The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-06-18 00:00:00

BROADWiIY.

ass...ea....se-.
BROAD WET TEMPERANCE HALL AND
WORKING MEN'S READING ROGNI.
Whit Monday was chosen by the promoters of this
Institution for the layinc of the corner stones of ihe
building now in course of erection on the kn to. The
weather in atriking contrast to that of the proximo
"a following days was beautifully fine, but counter
atuaajons of owns militated ageing any large
attendauos However, the proceedings were &complete
success.
Mr. Jackson, of Weymouth, is the architect of the
building, which is to serve fur various Purposes, and
from the plans we may judge that it will be one that
will be • credit to its dmigner.
Service at the church commenced the order of the
day, conducted by the Rector and the Rev. James
Fox, of Weymouth, preached one of his usual power-
ful sermons, Mies Dennis presiding with her well
known ability at the organ.
Upon this followed • luncheon in • field placed at
the disposal of the committee by Mr. Gale. To this
about 50 sat deem, the rector taking the chair. In the
course -if the s Iter-proceedings the rev, gentleman
delivered the fo lowing address :
, To those wit,, were ignorant of the purpose they
had in view it. might be well to state he object
for which they were met was to set forward the cause
of temperance. They knew intemperance was the
calm, of the go ..ter part of pauperism and crime, and
medical men told them of insanity, which was now so
much on the Ii inane. Ha own exoertenn was that
inemperance was the cause of the great part of the
misery in the !fames of the per, and they need not go
very far from this place, in their own village, to findlt. effects. Ti ere they see children and education
neglected—child ren growing up like wild animals instead
of human beings, homed miserable, husband and wife
always quarrelling, and anything but what they ought to '
to. What was 43 11011 done to stop thief That was where
the difference of opinion came in. Some thought the
only remedy was total abstinence from alcoholic drinks.
Many persons had come to that conclusion after
much careful thought, whilst others believed that
was not absolutely necessary. They were all, how-
ever, agreed it would be a goal thing for gfutland if
everybody became total abstainers, as then there would
been end to all the vice :ma misery which could be traced
so the use of alcohol. With regspl to the temperance
ball which they were about to build, he might say they
wished to make it both a temperance ball and a reading-
room, where they could inculcate the principles they
believed in as to total abstinence, and to furnish a place
for entertainment and instruction in the reading-room.
Hoe of the great hindrances in the way of the poor
hemming abstainers was because the state of their homes
drove them out of doors in the evening, and the cones-
<plena was they found numbers of young men I mtUtine
about not knowing what to do. These must go some
where for social intercourse and amusement, and because
they °paid not get this at their own bonne they went to
publichousge, where they could find companionship and
interest each other. If they went there for social com-
panionship they must drink because no publican would
care to hays his room, filled with people who were
abetainers, and the end of it was at night they left the
publichouse quarrelsome, using indecent language, and
exhibiting anything but that they belonged to •
civilised religious community. What was now wanted
was to over counter attractions to such men, where they
might so to a place and enjoy social intercoune without
Incurring any of the evils which arose from drink, and it
was thought by adding • reading-room to the temperance
balk supplied with books, magazine., and itewel•liere, if
plansi under proper management, it might be the means
of doing • great deal of good. No doubt this work would
take time before it was found to answer, but a similar
thine had been started in most towns, and had been found
to be of great benefit to the community. There wore not
many villages of the size of Broadway, however, which
bad started a temperance hall and reading.noni, so this
showed it was in advance of the age. They would have
opposition and difficulty to ointend with, and they might
be sure it would be some time before they would convince
young men assembling at • temperance hall and n fading-
room was • rational way of spending an evening It was
for this purpose the proposed building was to be erected.
Ile 11•114 aorry the trustees hod started on this work with-
out quite geeing the end—how and where the funds were
to come from. At ennent it was rather misty and cloudy
how the thing was to be accomplished, but he hoped they
would see more light thrown upon it that day, and Pnrsens
who had not yet subscribed would do so, in order to receive
the trustees from anxiety. Perhaps it would be well to
say why it was no few of the leading men In the neigh-
bourhood seemed to take part in this work. At the time
this temperance hall was advocated it fell into the hands
of a certain few, and was not much taken up by thaw
pen ins who had opm..y and influence. The consequeace
was the work was left in the bands of a few enthusiastic
and energetic men, who were not to be daunted by the
fact of their not being supported by inflience and wealth,
and therefore lanan to work without them. He applauded
them most heartily for having carried on their work in
spite of oppoaition. He hoped the time bad now come
when public opinion was changed in this repact, and he
WY ead to see one of the most influential men present to
support it, and hoped others would do the same. He was
quite sure they were able to finish the work they had
taken in hand if they would hut all put their shoulders to
the wheel. There was plenty of money in Broad wey. It
1 was but to show people it was their duty to support this
movement, and he we, sure when they saw that they
would not shrink_froin_it. .

Me Cowrie, of Poole, having advocated the canoe,
Mr. Jong OTT= read letters of apology from the
Rev. G. Penny, of Abbotshury, and the Rev. E.
Belton, of Gloucester-street Chapel, Weymotith, and
gave • short et element of their funds, to the effect that
they were C2OO behind the sum they required, Thank.
in' Mr. Fox for his sermon, he proposed to have it
printed at his own expense to sell for the cause.
The Rev. J. S. BUICHIM seconded the vote, which
was cordially passed.
The Rev. J. Fox suitably replied, and an adjourn-
ment was then ma is to the building, where the
ceremony of the day was to take place.
Prayer having been offered up.i
The first of the c trner stones was laid by Mrs.
Colonel Bingham, after whom followed Mi.. Ode, a
true friend to the psrith, Mr Curti., of Poole. a staunch
teetotaller, and Mr. Watkinson, of Bradford. At the
oonclitdon ot this ceremony which was "well and
truly" performed by the several masonic-mats:um the
children who had given all their energies to the work
by collectint eubectiotions, came forward sod placed
the results of their eft tte upon ono 4 the stones.
Mr. G.ta then read the following document :
Tee contonts of the bottle placed in a cavity underneath
Milo corner stone was as folio.. :—A 'mall coin of the
ream w.th Ineel papernvir The Weymouth. Portland. and
Dorchester Faeroes, and the Seuthern TIM... as) also the
full wing docuioents:—This building is erected by public
money, voluoterily subscribed, for the purpose of sdvanc-
log the cause of temperance and affording facilities for
young men and others to read and improve their minas.
The land nes purchased 011 the 30th day of October, 1671
of lile John Spicer, and c meowed upon tru-t on behalf of
the public to the following trustees—John Otter, inn.,
Alfred Morris, George Tewkesbury. Frederick Snook, John
Oundry, an I Charles Spicer (of Broadsmi), Eli Symonds
(of Beckland Ripere), and John Morris (of Maiden Hela-
ine, in the county of Do-net). The four corner stones were
kald on Whit-Monday, June 10, In the year of our Lord
18111, and in the 41st year of the Rehm of Victoria, Queen
el Great Britain end Ireland, by C done' Bingham.
of Dereheuter ; Miss Gabs the Manor HOU•s3, Broadway;
Mr. Georg* Curtis, of Poole end Mr. Thomas Wittkinson
of Bradford, Yorkshire, the following minister. an
gentlemen taking Part in the ceremony—The Rev. D. &
R. &Mum, rector of the perish: Rev. Jame. Fox, Christ
Church. Weymouth ; Roy. D. S. Botcher, of Upsoir ; ead
Mr. John Gale, Nottington. The architect is Mr. flamed Jackson, of Weymouth •. the builders Messrs. Spicer and
Otter, of Broadway. The following are anions the contd.
buttons to the building fund :—Colonel and Miss Steward,
LII Rev D. B. R. Bahia. £5: Mr. R. N. Howard,
10..; Rev. J. & Litchfield, £2: Rey. F. Fisher, £1
Mrs Stinson £1 13e. 6d. • Mr. D. 11 Norton, .CI Is, ;
and Mts. Gale, LII the late Rev. C. Hesdlend, £5;
Captain Thresher, 1:11; Dr. Pridharn, Ll la.; Mr It. F.
Elliott, Cl: Admiral &Miran. CI Is : Rev. S. Females,
10.; Mr. A. Duncan, .CI Is. • Mr. R. J. Wright. .C 1 Mr.
R. Luckhain,L2: Mrs Tints(Cl; Met Colonel Bingham,
,C 1 Is. : Kr. ~ W. Gale, CI 1.. : Temperance Committee,
C2O ; Good Tempters Lodee. £lO Chriettuse Singers, £1.3;
Church Choir, "By Lecturee"—Dr. J .senh Draw.
£3 17: the bite Rev. E. Headland. £24'. ; Rev. W. flames.
3t. 61.: Rev. D. 8 Botcher. Cl lfit . • Rev. J. Reader.
sun £115.. HI. I and Kiss Stetson, Its 9d.
The Rev. CHAIRMAN then addressed a few words to
the audience, telling them they had met together in
defence of the cause of temperance. The question
was one which must be 100 ed upon from various
points of view, but they must all come to the same
conclusion, that intemperance was one of the most
dreadful curses of the country, that it was sweeping
away all their religious feelings, debasing their
national virtues, and filling their workhouses,
hospitals, and lunatic asylums, and therefore every
one who professed to he not only • Christian but a
human belay, should conscientiously endeavour to do
everything in hie power to stamp nut this wretched
evil. There were three ways from which to look at it.
The first was the common view of humanity. They
knew that never did there happen an accident in a
oriel mine but there were always ready, willing
helpers to go down and rescue life—was there not there-
fore • greater cal upon them to endeavour to
save souls for Eternity? He watt afraid most
of them must feel they had done but little in that
direction, but It was no reason they should not do
more. And now he wished them to show they had
that interest at heart. Another point of view was
that of a sanitary nature. Some sail that medically
It did good, but the result of scientific experience
showed that on the other hand it worked harm, and
that although in some exceptional COMM it might
prove Wolf is good ineelscino, yet that generally it was
a dangerous ona And there was a third light in which
to look at it from, namely • religious light. The great
principle of the Christian religion, was to do unto
others as you would have others do unto you, and
therefore even if we mull use intoxicating drinks
with temperance and they should not effect us, vet it
behoved us to set an example of self-deuial and self-
sacrifice. If we would follow in the footsteps of our
Saviour we must deny ourselves that which might not hurt us, but by abstaining from which we might
impart that same self-control to others.
The Rev, Mr. Fox, of Weymouth, said they were
tnsTbaltril,efiagrehe eill,er:Tledntainthi;tto: difw't:hourerbitctirog:f°au:hietd6rciol:lmhnteareomc: onrssiluitl)set:ttonmsirrantllon.tolciett
in hand and by their lives to show that alcohol was
not neceesary to any individual creature, that it was a
great source of trouble and hinderance to the cause of
Christianity, and one of the most frightful sources of
misery in the world. It was astonishing to him that
among good old sensible Englishmen. no event could be celebrated except 17 pasdng round the bottle If
they went to • wedding it moat be beer. If to a
Funeral, when they committed their dear ones to the
grave in the certain hops of the ressurrection whet was
the practice?—beer, gin, and rum must be distributed amongst the mourners. Should a baby he taken
to a Christening to be dedicated to the Lord
wine mast Kan celebrate the event. Haeleg referred to the number of public-houses in a
nertain street in • neighbouring town, Mr.
Fox continued that he did not wish to run
publicans down., but shwa what were public-banes?
eitl;nieergYri""mr.al, anah/ielialaym°lkl4titesalider ththatew":""rtbolerettet:thdriiust whb:sl:,t*beeGt::;:bern sath
lhdallthatgilisreeena' workman returning from be toil and finding his
household not so bright as perhaps he was afraid it
isit
ouse, Let him ask
to
ithht
ge:::ll.:,...bit°lbet.dook-hekmol;ts,
"Dgrth oyi
that ongthethe that there was an e:lcu"l'partn:tholl.o-mftitthubiltouseholianougin:.sfesis:rtoh6oigt
ehaat
timakehadb.nthplvetineriatobehetatr.dhose :frombilmieaith"kein yoalittap.moak.ungthAtfeillwatclistwhohatlife
had
aarthey had eivoestorbeethneirledthitoty thiekto
thefrabocookehek.
whir/jaw:he/
would have to Ors want of the dayskcd home they
Ind Idlogout Tlio7 did sot want ble heath,

convenience. comfort, or education surely—mid not for
the glory f God, certainly not. For what other
reason then? He felt it was for nothing but to do tb,
work of the Devil. He rejoiced as mach as they
could possibly rejoice in that good work they ma
begun that day. Let him urge upon them to
do all in their power to forward it. Let them Meow
of ving and hiving a pit or a half of beer after a,.
meeting, see if they could not give their money to
advance that canoe. If they were to be blessed l ttt.
land, they must something to stem the torrant or
intoxication. Might God grant them his blaming um,
that work for the sake of themselves and for the ask.
of Him who died on Cavalry. Let thorn not be misled
by the vain talking of some people. whom only object
was to get sr much as they could, and never thiok
about the rain they brought upon others. In ©.
elusion he would only express his trust that in yaer.
to come they might meet again together. sad ig
enabled to thank God for the blamed results of that
quiet and al:ostentatious work in which they b.d
that day joined.
In response to a call from Mr. John Otter atom
were then given for Mrs Bingham, Mies Gale, omi
the gentlemen who had laid the stones.
Mr. Curtis made • few good humoured remark.,sod
said he was one of those fashioned po pis quiad
teetotallers, and had been so for the last 42 Years, aog
now that the shades of evening were falling upon bin
be could aware them that there had never been &my,
thisg better suited to his coustitutim than mug
I abstinence.
Mr. Omit then annotumed, amid much
that Mr. Curtis bad given • cheque for 5 min:l7l'
Watkins 5 guineas and 5 irttinene when the work wit;
completed. Miss Gals £ll is. 6d. as the results of a
bazaar she had held.
On the motion of Mr. Curtis, seconded by the Rave
Mr. Butcher. • cordial vote of thanks was pasted to
the Rev. D. Etankam.
A bazaar followed, superintended by Mr& Benham,
Mies Groves, and re. Symonds, Mir Gals,
indefatigable in her efforts, taking the genera
management. And after this there was • tee, to
which about 200 sat down.

The collectinis and money takings amounted tn
1:84 Os 44—riz, collections at church, £2; at Mies
Gale'. stall, £l5 ; at Mrs. Banham's stall, Li ; refresh.
went stall, £6; and the rest in gifts, money for perm,
and tickets for dinner and tea, besides the moon
collected by the children', card, which was depositna
on the corner stone during the ceremony. After
deducting expenses (£24 16e 10.1) a balance 4
£59 34 64 remained for the benefit of the building
fund.

..........
We most not omit to mention the Tolpnddle Eng.
Band played very creditably at intervals; and Ulu
Mr. George Booditch's daughter accompanied ups.
the harmonium the hymns that were sting at iho
placing of the corner stone.