Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-04-28
For the Spirit of the Age.
The Union Temperance Society"

Inc interest with which we have perused
The temperance reports that have coma
up from time to time, from the different
parts OF the State, through your excellent
organ "Ihe Age" has led US to believe
that your readers would be interested in a
orlet account of our little Fraternity at
"klddlcksville Seminary"
Inns society was organized in the month
OF January last by fifteen members under
the name of "The Union Temperance g.
clety: :" whose first object should be the
promotion OF Temperance among the stu
shaarf st the Seminary, and then the union
most fatteringry strossv;;sss,,.. .,.. a44paAnJ
plishment Of both these objects.
Its frequent meetings have been invaria-
bly, characterized by the most ardent en-
thusiasm, and with overhowing love forthe
glorious cause of Temperance. Her num-
bers have been gradually swelled, until
there is no longer another person on our
land, whom she is allowed to receive into
her protection and so fervent is her zeal
that she would fain overstep the bounds of
her limitation, and extend her supporting
arm around the weak who are falling around
her, and minister to the wants of those who
are perishing beyond her precincts.
Though our society is yet in her infancy,
she is certainly doing wonders for our little
community, and unless she should be
cut off in the prime of her usefulness, no
one can calculate the amount of good she
will accomplish. Like Hercules She has,
as it were, leaped out Of her cradle and
strangled the monster serpent that was
lurking for her destruction. Every meet
ing Is the occasion for new resolutions and
fresh encouragement, and we have reason
to hope that, ere we leave this Academy,
we shall all become so firmly riveted to the
cause OF Temperance, that so long as our
little vessel shall ride the stormy currents
OF the world, so long shall the flag of Tenn
perance float above our heads, and that no
tear OF danger, nor any stress of weather
shall ever induce US ito give up the ship"
We were much pleased with recent
article in your editorial, calling upon the
sons of North Carolina to make some con-
certed movement in the cause of Temper
ance, advising them to meet in convenient
places and organize themselves into a Ca
Diet Society; and it afforded US no little
satisfaction that we had anticipated you in
this noble effort. Our sympathies are earn
estly enlisted with you in the glorious cause
IN which you are engaged, and most hear
tily Go we unite our voices with yours in
calling upon every son in the SOld North
State" to unite himself with some Temper
ance order.
But more especially would we appeal,
and by our example too, to institutions like
our own; in these are wrapped up the best
interests of the State, and let the young
men of all our Academies unite themselves
S into Temperance societies, and let them
give themselves heartily to the cause, and
:. the most marvellous results might follow
:. the effect upon the State would be i'm
e mense; the flood gate OF vice would be
: closed and a harvest of JOY would ensue.
|, But we seem to hear some saying "oul
: number is too small, and our influence
$ weak :" and we would entreat such mo-
g thus to deceive themselves; do not hug
y this delusive phantom any longer. W.
e are sure that you labor under seriou:
mistake if you believe as you have spoken
r You cannot nave considered carefully th'
/ weighty responsibilities that rest upon yol
+ and tle duties which you owe to your fel
q low man.
d Have you considered that the nation il
" made up of individuals, and that the char
1t acter of the individuals is the character ofth
g nation and that you, yourself, are respon
d sible for part of that character Yor
K, have read of the little leaven that leaven
lee eth the whole lump. You have seen hoy
d a single grain of musk will change the al
y mosphere of a large room for years. Yo
!; have admired the little ripple, as it form