Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-08-10
9sbstss TO Gsmysranes, gitsratnrf,
RALEIGH, NORTH CARROLL

eye upon him as he proceeded
''The simple narrative just finished, and
all the influences around me, constrain the
performance of a duty which | had else
avoided-the confession of my faith in the
ultimate triumph of Temperance princi-
pies, and of an humble trust that through
the amazing riches of grace, ] may ind my
way to Heaven. This latter statement will
surprise many of you, aware, as you have
been, that heretofore have not only been
sinner above many, but also an open and
ayowed skeptic, who regarded the Chris
tianity of the Bible but cunningly de-
vised fable, unworthy the attention of
thinking minds. How that iacrnstation of
belief was thrown eif, how j easse to be-
Eeve the record of Jesus Christ and the
Apostles, how It was that I found myself
trusting to that very Jesus for present and
eternal salvation, Z can scarcely EXPLAIN
This, however, is clear to me, that the Di-
vision, with which I am connected was the
theatre upon which this transformation was
brought about, and that the change is radi-
cal, sensible, indubitab.e. 1t is no delusion,
but glorious reality, of which my con-
sciousness takes cognizance, as it does of
my existence, and of the cravings of hun
ger, and food no more satisfies appetite
sharpened by protracted fasting, than this
blessed experience satisfies longings of my
nature which Heretofore were clamorous and
unsatisied. The exact nature of the change
which has thus passed upon me [ cannot
tell, but the results of that change are most
manifest. The old time restlsssness and
perturbations are quieted, and the requisi-
tious of the present appear mean aud con-
temptible, in comparison with the grand
future to which Christian faith looks: and
whereas formerly lived for the present, |
now feel that he only truly lives who lives
for the future, whose tolls and fears and
hopes all have relation to the amending
and with this is calm assurance, tran
quill trust, that the unending will be unal-
loyed, transcendant happiness. This con-
idence dispels all anxieties, and l move
along the paths of life serenely, unmindful
of its vexations, and no more shaken by its
strifes than the sublime movement of the
universe is effected by the chatterings and
buzzings of summer insects floating in the
atmosphere. Truly the Order Of Sons Of
Temperance has beea the agent Of won
derfui work in my case; aud felt it due
to truth that | should state this much for
encouragement. If nothing more had been
accomplished by the Organization, in this
State, who will say that it has failed o
J grand results, in view of the disclosures o
this session, and especially Of this night
thank God, tonight, from my heart, fol
what has been wrought in me and for me
and with all sincerity echo the petition o
our brother, that we all may meet again, i
not on earth, in Heaven"
The profund sensation which this an
nouncement produced can hardly be esti
mated by any who did not actually see ant
! hear what transpired 1t affected all mos
| powerfully, as may be surlnsed by wha
Immediately followed. Hardly had th
speaker resumed his sea-, when gentle
man about thirty-fve years old, medica
man, and one whose social position an
fine talents gave him no inconsiderabe in
fuence, and who, withal, possessed ths
warm, generous nature which always ren
ders an individual popular with his fellow
took the floor, and expressed himself yer
much after this fashion:
| "This is the third session Of the Gran
Division which / have attended, and th
third occasion on which I have witnesse
scenes such as have transpired this evenin
When [ first heard sober men talkiu
about their hopes of Heaven, and the je
which those hopes afforded them, it w
m loH Of nd
pity for what seemed to me unparallele
) weakness and credulity f
; what | regarded cant, from the lips of
venal and time-serving priesthood. Y
when [ had reached my home, the thong
of these men and what they had said won
haunt my mind, and | would find mys
, saying, any statement by these persons, CO
corning any subject whatsoever than th
would be accredited by me as true, wi
should l doubt here! IF they had sal
that speech pleased, this blow infict
pain, [ would certainly accept their tes
mony as true; how, then shall | disbelie
t when they tell me Of such and eAet
wrought in them and upon them, by fai
: inJesus, the Cruci6ed? when such though
: disturbed me, | dismissed them sooner
: later by talking of delusions, hallucinatio
, and insane rawlings, for | had before fix
: myself upon no-creed, and was not "
ling to learn.that had all the while be
n hugging deadly error, as a living trut
: Still | would attend upon these meetin
/ and watch narrowly the words and mann
t of each one who participated in the ex
d cises, and tonight came here for no hi.
n er purpose, no nobler aim. / have wat
$, ed, but the issue has been different tr
a my anticipations. Truth has been too pow
1t ful to be resisted, and baye risen here
70 tell it. to rctract my heresies, my skel
ID cism, my inGdelity, and to tell these bre
ot ren that the God they worship has spol
lg to me through them, and rebuked my
at ly and presumption. Would that co
I'D say more than this-would that with
oy last speaker, could recount a comp
1T deliverance, and an entrance into th
ss sublime experiences which the humb
fe Christian man is permitted to know.
~ this cannot do-the former state of hs
Id ness is too near at hand, and wish sin
as to ask that you Christian men will 7
~ for me. Pray that such happiness as
know | may know, that my darkness i
ch be enlightened, my ignorance instruc
ms my weakness made strength. Pray for
IS my friends, that God may graciously pre-,
4 / L