Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-12-08
For the Spirit of the Age.
An Address to the Sens of Temperance

An Address to the Sens of Temperance
DEAR BROTHERS Permit me in my
humble and unpretending way, to suggest
few thoughts on the great and noble
cause Of Temperance. | am not only un-
lettered, but unskilful in the art Of COM
position. Yet Notwithstanding, | will en-
deavor so to arrange my thoughts, and so
to express them, that every intelligent rea-
der can comprehend them.
The Sons of Temperance as an Order
are regarded by many persons, as a
designing and suspicious set Of men,
They seem to entertain an idea, that out
siders are kept in the dark as to their reGl
dcsigns-and that they ought to be watch
ed lest they ultimately succeed in accom-
plishing their nefarious purposes. 1t does
seem strange to one who is Son of Tenn
perance and who is aware Of their object
in adopting the mode they have by which
to promote the cause Of Temperance, that
any sane or intelligent man should con-
ceive or harbor such an idea This is still
more strange when we reflect, that although
for wise reasons some things are kept Sc
cret, yet look at thousands of men who
are membeas of the Order, and have been
for years, men whose veracity, religion,
honesty and intelligence, you dare not
question. They tell you in unequivocal
terms that their only design and object, is
to endeavor by all fair and honorable means
to suppress intemperance, not only by re-
claiming the inebriate, but also by persua-
ding the young men to pledge themselves
that they will not contract the dangerous
practice Of drinking Intoxicating liquors as
beverage. Is it not strange that there
are men who tell you that they would be-
lieve Son of Temperance on any other
subject, yet when you tell them that there
is nothing wrong in the Order Of the Sons
of Temperance, they look at you with sus-
picion. Now if none but drunkards would
act in this manner we would not be so
much surprised, but when good, intelligent
and even religious men act so strangely,
our surprise is great indeed.
However those who are not "with us are
against u.s. let us neither act, nor speak
unkindly to them-they are fellow travel
lers to the same judgement bar, and will
ultimatel y be our associates and compan-
ions in Heaven, or finally driven away in
| Gods righteous displeasure down to the
pit Of eternal despair. Let US endeavor to
convince them by kind, courteous and
consistent course toward them, that we are
resolved by the grace of God, to 90 for
ward in the discharge of our duty, let the
consequences Gas to us) be what they may.
We have enlisted for the war; and we ex-
10 Horh4
prove victorious in our day, we trust oul
Successors will continue the conflict, while
there is an enemy in the field. What
though we have to encounter great oppo
sition, and with many reverses-yet trust
ing IN an omnipotent arm, we expect ulti
mately to succeed The fact that we have
to encounter much and great opposition i,
evidence that our cause is good one. We
need not be surprised that the arch enem,
Of mankind, and wicked men oppose US
it would be strange if it was otherwise
they have always opposed God, his Church
and his people, and as our cause is oppo
sed to the wicked conduct of men, we arr
not surprised at their opposition. w,
would not be understood as putting tn,
cause Of Temperance mobile as it isl on al
equality with the church or religion-w,
are better theologians than that but we d
affirm that our cause is inseparably con
nected and identified with religion, so mucl
So that there can be no true religion with
,, out it. Now we do not intend to conve,
the idea, that a man must be Son c
Temperance, or he cannot be christian
: far from it-but do say, there is no tru
religion entirely unconnected with TEN
pe1ance and that no intemperate ma
(while he continuee such) can be a chris
tian. Let US then press forward to th
goal at which we aim, which is nothin
more nor less than a thorough and tots
reformation from those terrible evils whic
5 are either directly or indirectly the result
i of intelnperance.
Thousands are watching our movement
{ with saspicion-others are throwing obst.
cles in our way, while multitudes are wal
: ing to see whether our noble cause WI
J sink or swin> survive or perish" Som
q of our noble band will doubtless prove F.
q creant to the cause they have voluntari
Il espoused, by violating their pledge-yhil
'e others who are timid and fearful, will drc
'e off, and 'swalk no more with u.s." But |
not discouraged my noble brothers, whi
At some viii desert and perhaps go ov
o to the enemy-we feel confident that tho
III sands Of cur army are as good soldiers
:, ever honored the field Of battle, and W
= fall, when they do,fsll at the post of dut
a Whilst some things are transpiring til