Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-03-27
For the Fayetteville Observer.
The Good Templars' Work
BY CORA nALBAcn, MULBERRY


In order TO arrest a great moral
evil and elevate the standard Of
character in orr community, ON
influence and labor are very inn
portant, especially that Of the
Younger members of our order.
! We can, BY sufficient labor,put an
end to the denoralizing sconrge
which has so long invaded and
darkened our land and introduce
such pure and elevated society
that the world has never yet
seen, and by so doing, we may
dispel the gloom and misery
which have hitherto mopopolized
the hearts of many of the wives
and children of our country.
Doubtless, many of us have
same friend, or at least, former
acquaintance, whose hopes were
as bright as ours and whose flu
tme looked as blooming and
promising as our own, who as
his years increased, his appetite
for this dread poison became
uncomfortable. In the bloom of
his youth he wins The heart of
some beautiful young girl who
little dreams of her future desti-
ny. In a few years after we see
her again, the scene is altogether
changed. The bloom has left
her cheek, her eyes no longer
sparkle with that bI'illianey which
once characterized them. Her
pallid brow bespeaks the bitter
ness and woe which have over
Swallowed her once happy life.
All we may well surmise the
cause of this change. How Of
ten has Il warm ana affectionate
heart been chilled through by the
icy touch of Intemperance. How
many bright intellects, how ma
ny men of genius and honor, such
as Addison, Burns, Coleridge and
hundreds Of others have been
shattered by its power.
In view Of the many motives
which should prompt us to ali
stain from intoxicating drinks
and to use cur influence in be-
half of others, let us employ our
time and facilities in suppressing
one of the greatest evils that has
ever infested human society.
Not only does this evil riot a.
mong the ignorant and vicious,
but it has entered with its de-
grading influence into our most
sacred enclosures. Some of the
brightest ornaments which adorn-
ed our churches have been drag
ged down to poverty and degre-
dation by its seductive influence.
1t has visited our public assem-
blies, our capitol and halls CT
Legislation and left its stain up
on our national glory. DIR.
Burns says, "beware of the first
glass and you need not fear the
last" We cannotdoubt the truth
fulness of this saying, for as one
hours sleep by pilot may cause
many to find grave in the
depths of the sea, so one hours
indulgence Of this appetite may
Fblast a life Of happiness. There
fore, let us reflect upon the
crimes and miseries created by
Intemperance and renew our en-
ergies, considering the great res
possibility which devolves upon
us, remembering that;
mot enjoyment and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But TO act, that each tomorrow,
Find us f.rthcr than to-day"
Let the younger members Of
this order remember that the flu
ture destiny of our beloved coun-
ty depends upon our labors and
influence. Whether our coun-
try shall be overwhelmed by this
yoke Of death, or whether we
continue this march of reforma-
ton till every strain OF this vice
be erased, rests eternally with
us. Let US bear in mind, that
those who are instrumental in
turning men from their errors
shall not lose their reward.