Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-06-23
From the Preston Temperance Advocate.

E'O"l Tie Preston temperance Advocate.
Tee ToTALIsM IN ENGLAND.
Speech Of the Rec. John Angel James, of
Birmingham, on presenting the silre7
me:lul to Mr. Licesey.
The Rev. J. A. James, in coming for
ward to present, in the name of the Com
mlttee of the Birmingham Temperance
Society, a Silver Medal to Mr. Livesev,
said-Respected friends, the object of nv
appearing before you this evening, on this
platform is to give you an opportunity of
expressing, with emphasis, the sense YOU
entertain Of the value of those services
which have been rendered by the able
speaker who has occupied so we'll your
attention this evening; and this is to be
done by my presenting to that gentleman,
in the name of the Committee, Silver
Medal loud Cheers) This, Sir, is an
honor which | value, and the recollection
of which | shall long cherish as among
the most precious of the kind with which
my humble history has been attended,
1t is not necessary, | am sure, that |
should here express to you the importance
Of a cause which you so much better un-
derstand than myself; and should feel
that | was disqualified to meet you on
these boards, and address you on this sub
ject, did l not appear before you in the
character Of a Tee-totaller. Immense
Cheermg) Not, Sir, that have actual
ly given written pledge to that effect
not perhaps that | should be prepared now
to enter into the question as to the physic-
al effects of the use of wine on the human
! frame but as Minister of religion |
have thought this a portion of my public
duty, in the hope that my example may
have some weight on those ministrations
which it has ever been my honor and hap
piness to conduct. Enthusiastic Cheer
ing) Some time ago, | was deeply
struck with the force of remark | heard
as left one evening meeting Of the
Temperance Society-an individual with
in my hearing said, as passed away, ut
may be very we'll for gentlemen to pro-
scribe the use of ale to the poor, when
they can go home and regale themselves
with their wine" was affected with the
observation, and determined to try wheth-
er | could not do without the use of all
stimulating drinks whatever | put my
resolution in practice: and for nearly ten
months that | have tried it, [ have found
that good beef and mutton have done me
more good than the best wine | could
drink. (Cheers.) And you see that al
thong h ater-drinker, am not altogeth-
er shadow. (Much Laughter.) lee
totalism has not quite worn me down to
that, nor am | yet quite incapable of exer-
ton; and after SO many months trial, |
feel authorized, in justice to my family
and myself to 60 on and te still Tee
totaIer. loud Cheers) Therefore, as
Minister of Religion addressing Mr.
Livesey) hail you as a coadjuto in the
great cause of reforming the manners and
-, habits ofsociety. Far from thinking this
!, cause sole means of converting sinners
t from the errors of their ways, we deem it
: to be but an auxiliary in the great cause
t Of religious truth; it is intend ed. not 10
I supercede, but to make way for other
means; for if we would fill our meeting
n houses, our churches, and our chapels,
); We must empty the ale-houses and the
d gin shops. loud Applausel The