Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-02-02
An Essay on TempersESr
CONCLUDED.

Let no man presume to limit the influence
which even the feeblest of the children of
men may exert in % good cause, like that of
Temperance. All men, however humble the
station of life which they occupy, however
ignorant they may be, exercise some infiu-
ence. The amount ofiniuence may be small,
when compared with that yastamount which
sometimes even 4 single distinguished indi-
vidual may exert by his example or his wri-
tings, but still all, whether erich or poor, high
or low, bond or Free" exercise influence in
a greater or less degree. It is in vain, yea,
more, contrary to the very nature Of mans
mind, for a man to say that he exercises no
influence on others. 1t is in vain too, for a
person who does not use Intoxicating LIQUORS
in any quantity, when he is importuned by
some Of the Order to join their numbers, that
he may thus benefit the temperance move
ment and promote the growth of temperance
principles by his example, his name and his
influence It is vain, | say, for him to say~'I
can do the Order no good. | have no infiu-
encc over others, no beneficial effects can 1e-
suit to the Division from my connections with
! it," 70 such q man, mistaken in his views
about the influence he is exerting and can
continue to exert, we would beg leave to say
remember the famous and remarkable
words OF an inspired Apostle on this subject:
'No man iivetiI to himself, or dieth to him.
self" lie will either exert an influence ia
vorable or unfavofable to the temperance re-
form. There is no alternative. lie and ev-
cry other man must, from the nature ofthings
be for or against Temperance either on tht
one side or the other either enlisted anc
fighting manfully under the Banner Of "Lovt
Purity and Fidelity" or standing in sht
ranks of" King Alcohol" There is no neu
trail ground which any man can ccupy.-
Temperance" by a figure ofspeech Of FIRE
quent use in Poetry and picturesque ANNA
ted and Poetical Prose, and by writer's OF
Rhetoric, called Personifcation, Gun Will
great propriety use the words Of our blessed
Lord and Master, and with emphasis s&y I'll
that is not for me, is against mel Chris
spake as never man spake," and CHRIST, the
God man, the Creator Of the Universe, The
maker and Governor Of worlds and the Nigh
ty Framer Of mans mysterious spirit, Ger
) tainly "knew what was in man." In fact
men are SO constituted, they sustain 50 NAM
relations to each other and are so mutual,
9 dependent, that they must necessarily exer
an influence as either for good Or evil, on eacI
: other. l have wandered into bye paths an
have thus left the main road. Wewill retrac
our steps and resume our intended route
We were examining the opinion Of the Apps
r tie Paul in relation to the subject of huma
i influence, as connected with the subject {
4 our Essay, and as applicable to be brought t
the notice and serious consideration of thos
V who, when they are solicited to join the Sons
e excuse themselves or at least try to do SO, b
e denying that they do or can exert any infl
e ence. Now, St. Paul we'll knew that no ma
i could live in the world without e~xercisir
9 some influence, however small it might BIZ
We are not now contending that every ma
Y will exercise a large amount of igaue1sse. bl
t only insisting for the fact, that an infUen,
d is always exerted. He knew that no ma
o could leave the world without having left son
)f impress on it. 1t is absurd for a man to sa
Il that he does not operate in some way, upC
d the destiny of the world. He does, every da
t he lives, whether he is aware of it or not
TT The fact that the influence which he exer
a is not apparent to his observation, docs n
by any means disprove the position we ha'
taken. Admitting then, that the habit is
good one, and that good results will flow fro
its formation admitting las all willy th
rs we all live that we may be of some use in t
" world, to benefit society, and that the wor
IS may be advantaged by our having lived in i
10 and admitting with the Bible to sustain
re in our position that all can exercise some
- oS14O VII HI No A1IooN Bl1O 1CSCCG
ed rily be driven to this "IIcaven sanctione'
and God approved" conclusion, that m
al should form this habit, (if not for their or
re sakes, and for the sake of their families,
is least Tor the sake of others1 should come
nd themselves with some temperance organic
mo- ton. All must come to the latter c~onciusie
l3 by admitting (what we neglected to bring
or yoar notice in its proper place and It's PROF
ry logical order as connected with what wut
is. follow the propriety ofmena ssociating the
selves together for benevolent, philanthroI
to or religious purposes, and the benefits VIII
do always result to such a cause by the form
lat ton of such an association.
he Want of time prevents me from carry
as- out my original, design, when first conte
3" plated the writing of an Essay. l feel COZ
for dentthat so far asI have viewed the subie
e.. l have by no means donei it justice. But hu
tn. bic as my efforts have been, they areinten,
len to advance the interests of the great and ?,
nd cause in which we all are engaged. In c
on clusion, permit me to say, we have greats
ere reasons to be encouraged in our noble und
takings. Go on God, the great, the mig
of Jehovah, smiles upon our cause. IntemJ
cir ance will be dethroned, the usuper will
rit trampled in the dust, and victory certai
ro- will be oursi j. W
ID
n~