Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-10-12

The following eloquent appeal is from
the pen of the Rev. Alexander Duncan
ancfoiy posrtson---a u.sss t,......., ...---..--.
worthy, more degraded, and more sinful
position cannot be conceived To prey
upon the shame, the crime, the body, the.
soul, the time, the eternity of fellow
creature, is awful! To prepare the way of
bankruptcy, pauperism, disease, prison,
death, is not to be coveted To assist to
ruin character, murder reputation, sink po-
sition and circumstances, flch mans
crumb of bread, is odious To beggar
families, break the hearts of wives, scatter
domestic fre-brands and death, break up
happy homes, divide united hearts, dissolve
family links of the closest ties, is a base
ness indescribable. To rise into riches by
such a course is not to be rich to be hon.
ored is TO be dishoaored; to gain place in
the world is to have no dignity to stand
forth in the cause of religion is to daub
lions walls with untempered mortar. To
swell out intD portly dimensions by the
sale ofsstrong drink is the price of power
ty; to- rise into luxury is gain from
wretchedness !; to walk abroad in ease is
purchase from pcrspiration and toll to as
sume high airs, and CAD about all bespan-
gled and bejeweled. is an elevation wrung
from shame, degradation, misery and death.
How infatuated must the dealer be 20 be
rolling in every comfort and luxury, pos
asessing wealth and property, and all pur-
chased at the poor inebriates expense. The
publican; well clothed, while he is in rags
the publicans's wife, handsome, buxom
ieweled, but the poor drunkard's wife has
not where to lay her head the plLli---sez
children, clothed ad--f-aSs'snc'efnencles OF the
--seasod- but mark bis eustomer's-cold.
starved, wet, ragged, diseased. What a
difference between the state of those that
are supported by strong drink. Surely, if
reflection was left in the drunkard's mind,
the sketch we have just given would Danish
forever the drinker from the drinkery door.
And what state can that mind be in
tha. can keep such honsei How desti.
tute Of the finer feelings OF humanity-tc
speak Of religion would be Donescnse-
Where is love for his country and his kind
Can patriotism inhabit such bosom? I'm
possible. Can such man be reformer-
a regenerator ofsociety and keep hous'
and sell an article to degrade, dchumanize
4 and enslave his fellow men, soul and body
| hand and foot Incredible. How mucl
of Christ's love can be IN the bosom Of tn
4 man who continues to sell spirits, and sees
and hears and reads, the awful deed it
, doing against God and mani Not spark
Is4 sAnd is it possible that the spirit-deale
car commead bis traffic to God in prayer
Could he lay his hand on his heart an
enter the divine presence, and crave God +
!. bless his efforts? 1t cannot be. His bloo'
/ wouldrsn cold, hissoui would freeze IN th
'endeayor, his smitten conscience could nc
bear the piercing glance Of God; he coul
eIliionly to carry on his trade by forgettin
q eternity, trampling on the sacred dictati
til of conscience and escaping from though
eI of future death and Judgment. Infnitel
VI better for man to beg for his bread fro
y door to door, than occupy such positio
!, In this case he might be an heir Of heavt
nj but who. can recognize the selling
i whisky and eternal glory |"