Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-26
c ON m unicatiOn.
FOR TIE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
An Essay On Temperance.

In the use Of the word Temperance ii
our brief remarks on this subject, pe -
attach that meaning to the word Waic
believe now meets with general acceptatiDn, =
viz the habit of entirely Except in cases OF )
sickness, and by the advice of a physician :
abstalnlng from the use of whatever can pro-
duce intoxication. We arc aware that some
have defined this word differently, in declar-
ing that Temperance means moderate :
use OF Whatever we cat or drink We ad-
nit the accuracy and proprety Of their de-
hnition when applied to whatever is drank
which exercises no injurious influence upon
the constitution of man, and also, when APP
piled to whatever may by digestion become
assimilated to his physical nature, such rs
the eating of food necessary to sustain and
prolong his animal existence. But the use
OF anything, in however small quantities,
which acts mi ~uriously upon the moral, Iitel-
%lectuai and physical nature of man, is intern
peranco-total abstinence from its use can
only be designated with any degree Of pro-
priety, Temperance"
Having thus, we trust satisfactorily, de-
fined the term which forms the subject and
basis Of our intended remarks, yespropOse
to bring the subject mere definitely and more
particularly to your notice by considering it
+. concisely under the four following points OF
I view. First, the r~easonableness Of forming
such a La it and the wisdom which will be
: manifesten IN Is fqrnytien. SecepdlLA9E
E tIG motives which shodld impel uss15
o such a habit. Thirdly, the acknowledgements
we haTe for pursuing such a course Of con
: duct. And t~ourthly. the rewards which will
result from It. Ind first, We will consider
4 The reasonoblass OF forming such a habit, and
: the wisdom manifested in It's formation.
Every one VIII admit that it IS in harm n
--iEi this /. o,,I Io-+ ;u+o-or4- r. 100 -
abstain from using that which will produce
and is daily producing deleterious effects CA
his nature, considered IN the light Of g ply
steal, Intellectual or moral bong.
~ The use Of alcohol does produce such ef
fects or these departments of mans mysteri-
Gus nature, rs all Of my readers can bear
= witness. None can deny that a vast, yea,
: incalculabl2 amount Of injury has resulted
y to the bodies, minds and souls Of men in all
~ ages Of the world, from it's use. Reason
J frowns upon and condemns its use; God has
nc given reason TO man las you all are fully q
ware maniiestly and evidently for the Yur-
st, pose Of restraining and keeping in check the
~ a~ppetites and propensitics Of the bascr part
- Of his nature. Tie has also given him rea-
ch son, rs all viii concele, for the very purpose
Oh Of directing him in the choice Of that which
or will promote his health, happiness and cter-
ca nal interests. ANY one who has-al=1%4~
.ch the facts which are daily passing under tbs
! ! eye OF his immediate observation, cannot
ne fail to have noticed that the use Of i~ntoxica.
ting liquor does, in all eases, impair tht
health and destroy the happiness Of man.
This proposition is self-evident. 1t need,
&c for It's confirmation no proof. All can test
fy, ii they were called upon, to its truth. 81
IN experience can bring Almighty load Of cumu
lex latiyo evidence confirming the truthfulnes
me Of eur assertion. Does not thenrea8on, whel
bic It's voice is listened TO, when its whispering
are not drowned In the turbulence Of passioI
or the uncasiness Of present feelings-doe
it not at such times express its disapproba
ton of the indulgence In anything whic
It'll produces such ruinous effects on mar
viewed in the light of a temporary dweler i
)riG this world, or a destined immortal inhab
tant Of another? And on the contrary, doe
: Hr-zr-asza
rust to sovereignty over the better part of man
its nature, set its seal Of appreciation on the fol-
hOd nation Of such q habit as will free man frol
the tyrannical dominion of such a destru,
as tive vice, which will ward of those iniuriou
ave influences which IN SO many cases blast
mans prospects for usefulness in this worl
ser and his everlasting happiness In the next.
nil Shall man exercise less reason and les
wisdom in his choice Of things, which are
the be introduced into his physical system, tina
WAS the brutes do which perish, which are dest
tute OF a rational or immortal nature? Sha
bind instinct triumph over reason, the 90
Icbo session of which should be mans hiche
till boast and greatest matter CT rejoicing?-
ter Shall they, governed only by the impuls
man which the God Of nature has implanted
their bos9ms as impcllents to action tul
mos. away with disgust from that which ma
formed IN the image Of his Creator, 100 oft;
Wv alas! drinks with too much avidity? Shan
90. On the man who can thus degrade himst
lower than the brute creation, by admin:
n"ne tering aliment to satisfy the cravings of
sou' disordered and d~eranged appetite. Ala
how great is his fail from that high and /
the ty position his Maker assigned him in t
,itiS, scale Of animated and rational beings.
own Inthosecond place wewiI briefly cnumars
5 SO and slightly enlarge upon the motives VIII
ZONE should impel US to form such a habit
Temperance"
p1s- And first, we should do so in order to y
ylng; mote our own individual prosperity, our 9,
loids usefulness and our ownhappiness. Weshot
act thus in the formation Of such q wise a
reasonable habit from o sense Of dutv
F,1- ourselves. S~eIfioye, rightly obeyed. We,
lead US certainly to adopt such a ration
~ course Of conduct. No man can consult
~ highest interests Of his nature. either as
ferai christian or Q non-professor Of religion, wi
con- cut at once coming to the determination
cord forming such u habit without a moments
odre lay, and as q necessary consequence conn
:, ting himself with some neighboring tenn
T. ~ ance organization. Secondly, under /
o'"S view Of the subject lie owes it to his FAM
ions to the loved coniidlng companion eeehAA
'acl som, and to his tender. helpless, depend
c re- offspring, to form such q habit. lie owe
Of to them IN order to guard them from
niles evils which sometimes . moderate use of
,rioi cohol may lead to, and to which thev.unof
! 90 ding, however, as they have been, will
: subject to. No man can tell what dire
= 30 consequences may result from even what
10 may in bis blindness 10 his own safety, Il
i - O temperate and reasonable use of ard
,tract spirits.
8 col. Every mans wife AID children daeerv,
, thn haze proper security that they shall not
: ali fer from the evil effects to which his cor
81 = of conduct may probably lead. No he
= security that they need &Pprchend no dan.
Cd o. that they will be protected. can be giyei
them, than the immediate formation Of s
"a bohIf - va i4-a ;..-t c-.f-- q u