Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-18
Home Correspondence.

Mr.. Editor 1t may not he unnteresting to
many of your readers to know,as an item Of ncws,
that there is at this time quite revival OF inter-
est in the Temperance cause in our city. Forsev-
eral Sabbaths past there has been delivered in
Temperance Hall, in the afternoon, "A sermon upon
the use and abuse of intoxicating drinks The
first Of the series was delivered by the Rev, DIR.
Thomson, Of the Methodist Protestant Church,
and was interesting and able effort For mas
sve thought strength of argument, there are few
men in the American pulpit superior to this gem
temen; and it should be gratifying to the friends
of sobriety to know, that he may be reckoned
am ing the fastest friends Of total abstinence.
Our townsman. the Rev. John Long, who makes
temperance speciality in his public efforts has
delivered several of the SERIES all Of which would
have been creditable to any of the regular clergy,
who devote their entire time to pulpit and pasto-
raj labors.
1t is a part the plan of those who have this
agitation under their CONTROL to enlist the cC-ope
ration of many Of the clergy of our City, as are
willing to throw their influence on the side of
Temperance, who like the Holy Religion of their
Divine master, in whose vinyard they are called
to labor, has blessing for all, even the humhest,
who seek her fellowship and worship at her
shrine.
As a result of this agitation, Temperance Hall,
which ut first presented rather a sparse audience
is now at an early hour, filled toits utmost carac
ity with attentive listeners, and weekly accessions
are made to the order of Sons of Temperance, the
only permanent organization left to sustain this
much needed moral reformation. And we think
the risk il small when we affirm that there Is no
community within the bounds Of our entire
monwealth where the benign influence ofthis order
of sober men is more needed than here. For at
every turn may be seen the ruined fortunes,
blighted characters and impaired physical orgaii-
isins supernduced by the use Of alcohol in it's
multitudnous forms and associations. As bleach
ing bones and sghtless skulls mark the locality
of a battle, where carnage ran riot for IN hour or
n dav so do these sad memorials in our midst,
tell of conflict waged by enemy, when of
repeated and well sustained assaults through
longer struggle, trumphed over all that was no.
BILE and generous in sentiment and mani y in
appearance pertaining to those whom were
once proud to denoininate our friendsand our kin
dred.
When we sit down and soberly estimate the
loss that community has sustained by the
use of alcoholic drinks in the current decade Of
years. in men aud means, when we call to mind
the many msscarrages that have occurred among
our Young men who started with fair prospects
in life when number TIE many homes that
have been made desoate and consider the great
amount of moral influence that has been lost to
TIE church and the state by this mischicvous hab-
it, we are astounded ut the apathy that prevails
in the minds Of men upon this subject Have
we not hearts to feel. and can not be impress
ed bv the vacant chair at our fire sides,
and he insignia Of mourning worn by the wild
ow and her orphan groupe that walk beside us
on the streets and worship in the adjoining
pew in our own church? We pay dearly for cur
toddy at dinner and wine at the social party,
when the price demanded by appetite or fashion.
Is the blood of our children and our own kim
dred.
The Sons of Temperance offer a remedy for this
evil, secure retreat from this social plague.
they say to all, come and join us. We arc II So
Der world in miniature, within our circle the de-
stroyer can never enter. If you have not yet con-
tracted this potent habit, you will never come
under its dominion here. you slave to
this appetite that calls ceaselessy upon You
''Give, give" You shall be emancipated by onr
simple but sufficient remedy let alone. And
ms the fire goes out for the want of fuelso will the
desire abate when the supply is cut off,
TO every father that has son, would say
your son is in danger. he ia in an enemy's land
the stiletto kills suddenly, but not more Ger
tainly than alcohol. Better to spend your nlu-
encc to save him from drink than to expend your
money to buy him grave.
To every wife we would say, speak favoraby Of
total abstinence. Better to have sober husband
than an orphan child What world of woe
there is between the FIRST glass and the last gasp.
TIMOTHY