The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-03-06 00:00:00

SWA/IAG&

Tuns Ingeoegnswrs l—We are *seed to i.e one
of our leading publicans bas been so benevolent as to
retail (reds pork behind the quiet shades of his bar to
his numerous metonyms, at a reduced pricie. This is
quite a new feature in the publicon's business, and
is, we hope, a sign of improvement We do not know
how the butchers like it (we do not mean the meat);
some think it is • draw to help support a declining
trade. But we hope it is not for that for we wish bin
(and others if they will take up some other business)
every ateteelie.
TiltriileSoll MIIITING:—.011 Monday evening a
very successful and crowded meeting was held in the
British Schoolroom, presided over by Mr. Lose, who
said he was plowed to be there as their "captain."
He always liked to see a good crew. He congratulated
the boys on their improving conduct. He said, among
other things, how stupid a man was when in drink.
It is only a short time ago here in Swersage a man had
more than was good for him, and he started in his trap
for Wareham, but when part of the way up the street
he fancied he warn going the wrung way ; he turned
round and came tearing down, and passed the toll-
house, and would have gone out on Slippery Lodge
had the path been wide enough, but instead he drove
up the hill and got his horse jammed iu the wicket'
gate on the summit of Folly Hill. Had it not been
I for the gate they could not tell what would hove
become of that elan, probably he would have gone over
the cliff and killed himself and horse. He (the chairman)
advised all to abstain from all intoliconta, and they
would be on the right side. He spoke of emend dis-
tressing cases such as this, whets the boy could not
own his mother for being, not only a drinker, but a
thief also through the drink, and the finger of worn,
he said, would be away* pointed at him.—After •
hymn,
_bliss Summers cam* forward, and wee heartily
received by the audience. She read a potion of
Scripture, and her address was attentively listened to
and loudly spplanded.—A. few pleasing remarks from
the Chairman, and " Sergeant " Hook gave souse
calculations of the good that could be done with the
money that's spent in drink and tobacco. He said it
woe all " bosh " about not being able to leave it off.
He knew from experience thet it could be done, and
he warn open to make an offer that if • man
would sign the pledge, and if he was any the worse
for it after a m'ath's trial, and should require • doctor
through becoming a total abstainer, he was open—on
receipt of proofs—to pay the expense. A word as to
tobacco. He (the speaker) had used it for upwards of
30 years, but just before Christina. he threw down
the pipe, and had not touched it since. He had not
found any had restate from it. -After a hymn, Mr.
Brown, of Bournemouth, gave • long and earnest
address, referring to asses that had ootile under his
notice, as well ea others. Ile thought if it was not for
moderate drinkers they would soon reach the and, as
be believed it was they that made up the drunkards,
for they are all moderate at first, lie spoke to the
youths, and said how pleaded he was to me them at
Bondi of Hope. When he began ad superintendent of
the Band of Hope at Weymouth be only had 12, but
before he left it, through ill-health, he had 200. He
spoke of the little girl who went up-stairs and prayed
for her drunken father, who heard her, and it was the
means of turning him. He mentioned that to show
what influence • little child tusd.—At the end Mr.
Lose propomd • vote of thanks to Mr. Brown for the
excellent address they had just beard.-31r. Brown
thanked them very mueh for the way they had received
him, but the beet thanks they could give him was to
sign the pledge.
Wednesday last the members
and friends of the Congregational Church availed
themselves of a good tea at • reasonable charge. After
tea, a meeting was held in the British Seim ilroom to
consider the advisability of renovating the school, when
the Rev. T. R. Steer presided. After singing the
hymn " Heil, thou God of Gram and Glory," Mr.
Damon offered prayer. The Chairman, tit hie address,
said they had much to be thankful for. He believed
there was now union amongst them, and that they
were gradually increasing. He gave the amounts
received on Christmas trees, &c. In 1880, the Christ-
mai tree realised about £l5; in 1881, about £2O,
which he thought was very good. They then held a
meeting, and formed • committee to have the sesta,
tr.c., in the chapel altered, and in Month, 1883, they
had a church meeting for the re-election of deacons.
They opened a banking account, which is very mod.
factory, and then, in April last, as a further encourage'
went, he (the Chairman) was ordained. Shortly after
the seats were altered • and now the debt was paid
off. Although they heti much to be thankful for, he
was sorry the Young Men's Clam had to be abolished
for the want of teachers. The prayer meetings on
week day eveaines had to be discontinued, and serviles
held instead. When he come with them, two years
and tour months ego, they lead 63 members on the
books; but, through death and other causes, they had
fallen off to 48, but he hoped in about two or three
weeks to bring them up to 52, which would be only
one lase than when he came. He thee said they had
met that evening to talk over the matter of the remove-
tion and providing new forms for the schoolroom, as it
was used for a number of other meetings, besides the
Sunday meeting. He thought, perhaps, some of them
would not mind subscribing tow-rd. it. At a rough
estimate it would cost £5O, of which they ha I about
£2O in hand. He asked would it be &deniable to get
op an offering for a few months, say for six montle,
or would they like to have • card and collect from
those who could not well spare to give a contribution
at once. He should like to hear what they thought
about it, and whsther they would like it postponed
for • time Opinions were passed, when Mr. Butler
said he should like to proceed with the renovation,

but, perhaps, it would be beet to put it ‘,ll for • short
time, say until Ma__,v and be should very strongly
recommend Mr. 8.. Hardy for the job. Mr. J. White
proposed, and fell in with the risen. of Mr. Butler,
Mr. Boatley aeconded It, which was carried unani.
monody. A suggsstion was then made that it should
be deferred till June Ist, and Mr Hardy proposed,
and Mr. J. White seconded, that it be deferred, which
was carried. A committee of six waa then formed,
with power to add to their numher. Mr. Damon
(Treaaurer) then rose and add he thought all would
like to bear how the account. were standing. He
bad bad to parches, .everal small and useful articles,
the gas meta, bad to be taken out and repaired,
which cost El 14s. 1041., and the quarter's gra. cost
£4 194. 3tl. Re had a few pounds in hand, but he
should want all he could get to clear up his books.
The contributions ha 1 falleo off 1 .tely, but he did not
W lider at that, 11a, pPOple could not work. The meet-
ing then closed with prayer.