Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-16
For the Spirit of the Age.
The Ladies-Their Inhuence.-No. L.

GOi Liz OpiAl6 VI liz ny. /
The Ladies-Their Influence L.
Much has been said and written, in regard
to the influence of woman, and | could not
hope, were / to makethe attempt, to add any
thing to what has already been said. But |
wish to speak a few words to the Ladies
themselves, 4" in order to stir up their pure
minds by way of remembrance" Fair read
er, remember Samson, a greater than whom,
in respect to physical powers, the world new
er saw. So great was his strength that he
could rend the king of the forest, as if it had
been a kid consequently, his enemies stood
in awe of him, for they were unable to cope
with him in ever so great numbers. Their
cords and withes were inadequate to bind
him, for he burst them asunder as if they had
been SO many ropes Of sand. And when
surrounded by strong walls, he easily I'M
hinged the massive gate and passed cut tri-
umphantly, bearing its ponderous bars and
posts upon his shoulders. Therefore, his
enemies Etudiously endeavored to discover the
secret of his great strength, that they might
devise ways and means whereby they could
f disarm him ofhis power, and no longer stand
. in dread of his superior strength. After hav-
ing all their efforts baffled, they thought OF
; lovely woman, who though she is called the
weaker, yet she is the gentler sex. And
though man is constitutionally adapted to
! greater efforts, and capable of enduring more
arduous toll, yet, her gentle influence far
outstripS his boosted powers. They besought
his wife to entice him, and get in possession
!, of his secret and deliver him into their hands.
She undertook the task, and success dlsgrae-
ed her influence. Hewas shorn of his strength
and felfan easy vfetim 10 his enemies. Sana-
son was aware that his superior strength had
rendered him famous. He was also aware to
lose it would be to lose, not only his fame,
but also his life yet he yielded to the UNI
70 versal and almost irresistible influence Of
1e lovely woman. He was deprived Of his lib
rt erty, his sight and his life.
Fair reader, have you not seen, or at least
do you not know, either personally or histor-
ically, some noble youth whose manly powers
v and gigantic intellect had rendered him the
an pride and admiration Of doating friends, and
MS excited the envy of enemies and competitors,
by and all the combined forces Of envy, malice
ne and opposition fell powerless at his feet. And
re still his popularity increased, friends gather
he ed around him, his noble spirit rose infinite
ad ly above the opposition Of enemies, and his
intellect expanded more and more by having
he to overcome difficulties and obstacles to sur
mount. But son lovely Delilah stepped
forward with the tempting wine and Offered
OF him the first glass, saying with a smile tina
ON Ollly IllC IlGdII O1 dudIldllG COulu IcSiSl, Tan
1le this one glass from me-" He yielded to tn
up charm and vas as essentially shorn Of hi
OF strength as was Samson. He went on ste
by step, from the moderate drinker to tn
ing gutter-wallowing sot. He raved with deliriur
Wn tremens, and fell from the lofty pinnacle t
to which his brilliant intellect had raised hin
to a state of poverty, shame and degradation
the and finally sank into a drunkard's gray
Tere unwept, unhonored, and unsung.
S OF Reflect upon the contrast Of the once prou
, as and manly frame-the eye sparkling with W
Ight and intelligence-the noble spirit-the bur
her ing eloquence of the lip and then the ~totterir
eau frame-the bloated face and bloodshot eye
up the detected spirit tending downward and st
enes downward-the simpering and idiotic star
lood mering of the lip of the maniac. The drum
hese ards grave overgrown and neglected, and
Tor inmates name buried in the gulf of obliyio
lo1ty and only remembered with pain and DISCUS
. my And the tomb of the upright marked wi
nose appropriate monuments and his memory
q It's credly treasured, declaring he still elves
nap the hearts ofhis c~ountrymen." But, above q
ner | ask you, seriously to contemplate the a
sits and that of the man of God.
little Fair reader, to you Ispeak. I entreat y
in the name of all that is good, rememl
p,eals your influence and do not give it an evil
nap ~rection. AS you value the prosperity a
life of your friends, as you value the PEI
en- and prosperity of the nation, of neighb
pipe hoods and families and the we'll being Of "
tent countrymen, both in time and eternity,
lnlng not entice the youth of our land, to take
pleas enchanting Gun, Know that poison In
peers within. That "wine is a mocker and strt
shiny drink is ~raoinon Remember that a c1rs,
Iuiets pronounced AGAINST aou if Won nut the |
lnnie, tie to vour neiohbor'S month, DO not le
'yers: be said that y0u proffered the first glass
ID al any. Remember your influence. Bew
pleas how Won exert if. Beware beware.
g pic PINY WOODS
y &C