Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-31

every shade of religious and political sentiment,
without offering the slightest obstruction to, or show
ing the least preference for either. This Is the
platform on which all men of every class and opin-
ion may stand and unite in one common cause the
reformation of the Incorporate and the ameliora-
ton Of mankind. With this Order, like all other
great and BENEVOLENT enterprises, there have been
some points of Encouragement. In the accesSlons
to our Order, some have joined from interested and
mercenary motives, others, whose ambition has
scared no higher, have joined to crafty a kind OF
| curiosity and spy out our liberties. From some
sources too the tide of Opposition has run high and
strong; but amid all these discouragements, the
progress of our Order has been steadily onward
Thousands of fashionable drinkers and wine bib
bershave banished the wine cup and decanter from
/ their table and have nobly sacrificed appetite on
the altar many a b~arkeeper and rum seller have
abandoned their pursuits and become faithful
allies of this fraternal band. Hundreds and thou
sands of inebriates once fallen and hopeless, have
been reclaimed and restored to society and are now
performing valiant service in the ranks of the tenn
perance army.
Experience and the issue of the contest proves
unquestionably, that our moderate dram-drinking
; citizens are the most inveterate and formidable en-
emies of all who are yet waging their 6shonorable
warfare against the cause of peace and sobriety.-
Many of these men affect to rise superior to argu-
> ment and are proof against all the appeals that can
be made for the cause of God and of suffering hu-
mainly. In the moral renovation and revolution
iZng of society, the hampions of our temperance
: Order have found this class of opposers the giant
: adversary to cope with. The habit of moderate
drinking, or rather this state of n~oncommittal, has
: kept hundreds from engaging IN this work of be-
nevOlence. The secret influence Of this under cur
rent of opposition has foiled the Jealous efforts of
the most persevering philanthropists. Many an
= unwary youth and unsuspecting guest, around the
e social board, have been lured by the deceptive sway
9 of this prevailing custom, and have been borne on
j. ward by the slowly flowing streams until they have
been dashed, like a perilous bark, on the Charyb-
. dis of intemperance. But to the institution of our
!. Order, the landmarks of history may proudly and
triumphantly point as the Heayen-born reformation
that is redeeming many of the bond slaves of this
e. vice, and drying up this source of human woe, and
wretchedness, and suffering.
Let past success in this glorious enterprise prompt
- us to vigilance and activity for the future. Let us
carry the war into the camp of the enemy, and
IL prosecute il there, until we shall have eXtinguished
&c their council fires and until complete victory shall
cl perch upon our standard. Let US renew our efforts
I'd and our zeal for the emancipation of fallen man
~ and the restoration and amelioration Of our degra-
- ded fellow men who are bound to the most degra-
- ding service, beneath its iron yoke Of tyranny, pow
is erty-Stricken and helpless. Yea, let it be our high
M aim and solemn duty to spread the benefits of oul
II, Order throughout the length and breadth of oul
of country, and to carry its blessings to every homo anC
freside that hath been made dark or desolate by thu
ar ravages of intemperance. And though this institu
a. ton may not boast the glitter of gems and anna
in ranths gathered from the throne of princes, tn,
in halls of nobility, or the gardens of the great, yet
orv like the stone that was heWn from the mountain
md without hands, it has increased in its magnitud
and strength, and shall stand through coming time
sti- as q g Great Rock in a weary land" to give relic
ue- to the ruined hopes of those that have been smitte
les by the whitening blast of intemperance. This bea
the con star OF the temperance Ofdcf mas peen halledd
the almost every recess Wlthln the boundaries OF on
no nation, and has cast its mellowing rays over til
t is greater part of the northern division of this we.
arly tern continent; and we hope that in its alternatin
revolutions it may arise over the moral darkness
fish the eastern hemisphere and shed its rays over tt
o of " spell-bound nations of the east. And we hOI
that, like the Star Of Bethlehem, it may attract IL
med wanderers eye from every point, and that it ma
ould entrance the vision Of millions of the east and
And millions from the west, and arrest their upwal
lent gaze, until they shall behold the peaceful orb of Il
ntrv " Sun of Righteousness" and be illumined with Il
nth radiance of that light that shall shine brighter al
brighter unto the perfect day.
With this address, closed the public speaking
lAr= the day after which the brethren of the Ord
marched back to the Division room and the hume
! 'io Gus assemblage of auditors gave expressions
NC showed unmistakable signs of qualification with t
lar entertainment Of the day. The Division here
"nu present is in a more prosperous and ~progressi
IS al condition than it has over been. During last Qua
poeh ter seven new members were initiated more tn
I"oe' have been added to the Division during any o
: RTtaft&6d bfeIAth6fh 66s already accomplished orr
Ipa good IN this community, and we hail the presC
! - prospects merely as the hargingers Of future s.
: n"0 cess. Since the last meeting, several more ha
signifed their intention to join the Division, a
w we feel assured that it is destined to 60 ahead I'LL
800" It's influence shall be felt as a sufficient rebuke
" mtemperance here, to cheek all its enormities q
a M give correct moral impressions to society.