Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-29
Temperance Meeting Saturday Evening,

AT the temperance meeting in Meonian
Hall on Saturday evening before the speeches,
it was announced that the Villa & Miner Com
ic Opera and Comedy Troupe, which is to
perform in Granite Hall three evenings, com
mencing Thursday May I'd, had informed the
club that they would give half their net pro
cet DIS for the benefit of the club. The mem
bers voted to accept the same.
1t was also announced that Prof Barbour
of Bangor, would lecture before the club next
Sunday evening at o'clock, in Granite Hall
and it was decided to a hold a general and
business meeting next Thursday evening, in
stead of Saturday.
The president then said that he was sorry
TO say that Mr.. Pillsbury, who had been an
nounced to address the club this evening, was
unable to do so on account of sickness, but
that none need 90 away on that account, for
he could pick up speakers all through the au-
dience, and would have a general love- feast
He was glad to see SO many present, which
showed that the citizens of Augusta were yet
jealous in their devotion to the temperance
cause. He spoke of three new clubs having
been formed in the state since the last meet
ing, at Bangor, Eastport and Machias, and
that the spirit spreading all over the state,
and not only in this state but out Of it.
Rev. +. Martin was then called upon, who
said that he hoped that not only the gentle
men would be admitted to the love-teast, but
that ladies would be invited to take part also.
When the war was going on the cry was for
men and money, but in this warfare the cry
49, work, and work together for the further
advancement of the cause. He next spoke of
the great change in the appearance of men in
our streets since the organization of the re-
form club, previous to which time he could
scarcely go down Water street without see
ing from one to six drunken men, but now he
hardly sees one. But the work of this great
movement was not yet half accomplished, and
to those croakers who cry 1T will soon be
over" he would say that the influence of the
forming Of this club would be felt through
time and eternity. There are vet many
weeping eyes and Borrowing hearts in this
city, but the purpose Of this organization is to
relieve them OF their sorrow, and dry those
weeping eyes. In closing ne directed the at
telition of fathers and mothers to the fact that
they are making their sons drunkards by the
practice of making domestic wine. and allow
ing them to drink it.
Rev. Mr.. Penney then followed with a few
remarks, closing BY saying that he thought
great good could be done if every one OF those
who had been addicted to the use Of intoxicat-
ing drinks and had refomed, could be induced
to come forward and tell their experience and
1eellngs; mucn more gOod coulu De derived
from their talk than from such as he.
Joshua LIS Heath of Belgrade, for many
years resident of this city, an old veteran in
the cause, next took the stand and gave some
incidents of the starting of the old Washing
tonian societies, and the good they had done,
many of the first men of this city owing their
present condition to this movement, they be-
ing drunkards at that time.
Short speeches were made by Mr.. Nye, who
spoke OF the forming of club in Bangor, the
Mayor of that city being the first to sign the
pledge, DIR. Toward, Mr.. Weymouth, Presi-
dent Of the Hallowell Reform Club, Capt
Wyman and Rodney l.. Fogg.
The meeting was enlivened with singing by
select choir.
About/one hundred and seventy-fve signed
the pledge book, making about HIS names
now upon il.