Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-08

uubieS EHtOfA0u upon Ln0n. lu0y W0Hb tOF6H
to the battlefield to exhort their sons " to re-
turn NTH their shields, or upon them" The
exhortations of the Spartan, women fred the
soldiers and whether they conquered or
fell, they were assured of the praise and re-
ioicings of their mothers and sisters, and this
melted them to unparalleled deeds of arms.
These things existed, and this influence was
exerted in the t"darker ages" when woman
possessed not the magic influence Of mind.
The fair damsels of that age were con-
tent to read the wild but absorbing romances
of those times-to sing to the lutte the love-
lays Of the Troubadours. Now, Woman,
Proteus-l like assumes IA new form Of influence,
and holds a still greater power over man.
Education, Religion, Refinement all add a
greater weight TO her alluring sway. Educa-
ted, %virtuous Woman, is now, or should be,
always found on toe side of Intelligence, Pr
ETY. and good morals. Great is her influence,
and terrible will be her responsibility if it be
misdirected and lent to the encouragement OF
vice and dissipation! Well may you call for
her aid in the great Temperance enterprise
and where else should it be? Can she feel
no interest in these things, while her hus-
bands, brothers, sons are falling like leaves
before the ~untimely Autumn blast, all around
her Will she put the wine-cup to the lips
of her loved ones, and bid them drink the
fiery daught, when she sees, and feels, ant
knows that it will lure them to destruction
Hear the confession,-the painful, heart-ren
dering condemnation which follows, of a sol
ruined, destroyed by a Mothers influence
What Woman could envy the feelings of tina
Mother, who had caused this ruin upon he
' darling boy. Read:
e g am twenty-three years of age, and i
me you see the miserable wreck Of a mai
. whocoo OWL 1ooFinu II ooucoI hu n rotharj
4 ill-directed influence; and mistaken views
entiquette nay, she was the blind slave of
8 pernicious fashion. When | was eightee
h years, | was a young man of promise; m
g education was liberal, and my advantage
had not been neglected. I was a close ar
attentive student. | had entered-CC
lege to complete my studies, which we
pursued with special reference to the mini
L try. AT the age of sixteen, I Joined t
W Young Mems Total Abstinence Society, viii
e had l.sIa esss ss sss .hf.owr
c, ~ observed its pledge. In my nineteen
a.. year, during my summer recess, | visited t
he place of my nativity, and high and cheeri
u were my anticipated joys, as I neared t
nd home of my boyhood. But how deeply we
LII those hopes blasted. I was welcomed hor
nd with every demonstration of affection, a
a for q few days, my happiness was unbroke
ed | visited old friends, and old scenes, and
est walks. | strolled though the woods in viii
by my boyish feet had often wandered. I
his once again in the old school house, and lo
he ed with almost reverence upon the villa
nd church-but my bliss was of short durati
eth l found that wine was almost every VIII
,ur profered to friends, and | always refused
The offered glass, until, in a moment of evil,
mother pressed me to throw away my fool
= scruples, and to drink wine with nv youth
IAN friends nay, my mothers hand filled
ON presented me with tho first glass of any
ry. toxicating drink | ever remembered to h
ON drank. Now look at me, look at me
| of Twenty-three years old, and all my prosp
eff blasted-my education thrown away
hus manhood dishonored, and me a poor mis-
ent, BILE wreck a poor drunken sot Yes, |
tied a d%runkard, and nay mother made me v
re- am. My mother caused me to break
Iva pledge-she urged me to drink-she N
me what am, a poor miserable drunk
Jni- Had she not put the wine. glass to my
witty had she not banded me with her Jokes,
fell rallied me with her sarcasms, I should
rise have been q sober, respectable and us
be man."
in Mother where is your influence and '
sion direction is it taking? Sister, are you pl
the ed to discountenance all the causes and 7
1T of tees of intemperance? Mothers-sist
is shall your sons, your brothers die the d
then kard's death, and in the last great day ch
hese their destruction to your account !? c
laze, are your responsibilities, for great indet
from your influence for good or evil.
been Mother! beware what example you
y Of setting before your boy. Remember,
tude influence is now sowing the seeds of Y
3 i'm or vice, which will make or undo him
its ever.
for. You shall hear from me again, if
A. crude thoughts be considered worth p
ing. ~ i
Yours in thewish to set a good exal
A. MOLL