The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-05-15

DEDICATION OF THEIR NEW HALL.

the occasion of pleasant entertainment
last Wednesday evening. 1t is well
known to our readers that THEN MEM
bership has been rapidly increasing Of
late, and their former place of meeting,
the Vestry of the N. E. Church, had
proved inadequate to accommodate
them longer. With commendablej udg-
ment, we think, they have rented hall
in Barnes Block directly over the
TRANSCRIPT office, and with the gener-
Gus aid of the friends of Temperance in
this place have neatly fitted it up for fu-
ture use. Last evening this hall was
saeredly dedicated to the cause Of tenn
perance with appropriate services.
The members of the order in this
place and a delegation from Rising Sun
Lodge Nc. 8, ST. Adams Bay, met at
the vestry Of the NJ. E. Church at g
O'Clock p NJ They there clothed them
selves in the regalia of the order, and
headed by the st. Adams Brigade Band
marched in procession to theirnew hall.
The procession numbered nearly two
hundred and made fine appearance
and created quite sensation. One ell
thusiastie temperance man said it was
the grandest sight ever witnessed in st.
Adams. This part of the programme
was a complete success, and the order
has not lost by its first public appear
ance
Arrived at the hail, the members and
invited friends were all comfortably
seated.
The meeting was called to order by
w A. Cooper, acting vs.. c. T. presiding,
The dedicatory services We're conducted
by Rev. II. X. Cobb, rs d. G. w. c. T.,
assisted by w. A. Cooper, w. c. II. Mrs.
L. r. Brainerd, W. Y. 7. and J. S.
Wright, ". c. The service OF dedica-
ton prescribed in the ritual was duly
performed. This was quite short, and
consisted of opening and closing odes
sung by the lodge, short addresses by
the d. c. w. c. T. and w. Y. T. conse-
Grafton Of the hall by sprin&ling Of
water by the d. G.. W. c. T and reading
in proper order OF the scriptures and
prayer by the w. c. This service was
very appropriate, and during its per-
Torrance, the officers and members sur
rounded the altar, those assisting next
to the altar the other officers in a circle
around them and members in circles
around the officers.
After this service and an entertaining
piece Of music by the Band the speaker
of the evening was introduced, Rev. T.
3. Taylor of Montpelier.
We have only room for a short abstract
of the address:
Inopening hespeaker did notannounce
any formal topic for discussion Hesaid
he was pleased to meet with the friends
of temperance, and it was encouraging
to witness such spectacle after such a
decline in the temperance movement
He predicted that this service and pro-
cession would add at least 100 members
toin. The order this place, and he devout
~ wished that this work might so on
till every man and every woman is saved
from the evils ofintemperance and every
rum-shop closed. He alluded in beauti-
full terms to the proper work Of the or
der He said it was their work to raise
the fallen and prevent The innocent and
virluous from falling
He spoke Of his labor in connection
with the order at the West, and then
spoke Of the objection which some have
to the order because its pledge is for life.
He said if it is good fora day it is good
for lifetime, and the age of Methuselah
would be too short TO devote to this ser
vice.
He next proceeded to speak Of the OPP
position they have to encounter, and
discussed the reasons Of this ut some
length. lst they have a depraved APP
petite to contend with, and in dealing
with those whose craving for strong
drink was almost unsurmontable he ex-
horted his brothers and sisters to speak
kindly to the poor inebriate, but if they
have hard words and hard feelings, re-
serve them for those who sell.
The second source ofopposition is that
it is a monied question. 1t was money
that instigated the "Whislzev Rebel
lion, " but the monied interest involved
here was not a farthing compared with
that involved to-day 1t is reported that
the whislley Rings Of the country have
lately expended 81, 600, 900 and there was
danger that the monied interest would
yet rise and throttle our government.
The speaker thought our nation had
more to fear from intcmperence than it
ever had from slavery. That this evil
and its attendants might prove our
downfall if not checked, and instanced
the examples of Rome & Carthage,
which should serve us warning.
He said it should be their object to en-
list the influential in this work, for
says he when we cut down the oak it
brings the saplings down with it,u but
don't forget the man down there in
the ditch.
In conclusion he spoke of the proper
method of carrying on the work, and
recommended both moral and legal sua-
sion, hoping Vermont would not go back
on its record as Massachusetts had done.
The address was finely illustrated by ap-
propriate anecdotes, and was attentive
ly listened to and the audience well
pleased with the efforts.
After a short intermission during
which the Band discoursed some excel
lent music, w. H. II. McAllister for
the Committee on toasts read the follow
ing sentiments:
st. Adams Lodge No. 33-Inauspi-
cious in its beginning, now Behold how
great a matter little fire kindleth."
The response to this toast was given by
Rev. II. K. Cobb, who gave sketch of
the Lodge, its trials, its discourage
ments, and its success.
Rising Sun Lodge No. S-May it ever
be a rising but never setting sun, dis
pelling the darkness of intemperance as
it goes on its benificient mission.
Responded to by Rev. Mr.. Robinson.
The follow toast was offered by one of