Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-10
To the True-Hearted.

10 the final success of total abstinence prln- tn
pies. But if men we're to reason thus upon m
other subjects, where would be that mdomi- b.
table energy and perseverance that mas u
crowned the most hopeless enterprises with Il
triumph. Every good cause, especially, has n
its times of depression as well as prosperity P
its clouds as well as sunshine. Even the n
Church OF the Living God seem5 somtimes d
to ianguish and grow lukewarm and Its MEM a
bers indiferent-but is it the mark OF atrue
soldier of the Gross, In such an hour, totalk /
of DESERVING his post and turning his back
upon our holy Religion? No, verify. But
these are the times that try the faith and
principles of men, and he who proves un-
faithful at such a time, evinces most plainly
that the spirit of his Master is not in him.
So of the cause of Temperance. If there
were no storm-clouds-if there were no re-
verses, misfortunes and discouragements in
our progress, the valiant-hearted and the
true would never be distinguished from the
fair weather friend, but the faint-hearted and
craven would receive the same NEED of praise
with the brave and heroic.
1t is important for final success that dark
DAYS should sometimes oyershadow us. With
out them, the friends of any cause are apt
to grow vain, conceited and fanatical. Many
a man has failed and proved bankrupt in the
first enterprises of life; but gathering wis
dom from the misfortunes of the past, again
he has entered the busy drama with a cooler
head and less impulsive heart, and marched
forth to success and the realization of his
highest hopes. Then bless we for clouds as
well as sunshine-there are many important
lessons taught by the one that cannot be
learned by the other.
So, brethren, soldiers in the Temperance
army, let us gather knowledge from the past
and receiving inspiration from our pure and
holy cause, burnish up our arms anew fol
another vigorous conflict with The powers o
darkness. Can it be that any are discour
aged, and disposed to give up the struggle
IF there be such an enc, let him go som
dark and stormy night ana stand wher
he can gaze unseen upon he untold miserie
of the drunkard's home. Home, did we say
What a wretched efigy for SO sacred an
sweet a name! But, alas! it isalthe plaC
his emaciated wife and hungry children ca
call by that endearing title. Hear h
children as they beg for o mouldy crust
bread, and listen to their cries as they wee
. themselves to sleep with all the pains of hui
3 ger gnawing at their yitals.
But now all is still-and the emaciat'
e form of a once beautiful wife, lowering ov
, the smouldering embers, is all that remains
) the drunken husband and father is away
a some vile vestibule of hell, and what rec
he of the misery he has ensailed upon tho
whom once he would have poured out
e life blood to protect and cherish. But har
rs the voice of song is heard from that wretch
abodel List, while the poor wife sings:
N Weary and sad I am sitting alone,
ct With a dying babe at a cold hearth stone;
And list to the sound of the drifting snow;
Oh, how unlike so long ago!
Those gilded dreams have passed away
~ That filed my heart on its marriage day,
- And the trembling tear drops silent flow
he Are the tribute pearls of long ago.
Oh, the hidden power of the sparkling wine
Can Danish love from its hottest shrine,
at And place in its stead a wreath of wo
In the faded hopes of long ago.
ear The GROWING joy of a woman's life
Is breathed L in the blissful name of wife
q And the deepest pang that her heart can knG
is Is the blighted love of long ago.
gh Hear We that sad voice of wo, and t
W. will ye talk of grounding your arms
SO surrounding all that is lovely, innocent
o. pure as resistless prey to the merciless
No troyer? If there be such an one, let
will turn and fee-he is unworthy of our ca
ces and the traitors doom awaits him. But
OF on the courageous, s~tout-hearted and
be we call-let us rally, rally, RALLY
hey strike once more a decisive blow for
his homes, our affairs and our country.