The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-04-17 00:00:00

' •,47-7 IF-fik,•_, 171- • '
StOTTEI3EIDeE CHURCH (31' tNGL AND

TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
On raonday evening last, the inaugural meeting
of this socity, which has been only recently formed
in this town, was held in the Corn EXchange. IV.
Roberts, Esq., (of Clent), presided; and there were
also present on the platform the Rev. H. Sherrard,
the Rev. T. Williams, the Rev. T. De Vine (of
Tipton), the Rev. C. Williams (curate), of St.
Thomas's, and A. Freer Esq.,
The Chairman, in opening the proceeding,
explained that the society, which wa.s.a branch of
the Church of England Association wall - really
formed six months ago, though this was the first
public meeting. A little more than six months
since a conference was held at Stourbridge, with
the view of doing something towards diminishing
the prevailing drunkness and the evils arising from
the drinking system. At that conference it was
decided to form a Stourbridge branch of the Church
of England Association. A president was appointed
(himself), and several vice-presidents and a com-
mittee. They had not yet made their voice heard
in the House of Commons, but they hoped to do
so. There were many societies who had endea-
voured to diminish the evil of intemperance, chief
among whom were the United Kingdom Alliance
and the T,- mperance League. For some time the
Church of England did not take up this question,
but some years a convocation, presided over by
the Archbishop of Canterbury, was held at Lambeth
Palace; a series of inquiries were made, and the
opinion of the judges. clergymen, magistrates, and
governors of goals were taken, and it was decided
to form a Church of England Association, so that
the members of the Church should do their part to
remedy the evil of intemperance. In concluding
his address, Mr. Roberts said one of the object's
the society aimed at was the earlier closing of
public-houses on week-days, and. the entire closing
on Sundays.
The Rev. T. Williams, in addressing the meet-
ing, quoted the opinions of the judg, $
as expsesssi at assizes, Mr. Justice Archibald
had stated that two-thirds of the crime brought.
before him could be traced to the use of intoxi-
cating liquors, while the Grand Jury at Leeds the
other day expressed their opinion to Baron Amphlet
that nearly all the crimes of violence on which
they had been called to adjudicate could be traced
to the use of strong drink. The rev, gentleman
concluded by moving a resolution pledging the
meeting to support the association, . which com-
bieed non-abstainers and total abstainers.
The Rev. H. Sherrard, who seconded the resolu-
tion, introduced hitnself as a non-abstainer. He
considered the strength of the society lay in the
union of the abstainers and non-abstainers. Next
to religion he looked to a wholesome education as
the great remedy of drunkenness, ad trusted that
the whole body of the abstainers and non-abstainer
could combine to promote the thorough education
of the masses of the people. Intemperance was
the result of the undue development of man's
animal nature; and it stood to reason that the
more they strengthened his moral nature by edu-
cation the better he would be able to withstand
the temptation. He contended that intemperance
had diminished among the better classes since the
time when our fathers were wont to roll under the
table—(laughter). The reason was that among
the better classes intemperance was felt to be
contemptible, and he wished that the same feel-
ing could be made to exist among the working
classes.
The resolution was put to the meeting, and car-
ried, with only one dissentient.
The Chairman, in putting the resolution,
announced, that a. reading room was established
in connection with the association, and it was
intended to hold a series of lectures there, the
first of which would be delivered the next day by
the late Governor General of New Zealand.
The Rev. T. De Vine moved a resolution in
favour of petitioning Parliament to introduce a
bill to entirely stop the sale of intoxicating liquor
on Sunday, believing that the Sunday traffic
especially is the source of intemperance, immorality,
an, I e rime.
The .Rev. Charles Williams seconded the resolu-
tiod , which was carried. During the evening
seed hymns were sung, and an excellent reading
IvaWa i given by Mr. A. Freer.
Tut) usual vo:es of thanks closed the pracAndo
inv.