Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-03-27
FOR TIE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
The Old North State-Her Newspapers
Davidson College, N. c.

An eminent clergyman, for many years an
active itineiant, once remarked in the hearing
of the writer, that he never saw a T. @.
where large number of religious newspapers
were received and distributed, without ta-
king it for granted that it was the n~eucleus of
a virtuOus and refined population The OBJ
servation was as applicable to states and ma
lions as to more circumScrlbed communities.
There is no surer index of the moral and re-
ligiouS habits and tendency Of a people than
n healthy and wel%-suStained religious litera-
ture. The thermometer does not more I'M
erringly indicate the temperature of the at
mosphere, than does the periodical press the
moral and intellectual status of its patrons. A
religious or temperance newspaper in every
household, is as anmistakeable evidence of a
God-fearing, l~aw-abiding, virtuouS people,
as is the expansion of mercury the proof of
an Increasing warmth of the weather. The
one proposition approaches as near an action
in metaphysics, as docs the other in physics.
In this respect, the Old North State may
not fear an expose, nor hesitate to challenge
n comparison with her sister states of the Con
no, Deterioration. No other state of her
population, resources and publishing advan-
tages, can boast of a more creditable periodi-
cal religious literature. Each of the prevail
ing denominations in her limits has its own
peculiar organ-each, well conducted, we'll
appreciated, well sustained and thrifty. The
Advocate, the Presbyterian, the Recorder and
the Intelligencer constitute a hebdomadal
quartctte, which for size, editorial ability, me.
chanical execution, or general responsibility
of appearance, have few or no supcriors among
their contemporaries in either the old or new
confederacy.
Through the kindness, either of the editors OF
-I.l ol.ka.:1 c.,.J H. H.
|. basket the writer is indebted for unnumbereC
favors, he has had the privilege of reading then
all quito regularly for a year or two past, ant
he now feels aplcasurc in awarding them thi
:, humble but deserved tribute. In this day Q
/, controversy and strife even among religion
journalists, it is refreshing and pleasant t
: meet with periodicals so devoid of a spirit {
J uncharitable censorship or angry recrimina
v ton, and so marked with Cancellation, courte
sy and forbearance. 1t would be strange, il
; deed, ifa community whose habits and pre-
p~ensities are moulded by the teachings
such counsellors and guides, did not posses
&c in- an eminent degree the elements of an el
lightened and ~virtuous people.
!. And what shall we say of their worthy c
adjutor in the work of moral reform-our o
" friend and ~favorite, the vivacious and spright
IS Spirit! Where shall we find a more etficie
H., VI ldilnlul ldpUICI III ltlC luOIdl fIllcydIQ-O
- who has toiled with more unbending and u
"a firing zeal in the blessed cause of humanity
al And where has Temperance a champion viii
has survived SO we'll all the vicissitudes of t
noble reform where, one, which, even in t
for present j~uncture, which is forcing so ma
NJ to suspend or retrench, stands so firm a
-, erect, passing unscathed through the fe
" ordeal, and forfeiting so little of its wont
ey patronage!
in These inquiries imply q response viii
it. speaks volumes to the credit both of the &C
:, and gallant Spirit itself, and of the people
whom it has been s., long and we'll sustain
yle No better evidence could there be of their
mi tuous habits and correct tastes, than the {
ION dial support which they have SO long 81
this faithful guardian of their moral Welt;
cry North Carolina may well be proud of
ded religious and Temperance presses. In the
roi- sence Of any other evidence, this would, o
An. self. conclusively vindicate her from the cha
-, Of rude, uncultivatcd Rip Van Winklei
'uAf which her defamers have SO long unju
lpreierred against her. INVALIL