Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-02-10
For the SPECTATOR.
"LOye Thy NeighbOr."

IL Is unQ True CndC every
man, great or small, high or low, rich
or poor, has his influence, and that
each man is responsible to his Maker
as to how he uses that influence. 1t is
equally certain that every organiza-
tion which has for it's object the bet
terment of the moral condition of man
kind does more or less good, and it is
| likewise true that every such organiza-
by every man who has the good of his
| fellowmen at heart. These four prop
ositions can not be controverted.
I'm the beginning" poor, little Eve
had her influence even over strong and
mighty Adam, and she was RESPONSE
BILE, too, for the welding of that infiu-
ence. Of you don't believe it, read her
history) So, also, all along down the
path of time, men and women have
helped to succor and bless, or warp
and destroy, those with whom they
came into contact. Every day these
| truths are exemplified.
| In this city there are various organi-
cations which have for their prime OBJ
ject the uplifting of the weak and
| helpless, and it is unquestionably the
duty of every upright man, and more
especially of those of the greatest in
| f1uence and best moral character, to
join such organizations, that they may
thereby induce their weaker neighbors
to join, thus helping them to become
better citizens and better men.
1t is urged by many men that as they
can easily resist temptation-have the
courage to say mo" and stick to it
have, by careful training and force of
| character, risen above the enticements
which ensnare and ruin others, it is
needless for them to join any such Or
ganization, and that such an act would
be an imputation upon their manhood
and an acknowledged weakness of
their moral power. Such reasoning is
erroneous and absurd, and which un-
questionably has in a great measure
retarded the success of those who are
daily endeavoring to ameliorate the
condition of the less strong and less fort
unate. Few men are superior to their
surroundings; and if they are, so much
the more is it their duty, by their in
fiuence and efforts, to help lift others
to their level.
On the rolls of membership of the
various temperance organizations of
this city are the names of many men
who have been picked up from the
y
benign influences thus thrown around
them, have been enabled to overcome
temptation, taught to love right better
than wrong, and made more fit to live
and better prepared to die. A drunk
en- man is a human swine, but by his
reformation the whole community is
socially and financially benefited. 1t
costs any community far more to care
for its fallen than it does for the up
right; for the moral man is no blight
upon society nor tax to the communi-
ty, while the fallen man is both.
If it were not for a faithful few in
every community who, even in the
face of opposition, and often despite
bitter persecution, take upon them
selves the work of retaining others,
the want and misery and crime which
otherwise would be rampant would
amaze those who have never stopped
to consider how forceful are such socie-
ties in the suppression OF hurtful infiu-
ences and the uplifting of the unfortu-
nate. Imagine, if you can, the horrible
ness that reigns in community where
no organization exists for the develop
ment and culture of that finer nature
implanted in every human breast, and
which in many cases needs only the
consciousness that others care for the
soul to cause it to broaden and bios
som into pure and happy life. 1t is
not infrequent that the most barren
field is made by proper cultivation and
tending to produce the choicest flow
ers. But, on the contrary, when a
man of dissipated habits realizes that
no one regards his cry, no hand is out
stretched to save him, no interest is
taken in his present or future welfare,
he becomes careless and desperate, and
the viciousness of his nature predomi-
mates. His brain aflanie with drink,
his pride stunlg by, neglect, and his SEN
sibilities deadened by sin, he delights
to do that which is low and vile and
ruinous. Such evidences can be daily
seen, and they are but the arousement
of the inbOrn elements of human ma
ture, and not of the victims own MAX
ing.
We verify believe that if every tenn
perale man in this city would but join
some one of the temperance organiza-
| tlons, that act alone would exert such
a wholesome influence and so purify
the moral atmosphere, that vice and
debauchery could not live in our city.
May each one of us be awakened to a
full sense of our duties and response
bilities- that
Heavens gate is shut to him who comes
alone;
Save thou soul and it shall save thy own"
In the scrutiny of character on the
day OF doom, mention is made only of
conduct toward fellow-beings.
We trust that those who may read
this article, who are not members of
| any temperance organization, may be
persuaded to join some one of such Or
| ganizations, and thereby lend help
highland in the noble work of lifting
up the fallen and rescuing the perish
ing.
ITO pity distress is but human to relieve it
| is Godlike."
P. A. Ross.
Now Try This.
1t will cost you nothing and will
/ surely do you good, if you have a
L