Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-12

forbid the suspicion. In most if not all in
stances, the evil creeps insensiby on the I'M
happy subject, and overcomes him before he
is aware. A prime object to be regarded is,
therefore, to keep the danger always before
our eyes. We arc ever to feel that we our
selves are in danger, and to consider a ha-
bitual and lively dread of it as our first safe
ty. We are to form vigorous and standing
resolutions that We will not be overcome.-
10 strengthen our resolutions and to keep
our fears awake. We are to mark the mise
rable victims of this sin with anxiety and
terror to regard the sin itself as the high
way to hell, and to realize that in yielding to
it, we seal our own reprobation and infamy.
10 all this conduct motives can never be
wanting. Multitudes of the highest import
and most commanding efficacy will immedi-
ately present themselves to your mind. Ev-
cry heart which is not formed Ct adamant,
must have felt their force. Nothing pleads
for 1t, except the mere appetite of strong
drink-an appetite usually unnatural and
created by casual indulgence. All things in
heaven and on earth exclaim against it with
a single voice. Health, reputation, safety
reason, usefulness, life, the soul, our families
and our friends, in solemn and affectionate
union, urge entreat and persuade us to alb
stain. Could we but marshal before us the
lSSICIIo ii piOIl2dtCS III
wretches whom this sin has exiled to the
mansions of despair, we should no longer re-
fuse to hear, awake and live.
lnasmuch as your influence, ladies', has
ever been exerted for the welfare of our race,
and you are the silent but severe sufferers
from the evils of which we speak, we invoke
your kind attention and welcome aid in this
necessary reformation. Much is already due
to the gentleness and affection with which
You, like ministering angels, have rescued
the falling and reclaimed the crring. By
mild and pleasant words, fifty spoken, many
have saved their husbands and sons from a
drunkards grave, and averted from them
selves anxious days and s~leepless nights
Neappeal to you for the aid Of those sweet
and strong Influences which you alone are
capable Of welding, and which are too po-
tent to be resisted by those to whom YOU are
bound by the tenderest ties. We are conf
dent, too, that you will respond favorably to
our call. There is no reasonable objection or
excuse that can be offered We do not pre-
sumo to usurp the place of the Church. We
would not aspire to be public teachers ap-
pointed by men to perform the functions of
the ministry. We would not assume the
work of the Spirit into our own hands. We
boast of no such prerogatives. We lay claim
to no such powers. Let ministers perform
all their duties. Let the gospel be proclaim
ed with all earneStness and Solemnity. Let
religion flourish. Let the Church be awak-
ened and revived. We interfere not with
them. We make no war upon them. We
bid them God-speed. We fondly cherish
and support them. They are not only neces.
sary, bat of vital importance. We merely
claim to be handmaids of religion and the
gospel. We propose to benefit those who re
fuse to place themselves within evangelical
Influences, and who have neither admiration
nor zeal for the cause Of Christ. We claim
to be DESTROYS of using all proper influences
of a social character to reform the intemper
ate. AND as the ladies constitute an int
grail portion Of society, and are uniyer
sally acknowledged to exert more influ
ence than men for the advancement and es
Enlistment of correct principles, we are con
strained to admit (and we glory in the cor
t%essslon) that without your encouragement
and efforts to second our movement, ue ca7
not succeed. Realizing our own impotency
we would kindly and respectfully sole
your gentle influence and powerful aid
Come and assist us in rescuing your hu$
bands and fathers, your sons and brother
from the maelstrom of intemperance which
increasing in rapidity at every revolution
its eddying tide, is prepared and waiting
attract them TO Its clrcllng labyrlnths an
engulf them forever. Should your relative
and friends be sober and temperate, remeu
Der that, wherever you are, you should a
ways utter a mild but decided testimony
favor of temperance. 1t may accomplis
good where you are not personally known
1t may greatly inspire the fainting courage
a vacillating and tempted son of genius.
may be the means of doing what everythir
else might fail to do.
Were all your fair and honored sex to pu
sue such a course, and to form resolutions
your minds to discounterance all tamperiI
with the deadly poison, our rising yout
, trained to dread and avoid it, would be mo
hopeful and promising and with a steady ha
and a cool and deliberate judgement, won
+ be better qualified to perform anoble part
= the theatre of action.
y Let mothers warn their Interesting ar
manly sons. Let sisters tenderly admoni
their brothers. Let wives encourage tn
husbands to abstain. And let all the ladi
especially the youthful and unmarried, lift
a warning voice against this hydrahead
T. evil-for be assured that next to the Arc
D%eceives Of souls, this is the greatest ener
E to domestic peace and social happiness.
JOHN r. ALEXANDER,
G. W. MCCOY,
r. F. BLYTHE, Com.
j. F. LITTLE,