Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-01-14
The State of the Order.

We give below, the report of the " Com
mlttee on the State Of the Order" submitted
and adopted at the last session of the Crane
Division. 1t contains some substantial
truths as to the cause Of our past decline
and suggests the means by which we may
again resume our former position of useful
ness and prosperity. There can be no doubt
IN the mind OF any man, that the Order Of
the Sons OF Temperance is the only means
by which an organized society can be main.
tanned, to a war against intemperance
10 make this organization successful. il
must be confined to its legitimate, original
sphere Such is contemplated by the report
OF the committee, and endorsed by the Grand
Division. Let it be rigidly adhered to by
the members all over the State. and we n-e.
diet a glorious revival every where.
In doing so, the question of legislation is
not ignored or abandoned but as Sons OF
Temperance we turn it over to the sovereion
people, for their disposal, leaving every
member OF the Order, as a citizen of the State.
to take sides as his Judgment and conscience
may dictate. We bespeak for the report a
careful perusal:
" REPORT.
The Committee on the State of the Order
and to whom was referred the annual Com.
munication of the G. w. Patriarch beo
leave to submit the following Report
The Order of the Sons of Temperance ia
the only organized instrumentality in o,r
midst, without the pale Of the Church. whose
special object is to rescue and save fallen and
degraded man from the widespread. desoIa-
ting influence of intemperance. This no hle
Institution, therefore, appeals to the svmna
thies of all and demands and should receive
the earnest support of every good cittz en-
But we regret to haEe~te-s sate that q pa
rlety of causes, some of which are within onr
reach and may be remedied, have concurrent
~ operated to hinder its growth and labor If
love. A .
The agitation of political questions. which
IN great measure absorbed the attention of
all classes OF citizens, because thew were sun-.
posed to be Intimately connected with the
veal OF our common country The crush
Ing out OF the hopes of those who sought to
accomplish the great ends of our Reform nv
legislative enactments causing apatbv and
In some cases utter ind ference to sunervene.
-And the great neglect to extend and in
crease the circulation of the Organ of the
Order-the spirit OF THE AGE And tbe
want OF an active Agent in the. field These
are some OF the causes which have hindered
our progress and caused the declension in
our Order, which we SO much deplore.
But there is q vitality and recuperatiye
power IN our Order, which will yet bring our
great Reform prominently before the people
ana their admiration and conf
dence, If Its members will but be true to ;ts
principles and to the heavenly mission mon
which it has been sent. We mnst loot -
our progress through individual enter,y;ee
MORAL SUAsIoN must be the great lever nnon
which we rely to reform the inebriate ar
rest the moderete drinker call in to our
DIVISIONS the young and rising generation
who have not yet felt the sting of the de-
stroyer; and awaken an interest and SYM
Pathy IN the minds of all our fellow citizens
Ia oehait OF our dlsinterested philanthropy.
Legislation IS good, and right, and proper.
In It's place. The great question of Prohibi-
tion Is doubtless correct in principle, and if
established, would unquestionably bestow
!nconcelvable blessings upon the human fam
lily. But they belong to other agencies aud
operations; while ours is kind, gentle. and
persuasive. Experience has proven. that bv
these we can reach the hearts of the neonla
by these we can raise the fallen restore ;ov
and gladness to the heart-stricken and DESC
late and snatch thousands as brands from
the burning. These are our noblest fro
phles-our greatest crown of glory. Let us
return to them, and with heart and sonI
prayer and purse, labor to regain our former
blessed, and being blessed, position.
Your Committee would mi the
adoption of the following resolutions:
Resotred, That, as Sons of Temneranco
our hrst and great duty is to build up our
Order, by bringing all within its folds and
uniting all In a common crusade against in
temperance. And that the means we recoo-
Mise are kind, gentle persuasion. Leay;no
those OF the tdw to be advocated or not hS
each individual member, as his own conv;c-
tons and sense of propriety NAV dictate.
But recommending that all matters tending
to q completely with party questions be s,rn9
pulousIy kept out of the Division rooms
Re$otced, That the action previously takan
by this Grand Division, concerning our Tenn
Organ, be pressed upon the earnest
cooperation of every member.
ReSotUed, That a committee of FIVE he nm.
polntei, to be styled the Executive Commit
who shall have power to employ. in the
lam of the Grand Division, one or more
agents, whenever means are at their con,
mand, TO compensate the same-whose duty
1t shall be to visit, organize, revive, and lee
lure the Divisions and the public, and by
every other means in their power. advance
me interests of our Order. And this com
mlttee shall have the general oversight of this
important interest.
Signed by the Committee.
ltolloway's Pills, the most powerful REM
3dy for all disorders afectin0 tho ;ntos+;,,e