Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-12-24
For the Spirit of the Age.
Old Trap Division, No. 1913.

Bro. GORMAN. by your permission, l pro-
pose giving a brief account of the rise and
progress of this Division Of the Sons Of Tenn
perance, hoping it may serve to stimulate 9TH
ers who are struggling to promote the cause
under difficulties.
This Division is located in the ''Old Trap"
neighborhood, in Camden county, which, in
by-gone days was notorious for it's dissipa-
ton. In January, 1852, q Methodist Preach
er belonging to the N. G. Conference deliver
ed a Temperance lecture here, which was
tolerably well received, though the congrega-
ton was some little disturbed by a LIQUOR
seller who Wriggled under the structures me-
ted out to his clan. A call was made for volun-
teers to procure q charter for a Division of
the Sons, but only two men gave in their
names. An appointment was made for an
other speech the next night at the close of
which another call was made for Petitioners,
when a poor drunkard arose, for whom his
poor wife had borrowed q hat and coat, in
order to get him to attend the Temperance
meeting-this poor man arose and said, if be
had the money he would be one. The money
was given him ; and a fourth man gave his
name. Another meeting for next right was
appointed, and SO on continued for six nights,
when at length eleven names were given
A charter was sent for and the Division or
II 1LIIAO 81 Wi oNhi) 4OCG3tOf lAC ItllLltkjOl
r Of Is members. They were true men and
} fought old Alchy manfully. In one year we
; increased to % members and had built US a
| neat hall. King Alcohol began to tremble-
+ the Division continued steadily to increase in
I numbers and influence through the vilest OPP
3 position. AT length respectable moderate
? drinkers began to cease drinking in public
, -grog shops were closed for Nant Of custo-
4 mers-the morals of community improved
n wonderfully, religion began to revive and
: take hold of tho hearts of the people; schools
were built up and sabbath schools and
d churches were well attended. And now
e OLD Trap Division numbers between GO and
Q 70 members! Our meetings arc well atten-
ded, and our whole community bless the day
> when the Order of the Sons of Temperance
q was established in our midst.
There has been but one death among our
membership since the Division was organ
N lied. n special providence seems to have
d guarded US from the grim monster. The
Z. change effected in our community in the
short space Of five years is astonishing and
the good accomplished eternity alone can re-
veal We now SEQ no drunkards staggering
and falling on the way side no traveller has
to alisht and remove the insensiblo body from
the road SO as to let his buggy pass, as the
be writer of this has had to do. The Ladies
IN are with us heart and soul, and freouentl
ar send US presents of fine cakes and other eat
i ables to cur Division room. We have
= quiet, moral, sober ncighborEood, wher
e. peace and concord dwell. Let those wh'
&C. would have their community metamorphosed
1d as has been ours, go to work, and work a
1T we have worked, and they will not be disaE
it pointed So much for the history of
an OLD TRAP.