Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-23
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THE OLD MANS STORY.

| shall never forget the commencement of
| the temperance reformation. | was child
at the time, some ten years tof age. Our
home had every comfort, and my parents
idolized me, their child. Wine was often on
the table, and both my father and my moth
er frequently gave it to me in the bottom of
my morning glass.
One Sunday, at church, startling an
nouncement was made to our people. / knew
nothing of its purport, but there was much
whispering among the men. The pastor said
on the next evening there would be meet
ing, and an address on the evils of intemper-
ance in the use Of alcoholic drinks. He ex-
pressed himself ignorant of the object of the
meeting, and could not say what course it
would be best to pursue in the matter.
The subject of the meeting came upat our
table, after the service, andI questioned my
father about it with all the curious eagerness
Of child. The whispers and words which
had been dropped in my hearing clothed the
whole affair with great mystery to me, and
! was ali eagerEess to know the strange
thing. Ny father merely said it was some
scheme to unite Church and State
The -niaht eama and GrannS of naanle oath
and the laugh and saw drunken men come
reeling out of the bar-roQm. | urged my fa-
ther to let me go, but he at FIRST refused FL
qualification Of my curiosity, he put on bis
hat, and we crossed the green to the church.
/ remember well how the people appeared as
they came in, seeming to wonder what kind
of an exhibition was to come off
In. one corner was the tavern keeper ano
around him number of friends For ar
hour the people of the place continued to cemt
in, until there was fair housefull. All wer,
curiously watching at the door, wondering
what would appear next. The pastor stole
in and took seat behind the pillar nnde
the gallery, as if doubtful of the propriety Q
being in the Church at ALL
Two men finally came in, and went to tn
. altar and took their seats. All eyes wer
} fixed upon them, and general stiffness pre-
( vailed throughout the room.
7 The men were unlike in appearance, on
being short and thick-set in his build th
other tall and we'll formed. The younge
r had the manner and dress of a clergyman;
? full, round face, and quiet good nature
look, as he leisurely looked around over th
e audience.
! But nv childish interest was in the ol
: man. His broad, deep chest, and unusu;
5 height, looked giant-like as he strobe slowl
r up the aisle His hair was white, his bro
t deeply SCARED with furrows, and around b
o handsome mouth lines of calm and to1chiu
e sadness. His eyes were black and restles
r and kindled as the tavern keeper Uttered
l. low Jest aloud. His lips were compresse
II and a criihson flush went and came over h
n pale cheek. One arm was off above Il
D. right elbow, and there was a wide scar abo
d his eye.
i'll The younger finally arose and stated t
he object Of the meeting and asked if there W
n clergymen present to open it with praye
le Our pastor kept his seat, and the speak
OF himself made short prayer, and then ma
do short address, at the conclusion calling
,r, any one present to make remarks. The p
be tor rose under the gallery, and attacked t
n positions of the speaker, using the argumeI
o. which have often heard since, and conc
nc ded by denouncing those engaged in the n
at movement as meddlesome fanatics, W
eel wished to break up the time-honored, usa,
", of good society, and injure the business
respectable men. At the conclusion of
ur remarks the tavern keeper and his friel
IN got up cheer, and the current of feel
ith was evidently against the strangers and ii
he plan
as While the pastor was speaking the
of man had fixed his dark eye upon him,
le? leaned forward as if to catch every word.
too As the pastor took his seat the old 4
,h. rose, his tai form towering in its symmet
y a and his chest swelling as he inhaled his bre
tho through his dilated nostrils. To me, at
an time, there was something awe-inspiring
of grand in the appearance of the old man,
the he stood with his teeth shut bare, and
ak lence like that of death throughout
ich church.
od- For moment he seemed lost in thouI
we and then, in low and tremulous tone, c
the menced. There was depth In that voic
thrilling pathos and sweetness, which rlv
der every heart in the house before the first
ong riod had been rounded. My fathers at
- ton had become fixed on the eye OF
ory speaker with an interest which had neve1
ans. fore seen him exhibit can but briefly
bear member the substance of what the old
thy said, though the scene is as vivid before
S as any ever witnessed.
lere My frends-I am a stranger IN
em- village, and trust may call you friend
the new star has arisen, and there is hope IN
'ith- dark night which hangs like pail OF q
nave over our country" With thrilling d
" is of voice the speaker locked his h
t of together, and continued: lob, God
: the ! who lookest with compassion upon the
quit erring of earth's children, thank thee
npli- a braZen serpent has been lifted up,