Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-07-28
EVENING SESSION.

". ~. met pursuant 10 recess taken.-
Officers as above, except Rep. Jacob Ram
sour in chair of T.. w. P. Minutes of
morning session read and approved. At
ter the initiation of Representatives. 49,.
The following communication from the
G. w. p. was read, as follows, viz
AsHvmLE, July 9th, 1858.
To the G. d. Of the s. Of T. Of ~ c.,
in .Semi-AnnuaI session at Linc0zaton.
BROTHERS Il deeply regret my inability
to share in the deliberations and congratula-
tions Of your meeting, but circumstances over
which have no control, forbid my absence
from home at this time. Had the semi-annu-
al session occurred week sooner or two
weeks later, | could have attended.
From the quarterly reports and other
sources Of information, | am encouraged to
hope that our cause in this State is progress
sing. On this subject, however, our Worthy
Grand Scribe can furnish more reliable in
formation than have the means of doing.
You have learned from other sources, that
the late meeting of the National Division of
North America was characterized by great
unity of action and sentiment. Each men,
Der present was animated by a single object
viz the suppression of Intemperance. All
felt to use the language Of scripture, "It is
good for us to be here" In the constitutions
of the National and Subordinate Divisions,
no changes were made, that remember
Grand Divisions may hereafter re-elect at
pleasure any or all of their officers and they
have the right to fix the time of their meet
ings, in Annual as well as in Semi. annual and
Quarterly sessions The aggregate member
ship of our order is not as great as at an ear
lier period in our history, but in all the es-
sential elements Of strength, we are now more
potent than ever before
! The National Division deplored the multi
plication of Temperance .frGteraitieS, believ-
ing that united in one great army-the Sons
much more could be accomplished than is
possible in broken ranks. While we rejoice
in every effort to suppress the enormous evils
of intemperance, yet as Sons, we should feel
that we have the best organization that has
ever been devised for giving pcrmanonce to
the efforts of the friends of humanity, in res
cuing the poor inebriate, and delivering the
land from the scourge of drunkenness. Let
us then strengthen the Divisions and increase
their number, until our whole territory is en-
braced within the limits Of our order.
Last spring prepared and had published
/ in our excellent organ, the Spirit of the Age,
Il set Ol tluSStiOli ulICSlCu W tlIO oO'Oiol L.
c. w. P's, whose answers would illustrate
the extent and the evils of the liquor traffic.
The Grand Scribe will inform the Grand Di-
vision what progress has been made by the
d. G. w. P.'s in collecting the facts and ma
king to him returns on this subject; ;-and
you will be able to Judge what further direc
1 tons are necessary to complete this work -
At this time have nothing further to com
[. municate and by repeating my regrets that
:. | can not be with you, close. trust you1
l. meeting will be harmonious, interesting anC
= result in much good to our beloved order, no
r. only in Lincolnton, but throughout the entir
jurisdiction.
J. Yours in l.. p. & +.
!. A. w. CUMMINGS. G. w. P.
j. The communication was referred to
= Committee of three, consisting of Repre-
!. sentatives II. f. Ramsour, S. H. Smith an
John Coulter.
A Committee to report on the State {
the Order, was appointed, consisting
a. Reps. German, Coulter, Hoyle, Hart an
McKibben.
G. Some time was spent by the membe
giving accounts of the state of the Ordt
l. in their respective sections, and in pleasar
h and cheering interchange of views, &c, a
ter which,
l. Recess was taken to 81 o'clock to-mo
r, row morning.