Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-04-20
HAMRuRG, Ala. March %. 1859.

~
Mr.. GoRxAN:-I received the first copy of
the Spirit Of the Age, since my renewal, by
the last mail, and | find it as interesting as
usual, full Of advice against the use of alco-
holic liquors. The Spirit of the Age-the
dear spirit of the present age. In this COM
munity, when | wrote you about a month
ago, it seemed to me like every feeling of in
terest in the temperance cause was dead but
since that time the spark that was so hidden
as hardly to emit 4 smoke, has burst forth
and caught into a large fame, and has contin-
ued to get larger and burn more rapidly, I'M
til the flames have swallowed up the Ham
burg grocery and consumed it so entirely,
that every citizen in the place has pledged
himself not to allow another put up on his or
her lot. nor sell to any one that will not
pledge him or herself in like manner. con-
sequently am forced to exclaim-Dear Spirit
of this age. One of our friends and neigh
bors that never would connect himself with
our temperance society, though a friend to
the cause, as he expressed himself and now
has proven himself to be by the action he has
taken IN purchasing from the old Grocery
} keeper, at a tolerable high price, his entire
: possessions, and turned the grocery lot into
a cotton field /; | say he has proven his faith
1 by his works. And the community general
: ly purchased the stock of groceries on
Wednesday and the Saturday following sold
them out at auction, and rid the village of
i one drop of ardent spirits for sale, all within
the space ofthree days time. Hamburg, for
+; merly a sink hole of i~niquity, is now a re-
It spectacle rural village, where ladies can visit
and do their shopping, without the dread and
u fear of being insulted by the rum made mad
man who formerly visited the place.
It Now, why the change? Why, SIR, there
% is but one thing that / can call to mind, that
has been instrumental in bringing about this
= change: There aCas once a Temperance Socie-
IS ty an Hamburg! Now, sir, did you ever
il know a temperance society instituted any
!. where, and flourish even for a short space of
time, without leaving its traces of good be-
"a hind to be noticed afterwards? / can say /
Sc never did and / do say, would there could
ne be temperance societies gotten up in every
- village, town, and city, and every ~neighbor-
hood in the State, yea, in the Union | would
ry expect each in its turn to yield in like man
ner, as in the case of Hamburg, its good eff
fects-to be shone forth sooner or later.
Q Now, dear Spirit of the present Age, must
;" award to you a great deal, as q helper in
y bringing about the very great change for good
w. that has taken place in our little village. OuI
Temperance friends, to encourage their con.
"a verts, recommended your paper to them and
ne got up a large club and sent on for it and al.
he most every house had a copy of the dear Spir.
it in it and then they read of the evils (por-
a trayed by your spirited pen) consequent up
:" on the use of the intoxicating bowl, and the
ng good resulting to thousands that had joined
vi the temperance society from thus doing. !
,e) therefore say in good faith, you may claim a
- good portion of the victory. May the dear
y Spirit of the present Age continue to burn in
VS. the hearts of our people and spread until eve
his ry rum shop may be demolished in this Uni
mt on and may the Spirit of the Age proper
continue its progress in the cause of temper
nc ance and giving aid to the temperance socie
VS. ties and communities (as | think it has ours
err for all time to come, and at last reap a re
tho ward, beyond what men can give. | am
dear Spirit, yours in due kindness,
nm JUDAH.