Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-20
Gle that is not with us is against u.s."

The Virginia Conductor says: As applica-
bic to our Order and the cause Of Temperance,
the passage heading this article is true
However true a man may be to the principle
and practice of total abstinence, his example
in withholding his name from our list and in
failing to number himself among us, will be
plead by others, who are not true either to
the principle or the practice, for not uniting
themselves with the Sons of Temperance
Let US illustrate. A young man is applied
to join us. He says there is Mr.. Smith or
Mr.. Jones-he is a good man, and a temper
ance man-why does he not join ?-if it were
right and proper to join, he would do So
Thus is Mr.. Smith or Mr.. Jones against, be-
cause not aciM US. Too often is it the case
that such a young man will follow only a
part of the example of Mr.. Smith or Mr.. Jones.
He will not join any temperance organization,
and SO far he follows the example set before
him-but there he stops he does not follow
the example of total abstinence, which he
sees set by Mr.. S.. or Mr.. j.. We beg Mr..
Smith and Mr.. Jones to think of this matter
Ito ponder well the question whether they
are doing what they ought to do in the prom
ises. Many such gentlemen possess great
friendship for the cause, and insist that they
are working for it too-that they never lose
an opportunity of persuading their friends to
abandon the use Of ardent spirits as a bever-
age. We will not doubt their sincerity. nor
deny the fact that they so persuade their fell
low-men to give up their cups and enlist with
the temperance men-but we do doubt. and
doubt seriously, whether their persuasions
are at all ayailing. Just here VIC are remin-
ded of the aLecdote which Mr.. Cough used to
tell with such effect, illustrating the inefici
ency OF such persons. He said they were
about as successful in inducing others to ioin
the temperance society, as the little boy was
in catching rats in the cellar, and who, in re
ply to the enquiry of the father above. thu:
stammeringly exclaimed, "John, what ar,
you doing down there ~ Catching rats
sir" How many have you caught r.
when c-c-catch this one | am ai-af-afte
now sir, and an-an-another one, | will hay
t-t-two, sir"
In another sense it is not entirely true that
"he that is not with US is against US" Their
are many, very many, who by precept and ex
ample sustain the great principle which W,
present to the world for its adoption. ThougI
not with US formally and publicly in our OF
ganlzatlon, yet they are with us in feelin
and in conduct. So far they are not agains
u.s. Almost every day we meet men VIII
were once Sons of Temperance, but who
some Tor one reason and some for anotbe,
have suffered their membership to terminal
but who are yet true to the principle an
practice of total abstinence. Of the same sor
there are many who were never associate
with Us in our Order. Thus are there thou
sands, yea, tens Of thousands of tempe,Az
men scattered over our country. Many !,
them were reclaimed from drunkenness b,
our Order. In presenting our statistics (
the public, these men cannot be counted-w
do not count them. Thus are we deprive
OF the moral power which the force of nun
oers would give us if they were formally as
ISOLATED Will us. Much Of encouragement
would be given to us if all such men wer
with US, so that they coald he numbered wit
US. The cause itself would be Strengthens
by their joining us. For these reasons "
would hope that they would no longer with
hold their names. Let them give their name
ana their hearty cooperation, and an impetn
would De gwen to the good work at which W
and let Sons of Temperance remember tho
they are not the only temperance men !, th
community. ~