Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-09-26
PnospEor HILL. AUGUST 9th 1860.

TO tue Editor Of the Son Of Temperance.
The annals of intemperance are always, the
annals of sorrow. A sad case has occurred,
it seems, recently, in Charleston. Asyoung
man once of great promise, as a clerk and
salesman, was cut. down by strong drink
A young widow and an orphan infant are
left to deplore the sad event. The father of
the widow one would have expected to stand
by the side of his child, to cheer and comfort
her in the hour of sadness. But the expec-
tation was vain. He tarried long at the grog
shops even until the feet of those who were
to carry away his daughters husband had
left, on their mournful mission, his dwelling.
Then in the rain he was seen reeling home,
and finding that the body was gone, he fol-
lowed the mourners, but was unable, from
drunkenness, to oVertake them. Then, he did
not seek his home, but turned aside to drink,
and is further drunken.
What an awful thingit is, that in the very
chambers of death the %drunkard exhibits
himself the sad-victim of strong drink. But
1t is a still sadder thing, that one so acting,
should once have been a Son of Temperance,
and therefore understood well the dangers of
incompetence, and the blessings of sobriety.
Oh, that such an one would be warned, and
turned from the way of sin and death.
Perhaps some brother will lay his hand
upon the poor drunkard, and say to him, re-
turn, be forgiven, and sin no more. If such
a call should be blessed, as it is most likely
it will be, in the permanent reform of him
who has sinned beyond almost hope, how hap
py will be the Son, who thus acts and sue
ceedS.
On a recent occasion, the writer passing
in the Railroad cars, a fashionable watering
L. ..-~ cL4,k lo1or r-o1 -os-o -
see and hear two young men of honOred
name so far drunken that they were singing
ribald songs and using profanity in the hear
lingo the passengers, ladies and others. Then
they transferredth their bodies filled with drink
to the cars, and were not ashamed to make
themselves known. They journeyed thence
TO a town, where they made night hideous,
with drunken yells. What a shame it is
that the young descendants of those, who
bore a distinguished name, should thus for
get themselves and what is due to decency.
But we live in an age where drunkenness
reigns omnipotent. | turn back again anC
again, and ask is there no physician near, is
there no balm in Gilead?
Friends of Temperance, to the rescue, b,
up and doing early and late.
The Peach crop is abundant this year, wha
think we brethren is done with it?-Peacl
Brandy, the most dangerous, and destruct
i've is made. Followers of the Savior, mel
who know the danger, hesitate not to make
this fatal drink. In a little while, like thu
serpent in,Eden, it will enter their household
and then the call for help will be in vain.
A friend many years ago, called the atten
ton of a respectable gentleman to the dan
ger of his distillery. The warning was no
r needed. His sons learned to drink, and b
! drunken, and his family of boys perishe
1: d~ruRkards.
E To my countrymen l would say in til
: language of the great Athenian, strike 6u
n hear
JOHN BELTON O'NEALI.