The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-09-02
THE SOCIAL DEGREE.

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Brothers and sisters OF the social degree:--
You are aware that the subject OF temperance
has ,ngrossed the attention Of a large majo i
of the sober and rejecting members OF coul-
muuity fory years past. Among active and
good works stands the temperance society,"
her trust in Heaven her hold on the human
heart. To the fallen and the perishing she
throws a siken cord and gently draws him
within the golden circle of human brother
hood. She learned that persuasion is
mighter than force--that the voice of en-
couragement finds an echo in the heart dee
per, far deeper, than the thunder Of reproof.
Apart from the physical purity and triumph
OF the soul over the sense, implied in abstain
ence from stimulating liquors these societies
peculiarly interesting, because they are based
IN the laws of love. "The Pure is niaid in
HOLY. like the Pearl set in fine gold" They
stand before us are p,tual fountain Of beauty
aud Joy, wearing the sunlight for diamonds,
and the rainbow for her mantle. This mag
nifccnt vision, as veiled water.spirit is her
princely gift to the soul of man; who can tell
OF the changes that can be wrought within!
She flows in the midst OF pollution and
degradation, but keepeth herself unmxed and
undefiled in her pathuly, like pure and
lovn ,heart visiting the'abodes ofwr hednel 6
and sin. Centure es have passed al gone, the
world has been delugcd with argument, how
crime can be prevented, drunkness g. dis
sapation diminished and poverty abolished
the philanthropst, wi patient love, in OBJ
p scure places is laboring to restore delacet
humnnity-the rcfOrmer with strong hope il
striving to clothe society with morality
Use is the highest law of our being, it can
not be disobeyed with mpunity. The NOR,
alive and earnest, the soul is, the more does
it need active use. But to fill employment
with div n, life, it must be performed will
reference TO others; the laws of our bcin!
are such as that we must perform some degre
of use in the world. Then Brothers {
Sisters let us boldly onward in this great an
glorious cause! Sisters how littlo do W
think of the responsibilities that are restin
upon us, Of the wide influence either for goo
or evil which we can exert, even if II,
extended beyond our own home circle
Mothers &Sisters, there is no earthly il
iluencc to be compared, there is no combin
ton OF causes SO powerful in Fronting I'll
happiness or misery Of our race, rs the il
structiOns of home. Could we but feel Il
responsibility as we ought, then would "
less frequently behold unhappy families al
broken-hearted parents. She who was first
the transgresson may yet by the blessing
Holy Spirit be an earthly instrument
restoration. God has conferred upon Il
the mother advantages, which no one ell
can possess; it is by no means the only il
tuence. yet it may be the most powerful Il
early years of life are entrusted to her car
she may form in Il, youthful minds habit
und implnnt principles which will gi'
permancncy and vgCr to the future characte
When young man leaves his home al
enters tie busy world, many are the tempt
t,ns which croud around him. if he leav
without established principles Of scl(-contr
he will most assurcdy fall before them,
may indeed fall after all has or can be don
break away from all restraint and, "God mi
leave him to eat the fruit Of his own devices
his young soul is entanged in protligacy al
wretchcdness, it ID altogether a lotte
whether it pushes or propels him. But Il
remembrance OF II mothers prayers nj
sisters tears, like Il guardian angel W
follow him though far away, in the abodcs
iniumy, and when rcmofse keeps him ava
ut midnight or when danger threatens hi
with speedy arraignment at the bur Of Gl
then will the thoughts Of the sucredness
home throw bitterness into his cup of gui!
pleasure, and compel him to sigh for the pea
he had iorsaken, and after many guilty yea
become pcnitent child of God.
In contemplating the great and wonder
works OF nature, there we will find pcrlc
ton. Beu,ty and utility, harmony and co
sstency, prevail throughout. The eur is d
lighted with melody, the eye is charmed wi
beauty the smell greeted with fragrance, n
feast is continually provided for the imul
nation, great diNcord exists between M
aud nature, guilty erring man has profan
this charming retreat, and brought dissapati'
sin and misery, in this holy temple of natur
"Man may curse, but nature blesses," III
guiltiest OF her wandering children, she won
tain eniold within her arms,-shc speaks
them ever in the soft, low tones OF earne
love, but they, alas, tossed on the roarin
stunning surge OF society, forget her peac
ful language.