Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-05-05
the Spirit of the Age.

HpI the spirit OF the Age
The Temperance cause is not fourishing
in this county 4 good men could desire, yet
the friends of the l~oveliest portions of Gods
workmanship-U0nseg and cbiLdren-are not
entirely idle.
Discouragernents in the county have null
tiplied of late. The small pox made its APP
pearance amongst us, and many, not except
ing the Sons of Temperance, as a pretended
preventive, partook of the 'tall pervading de-
stroyer," thersby causing much trouble to
the Sons, and bringing no little disgrace upon
| their poor fallen human natures.
A few weeks ago, something in the shape
of a man applied to our court of pleas and
quarter session. for the privilege Of running
our good people. and be it said to the ever
lasting shame and contempt of Esqr. S. and
r. and G. and G. and q few other miserable
dignitaries, that hellish privilege was granted;
and what is more strange still, notwithstand
ing all know full well that these filthy dens
of all uncleanness, are Gripping and about to
demolish our schools, Lawyers of undoubted
respectabilityswould sit quietly by and refuse
to raise even their little finger against the
ubiquitous act, klthough deeply interested
themselves In said schools for which very
unreasonable conduct / will not pretend to
account, but win leave it to their own refec-
ton, hoping that q better spirit may actuate
in the future.
Our hearts have, however, been cheered at
the news of the organization of new Divisions
and the unps Vented prosperity of many
sIb
The Order OF The Sonssof Temperance has,
under God, done great things for the moral
reformation of our sinful world. can proud
" point to MANY who united with the Sons
many years ago, and although they had be
come abandoned topers previous to that event
fal period in the history of their lives, they
yet stand living, convincing monuments ofth'
power of our glorious order to break asunden
the iron bandage Contemporaries. And bet
ter still many of them have been induced t.
think of their ways and turn their feet 10th
testimonies of the Lord and are now reioic
ing in that love (which makes glad the cit,
of God"
A very solemn interrogatory has presente
itself to my mind, and / have tried with a.
the powers that God has given me, to wor
out a solution of it, and it really seems tn
more I think about it, the thicker the darl
ness that looms up before my mind. Perm
me thus to propoundthe question to you, an
through you to your many thousands of d
lighted readers :-"How can a christian heG
CCU Ht0C t0H WNV VIVHO 0VC OIUOI " ~
Sons of Temperance and be ~guiItIess an ii
sight Of the great and dreadful God?
1 pledge myself, Mr.. Editor, to send you
new subscribers to your good Samaritan, f
a satisfactory answer to this important b,
simple question.
The traffic and use of spirituous liquors h
done more to degrade human nature, than
other vices taken together and were it pt
: Sible for me to call up one out of a thouSar
9 who has fallen a victim to the diabolical pr;
1 tice of drinking um, a spectacle would
s presented that would make the soul of t
h misguided, moderate drinker quake will
b him, and swear, in the strength with viii
y a gracious God had endued him, never ags
. to trife with the deceptive, bewitching CT
r I could enumerate scores, Knight say hi
It dreds, in this county, who now fill drunkar
it graves, who but for Intoxicating liquors, mi|
If to day be filling high places amongst US.
A number OF men start out upon a jour-
ID and before reaching the desired haven, da
id ness overtakes them; the road is rough
dangers stand thickall around; but when
ed hope has failed, one generous hearted il
ee vidual has secured a light, by the aid of WI
& they may successfully work the way to
IS port of safety; but unnatural as it may Sc
lie some one or more of that company set tn
selves to work to ~extinguish that light! "
lg so? That they may fitch from the pocket
w their comrades a few dimes. In this pict1
Mt. who does not see the grog-seller, and
at does not ~involuntarily cry out, let him
p, hung as high as Hannah? Why, oh! W
wv should such sacrifices be made on the PAL
ad the few, when men distinguished for tai
tn who WELD a powerful influence, and wi
= influence is dangerous, aye, most ruinou
ng the best interests of our common country
1T? men who are promoted to the highest stat
re- Magistrates, Legislators, &C., both by
er. cept and example are ~strenuously encou
CHI ing the liquor traffic with all it's various t
he of evils, such as lying, stealing, assaults
as battery, man-slaughter, murder, hunger,
he kedness, ignorance, blasted hopes, ruinedE
ills poets, and almost every other evil to W
-ou fallen human nature is heirl May
cry pity such men, and turn their hearts
ing pandering to the worst passions that deg
as human nature; to principles and prac
ut which ornament the true civilized gentle
be A PHILANTHROPIS
rk.
hill