Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-09-21
Devoted to Temperance, Literature
RALEIGH, NORTH CARROLL

is capable of receiving indellible inspires |
sions such as can never be erased-though
they may be for time forgotten-yetl
they will never be entirely extinct, but will
at some period in the life of that individ-
ual,-perhaps long after they may have
been long away from under your care and
protection those precepts and examples
will rise up before their minds eye, and be
prompted to- act accordingly, let it be for
veal or woe.
How important then, that those pre-
cepts and examples should be of the right
nature, such as would gladden. and cheer
your hearts in your declining years, such
as would make you rejoice to know that
You were the instrument in Gods hands of
raising up and sending out on the broad
ocean of life-one that is exerting an In
fuence, not only for the promotion ofpiety
~na rirsue, the ameliorations of the acondi-
ton OF has fellow-men in moral and tenn
poral point of viex--but fer the propaga-
ton of that principle which will be bless
ing to the recipient Of it throughout the
ceaseless ages of eternity. But on the
contrary, if that influence be for evil, what
melancholy thought, to think that those
under your protection and tutoring, who
are receiving instruction from you by pre-
cept and example, will in short time go
out from you and mingle with the world,
and continue to spread and extend that in
fuence over those with whom he may as
sociate that he received from you-an in
fuence that is calculated to demoralize So
ciety, and bring blast upon everything
that is good and virtuous, and perhaps
cause you to have many days of grief and
sorrow, and at last may bring your aged
heads and hearts "with sorrow to the
grave"
Fathers, it is with you I would have a
word privately. Where do you stand in
regard to the Temperance causes A cause
that |, with many others, consider second
to no other that tends to the comfort and
well-being of our fellow-men. Do you
stand on the broad, safe platform of. tota
abstinence ?-or on the shackly and dan
gerous plank from which thousands have
sunk into worse than heather darkness anc
cruel barbaritys That of being indepen
dent-"Yes, lam independently am free
man-Pl do just as l please-Pll take anc
give my morning, noon and evening drains
whenever it pleases my craven appetite
If on the former, then you have brigh
prospect in the future, that Of seeing tha
saoeet cherub boy,-in whom are centerec
fathers affections, passing from CHILDHOOD
to more mature age-gathering laurel
and wreaths around his young and heaven
imprinted brow; and at last see him ente
upon the untried realities of manhood witt
heart buoyant with bright visions of tn
future rising before him-and at the sam
world, those principles Of Temperance an
Virtue that were so early implanted il
his young mind by fond and loving ia
ther. Truly that fathers heart swell
with emotions beyond description, as b
sees his boy loved and respected by a
who know him. The wise and good we
coming him with smiles of appreciation.
But if the latter, what or where can 70
build one hope, or the least expectation
ever seeing that darling boy that is eve
ready to meet you with out-stretched arm
and almost ecstaticj joy,to throw them aroun
your neck, ever rising to any distinctic
in life ?-and if he is ever noticed and la
ded, it will be by those of his own elias
and if by the good and great, it will be c
account of his notoriety as reeling, swa
gering devotee of Bacchus. And perha
ere you may have run out your natur
life, he may by his reckless and intempe
ate habits instilled into him when a bt
by your own hand, cause you many da
of unhappiness and nights of anguish al
restlessness, and finally bring your ag
and should be) venerable head to an u
timely grave. Fathers, beware where a
how you stand in respect to this cause th
fills the heart of every philanthropist.
Charlotte, N. G. F.