Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-02-06
MONDAY. FEBRUaRY 8, 1884.

The Mill Creek Temperance Society held its
srst annual meeting in Gcrardstown January
18th, 1884.
In the absence Of the President and Vice Pre-
s;dent, GEORGE IRELAND was called TO the
chair.
The report of the executive committee was
read by DIR. Coz, the Secretary Of the Society;
and il was, on motion,
Resolved, That the report be accepted, and
copy furnished to each of the editors of the pa
pers printed in Martinsburg, for publication.
An address was made by the Rev. ]. NJ.
BRowN.
The officers of the Society for the last year
we're reelected, and the Society adjourned after
attending to some other business.
E. CoE, Secretary
First annual Report Of the Society, presented and
adopted GtMe annual Meeting.
The executive committee in making this their
first Report acknowledge with regret their re-
missness in the discharge of the duties entrusted
10 them by the Society. Had they used greater
exertion in the promotion of the temperance
cause, this report would, doubtless, have exhi-
bfed more gratifying results They do, howev-
err iatter themselves, that the Society has no
reason to feel discouraged 10 the highly impor-
tant cause in which it has embarked. But, on
the contrary, considering our recent organization,
the success attendant on the efforts already made
ere such, as TO afford much encouragement and
to promise the attainment of much good. Since
the first formation of this Society, eighty sigma
lures have been obtained to the temperance
pledge, and it is confidently expected that many
others will shortly be added.
During the past year, several farmers in this
vicinity have made their first experiment Of con-
Quoting their farming operations without the aid
Of ardent spirits. Papers have been circulated
among the farmers of this neighborhood to some
extent, with a view to ascertain the use they
have this season made Of ardent spirits, in cut
ting their crops Of grass and grain; and also the
inconvenience, if any, which may have been ex-
perienced IN consequence of not furnishing their
laboring hands with that article. Returns have
been received from eighteen farmers, who on an
average have cut upwards of ninety acres of
grain each, besides several acres Of grass. Some
Of these used ardent spirits, and have accompa-
ncd their returns with remarks. Others,
who made use of some, say they are decidedly
in favor Of the temperance cause, and would give
more for hands that entirely abstain from it. ~
general, the quantity consumed has been small,
in comparison of the hands employed and the
work accomplished. One man used one gallon
only in cutting one hundred acres Of grain and
eighty acres Of grass. And in no instance has
any one in the least advocated the use of ardent
spirits, but il seems TO be continued in compii-
ance with long established custom, and rather
from the belief that the hands would be the bet
ter satisfied, than from snpposition that 1t
would either add to their comfort or their ability
to labor of the eighteen who have made re-
turns, eleven have used no ardent spirits, nor
any substitute, except that in two instances an
extra allowance was made to the wages OF Id
cents per day All Of these temperance men
who make any remarks accompanying their re-
turns, say they had but little difficulty in pro-
curing hands, that they performed well without
dissatisfaction or complaint of weakness or dcbi-
lty. And they concur, without exception, IN
feeling gratifed in the result Of their temperance
experiment.
In view Of these facts, and from personal OBJ
servaton, your committee feel justified in the
assertion, that farmers, generally, in the neigh
borhood are beginning to feel sensible Of the in
utility Ito say the leas) of ardent spirits, In
conducting their farming operations. And that
the more frequently the cause of temperance, is
brought before them, and the more they are led
TO reflect on the subject the sooner will they be
induced to unite in the temperance REFORM
Therefore, in conclusion, would we say to the
society, persevere in your laudable efforts; the
OBJECT you have in view is noble one, and the
means'of accomplishing much good under the
blessing OF God, is within your power.