Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-01-31
A Word TO the Brethsen.

We would earnestly exhort our brethren
of the various Divisions in this.State-to DucKie
on their armor in good faith andsgpto' work
apain in the great cause of Humanity IN
which we are engaged. We do not intend by
this to make the charge that all are resting
on their oars, or that the Temperance cause
i extinct but the signs of the times clearly
indicate that there is not that stirring entnu-
siasm on the subject that cheered us oil TWO
years ago. Some may objectto TINS conces-
sion being made public, but in our opinion we
are as much in duty bound to give WORDS Oh
warning. when we see impending danger
nigh. as to sound the exulting trumpet vi trl-
umph and victory.
The great principles of our beloved Order
are the same, and the incentives to put them
in practical exercise as imperative as hereto
fore. Why, then, this lamentabie lethargy
in the Order? Is it because the DIVISION
room is not as attractive as in days bye-gone T;
or is it because the great work is accomplished,
for the consummation of which we pledged
ourselves on tho sacred altar of Love, Purity,
and Fidelity? Neither! The Division room
is still an agreeable retreat, where brothers
whose hearts are bound together by the most
sacred ties, can meet, and mingle, and grow
better, by cherishing the attributes OF sociaI
relations.
The work is not done. The just and eqult
able law Of prohibition is not yet obtained
and we have reasons to fear it will not spring
from the elements composing the present Gen
eral Assembly. No! the work is not done
We cannot yet stand
"Crowned with consolidated stars
Beside the foaming sea,
And from the Future, with VictOrs hand,
Claim empire for the free y
No; there is work yet to do. Thousand
ofour fellowmen yet bow down to the destroy
err of their bodies and souls. In every neigh
borhood there are those who rush to a thrill
ing doom at the end of the inebriate's terri
BILE path. From the barroom TO the gutter
from the gutter to the grave, a great highwa
is crowded, night and day, and beaten smoot
by the dead march of thousands of idolatrou
pilgrims, staggering and bending forward
a distant Mecca. Their Mecca is the DRUM
ards He'll!
The work is not done. The fend is y
stalking with bloody feet across the pul
threshold of q thousand happy homes. Ell
!, shadow is more terrible than night, and b
presence blots out the brightness that cheert
i, the heart before his coming. He shatte
the home affairs and breaks the househo
l gods with a devilish zest and from Il
q wrecks in his wake, the feeble prayer of W
; man and the plaintiye wall of infancy, cri
e out for deliverance.
d The work is not done. Rum ~infuriat
o murderers yet stalk forth at MONDAY wi
e battered club and dripping blade and fro
e a thousand gambling bells goes forth as ma
o streams Of corruption to put virtue to t
e blush and poison the arteries of the soc
n system.
No the work is not yet done, brothers.
s Then buckle on the armor again, and go fr
and give the enemy battle. Meet him
highway, in by-way and at the Preside.
IN Bring the wanderer back and reclaim t
10 fallen by deeds of kindness. Ring out
~ pealing blasts from every hill. Call pub
e. meetings and arouse a spirit of enthusiast
Sc " Whatsoever thy hand fndeth to do, d.
ad with thy might