Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-12
For the Spirit Of the Ace
Ladies and Temperance.

liiAOi iAiC1 VI LlC htllIilGSo dIld inequalities
which were extended to our delegates of the
Grand Division Of the State, recently assem-
bled at Greensborough. We have also learn
ed with an equal degree Of pleasure, that
the ladies Of that town were distinguished
actors in welcoming, entertaining and cheer
ing the friends of temperance in their noble
efforts of philanthropy and benevolence.
The example thus proposed for imitation,
and the success which must ever crown the
cause which is espouSed and maintained I'M
der your auspices, are the chief reasons for
directing your attention to the important
work in which we have embarked. Since
you have listened to many excellent address
es on a variety of occasions, it is wholly un-
necessary to be protracted in our present re-
marks.
The evils OF lntemperance are so aggrava-
ted and enormous, and 1--WE blush to admit
50 common, that they must have arrested
your attention and awakened your deepest
soiicitude, however retired or secluded YOUR
position. 1t has, doubtless, often occurred
to your mind that Drunkenness exhibits it's
subjects in the light of extreme degradation.
1t d%eprives a person either partially or who'll
ly Of reason and very frequently of the use
OF bodily faculties. 1t exposes him to be
over reached and defrauded. One falls from
his horse or vehicle and breaks his limbs or
NSN Ut ldilS lIlLO Tue lire, ana DGlilg |
a highly cOmbuStiblc material, either termi-
mates life or renders himself a miserable GRIN
pie. A third has lost himself in a wintrv
night or storm of snow and persisted because
he could not find his way. A fourth has
e fallen overheard and been drowned. A fifth
/ has killed himself by taking a larger GUAM
= tty OF ardent spirits than he was aware, or
- his physical capabilities could endure.
: Nor is the danger much less to the intoxi-
2 Gated person Of doing undersigned yet serious
/, injuries to others. He exposes himself to
| many temptations and sins. A large part of
the murders which have been committed
r have originated from intoxication. The
f greater portion Of the cases in our civil dock
S cts are to be ascr.bed to the same cause
t Tn drunkard necessarily wastes his own
: property beyond all possibility of being re-
o paired, destroys his health to such an ex-
tent that the skill of the physician and the
d power OF medicine are rendered useless
n lie ruins his reputation, dethrones reason,
c which Mr.. Locke with great beauty and force
y styles-"Ihe candle of the Lord shining
- within man " destroys his usefulness to his
/, family, ~neighbors and society, disqualifying
r for every honorable position in Church or
State, in heaven or earth. By parental ex-
ample, stronger than admonition or precept,
Is he ditfuses the habits of intemperance
i through his family, leading them gradually
a. as unsuspecting victims to the altar of this
e. sanguinary and cruel Moloch. By ~squander-
N ing his property he deprives his wife and
is children of both comfort and responsibility.
a lie will never be able to enrich them with
IL his wealth, nor educate them as society de-
mands, nor govern them as he should. His
influence with them is lost, or at least his
example is in the highest degree injurious,
and, therefore, he cannot persuade them to
follow the paths of wisdom and sobriety.-
Their hearts are broken by the insupportable
modification to which they are perpetually
subjected, by a peryading sense of personal
degradation and dishonor, and by the actual
lai want of the necessary comforts of life. The
Dr. head Of the domestic body is sick-distress
es ingly sick with a hopeless and shameful dis
ease and the other members, in greater o.
to less degree, suffer with the head-and suf
ey fer unspeakably. Beside this, they are dis
.iy quoted with ontinua approximations les
Err their husbands, fathers, or sons should NEE
IS, with some dreadful disaster or come to al
zee untimely end.
he The drunkard destroys his life, and is a
really a suicide as if he compassed his dealt
ar by a pistol or halter.
n To sum up all, he ruins his immortal soul
Ids Reason being dethroned and passions assert
ne ms their supremacy, he is necessarily dis
BILE qualified for a profitable use Of the means Q
TO grace and for all attentions to eternal life
all Every call of mercy finds him stupid and re
CARELESS. To every threatening his ears ar
ent deaf To each promise his heart is insens.
bility itself. Intending and resolved to con
.ta- tinue in wilful sin he cannot pray Lead u
nd not into temptation - and whosoever thu
by cuts himself off from prayer, can never b
- saved There is philosophy as well as il
SEPARATION in the declaration. "No drrnkar
ny, can inherit the kingdom of God"
set Having presented the evils of intempe
YES ance, we feel it "a duty to devise some NEAR
eed to counterfeit and remove them. AS til
drunkard does not read his bible, nor pray
nor attend the sanctuary, and, of course, cal
we not be reformed by these moral agencies, NJ
Gus because they are in themselves insignifican
nee but because he will not resort to them
ina, has appeared necessary to form an Associ
ana ton whose object is to advocate sobriety al
to promote temperance.
'th- The Order, of which this is a respectful
OF Division, has accomplished much, and '
hope that by your timely aid and cooper
Use ton is destined to achieve still greater II
ana umphs. Among the means Of Reformation
'fler included avoidance Of the causes by whit
90 intoxication is solicited or encouraged.
lege little care or resolution will often suffice.
Her, No person is really necessitated to treque
and the places or court the society of persons
VIII which this evil is p~ractised or countenance
the Every man can avoid regular drinking
even a social glass, if he will. 1t is at on
we the duty and wisdom Of all men to absts
hers from haunts Of drunkenness and drink
pro- companions. Whoever finds in himsel
peculiar relish for the sparkling bowl,
IS OF bound to abstain from it wholly. Eve
thing here depends on resisting or avoidi
Its the beginnings of evil. Every effort at or;
tenn ual abandonment will only serve to ALI
him onward and entirely disappoint his he
Or of reformation. He will soon discover h
man self more entangled than ever, and at a gre
1t or distance from the goal of his eXertions
cula- Difficult and arduous as the case may be,
thiui must break off at once, or be ruined!
persons, even those who are not peculia
| for in danger, are nevertheless bound scru
lousy to guard against it. Neither rept
d. ton, wisdom, nor worth will secure agai
Drunkenness, unless we are vigilant
n do watehful. This sin is found in The colt
dues, and palace in the study of the philosop
Have and in the sacred desk; in the halls of &C
st be- Gil and on the bench of justice even in
stances where distinction, understand