Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-09-17
Temperance Organizations. .
Icommunicated.1

The necessity of an organization among us
whose motto is entire abstinence from intoxi-
eating liquor is patent. The church. both in
its statute discipline, does not measure IN to
sthe standard required. Its members can both
sell and drink in moderation with impupity.
1t is admitted that converting grace is the
most etfectual prevention and cure of drupken>
ness. But the unfortunate ones who are sub.
ject to the fearful evil, are out of the reach
OF the church. They enter not her portals
nor hear her ministrations. But are thew to
be uncared for! Is no special effort to be
made for their reformation and salvation p
The supreme want that shows itself Just here.
is met by those Temperance Organizations
under the names of Sons and Friends of TEN
perance, whose practice and work is to bring
into their folds those who are seemingly out
side of church appliances, about whom the
touching utteraDce of scripture Is too true
''no man careth for my soul" OF the work.
ing of these societies and their results writer
in recent number of the Gerardstown Times
graphically says:
untold good has been accomplished by
efficient Temperance Societies, organized
throughout the country sIn union there is
STRENGTH and many man who would have
been powerless to break off his Incorporate
habits of himself, has been enabled to triumph
glorlously when connected with some such so-
ciety. No man ever made the sad descent
from sohriety to drunkenness without many
fierce struggles by the way. In his sober
seasons he sees the evil of his course, makes
vows of reformation and fights against his
powerful adversary. But under various cir
cumstances he falls again and again Failure
succeeds failure, and with each one his
strength diminshes-his courage fails. hope
dies, and his insidious enemy binds him still
closer in his iron chains until he loses all
power OF resistance and cease to struggle with
his destroyer. Oh let every man who doubts
his own ability to stand firm amid the temp.
tatlons around him, and who would avoid the
drunkard's life and doom, join at once with
those who appreciate his situation and desire
to assist him. Sons of Temperance, Friends
of Temperance, ye have great, grand aud
glorious work before you. If to restrain
youth from career of shame, and to save
manhood from crime be creditable, that credit
may be yours! If to fan the dying embers
OF Hope into baze-to infuse new strength
and courage into Respondent bosom-to win
an errlng brother back to the sun>lit plains of
sobrlety and peace, be reputable, that repu-
tatlon may be yours If to raise fellow
being from the pollution of the drunkard,
from the wretched ragged and despised con>
dition of an outcast, from the low, grovelling
and depraved condition of brute up to the
high and noble standing Of Man, be houor-
able, that honor may be yours IF to dry
the tears of heart>broken wtc-to hush the
cries of furnishing childrep-to disperse the
dark shadows Of discomfort and penury, of
disgrace and shame, and hearth stone abuse.
with the bright sunlight of prosperity and 10Y.
with the restored presence of husband aud
father, be glorious, that glory may DO yours
Stand firm in your righteous cause. Rally
around the tri-mottoed banner of Glove.
Purity aud Fidelity, aud shoulder to shoulder,
heart to heart, and baud to hand. fight the
great butte OF social order, and of human
freedom from this most dsgustin : aud debas-
lug of all tyrannies."
That we have such an organization estab-
llshed in our town is cause of sincere cons
graduation. 1t is as an oasis in the arid des-
ert-a bright gem in tho cor"nct of our vr-
Tues and blessings. The shadow Of a great
rock in thirsty laud-a home, a citadel. a
tower of strength for the weak and erring.
over whose door ever fnmes the inviting
words, "Gome thou with us, and wo will do
thee good" r.
Charlestown, September 10, 1872.