Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-09-26
FOR TIE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Recruits for the Order,

Time is unSpaIing in his work, and in a
short while, they who now make up the rank
and file Of the Temperance army-who have
so calamity led, and so bravely followed into
the cnemy's camp-will have passed from the
stage of action. Some will die full of years
and wearied out with the tolls of an arduous
life some probably, will fall while CALAMITY
fighting at their post but, in a few more
years, aU will have played their parts and
passed away forever. TO supply their places
we shall need new recruits the sons of the
%sires,n the young men who are just growing
up, will he called upon TO take their fathers
places in the field, and to lead on the Tenn
perance forces. And in order to make them
good soldiers and efficient leaders, it is neces-
sary that they should be well drilled-that
they be early made acquainted with the work
they will be called on to perform in after
years. Then they must be nurtured in the
Temperance Order from their youth up. We
must never, for a moment, permit them to
stray within the influence of AlcohoIs min
ions.
II is well enough to preach to the old, for
there are some hopes Of reforming men even
when bad habits have been long INDUCED ;
but shall We forget that the young nave
claims even stronger on us Life lays be-
fore them with all its ~cnchantments to them
the future is full of bright promises, and
along the extended plain Of life all is light,
not a single cloud casts its boding shadows
over their lowery pathway. Bewildered as
they ARE by the joys that everywhere lie
spread out around them, by the sunshine OF
happiness that is so plenteously poured out
upon them, IT is our imperative duty to
place their feet on the right track and tc
guide them on in the pathway of right. We
must send out our recruiting officers, our
lecturers into the field, and let them unGur
the banner Of the Sons of Temperance, ano
invite the young men, as well as the old, tC
come and marshal themselves under its folds
Yes, in every district in the land, they mus
he invited along with their fathers, for th'
constitution Of the Order permits boys o
fourteen years Of age to join, and of cours'
when that clause was inserted, it was eXpec
ted that boys would join, and if they who
framed the constitution so intended, shall W.
stop short Of our duty, shall we fail to invit'
them into our circle? If we do thus fail
how may We ever expect to find our band 81
enlarged that il shall embrace the whole grea
brotherhood of man, rs is expressed in on
ritual for it is 10 the boys that VIC are t.
look-to the boys, to whose lips the poison
cup Of the tempter has never been pressed
for he who has once tasted, touched or han
died, is still liable to be brought under tn
s%educing influence Of the wine-cup.
When more earnest efforts are made to en-
list the youth of America in the Temperate
ranks, a brighter era will dawn on our Order
and with the noble army, composed of tn
very flower of our land, which we shall sure
ly have, we will be enabled to ride over ever
obstacle, to bear down all before us. Then il
us make the effort; it viii not be made i
vain there are thousands of young me
within the borders of our own good Stat,
who are ready and willing 20 volunteer fc