Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-01-10

perance, of Dufield's Station, in this county,
on 5lst ult. II was the 25th Anniversary of
| the AOurishiug Order in that growing and
prospecting lOcality:-
MY BRETHREN have assembled to.
| gether this evening, on festive Occasion-an
occasion, US l take it, commemorative of the
organization, principles, aims and objects of
| our brotherhood. Aud have we not reason to
congratulate ourselves ON the results which
| have followed our organic ltion-Ou the many
aud the good results which have fOWu trOm
Its existence, III our community
| IL strikes me, that one very important social
| influence upon ourselves, resulting from our
organization, aud certainly not the least im,
| POrI1nt-Is the kind and friendly relations aud
| symPathies, 1t has fusiered among ourselves :;
aud could no other consequence be pointed to,
| as the effect Ot our meetings aud our labOrs
| We have great reason to rejoice, that they have
not entirely been in vain.
Butt the relations and symPRthics, created
by this influence, be among tie virtues which
We feel bound 10 cultivate, and to carry out,
IN OLr lIie uud conduct, Us proceeding from
! principle, entering Iuto the basis Of our or
ganIzatIon-are We quite sure that we are not
conhHIng II to uIucn naITuwer sphere, than
| was contemplated by that wider scope OF be-
| nevOieuce, and interest III the welfare OF men
around us, that UTIsIuaily led Us 10 iuTm our
! present band Of union! Do we feel fully
| Justified to cOIhue our Influence, aud our ex>
! cTtIOns, to the narrow circle of our own
| brotherhood \ wide aud uucuItivated Geld,
lies before Us, in our own neIgkborhUod -
| There Is no one HmOug Us. whose talents are
too limited, whose means too scanty. Or whose
time Is too much occupied, to perform some
labor ia this ieiG. IL seems strange to me, if
| the question: has not occurred to us,-have We
! nUurIshed aud cherished, TO the extent of our
aOiI'y. Ihosc feelings Oi beuevulcncc aud good
| will towards ali men, which the precepIs of
our organization require Ol usy We cannot
| deny, with truth, that our heritage has been a
goOGIy OEe, Or that the lines have ialien to US.
iu pleasant places Has the gratitude in our
selves, Then, Tor the varied blessings of which
We have been made the recipients manifested
| itself IN external works OF kindness and of
! love for all around Us >!
We are about to partakc Of a collation. Of
: good and palatab!e things. this evening
( broiherIy feelings, social enjnymeurs, aud
kindly aud friendly conversation. connect
themselves with our tcasi-sU that In the
: strength aud exubcraIce Of our pleasure, md
| In the enjoyment II our rights we may fee!
/ and declare, that no one has a RI ht to mo,
lest u-, or to make aiTaId.' But can We
! with sincerity, thank God tor these and all
! Ills other blessings, If in "A spirit of selfish
! ness' IN tie MIDST Ot our own en- jnyu!cBtS, We
! forget aud neglect tlc wants OF Ihuse more un-
fortunate than ourselves Z" Alas! fear that
1t Is rare that our sympa'hics are awakened,
| as they should be, Ior tie poor who reside
near Us, aud daily pass our own dwellings !
! How indifferent ATE we To their condition
how perfectly regardless of their wants. I'm.
! less their sutiorlngs and privatiOns are forced
| upon our notice, We dream not OF their ex-
! lStencc We read OF misery iu towns aud
villages lar femOre. aud wonder that il could
he allowed TO Cx st; we even venture TO pass
| strong ccnsure on those who failed to relieve
! II, aud think, "suIc ) they must have known
oi ITS PresGncc, and, yet perhaps, in the low
aud uncomfortable habitaIions, not far from
| our own dwellings, are some suffering almost
! TO the rx'en; ui human misery and endurance,
aud we know It not. While sympathizing
with the far. oil distress, we forget that want
! aud suffering nre all around us. At this in>
element season of the year, do not these
thoughts, my brethren, present themselves
naturally and seriously, and with great force,
! to our consideration
1t seems to me further, brethren, that the
! present would not be an altogether unsuitable
| occasion, on which to submit ourselves TO a
slight examination, to what we have done.
du'ing the year which is so rapidly approach.
| ing to close, IN the way of positive, active
/ work, 'or the great cause which mainly led to
| the formation OF our order. Is il sufficient
answer To our conscience, that the example
! set, IN our own persons, to those around US,
has been thoroughly consistent with our pro,
IessI"ns! That no change Contrary to the
] pledges We have made. or the principles we
| have advocated, can be brought against Us ?
! Shall we say that We have become discour.
/ aged, because those who we're formerly with
Us. preferred to go out from amongst us-and
TO return voluntarily again TO the filth of the
cess pool. out OF which We had rescued them
! probably gTieving now
''O'er a wasted life:
Sins committed while conscience allen,
PrOnises made, but never kept
/ Alas my brethren. it seeuls 10 me. that this
should only be more powerful incentive Ia
u, To gird up our loins with renewed yi,,or
aud strength, TO battle with the giant vice that
Is scattering waste aud desolation around us
/ -darkenipg the inrellects, DESTROYING the
souls, aud running the families of those in our
midst. NO one knows the appointed limits of
Gods mercy! Have We a right 10 slacken
our cxertiOus in their behalf, in view of the
principles we profess, aud tie pledges we have
made! Is our band OF brotherhood and of
union, u merely aud purely selfish one p
No: Let US strive, by gentle words, and kind
deeds-by friendly circumstances, on all con.
celvubly suitable occasions. tO win them back
to their frst love! Above all, let Us
''IhinE XII dly Of the errinr,
We know not of the power
18th which the dark tenn ptatiou came
In sone unguaFdcd hour
Furthermore, brethren, may We not also
select suitable and proper occasions. on which