Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-29
A Revival Needed.

It cannot be disguised that a heavy spirit
of apathy has crept into the ranks of the
Temperance men of North Carolina, Grip
ping their energies and almost destroying
their influence in community. This fact
suggests the inquiry" What shall be done
to restore the good old times of activity
and usefulness in the great work ?" To
our mind, the answer may be formed by
adopting this resolution 80" Let us go back
to first principles" We have allowed the
contemplation of ends and anxiety for their
accomplishment, to rob us of the very means
Of ~effecting those ends. Let US 90 back and
do our first works over again-fll up our
Division rooms, seek out the lost and fallen
and bring them into our great brotherhood,
the Order of the Sons of Temperance. Let
ii again be brought prominently before the
people-let suspended and defunct Divisions
be revived-let our good and active labors
again commend Vi to public favor, and then
we shall once more enjoy the prestige OF
success that once proudly perched on our
Banners.
In the language of the Goldsboro' Tele-
graph may it be truly said, that to the noble
order of the Sons of Temperance is the world
indebted ina very great measure, for what
ever of reform in the social habits of the peo-
pie, has been accomplished. The moral power
which it has exerted and is capable of ex-
erting, is almost incalculable. Though not
sufficient OF itself to eradicate the evils of in
temperance, we do not contemplate a period
when the most active and untiring moral
suasion Of this and similar temperance So
%cieties, can be dispensed with. Unless all
the moral influences available are brought
E to bear, and keptin constant exercise, a pro-
hibitory liquor law, however wisely and
skilfully framed, however unobjectionable in
its features, will prove little else than o dead
letter on the statute book. This mast be
evident to any one who will consider the
subject calmly. While the friends of tenn
perance, very properly, are zealously striving
to enlist the law in aid of the great reform,
e we fear that there is too much of a disposition
to relax their efforts to induce men to abstain
: from the use of intoxicating liquors, by
h moral s~uasion to conclude that because
! I" legal s~uasion" is desirable, therefore but
! little comparatively can be accomplished by
70 moral %suasion; by prevailing on men tt
sign the total abstinence pledge, and By
70 increasing the numbers of the members o
= temperance associations. A great deal car
/ be done, and the friends of the cause SHOULD
never relax their efforts to influence men t
escape the evils of intemperance by uniting
with temperance societies.. Among thes
- associations the order Of Sons of Temperate
has proved most effective in checking tn
evils of intemperance, and in changing pull
lie sentiment on the use Of alcoholic liquor
- as a beverage. To increase the numbers an
= extend the moral influence of this association
i should be the earnest desire and aim Of ever
,u Son. To this end his unwearied effort
:; should be directed. Let us renew OF
~ exergions, brethren, with redoubled ZEAL
= Let the old lame be kindled afresh. Thel
is greater need now than ever of zeal an
!. ardor in the temperance cause. Now is tt
time to work. Let us be up and doing
Let US renew the war with tenfold earnestne
and determination, against the destroyer
our race.