The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-04-16 00:00:00

SATURDAY, APlllt l6. lBBl

MIDLAND TEMPERANCE LEAGUE.

The twenty-fourth annual meetieg of this League,
with the nttendant conferences and services, were
held at West Bromwich (n the 91h, 10th, and 11th
of April. The proceedings commenced on Saturday
evening with a grand juvenile demonstration in the
Town Hall. About 2,000 .children were present,
and addresses were delivered by the chairman, Mr.
Wm. Ward -(Wet Bromwich), Messrs. J. Phillips
and S. Caddick (Wolverhampton), W. C. Amery.
(Birmingham), and the Rev. T. lord (West Brom-
wich). The spe ches were interspersed with songs,
recitations, and instrumental music, by members of
the different local Binds of Hope.—On Sunday,
between forty and fif, y temperance sermons were
preached in the church( a and chapels of the district
and temperance addresses .were delivered in most of
the Sunday Schoels--On Monday morning a con-
ference 'took place at the Town Hall, under the
' presidency or Mr, I. Parkes (West Bromwich). when
a paper by Rev. J. V. B. Shewsbury (Birmingham),
was read on "The Christian Ministry in relatien to
the Teelperence League," and a discussion followed
in which the Revs. W. Spin geon (Dudley), T. Lord
T. 'Holt (West Bromwich), S. Knell (Birmingham),
and Messrs. S. Caddick (Wolverhampton), J.
Rutherford, W. Bingham, James Whyte (Man-
chester), and others to k part. The committee
were directed to have he paper printed, and to send'
a copy to all the clergymen and ministers residing
within the area of the League's operasions.—The
business meting was held at the same place, ir . he
afternoon, whsn Mr. C. Sturge, J.P., President of
the League took the chair.
Toe report read by the Rev. S. Knell (hon. sec.),
showed good work being accomplished by the
league. C nferences and meetings being held
throughout the counties by a large staff of honorary
speakers and agents. The speakers plan indicated
51 societies served by the league, as against 47 last
year; and in reference to finance, the league, al-
though much hindered in its usefulness from lack of
funds, succeeded in ridding itself from the incubus
of debt which had troubled it. The report was
adopted, and the officers and committee for the en-
suing year appointed, and the following resolution
in reference to legislation carried unanimously.--
"That this meeting urges upon all the members of
the league the importance of prompt and sarnest
action with a view to inducing the legislature to
pass this session the Sunday Closing Bill for Eng-
land and Wales, and to give the people the powers
indicated in Sir Wilfred Ls.wson's resolution thac
was carried last session, also to perfect the Corrupt
Practices Bill, by adopting Mr. Carbutt's proposal
to close public houses during elections."
A great public meeting was held in the evening,
there being over 3000 persons present. Mr. J. 11.
Blades presided, and addresses were delivered by
the Chairman; Rev. Canon Bowlby (Birmingham);
Mr. J. Phillips, Rev, James Yeames (Wolverhamp-
ton) ; Messrs. Jas. Whyte, U.K.A. (Manchester); J.
Rutt;erford, and W. Bingham (Birmingham). The
whole 01 the proceedings were most enthusiastic and
encouraging, arguing much for the progress tem-
perance sentiment appears to be making through-
out the country.