity.

pfOnLaDIe 10 tue pOSSeSSOr, anu 10 i'll Will
whom the possessor ~sustains important rela-
lions. It's lofty nature is appreciable from
the consideration that it is the very essence
Of many other exalted virtues, and is a con-
suicuous ingredient in some of the most es-
sential sources Of maa's happiness. Friend
ship, that soother of the woes Of m~ortaIs, that
fountain clear, from which gush forth the
purest streams of consolation, peace and JOY,
acknowledges Fidelity to be a leading requi-
site to its existence. True love, whose gen.
tie flame doth melt the willing hearts of
mortals into one sacred and harmonic union,
yves all its unsOphisticated sweets to this no
bic constituent. Patriotism, the source of
all prosperity to a people, the nurturer of
liberty and the father of a nations power and
glory, must own Fidelity to be the " sine qua
ION" of its origin and continuance. Every
honorable avocation and profession In life;
every worthy enterprise of whatever nature,
is dependent for its success on the Fidelity
of it's followers. That Fidelity, then, is SO
elevating and powerful in its influence, rem
ders its universal existence the more desira-
bic, and its rare existence the more mortify-
ing.
In order thoroughly to appreciate ii,
only view for a moment the ills, the misfor-
tunes and the woes that accrue to mankind
from a lack Of its existence. Consider the
manifold evils that are common in the world
and trace them in their dark courses back to
their origin, and there you will learn that
the want of Fidelity oecasioned them. TO
to the silent chamber that was once the a
bode of cheerfulness and pleasantly, and
there behold that sylph-like form shedding
its beauty beneath the chilling frosts of mel
ancholy and grief, and inquire the cause of
this strange reverse. The story is brief
The one in whom she trusted, won her heart
by fascinating smiles and words, filled her
soul with Joyous hopes and anticipations OF
an uninterrupted sound of connubial delight
in his fond affection. But alas! him whom
she loved so long, has ruthlessly cursed her
with a frown and violated the sacred, pligh-
ted VOW. Behold that man whose counte-
nance was once the seat of smiles and whose
life was once a life Of mirth and pleasure !;
now the unfortunate victim of incurable sad
ness. The heart in which he deemed his
own most sacred secrets far securer than
they could be in his own-the heart that had
vowed sympathy in misfortune's darkest
hour, and relief amid the storm of ADVERSE
ty, that heart has now proved faithless and
divulged the secrets which were once so con-
fdingly entrusted to it's keeping! Misfor-
tune has come, and no coincidence is mani
tested the gloomy pail of adversely is
thrown around him, and the hand of friend
ship is not extended to remove it. Go to the
land that was once the tranquil abode OF
peace and harmony, but is now deluged with
the gore Of mortals and scourged with al
the desolation and horror of cruel war! You
will learn that vile and fatal treachery, with
its Internal might, has burst asunder the
cords of friendship and alliance, and with its
own destructive hand sowed the seed of dis.
cord and unsheathed the sword of violence
Turn to our own nation and seek the cause
of the agitation of dangerous questions thai
from time to time excite the public mind
and menace the destruction of our liberties
You will perceive that in all such cases thu
bonds of Fidelity were broken and the citi
zens either forgot or disregarded the respon
sibilities and duties that devolved on them a
American freemen. Various other instance
might be cited, but these are sufficient.
Now change the picture. Look at the CT
ted cases where firm Fidelity obtains. TIL
lovely fair one is the joyous r~eatizer- of un
mixed happiness and peace. The cordial
faithful friends hold to each others lips tn
sweet nectar of consolation, comfort am
cheer. Loyal subjects honor and reverence
their rulers and crown their nation with al
the blessings of peace and prosperity
True-hearted, liberty-loving patriots pou
forth their pure libations at the fair altar 0
liberty, appeasing the wild enthusiasm of th
infatuated and lulling the dangerous storm
of excitement to rest. Such being It's hap
py and saving influence, how important, hoy
necessary that it be at all times regarded b
the noble band of the Sons of Temperance
1t is a part of the exalted motto that is in
scribed on their glorious Banner. Every So
processes it and is in honor bound to practic
- t. oLo-11 looro fu0oo bic W CnooH fror
his tongue and be proclaimed by every at
ton. Then would our Heaven-born Orde
increase in numbers and influence with NOR
: rapidly then would the foul, d~ishonorabl
} and woe-begone standard of King Alcohol b
t supplanted by the bright and spotless BIZ
ner of the Reform and then would Inteh
perance, that most baneful Of scourges, b
driven forever from the earth which it no
= pollutes and curses. DAN.
f R. NJ. College, Sept. 1853.
= We hope to hear from our Correspondent
again and often. ED. AGE.
-~~~~>>>~ --~~~~~-
DEATH OF Rev. DR.. HEzEKIAH G. LEIGH
The last Richmond Christian Advocate COZ
=, tains the following painful announcement:
: r. NJ. COLLEGE, VA, Sept. Is, '53.
I DcOL DIO. L6c,--1G UGCOLleo my pblulI
f duty to announce the death of our believe
brother, Rev. Hez. G.. LEIGH, D. D. TIL:
day, eleven o'clock, his eyes were closed i
8 death. But through a long and distressin
E a~fiiction he was fully and happily s~ustaine
by the faith and hope of that Gospel while
he preached with so much power and success
for thirty-iVe years. For several years pas
e you are aware, the providence Of God hs
: called him to testify, more by suffering tina
by preaching. Inscrutable Providence fl
: in soundness of doctrine, purity of life an
n conversation, and in the power Of pure Go
!, pei eloqucnce, Bro. Leigh had few rivals
t his day in the Methodist pulpit. His fami.
: and the Church, and especially the Mort
i Carolina Conference, and our College, ofwhie
: hemay be regarded the founder, have susta
: ned a great loss. A suitable obituary will
ofcourse, 90 out from his Conference. | wi
not anticipate it. Many are the seals to b
ministry. We especially ask their feryel
+ prayers on behalfofhis deeply-af1icted fami
"a widow, two daughters, and four sol
Q mourn his loss. Yours truly,
= WIN. A. SMITH.
--~~>>/%% %<%~r~~-
: The EreDcb HeeioD Tho WASHINGTON CT,