The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-07-19 00:00:00

THE PROCESSION.

The grand display of temperance force was, however, re-
served for a splendid procession on Wednesday, or rather
two processions—one of the Church of England society, and
another of the societies generally. It was at first, we under-
stand, contemplated that the former should join the general
procession ; but this it was found impossible to accomplish,
inasmuch as the Church Society had determined to attend
divine service at St. Luke's Church, which compelled them
to leave for their walk at an earlier hour than the arrange-
ments for the general procession admitted.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOCIETY.

This society was the most numerous, and, in their appear-
ance,—flags, banners, and regalia all truly " English,"—we
should say the most imposing ; though sw do not wish to
detract from the display of the other societies. The mem-
bers of the society assembled about eight o'clock in the
morning, in Queen-square, to the number (including youths)
of about 700. They proceeded thence to St. Luke's Church,
where they heard an excellent and most appropriate sermon
by the Rev. Mr. Lawrence, who took his text from the 24th
chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, and the 24th and 25th
verses :—" And after certain days, when Felix came with his
wife Drusilla, which was
.a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and
heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he rea-
soned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,
Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time :
when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."—
Amongst the congregation were many of the female friends
and relatives of the members, as well as many strangers,
friends to the temperance cause.
Before the service the society formed in procession, and
walked through many of the principal streets, with a goodly
display of flags and banners, and accompanied by bands of
music. The van was led by three youths bearing small silk
banners, inscribed with the title of the society. Then came
a handsome flag with the red cross of St. George, two small
royal standards, and two flags bearing the royal arms,—all
fringed with white silk, and the poles of each surmounted
by a gilded crown. Following these a youth bore a hand-
some gilded sceptre, topped by a dove beautifully executed.
Next came a band. The " Clifirch of England Youths'
Total Abstinence Society" followed, preceded by a fine blue
silk banneneo lettered, and fringed with white. The youths
were remarkably neatly dressed, and wore blue and white
rosettes suspended from the neck by white ribbon, also
roses, &c. They carried each a wand surmounted by a
crown. Various other flags and banners followed, some red
and blue, and others red and white, including a number of
national flags. One of the youths bore the Bible on a splen-
did crimson cushion. Another band followed, with large
flags and banners, heading the adult members. These I :oked
remarkably well, and wore favours similar to those of the
youths. Most of them bore long slender staffs or poles, with
a small broad pendant bearing St. George's cross on a white
ground. These gave the whole a very lively and somewhat
martial appearance, reminding the historian of the days of
the crusades. We noticed a tine large flag with a painting
of Moses delivering the Commandments ; also two flags of
Moses smiting the rock to obtain water, very well executed.
Royal standards, British flags, union jacks, &c. predom'-
nated at the close. The procession extended over a length
of street of apparently about a quarter of a mile, and was
hailed at many points by cheering, and waving of handker-
chiefs from windows.
In the evening, about 200 of the members of the sock tf,
and a large number of very respectably-dressed females,
took tea together at Heath-street Chapel. The Rev. Mr.
Joseph presided ; and the rev. chairman, Mr. G. Gleaves,
Mr. M`Fee, of Glasgow, Mr. Shepherd, an old life-guards-
man, who had been at the battle of Waterloo, Mr. Leather-
barrow, and Captain Smith, of the Naval and Military
Orphan Society, addressed the meeting in a series of inter-
esting speeches, in which they expressed their opinion that
the total abstinence principle was the only one which could
be effectual in the reformation of the drunkard. Most of
the speakers, too, dwelt upon the necessity of total absti-
nence societies being connected with religion, and advocated
the propriety of their separation from those bodies who are
content merely to enforce total abstinence, without any
reference to religion. They thought that, to be complete,
the reformation must be founded upon a Christian conviction
of the iniquity of drunkenness ; and they therefore opened
and closed all their meetings (as was done on the present
occasion) by an act of prayer and praise, or by reading a
portion of the word of God. The rev. chairman mentioned
that the teetotallers of Liverpool now amounted to fifty
thousand. The party broke up about eleven o'clock,
seemingly highly delighted with the evening's entertain-
ment.