Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-01
Preserve Home from the Tempted.

ON eEe eeR afsRdia sdiaa tBaY the ftEQage1 influence
hardest to overcome is that bf the social
circle, the hospitable board. In our homes.
which should be the centre of every good
influence, that bad influence is at work
In the very citadel of our safety, the most
dangerous enemy gains admission. 1t is
there that the thoughtless habit which ends
in dissipation is begun. There it finds en-
couragement, under all the Appliances of
luxury and elegance, until it shows itself in
the unsteady step and reeling brain. have
known many young men to be betrayed in.
to confirmed habits Of intemperance, by
their frequent acceptance of this we'll inten-
ded kindness. There are probably those
who will have been, this week and the next,
intoxicated for the first time in their lives,
because it is so difficult and awkward to re-
fuse the reiterated invitations of woman's
hospitality. 49,
Can we not make our friends welcome
without exposing them to danger? Is not
the pleasant smile and the grasp Of friend
ly hand, and the feast which cheers without
inebriating, are not these enough If any
require more, let them seek it where they
may sell their virtue for price. Let not
woman's hand lead the way to temptation.
Let not her pleasant home lend its attrac-
tons to the sins which so easily beset US,
Is there a mother who would place temp
tation in the way Of her son? Is there a
sister who would make virtue difficult to
her brother? Is there a maiden, who would
place in the hand of him whom she is al.
ready beginning to love, the poison which
may find and perhaps has already begun to
find its way to his heart? Is there wife
who would surround her husband with
snares, SO skillfully covered that he may
fall into them almost unawares
Those who are tempted may not be her
own friends and kindred she may look up.
on them with entire Indifference, and offer
the temptation only because custom requires
it; but there are hearts beating sadly fol
those who yield there are wives and moth.
ers and sisters who will have reason t
mourn over the day, when the temptation
was offered, and the custom which permit
ted it.
Festive assemblies which begin with al
the splendor that wealth can purchase, an,
at which the beauty, the fashion and th
elegance. of the city are gathered, some
times end with scenes, in the private parlol
which would not be creditable to the publ
tavern. At such times even woman's ey
sparkles with an unwonted fire, and the gay
ETY. Of her merrlment is something NOR
than the natural flow of her own spirits
To the whole she lends her countenance
and her influence, as the, presiding genius
the household, is given to that which in he
heart, she despises and hates.
have ro expectation of changing gene
al customs by my feeble voice. know no
tgrannical fashion is. and that there are man
persons who would commit any sin or inc,
any danger, sooner than be accounted u
fashionable. . Custom lies upon US as
weight, heavy as lead, and not one in
hundred has the strength or courage
throw it off though conscience may col
mand and the safety-of those whom he be
loves requires it.
Social usages, like those to which ref
can be more easily changed than E at fl
:. suppose. If a comparatively small numb