Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-02-29
For the Spirit of the Age
TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
[coNcLUDEp PROM OUR LAsr.)

(CoNcLUDED FROM OUR LAsT.)
In following up my remarks of last week,
proceed to notice one more assertion and
| am done. After denouncing the practice
of beastly intoxication, as very wrong, and
grog shops as the very fag-end of creation
some men say by their acts-"I know there
are some of you who are in the habit of
drinking two or three times day and to
you bid God speed" God speed in what ?
Can we consistently bid any one God speed
in any thing that does not contribute to
theirsubstantial happiness; or will not result
in some good9 Then how can any one bid
bis fellow-man God speed 10 drinking a.
Does any good come from it Certainly
naas ....s 4e~----a~s-.s
three times per days Certainly there does,
as we have already shown. Besides the
example which they are setting before the
younger part of society, they are in danger
of becoming drunkards themselves. But
they do not see that they are occupying
the same ground that poor inebriates once
did. They should remember however,
that among the woes which the Scriptures
denounce against crime, one is, "Wo unto
them that are mighty to drink wine, and
men of strength to consume strong wine."
Some one has very truthfully said, "these
are captains in the bands OF iutemperance
and will drink two generations of youths
into the grave before they 60 to lie down
by their side" God deliver US from such
men. These are they, whom we most have
to fear as Sons Of Temperance. They in
duce youHg men to think they can drink
without getting drunk, therefore many ale
still to be found who will not endorse our
ennobling principles.
What shall we say to those who have
enlisted their services under the banner off
total abstinence? Need l say any thing
to encourage you in your glorious work +?
Are you not convinced, with your humble
writer, that according to the means expen-
|, ded, tn e sacrifices made, the organization
of the Sons of Temperance stands unrivaled
in the amelioration of the misery and wants
among US Do not such thoughts stir you
t up to greater energy and perseverance in
the great work which lies before us? When
you contemplate the evils of drunkenness,
: as are to be seen in every part of our coun-
5 try, its devastating influence upon every
? thing that is great and good and when
you behold so many of the noble yonng
n men Of our country, still standing aloof
r from our Order, liable to be led astray in
e some way, does not your conscience dictate
v to you to continue to work with increasing
y energy9 Have you do|e all that you could
. the past -yesra Havss on dessrnnitrci to
e do more this year than yBu ever have done9
e Think for a moment what we have already
O accomplished; and what we may accom-
plish if we are faithful in the performance
'f of our duty. 1t is only few years, compare
Is lively speaking, since the Sons of Temper
l. ance came into existence, and since then no
k one will deny that good has been DONE
e For when we look few years prior to the
Y, introduction Of the organization of the Sons
ID of Temperance, we behold members o
lie families reduced to the most indescribable
ot wretchedness by drunkenness the hus.
n band a wild, reckless drunkard, whose
highest ambition was to possess himself O
IN glass of brandy almost, if not entirely
at neglecting his family; the poor deceived
We wife and mother using every effort to re-
# claim him, till all hope to be any thing els
a but degraded drunkard's wife, she meek
IN y submits to her fate; the poor little chill
dren, half -naked-uneducated ant
yh learning nothing but sinful habits; but al
ke most like a miracle, we have seen thes
be same families changed. The husband an,
is father has been changed from brutlsl
monster, to kind husband, and affection
nd ate father; the once neglected and heart
ng broken wife appears herself again the ma
rt. ked and haf-starved children are attende,
le- to; and why this change? Ask the fathe
IN the reclaimed drunkard; doubtless he wi
lb- tell you the Sons of Temperance. Ask tn
Ter children, they will tell you the same. As
: the wife and mother, who is capable of fee
to ing truly grateful for being relieved fror
mt. the bitter pangs she has felt in by gon
Ike days; doubtless she will tell you, the Sor
u of Temperance, God bless them, have save
1t me and my children from shame and di
MT grace; and my husband from drunkard
ca grave.
no. Do not such thoughts as these encou
au> age you to redouble your efforts for th
we good of the cause in which We are engages
lies Think you, that you could engage in an
he thing else where you could do more goo
d it save the cause of your Redeemer? Al
it. do you not think that if we could get tt
ich cooperation of the church, that we shou
$ be still more successful Are you n
= afraid sometimes for that neighbor of you
can who is member of the church and W
will not do anything for the temperance caus
E at that when the great day of final accour
der shall have come, and we shall expect,
ugh we are faithful, to hear the words "W
( is done thou good and faithful servant" th
God will hold him accountable for not {
The ing anything for the temperance cause
firm But if We are firm in the position we ha
eek taken, that there is no real safety short
e. total abstinence, we shall have them W
en- US soon. AS soon as they can properly l
not derstand that they are acting the part
ned. the proud Pharisee, and should act the GO
med Samaritan towards their erring fellow-l
< to ings, they will come over by hundreds
lem. They don't believe that God employs
lof- manity to accomplish his work. They hi
doubtless forgotten that Jesus was notabC
employing human aid, and that when
went to raise Lazarus, he first command
llow them to take the stone away, after VIII
o do the dead was raised. Now if we can C
0 do. vince these church members, that ther
stone at the door of the church, and t
'uth ST. ne is drunkenness, | am disposed