Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-23
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.

GON AhE % MI VT II
Mr.. EDITOR: | am ali old man, and am
the father Of twelve children-seven sons
and five daughters. l was born in j
county, N. c., in the year 1900. My mother
died whenI was quite a youth, and my father,
being quite a moral man, reared me and
taught me good morals. But he, as others
now are, was not awake to the dangers of the
terrible monster, Alcohol. He used it rs a
beverage and thought it one of Gods good
blessings. He lived a moral ke and used it
very moderately all through life. He died
March 5th, l849, and went to his nome in
glory, and is now marching the streets of
the new Jerusalem in the throng of the sill
very bright and shining Angels. If he had
saved all he spent for liquor, and expended
it for the education of his four children, he
would have enjoyed life equally as we'll, yea,
much better, and he would have been the
same in glory he now is.
At an early age | entered upon the jour
ney of life in good spirits, with a firm reso-
luton never to become q drunkard. | have
passed thus far and am yet q sober man.
When my children first grew up l cautioned
them not to drink excessively, but did not
prevent them from using liquor as a bever-
age. / made it, sold it, and drank it; all
my family INDUCED. l treated my visitors
and always had plenty of it for my ~neighbors
when they came to help me work. Some
times some of them would get intoxicated,
but did not blame myself-no, not in the
least. / said what a pity they would not
drink enough and quit. | did not then see,
as / now see, and know, what | now know.
A few years ago, a society was formed in
my county town, called the Washingtonian
Temperance Society, and an effort was made
to form one at Ph church, but | be-
lieve it proved a final failure. was bitterly
opposed to any such societies, and | spoke
my mind. Sometime after this, the Order
of the Sons Of Temperance came to my
county. | likewise opposed that. Some
of my sons were now grown, and all, / be-
lieve, INDUCED but the eldest-he did not,
but was opposed to the Order of the Sons
NV second eldest son had formed a consider
able habit Of drinking-he was one among
the first to join the Sons. | think he was a
charter member to P Division, No. -.
I would not say a word against his joining
because / feared if | did he would not prove
faithful.
/ still made and used liquor and had it Mt
my spells. About this time | received a let
ter from my son in the far west, that he had
given up his cups and was a member Of Horn
lake Division, S. of I. Soon after, another
one Joined here. 1t did not set we'll but /
sung low. Soon after this, the welcome mes
: senger, tho Spirit of the Age made it's APP
: p~earance in my family weekly. and all my
children were much pleased with it, and /
, soon took a delight in hearing its con.
! tents. Now all my sons were on the side oil
= Temperance. l now began to look back and
reflect. Isaw a light was coming-already
beginning to shine brilliantly, / saw my past
folly. l now was willing to quit making.
n using or dealing in the poisonous 81 critter.5
"a For the two last years and upwards, l have
made none, and | have none at my spells Sc
h no one gets drunk at my house. Ihave bet
ter aud more work done on spell days nov
|, suu usol wI Sa.,o !, H 4bon plenty nSac :. liquor | ENJOY
around me, and ! am of the opinion that j