The Express.
London, England, 1868-12-09 00:00:00

li-ITIONAL TINPELINCS LEAGUE.

A special public meeting of the members and
friends of the Temperance League was held last night at
Exeter-hall. The great hall was crowded, and the plat-
form was occupied by various clergymen and ministers of
different Christian denominations who had entered into a
conference with the league for the purpose of promoting
the temperance cause.

The Cnainstor (Mr. Samuel Bowly) in opening the
proceedings said that this was a cause which wee inti-
mately associated with that of God, and he was perfectly
satisfied that all attempts to improve the moral and
physical condition of the people at large would fail natil
temperance principles were generally adopted end ad-
vocated by Christiaa ministers. l'he drinking cus-
toms of this country were unfortunately still
fashionable, and to this fashion was to be
attributed the prevalence of intoxication which was so
ninth to be deplored. It wee the moderate men who, by
sanctioning this custom, disseminated the evil; because it
was not likely that young pens would be tempted to
sensual indulgence by the example of the drivelling
drunkard. He therefore earnestly implored his bearers to
cast in their lot with the cause of temperance, and he es-
pecially Jed that it would be recognised and promoted
by the world. (Cheers.)
The Yen. Archdeacon Baseman next addressed the
meeting, observing that he was rejoiced to be associated
with the ministers and professors of various reli-
gious communities in promoting temperance. He
thought that the success which bad hitherto attended the
movement was a matter of devout thankfulness'. and
thut its promoters had earned the gratitude of every
minister and member of the Christian church. The cause
came from God, was endued with His Holy Spirit, and
would continue to prosper. (Cheers.) Twenty years ago
be should have considered the prospect of the gathering
of such a body of Christian ministers of all dew:inim-
tion.s as almost utopian. That there was such a gather-
ing was a proof that they were imbued with
their Mager's spirit, and were prepared to ad-
vocate His cause throughout the world. They were
living in an age when the proceedings of Christian um's-
ters were watched with great anxiety, when much was
expected of them both in respect to religious teaching and
the assuaging of human suffering, and he was convinced
that they could in no way mote advance the greet muse
of Christianity than by promoting the operations of this
league. (Applause.)
The lion. and Rev. Barrier NOEL described with great
force the condition of the drunkard, who was like a
beast, for be sacrificed his intellect : like a send when
maddened by drink ; and like • fool when he gave up
every comfort of life for the indulgence of a miserable
lust, There was hardly a single newspaper which did
not teem with the accounts of crimes committed by per-
sons in consequence of their indulgence in drink.
Ile Rev. S. Kw, the president of the Wesleyan
Conference, was the next speaker, but did not address the
meeting in a representative character. He expressed his
cordial sympathy with the noble cause in which the Tem-
perance League were engaged, and his gratification at
the glorious success which it had hitherto achieved.
Speeches in aid of the cause were also delivered by the
Rev. Marmaduke Miller, president of the United Methodist
Free Church Conference ; the Rev. T. P. Oliver, presi-
dent of the Bible Christian Conference; and the Rev. J.
Towers, the moderator of the English Synod of the United
Presbyterian Church.
A cordial vote of thanks was given to the chairman,
and a collection was made in aid of the funds of the
association.