Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-01-30
RAlEleil, H. g., J5AAllpAaY 80, 1855.
From the New York Peoples Organ
Take Heed, Lest ye FALL

Take Heed, Lest ye Fall"
TEMPERANCE is so often a theme for discus
sion, that we would suprnse it worn quite
tlreadbare; yet we almost every dry heal
something new on the subject. Its vel
known that praiseworthy zeal is manifested
by many in this cause, but the evils Of In
temperance are still seen and felt. and thou
sands Of wretched beings are a3nuallv filing
drunkar1s' graves, who bot for the love O
strong drink, andtbe ascent eney it has gained
over them, might now be occupying usefu
and honorable stations in life
It is useless to atten., Is a p..rtray al of Al
i the disgusting and heartsrep.ling sasres r
an ineUriaTe career u reFsssss asxsses.
comparative afauenee 10 pentiry and want
dragging his once respectable and still inte-
resting family to ruin, bequeathing them a
sad legacy of suffering and disgrace. Oh,
when will intemperance, with the train OF
evils conseq lent upon it, be banished from
our otherwise happy country, and mankind
be freed from its CALLING bondage | will
relate an incident which | hope will he in.
terestIng to my young readers, in warning
them against yielding to the tempter, and
thus blight their prospects of happiness here
and hereafter, for God says in his word that
no drunkard hath eternal life abiding in
him.
Harry Williams was the son of highly re-
spectacle parents, and moved in the first
society IN the town where he resided; hav.
ing received liberal education, and possess
ing intellectual capacities of high order,
which with gentlemanly department rendered
him the centre of attraction-the beau ideal
OF the ladies. His society was coveted both
n oY,A
or otherwise was deemed complete unless
graced by Harry's presence. As he was
kind, amiable, and gentle to his mother and
sister, he possessed their warmest sympathy
and love. He was in early manhood mar
ried to ayOung, beautiful ndhighly accomp-
lished lady, one who regarded him with that
devoted tenderness peculiar to the female
sex. lie engaged in business for himself,
and all seemed to prosper; temporal bless
lngs were bestowed with a lavish hand, nor
was he unmindful of the source from which
they emanated, but morning and evening he
rendered bis warmest gratitude to his kind
and merciful Father in Heaven, for the un-
numbered blessings received and enioyed BY
him.
Thus passed his youth and several years
of his married life. In the meantime a son
and daughter were added to their domestic
circle. 1t was now Harry's delight, after
the tolls of the day, to spend the winter even
ings by his own freside, listening to the art
less prattle of his lovely children, or to wit
ness their childish sports and gambols-it
reminded him of his own childhood the plea
SAINT hours spent with his parents and sisters
In their dear old home. His indeed seemed
q life of sunshine without clouds for though
he was not without trials and temptations
which are the lot of all, be in the main erioy
ed life, having the tact Of always looking or
the bright side and making the best ofevery
thing.
But this state of affairs did not long con
tinue. A sad change came over Harry
Among his associates at that time were ur
fortunately those who were in the habit O.
taking little wine, or perchance somethin:
stronger, occasionally, just for their stomachs
sake; they could see no harm in such prac
tlce, at least SO long as they kept their appe
tites, we'll regulated ; and surely, though
they every one can do that. Harry soon i'm
bihed these principles. and followed their ex
amples, but had no thoughts of becoming
drunkard. He drank-but not so freouentl
at first as to cause any perceptible change il
his character; but the habit was being deep
ly rooted in his very nature, and he Soc
found himself SO entangled in the intricat
meshes OF lntemperance, that he scarcel
dared hope to escape the drunkard's fearful
doom. 1t was not long ere his wife becam
aware of the fact that she was the wife Of
drunkard; and as she had been used t
naught but kindness from him, she felt tn
more keenly the ill-treatment now frequent
ly received on his return, after spending a
evening with those he deemed his friends
but in reality his worst enemies having Sc
duced him from the path of honor and happ
ness, and placed him on the high road to des
tructlon. Soon he hogan to neglect his bus
ness his friends, who had been such fror
sinister motives, now that their ends wer
accomplished, left him TO his fate. Much
his time was spent at the tavern, where h
was supplied with drink so long as his none
lasted, then was sent adrift
His property was soon wasted, his hant
some house sold for debt, and his unhapp
family forced to take refuge in miserabl
hoVel. scarce sufficient to shelter them abal
doned by all-even by him who, but for tn
accursed cup, would have yet been their pr,
tector and friend. He is still living, mi
erable, degraded sot, perfect nuisance t
the town and a disgrace to his family 1t
unnecessary to pursue this narrative further
we can imagine his fate, unless he turns fro
his evil ways, which is not probable. l.
US, my dear frienls, put forth strenuous e
forts in the cause Of humanity, and help
| rescue those who are under the influence
the demon Intemperance. M. E. S,