The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-09-05
MASS TEMPERANCE MEETING.

The churches of this city, or at least a
number of them, were closed last Sunday
evening, and an opportunity given for church
goers TO hear temperance address by Mr..
Bingham, who is under the patronage of the
Sons of Temperance of this state. To say
that Simmons Hall was filled does not per-
haps give correct account of the gathering
At ten minutes before eight O'Clock. the time
when Mr.. Bingham was announced to begin.
his lecture, every seat was occupied or in de-
mand by scores of people in the entrance to
the hall, and half dozen gentlemen were
engaged in procuring more seats, and max
ing use of every corner where a chair or
bench could be deposited.
At eight O'clock the following gentlemen
appeared on the platform Rev. H. G.
Hitchcock, Rev. E. d. Huntley Rev. G. r
Henderson, Rev. I'll. NJ. Simmons, Judge T.
W. Webster, ard the lecturer, Mr. Bingham.
Rev. Mr.. Hitchcock was on motion of Judge
Webster, made chairman of tie evening.
The Chairman, remarking that it was well to
lmplore the Divine blessing upon every
good word and work, and believing that the
work of that evening was good, called upon
Mr.. Henderson, who opened the meeting
with prayer. The lecturer of the evening
was introduced, and made an address in
which his experiences of forty years as an in
ebriate were related in manner that, if not
eloquent, was instructive. Facts were pre-
Snntn1 er;u yif
ness, carrying to the minds of his hearers the
impression that his narration was wort b
something. There was no attempt at specu-
lation into the causes of drunkenness, and if
any one went expecting to be enlightened so
far as to understand the phenomenon. they
were disappointed. His lecture was simple
one, what Bingham knew of the life of an
inebriate. He said word spoken to him in
love by lady while he was under the influ-
ence of liquor, was the note of alarm that
inspired him with a new idea and put him
up on another track.
He had seen the worst effects of intoxica-
ton, he had been buried away from his kind,
spurned and spit upon by men. But after
all, when light seemed forever gone, little
muscular christianity had been the means Of
discriminating him from the letters of alco-
hol. Some people said they felt FOR the IN
fortunate, he felt WITH them. He knew the
fearful condition of his unfortunate brothers,
and the best thing for them was a word spo-
ken in love. This was his work. He visited
the inebriate at his home, his workshop, or
ubn ho ha ~
his heart to beat with those of the fallen.
To lift them up, to teach them how to stand,
this was his work. To help humanity, and
thus serve God.
The lecturer convinced very many in his
audience that muscular christianity was
good thing to have. At the close of his adj
dress 1t was discovered that Rev. Father
Dougherty, who had consented to address
the people, was not present, he having been
unexpectedly called away. The Chairman
said that under the circumstances he would
call on Rev. Mr.. Henderson. The latter
minute speech that enlisted the thought of
the people to the idea of the responsibility
that rested upon each individual. He said
the work could not be delegated to any par
ticular class. That every person should en-
gage in the work. making it an every day
business throughout life. You have minis
tiers among you, and they are expected to do
all this work. It is said to the minister,
"this is your trade, you are paid for it, do it
then" But, said the speaker, we cannot,
and we will not do it alone. It was a bust
ness tor everybody.
After few remarks by Rev. H. NJ. Sim
mons, Rev. E. D. Huntley, Rev. H. c..
Hitchcock and Judge Webster, the meeting
closed by singing "Praise God from whom
all blessings fow.''