Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-16
The Augusta Reform Club.

The meeting of this club for organization,
on Thursday evening, was indeed auspicious.
Meonan Hall was literally packed, every
seat being filled and the standing room all &C.
cupied. a special train came up from Gar
diner, bringing the Gardiner Band and a large
delegation from the Reform Club in that city,
who had kindly come up to assist their Au-
gusta brethren in the good work in which
they proposed to engage. Their services and
kindly visit were gratefully acknowledged.
The fine music of the band was sandwiched
in most admirably between the remarks, and
we need not say added much to the enjoyment
of the occasion.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Martin.
The Club was organized by the election of
Capt. L. +. Wyman President, and DIR.
Geo. L. Brickett Secretary.
Capt. Wyman thanked the club for the
honor conferred, and said that the work of
the club was one of great Importance. He
hardly dared to hope for so large an attendance
on the first meeting. 1t shows that the old
fashioned Washingtonian movement is be-
coming popular. He trusted that all were
present, not for curiosity but in earnest SYM
pathy for the cause, and to render all assist
ance in their power Speaking for himself
and his associates, he assured his friends of
their sincerity. Time will prove this sincer-
ty. Be careful and not throw obstacles in
the way. Their track had been marked out,
and they were determined by the help of
God to follow in it.
j. X. Osgood, Esq, President of the Gar
diner Reform Club, was introduced. lie
said no one must expect a flowery speech
from him. They did not deal in that article
in the organization at Gardiner. We stick to
the facts that are stranger than fiction. Nine
weeks ago we organized temperance reform
club-started by two or three persons who
had been hard drinkers called meeting and
invited all who drank to come in and hear
what rum had done for them. 1t gladdened
our hearts to see them come, and tonight $50
are enlisted. His experience in rum drink
ing dated back beyond the rebellion. In 1860,
from moderate use of liquor, he began to
drink more and more from the drinking of
beer and cider and ale, the habit grew until
the strongest drinks were demanded and the
last ten years of his life had been sad and
bitter ones indeed. Tears of sorrow do not
now course down the check of wife and
daughter; but they are dried up, and in their
place are tears of JOY that husband and father
now stands before the world a sober man. No
man is sunk so low that his case is hopeless.
All but about twenty in our club have had
bitter personal experience in drinking, and
have suffered more or less from the effects of
intemperance. Fears may be entertained
that some may fall; but only four such cases
have occurred, and two of these have returned
again to the fold. He related further his per-
sonal experience, and felt that the sustaining
power of God will be-given to all who honest
ly engage in the work.
Capt. Sturtevant of Portland was called
upon. He was glad to be here, and rejoiced
in the work that was being accomplished in
Gardiner. This movement looks mysterious,
and carried his mind back to eighteen hun
dred years ago, when voice was heard cry
ing in the wilderness--when the forerunner
of Christ appeared. This reform seems to be
the forerunner of that day when all shall know
the Lord from the least to the greatest Christ
did not come to save the righteous, but the
lost We are to act in his stead and to do
his work upon the earth among the poor and
unfortunate. This reform will do away with
many salaried officers of the government, by
opening the doors of jails and prisons, and
letting the captives go free. lie related a few
facts in relation to the work of the Allen