The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-08-12
An ADDRESS

= = q - - On SI'S'S
Delivered Before Bethel Lodge.
No. 81. I. y. q. T.. by Rev. }.
VI. NcrriS. July 25tll. 1874.
WORTHY CHEF, BRoTIIEES AND SIS
TEES:
However responsible the duty assign
ed me this evening it is far too grateful
to my feelings to assume the character !
of q task. There is no extravaganza |
in SAVING that the cause we are here
met TO promote is one that honorS It's |
humblcst advocate, and to no class OF
persons could | more cheerfully and
cordially commend its claims than to
the young men of this Lodge. Onr dr'-
tv Is to alleviate the sutferlngs OF the
victims of intcmpermce, to rescue them
from their fallen condition and to per
slaCe others from following the fatal
example, and thus incurrin@ disastrous
ruin, is the glorious mission Of the
tcmucrancc CAUSE Feeling the I'M
portancc Of the great truths which 1t
Processes, and that to it the eyes OF
suffering humanity arc turned for re-
| lief. it stands like some timc-trlcd bca-
con upon the firm. immovtblc rock.
proof to the opposing waves which
dash around lis base, and the biting
blasts of ridicule which burst around
its summit. Shedding its clear and
steady light to the voyagers in liirs
ocean, and warning them of the treach-
erous shoals and destructive rocks of
Alcohol. Blessings innumcrable have
followed the shining light Of temper
ance. Many are the places made glad
with its rays-oncc black with misery:
many are the spots where peace and
happiness and sobrictv dwell-oncc the
abodes of wretchcdncss and vice. 1t
has gladdencd the heart Of the drunk
ard. In gentle accents it has whispered
to the slaves Of intemperance, bowed
down beneath the misery of the wine
cup, debascd by its unhallowed intlll-
ences, perhaps for>aken by their friends,
and their very names an object OF
scorn and lcrision. All IS not lost
Rejoice, for there is yet hope. Make
strong and vigorous effort. Cast of
shackles which have so long bound thee,
and behold! thou art free. And, oh!
WHO can tell how many have thus sha-
ken off the chains of this monster vice
and tramplel their fettcrs in the dust
and risen like men in action, and lived
and died honored and virtuous members
of the community. Yes, poor trcm-
bling, suffering sons Of humanity, 1t
whispers of hope to thee. Yes, it has
spoken peace to the domestic hearth.
| 1t meets the wife, weeping in agony
over the erring steps of the partner OF
her life, who has oft carc-worn listened
with anxious ears for his tottering steps.
1t meets her who should have been the
object of his warmeSt atfcctions-noW
the object Of his drunken wrath, and
stills her distressing cares and calms
her anxious throbbings us it proclalms
in tones vocal with joy, my husband is
redeemed! The partner Of my life is
reclaimed! 1t has spoken JOY to the
parent; it says to him who had formed
for the son Of his love high hopes Of
honorable distinction. and who has seen
these hopes crushed by the blood-shot
eye, the midnight revel, yield not to
despair, your iondest anticipations may
vet be realized. 1t throws its kindly
influences around that son. TeSCucs INN
from his dis@racefnl bondage and re-
stores him to society. My young
brethren. hope you will be able to en-
durc temptation. and that You may not
Weld to the all,rements Of the spark
ling cup, and never bow the knee to
the scarlet robcd monarch. You see III
the community many who are beneath
hisiron sccptrc. You pcrccivethe conse-
uucnccs of that rule to be the disgrace
of many of your fellow-men, and the
embedding of your country. Why 90
they not rise and break asundcr the de-
Structivc bonds? Why do they not re-
nounce all allegiance to the tvrant Al
cohol? But listen while there is Whls-
pcrcd in Your ears that there IS
such thing as example on your part
rs soldiers in the great temperance
cause, for the strife is not yet ended,
nor the contest over. Until intemper-
ance shall have been entirely subdued; /;
until its destructive influences shall
cease to he felt throughout the length
and breadth of the universe; until every
) vestige of its power shall have vanished
from Gods fair earth, and until every
land shall ring with the sounds Of onr
triumph, and every heart made glad
with the joys of the great temperance
reform. There will be new fields to
conquer and new laurels to win. Such.
brethren and sisters, is the cause | ad-
vocate this evening. So press onward
in this noble work, and success will
crown your efforts in this great cause
that you have before you.
Temperance -4d,ocate please copy.
We ALL CONSIDER Iron the embodiment