Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-07-15
CbOtte giterature.
Extracts from a Sermon,

Extracts from a Sermon,
Delivered in 1853, by Rev. J. NJ. WALKER, of
Mecklenburg, NC. We ask for it care
full perusal:
The evils of intemperance are incaleulable
in number, and immeasurable in magnitude
and enormity. 1t is not for vain display, but
IN answer to the steaming tears and anxious,
wailing cries of distressed humanity, that so
many eloquent and glowing pictures have
been drawn, and so many moving appeals
delivered, to open the eyes of slumbering
men TO the desolating march of this terrible
foe. Our land is in state Of fearful captiv-
ity. We are suffering now from most ca
lamitous invasion. Hostile regiments are
trouping over liberty's soil. Where is the
patriot-the friend to the home of his birth
the stern guardian of his country honour?
Where is the philanthropist, with his warm
heart and ever ready arm? Where is the
Christian, the friend of mans soul, the guar.
dian of his morals? Will they not come forth
in all their strength, when there is an enemy
at the gates
lntemperance-we take it in its usual ac-
ceptation, meaning the immoderate use of in
toxicating rinks-intemperance makes a
complete wreck of man, soul and body. 1t
engenders disease, weakens the physical en-
ergies, and distorts and bends to the earth
his beautiful erect, and manly from. 1t
bloats the cheek infames the eye, reddens
the nose, loosens the joints, throws him in
the ditch, clots his hair and his clothes with
mire and filth, and makes him a most un-
handsome and revolving spectacle. Thought
less youth ring the merry laugh pass the
light jest, and point the finger Of scorn, un-
til the good Samaritan comes aleng and ex-
tends the generous arm. And reason, that
scinsillation from Deity itself, is hurled from
her throne ron. or if PPDt she h has struggle to
of ruinous daring. He is the unresisting
captive of his own infamed appetites and
passions. He looketh upon strange women,
and his lips utter perverse things. He makes
rash bargains, and enters into many impru-
dent engagements. He heeds not the voice
of thoughtful friendship, he is heady, obsti
nate, self-willed, and despises counsel; and
all the friends he has cannot persuade hin
that he is not the wisest man in the commu
nifty. And still he goes to seek mixed wine.
4 will seek it yet agrin, is his constant cry
If not entirely prostrated, he wields his arm
boastingly, strides among his companions
and banters to the fight. Insults are passed
blows follow, babblings and contentious be
come common through the crowd, and sorrow
and wounds without cause and split blood
! and perhaps manslaughter, are the fruits tha
are reaped-His animal nature in all he
dark whisperings is obeyed.
His understanding rules not. and the Wi
Hears not her lore, both in subjection no
70 sensual appetite, who from beneath
Usurping, over sovereign reason claims
Superior sway
And now, designing men take adVantag
of his temporary childhood, encroach upo
his rights, secure his signature to pape
J crafty envy, jealousy, revenge, and ambitio
upon him. and in many ways, trample upo
F him most cruelty. He is incapable of SCI
defence. Amnon was merry with wine wht
Absalom said to his servants, smite Ammo
The bottle is famous conspirator. Al
how now are religious duties discharged !?
How is the souls eternal welfare consulted
Here the picture assumes a very solemn shad
! The closet is neglected, the sanctuary is avt
ded, prayer meetings are repulsive, the so'
ETY. of pious friends is offensive, the wooin
of Saviour's love are painful, night reve
are frequented, wicked company is sougI
:, gambling, social dancing, and loose hab
!, of every kind, win upon the heart, the &C
S science becomes scared, self respect is gra
f ually lost and Satan rivets upon the Sc
E securely, the fetters of an iron bondage.
While the man Of the bottle cleaVes to
: idol, he can find but little room in his be-
}, for the God of Heaven. If he ever receiy
q religious impressions, they are speedily ba
d ished by the exhilarating cup. He was
n his substance with riotous living, repel
!. fond wife's tender entreaties, and pitied
some, and loathed and hated by others,
. soon deseends amid poverty and disgrace,
! his lowly place among the clods of the vail
|, his bloated frame, mean, for his hapl
r. soul does not rest there. His immortal p
1e is in the hands of that God who hath decl
O. ed that drunkards shall not inherit the XII
lie dom of Heaven, and its dark destiny
ar hearers Imagination may trace.
? But we have only made beginning.
\ you desire, my brethren, to have corr
"a conception of the evils of intemperance
at Think Of the pale-faced, broken hearted vi
Mt who are sitting around their fresides til
ht long nights, listening for the heavy tread
lat a drunken husband at the door, and exp
ha ing the usual amount of personal abuse on
no arrival. Heaven protect the lonely watch
~ for in my very soul I pity them Thinl
Ier g, the many groups of little ones who are
!. ging for bread, and pulling the last c
th from between a mothers fingers or are
las ding in the corners like affrighted birds,
as counting the cruel strokes which dear sm
&c ma" receives. Walk the almshouses. he
II tails, and charitable establishments of
~ land in imagination, and inquire what q
stoned the scenes which your ewes behol
lty Visit the criminal courts and prisons of
led country, and trace what you see to its ori
me Watch the whipping post the stocks,
ark the gallows, and learn of them. Calct
ino the amount of pauperism and crime, and
80 and misery, which this woedispensing
.n uto hath begotten over the earth Calculate
tue so, the expenses to which civil govern