Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-10-07


Remember whose ths sacred lips that tell,
Angels apprave thee, when the choice is we'll;
Use we'll the freedom which thy Master gave :"
HOLMES.
"a wise man likes that hest, that is itself;
Not that which only seems, though it look fairer"
MIDDLETON.
Young man, you who are just upon the eve
of embarking upon the stormy and ever bois-
teroas sea of life. pause and think Upon
thy choice in youth depends the future des-
tinv of thy life; by it. thy life will be made
a life of happiness, or a life Of wret hedness.
But let us for moment look around u.s.
SeeI upon that placid stream, in that beau
tiful harbor Just befare US, lie moored two
ships, side by side and each motioning to-
and fro, as though restless to be free. 0ne
to the human eye, represents all that is beau
tiful Int the very richest and most beautiful
colors she is painted. Upon her We see pic
tured n gorgeous and varied scenery; repre-
sentations Of some Of life's most pleasant
scenes, in vivid coIors, are there held forth
beauties that dazzle the eye and bewilder the
judgments scene to suit; temptation for
every selfish propensity of mans fallen na.
ture. From her stern hangs beautifully
lettered the word, or rather her name Pleas
ure.' From her mast head hangs droopingly,
a large black flag.
As we turn to- gaze upon and briefly exam
ine the other, we are forced TO exclaim as
white rs the driven snow, yea, she is dressed
in pure, lovely white, without stain to
lessen her simple beauty. Upon her stern
are painted these words Love Purity and
FidelitT,' and from her mast head waves a
flag Of red, white and blue true emblems Of
her name She is manned by as brave, noble
and honest hearted crew as ever pa3ed a
deck. A crew, whose love. delight and bu-
siness il is to take care of the widow, and
support and school the orphan. A crew who
is ever vigiantin Watching by the sick couch.
A crew, who is always ready, and who love
to do their duty. A band of brothers, who
ever live in pence, harmony love and friend.
ship. Love, Purity and Fidelity is gener'
ally blessed with pleasant weather and fa
vorablo winds; and but few storms arising
to impede her progress, or mar the place and
pleasure Of her passage Reader her broth
erly crew are Sons Of temperance
Young man, upon Pleasure for the frs
fsw days, perhaps months, yours will be
pleasant passage, unless some flying cloud
Of sonseientiuusness. should now aud thel
hover DER to give thee some uneasiness.
But as days roll on and you advance upol
your journey. clouds will gather faster an
thicker. SION the blazing lightnings will
begin to fash, and muttering thunders begiI
10 roll, the winds aronnd thy ship Of Pleas
ure' thy home of crime, thy hole Of vice, mis-
erv, dIuakeRness and degradation will in will
fury howl By and by with an almight
crashing, roaring. laundering, amid growing
of devils '0ne shall be taken and the othe
left Pleasure shall have sunken beneat
the waves If intemperance and drunkenness
while Love. Purity and Fidelity shall glid
smoothly and peacefully on her course.
Youns man, It's for you to choose one 9
the two, to carry you over the rough sea
life As sure as you have been born in
existence. just 81 sure you have n duty t
perform or neglect, a God to serve and gl0rif
or to forget and dishonor. You must Ii
forever in Heaven, or forever die in HeH.-
Temperance is the first STEP, the startin
point to Heaven. Intemaerance the fir
step, the starting point to degradation, ru
and perdition.
Reader, do not say that am saying t
much | know thar speak right pointe
but aim to do so /, aud what say is neve
theess true. stand upon a Holy found
ton and will prove aud defend myself alo
with scripture. the Law of the mnst High.
In conclusion, would drop one thought
the fair sex Young Lady, think not th
beauty and accomplishments will exempt y
from making choice; though ever so tim
you must make your own selection; no o
else can make the all important choice for "
Old and young, male and female. every o
Of us must decide. Think well and be ST
You make wise selection.
Which shall be your choice2
WM. B. OMNEu
Portsmouth, Va, Sept. 22nd 1857.