Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-12-03
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What shall be Done

THIS is a question that every true friend
OF temperance is ready to ask, having in view
the present respondent condition of the cause
in this State. What shall be done to arouse
the sleeping host to action again, and FIRE
them anew with the zeal that once glowed in
every breast? In the palmiest days of the
cause the great achievements that so ANNA
ted our breasts were won by a combination
OF individual effort. Each saw that he had
a work to perform himself, and fastened with
aiacrity and delight to the task. In this
way a great influence was exerted and its
effects were made manifest. The little stone
hewn from the mountain was rolling on with
increased swiftness and power and the crum-
bling ruins of the giants of brass wrote .
cheering history in its wake. A bright sun
arose and its rays cast a glorious path Of
o promise across the dark sea where wrecked
homes, hearts and hopes are tempest-tost and
torn. Bright rays Of hope illumined the
4 grated dungeons of the Rum Demon, and
thousands of fettered eaptives bore their
chains with a lighter heart.
Days of promise! In those days the cause
lay near many hearts. The reformed and
their families-the old man and his SON
the younger brother and his elder, all looked
h upon the temperance organization as an ark
"a OF safety and an anchor Of hope to them and
theirs. In those days, men spoke Of the
IA cause and its interests whenever they met.
They matured plans for its advancement and
!. prosperity. They were ever on the aler. to
- place a friendly hand under the head of who
: ever they saw sinking beneath tho tempest
torn waves of the gulf of intemperaace. They
went into the highway and hedges and per-
suaded the tempted to seek a refuge and poin-
ted to them the way. A great work was
.ho performed, and the voice of thanksgiving
arose from a thousand homes made happier
How was all this done? II ,cas by a COM
6inatiOn Of tndi5idaal effort. All over the
land the brave crusaders were at work with
: one heart and one mind, that Of arresting
the earfA tide of intemperance that swept
,bli- - "''on IN
blows that were struck IN this way wer,
struck at once, and they had their effect
The pillars of the blood stained temple trepa
bled and its foundation was rent. Thousand
Of mad devotees smote their faces and groar
~ ed lest one of the gods should fall, create
j the -,
What shall be done at this time in ordt
to renew old ~triumphs and to publish ne
" victories? The course is plain. Let the Of
r warfare open again upon old principles. l.
every friend of the cause grid on the arm,
= again and resolve to fight his battles oe
Let no one wait for some grand and startliI
demonstration in which all are engaged, b
in a quiet way go to work and exercise VIII
gift Of individual influence he may posses
. ." Let him persuade and exhort the moders
IVY drinker, the tipler and the drunkard,
'SO1 christian, the m~oralist and friend to en- bs
in the good cause, and verify, the day Of pre-
Use will beam brightly again. Let US depe
!. ~ more upon individual effort and less upon
Il efforts of others. Each have n work to .
Grain 5 81 mana the DDars :,
y, murderous altar have tOttered benca,.
- charge Of the temperance host in DAYS p
,onspi- oo,a. 80 ~
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