Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-03-18

V"n snliaren from the most terrible of all eaami-
mes, are you not under obligations to abstain
some men who persist in the moderate use Of
spirits, aiiedge that they do not much about
them; that their fondness for drinking is very
shght; that it is very much habit which they
could easily give up.
Now, this ia true, it is not. If it is true that
their love for the thing is very SMALL then it would
pe but small sacrifice to take the pledge and keep
It. Ii on the other hand their love be very strong
tney are in imminent danger themselves In Ell
tner ease abstinence seems to be demanded. The
Pledge is the safe remedy
The position here assumed is not only dictate
q humanity, but cardinal law of Christianity.
ana that is, that We are bound to forego self-in-
aulgenee for the good of others. Wherefore, If
meat maze my brother to cfend, ria eat no flesh,
teAste the t0ortd stdndeth Iis good neither to
flesh nor to drink srine, nor rnything Whereby thy
cFother stanbteth isofended, or is made sredk.
some, when hard pushed, run TO the Bible for
authority to drink ardent spirits-the last place
on earth to find it. The whole Bible is testimony
against sin, and in favor of purity. benevolence,
and self denial. Let its spirit be imbibed Let its
heavenly principles only govern men, and intem-
perance would 60 down to the grave, from which
there would be no resurrection Wo unto him
that giveth has neighJor drink Abstain from all
aPpeordnee Of erii. Haze feliorrsbip tcith the
anfrafgHt wOrks of darkMess, bat rafder reprope
them. Commands by the score might be quoted,
utterly opposed to that which leads to ruin
But the Bible not simply gives no authority for
the habitual use of spirits. Its authority is in ia
Vor of abstinence-entre abstinence
In the 35th chapter of Jeremiah, we read of the
abstinence and unyielding fidelity of the Reeha-
bites They were descendants Of Jethro, the faith
er-in-law of Moses.
Jonadab who had lived about 300 years before
this time, seems to have been claimed Father
by this people, fer his great wisdom and many vir-
tues Among other good things, he had command
ded them to drink no wine.
Jeremiah was authorized to bring them into the
House of the Lord and petsof wine and cups be
fere them, to make fair trial of erdelity or to
see they kept the Pledge of entire absiaenee The
trial was publicly made.
Hearken TO their language "But they said
We will drink no wine: for Jonadab, the son OF
Rechab, our father, commanded u.s. saying, We shall
drink no wine, neither ye, your sons, forever.
Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab our
fathsr in all that he charged u.s. to drink no wine
all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor ouI
daughters.p
Here was the best sort of Temperance Society
1t embraced whole families. fathers, wives, sons
and daughters. 1t had lasted 300 years. 1t was
to continue forerer. 1t excluded the wine of thst
day, small evil compared with the ardent spirits
or adulterated wines of our doy.
And, mark it, this abstinence was specially com
mended by God, and made the ground Of tromis
ed and permanent prosperity Therefore. thu
saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Isreal iona
NIB, the of Rechab, shall not want u man t,
stand before me forever.
But il may be asked, What has Temperance So
cieties to do with intempsra. just what they
ought to have. Aud that is, by the light of truth
the force of example, and the power of persuasion
to remove the evil by removing its cause. To ar
rest the streams of misery, by closing their foun
tain This is natural, and safe, and beneyolen
4 men ssass 2 make, and sell and drinl
cease To keer man out OF the Ere is as Kind .
to pull him out after be has been burnt To pre-
vent a man from falling into the water is as be
TO- dror, outx bar hall
| So here. TO rescue a hundred drunk ards fror
yretehedness and death, would be called grea
! work but to keep hundred men from beeomiu
drunkards is still better.
Temperanee Societies doubt have saved hun
dreds Of thousands from the bitter woes of int m
perauce United action iR powerful. As socis
/ beings we help each other in doing good or eyi
i 1t is the law of our nature to become more an
more attached 10 any cause, in proportion rs "
labor TO advance it. Honest and Just conviction
are deepened and strengthened by prompt an
energetic action. Thus, thousands who might'fa
when fighting single-handed with the powers
i Temptation, stand firm and resolute in the soil
} phalanx Of brave and kindred spirits.
But what will it cost to take the pledge n
loss of health no loss Of property no loss of rel
) utation 1t will not cost you anything, if you a
oply free from the love of spirits. And if this 10,
be so strong that you regard it as any sacrifice
} join q temperance Society, depend upon it, Il
sooner you join the better Come out boldly. Me
the enemy promptly and fearlessly, and the vict
ei nv will be gained Liberty, joy, safety and hol
u will lawn upon your path. The blessings of
s happy spirit, happy home, happy life, hapl
e death, and glorious Immortality may be yours.
S But suppose the stand you are called to TAX
o did demand some sacrifice, Is this never dema..
ed? Isit never made willingly? What great
l. good cause ever advanced withoutit? Dc patriC
81 cmen quail when their country calls to meet t,
and priyation or death for its honor? Did t
, brave men of 1776 turn psle or stand back, VIII
the pledge called for fortune, and honor. and III;
But it is not q fair statement of the case
speak of abstinence from intoxicating liquors a.
4 sacrifice The sacrifices are all on the other sic
The path of true enjoyment is, to touch not ta
? net handle not. The highest, and purest happin,
of which we are capable is endangered and d
troyed by the fatal cup.
s q Who hath wo? Who hath sorrow? W
( hath contentious? Who hath babblings? W
i hath wounds without eause?
n Who hath redness of eyes? They that tai
IL long at the wine they that go to seek mixed wi
At the lastit biteth like serpent and stingeth
re an adder H--.
10 Perhaps we would be justified in making
st mark or two to ths ladies. They ought to fee
e deep interest in the great cause Of temperan
i This is true, because they Gre the great suffer
d from intemperance the richest blessings Wol
E, feW to them from its suppression; and they
r capable of exerting the most pow erful influence
n this great work.
+ Itmsy be asked what can they do, with
e transcending their appropriate sphere of aeti
1t is not desired or expected that they should
~? beyond their proper province. Within that Il
be influence is most surely and powerfully felt.
without invading, in the least its sacred preein
they may do a great and good work.
es Mothers can Danish the seeds Of death Fl
nd their nurseries. They can teach their childrel
lis dread the poison they would the destroy
mt angel. They can withhold it as token of boz
NJ tality frcm tbeiy parlsrs and dining roems.
to The Young Ladies', too, cannot only frown
is drunkenness, which they do already; but they
Sc. diseountenanee all that leads in that direction
is. They can demand entire abstinence, as the o
. infallible security to personal safety.
m Let this be done unitedly and iDtelligently
he perseyeringly, and it would be amazing to "
he what rapidity men would get on the right side
ces What jealous advocates Of the Pledge, they We
in. become.
An appeal to young men will close our sddI
m When Cataline sought the destruction of Re
ZEN he did IL py eoriuPung yoope meh- anu
heavier curse could all upon any country, t
by yitisting the principles and running the ha
or. of youth They are the hope of the country
ons the church.
me 1t has beep often said, that there is hop'
nearly every young man Sho does not lear
nte drink. But let this fatal habit be acquired
the grond Of hope is very Slender in fact, the
or rational bupe is in kiE leaving tie road to dt
NE and quenehiDg out the fatal thirst
ms Young nen called TO decidefor themse
ex between health or disease; between prosper
poverty; between honor OF disgrace; betl
eve- life or death. And should they hesitate for
6rel nent betFeen such issues?