Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-01-11
VOL. Y.
straight and,narow road that leads to Hea-

thanks, and not for this alone, but for the
many willing encouragements you give US,
not only in words and lovely smiles of ap- =.
probation, but for your kind acts on this,
and many other occasions, which speak in
language louder than the distant thunder
roll, and maketh impressions more indelible
than the carvings in the rock.
Ladies and entiemen, think not It's for
this alone that we have assembled here to-
day, but allow me to say, that we have 9th
er things of Importance TO present to your
That we have fearful and
mighty enemy in our midst, but few will
pretend to deny; for there is none perhaps
Ofall this large assembly that have not, and
do not daily, witness his awful work of deg
radiation. A father, brother, dear re-
lation or friend to some Of you, may have
needed the voice of that monster, and is now
being led with gigantic strides down to that
dark abode from whence no one returns.
This is the work of King Alcohol, that
mighty foe the Sons of Temperance have
banded themselves together to Danish from
this our would be) happy country. And
can we do it F? hear coming up from the
North, South, East and West, the humane
and emphatic answer zoe wiy try Our
organization has already done much, and
that quickly, for it was but few years ago
that our first Division was established, and
stood forth as lone bright star in the hea-
vens, and now the number has swelled to
thousands, and their happy influence is felt
in every State, from Maine to Texas. 'iI
Thousands have been drawn up from the
pit of ruin and disgrace by our helping
hands, and the beautiful sentiments
Purity and Fidelity-stamped indelibly up
on their hearts. Many great and noble
minds, whose light was almost extinct, have
been restored to their former worth and
brilliancy, and are now battling in our glo-
rious cause. Many an unsuspecting youth
who had just commenced his career, has
been warned to touch not, handle not the
unclean thing.
Though much has been done, more still
remains to be accomplished. We have op-
position on every side, and l am sorry to
say, from those who should be our Warmest
supporters. We have much occasionally to
make us melancholy and doubtful of sue
cess, but we must not, will not, give up,
but rather work more diligently, proving as
we do, that our cause is just, and that the
battle is not to the strong alone, but to the
vigilent, active and brave. Besides we are
not weak, but have mighty army, armed
with the bright and beautiful weapons, love,
truth and moral suasion, which if welded
J as they should be, will sing forth the beau
: tiful words ere long the battles fought,
the victory's won.' Then, brethren, des-
pond no more, but be up and doing cry
aloud in all the land, that another and
mighty ally has come to our assistance
Should | inform you who they be )? you
have both seen and heard to-day, ..'tis lovely
woman.
!, Some few perhaps who are not familiar
with the influences of woman, may doubt
their being able to accomplish much in this
great reformation; to such, if there be any
J here, allow me to say that you are far be-
!, hind the times that the dark clouds which
, IN times past hid from our view woman's
IS real worth and merit, still hover around
d them. You are blind because ye will not
n see; We walk in darkness because ye choose
/ it rather than light Yes, Ladies, you have
the power within yourselves, if you would
Il display it Alright, to free our land of this
e great enemy, and Danish him ever from cul
% midst Remember then, o ! remember
Is the teaching of this Inspired Book yor
n have just presented us. To whom much
lie is given, much will be required. Though
TO you be sufficient to the task, this much We
N do not expect or ever desire all we wisl
u is your assistance. And now will yol
d give it US? Many, thank heaven, have al
ii ready expressed a willingness and determin
De alton to do so, and as [ look round upol
is this intelligent and thinking auditory, | an
}; constrained to believe that there is not on
lr here who does not wish us "God speed,
to and who will not lend helping hand
v, And now, brethren, with the ladies as as
= sistants, and the word of God as our guide
we will boldly approach that mighty despo
tn who has so long filled our prisons with mur
IT. derers and desperadoes, the grave with thou
er sands annually, and our aims houses wit
rs their orphans-who has stripped many {
b. their moral and physical worth and degr;
ou ded them lower even than the beast; he wh
IN has caused innocent blood and tears to flo,
nr as the rivulet he, who has thrusta burnin
e. brand into the domestic abode Of almost ey
be cry family, and cried aloud with trumpe
ne tongue-stay, oh! stay thine accurse
= hand. He has felt the shock behold hil
to now advancing more slowly he falters h
i'll stops and now he flies. Brethren, pursue
. suffer him to stop 70 more in this our hal
mt py country pursue him even to the end {
in the earth let it soon be said that the place
no that knew him once, knoweth him now 7
mt more, forever. This done, the day wi
ice dawn when the wife will no more await
awful suspense the return of drunkt
lg, husband or a sister lament and pray f
IN the rescue of her poor brother, who is ia
ee- approaching that awful precipice, o 'er whi
to should he go, it would be down, down, to
drunkard's hell But behold the husbal
with buoyant heart and step approach |
On. home, his wife smiles his coming, his ch
on dren fly to meet him. Behold the prohiga
to brothers return, and hold sweet conver
at with his sisters as they wander through t
it shaded grove. aud wind their way to /
ure house of God. Behold all nature reloicet
not for man is redeemed!
d And now, fair lady, permit nae to retu
hes you our sincere thanks for the noble d.
ook you have performed in to- days exercises
on Think not that your kindness will soon
ake forgotten, for it can never be- Time "
the roll on and return US all to our mother ear