Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-03-28


preliminary steps harmless winch lead to a
drankard's end, full Of agony as the act may
be, l must demand release from that pro.
mise upon.whica all the brightest anticipa-
tions of earthly happiness were embarked.
Life is too short to famper idly with one
principle we know to be wrong, aud when
| consider the injuries this evil has Ia
ficted on happy homes aud loving hearts,
only wonder that woman does not urn
fanatic in her opposition to It's further
progress. Many, perhaps, would siyle me
such, but far better that term in tlesis On
and scoru, than the long train Of injuries
and eysls which follow in the wake Of intox-
ss Much asssx-s-sa. tsiiasss:ss saiss-
up from the full breast Of the fair girl as she
still sat by the window. enveloped in the
calm moonlight which alone lit up the soil.
tude of her chamber. But serenity, tho
natural consequence of firm, we'll recnIa-
ted mind, gradually settled upon her per-
turbed spirit, and when from her commu-
nion with her God she lay to rest It was %
drop into the quiet slumber and peaceful
dreamings which consciousness Of the
truth and purity Of her intentions alone
could produce. Morning found her not
only physically refreshed, but strengthened
in her determination, as far as lay in her
power, to go about disseminating all these
wholesome truths pertaining to her great
Masters work. And when eve with her
noseless step drew near. no doubt or fear
of Improperly, that monster of Hydra-bcad
which woman is perpetualy conjuring up
against the higher aim and holier sentiments
struggling for utterance In her breast, arose
upon her vision 10 fright her from her mis-
sion of truth and love. With no less ten
derness than usual she greeted her lover
upon bis visit, and one earnest, searching
glance in.her face assured him that tie fit
ting emotions which had before swayed her
heart were ALI in some wise laid 10 rest
Few words passed between them ere he
said,
| am glad to fnd your spirit improved
from last night, Annie, and now may not
know what it was that rendered YOU SO
strangely Indifferent to every thing said
Not Indifferent that could never be, but
come on the piazza, there seems almost
strife between the gentle evening breeze
and the pure, beautiful moonlight, as to
which shall contribute most largely toward
our enjoyment, and | will turn over for
| your perusal each leaf of my hearts most
| secret book as connected with those thoupbrs
which served to render me SO uneivil during
our last Interview And LAYING her hand
upon bic araa,- they stepped out together on
| the long portieo draped with the green tan-
drills and starry blossesns of tho fragrant las.
samine, while ever and anon cluster of
bIushing rosebuds crept between as if claim
ing place to breathe out their short exis-
tenee of sweetness and beauty. It was a
holy hour-meet for no sentimental words
of sickly and unmeaning endesrment, but
for that higher rational communion which a
great and good God endowed us with the
disposition to crave and powers riclHy.to
enjoy. 1t was an hour for the thick crow
ding of pure and good thoughts into tie
mind-for realizing more deeply than the
heart ever can when tuned TO the eiddy
whirl Of the festal scene, that grand and
beautiful harmony which was intend. d to
pervade life even here as faint foretaste of
its full frultion In Heaven. Il was an hour
to drink in at glance the perfect adapfa-
ton of nature sever changing moods ofbeau.
; ty, grandeur or power, to sentiments of ad-
miration or awe which are alternately lii MP
upon the altar of the soul-to feel the in
imitable beauty of that physical structure
revelliEg in the luxury Of seeing loved oh Fl.
jects. hearing duleet sounds, inhaling sweet
odors-of realizing the heart filing pleasure
pervading all the ram6cations of our social
duties and claims-lhen of resolving all
back to that loving hand which guides the
rush of worlds aud framed the stupendous
y mechanism Of an unfatbomable universe.
= Several moments elapsed ere the converse
i ton was renewed, and then it was the LADY
Il who spoke.
J L have often wished in such an hour a:
d this that could convey my feelings to yor
without the use of words, and never so mucl
y as at this time when feel more deeply thar
, ever before how poor they must be compared
l. to that interest which is stirring she depth
% Of my SOUL
is 1t would be a glorious Gift indeed +
1t those who like you have nothing to conceal
Annie
Perfection belongs not to earth. no
e would have you SO blinded by affection a
u to invest me with any of Its attributes bu
=, / do believe it is not only our high privileg
~ ~ but our imperative duty to seek steadily an
= constantly every way-mark upon the road q
NC life which points to our highest earthly good
= whilst al the time we feel assured it is calcu
- lated to secure the possession of eterns
~ bliss-and to lose no opportunity of in
:" pressing those sentiments upon other mind
r which we firmly believe to be right
But then, here comes in the widely di
~ ferent viewsof fallen humanity in regard
~ ~ tie course most proper to be pursued
be 'Or, perhaps you might more properl
nv have said, here comes in the opposition ,
;,n our erring natures to following out that whiC
m. our enlightened consciences really approv
an We can ofttimes tel whether a system
he conduct is right or wrong, FROM the efFec
he which are its legitimate result, and vet
ell any Of its steps be pleasant, how prone ,
er. are to adopt the opinion that in our own ca
ng something will occur by which that rs,
nat will be stripped Of all its accustomed hid
nh ousness.'
on But how am to connect all this wi
the your late symptoms Of unhappinessr
and 1T was the light act. many would term
nay of your taking wine with Mr.. Asbury "
part terday, and the still lighter words which y