Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-03-25

people of Mortified do not propose to be
behind their neighbors in interest in the
cause of Temperance. For some weeks
there has been Il growing feeling among
leading men, that something should be
done to unite temperance men and women
in effort, and to develop a higher tone of
public sentiment on this great subject.
Accordingly meeting was appointed at
the Vestry OF the NJ. E. Church, Sabbath
evening last. at five o'clock. Beyond the
expectations of the most ardent friends Of
the movement, at the appointed hour the
vestry was crowded No one could have
looked upon the audience without feeling
that there was a deep interest in the sub
iect, and that it had not assembled merely
for the entertainment of an hour.
Hon. j. II. circuit presided, and called
upon Rev. y. Hitchcock to open the meet
ing with prayer.
Hon. lleman Carpenter WAS the first
speaker. After explaining the way in
which the meeting came to be called. and
the plan of its originators, he said he
would speak briefly of the pccuniary side
of the subject of temperance, and leave
the moral and spiritual side for the clergy
men to present. Like Yankee he would
ask. What does it costa" In reply he
gave the statistics, showing the amount of
money annually invested in liquor in the
United States, and the waste it caused in
pauperism, insanity and crime. Nothouoht-
full person could fail of being startled by
the array Of facts thus presented.
Rev. Nh Hazen was Introduced It's the
next speaker, who, after expressing his
deep interest in the movement, said that
he was glad to give the time allotted TO
him to Rev. II. y. Spencer of Montpelier
who was present, being ON an exchange
with Rev Mr.. Pufltr.
Mr. Spencer spoke of his interest in the
temperance revival, and expressed a be
lief that we have seen only the beginning
of it. Such revival is to sweep through
messed. He thanked the Lord for financial
crises, for us that of u was followed by II
very general revival of religion, 50 that OF
70 is followed by a more extensive revival,
in the very midst of which we now are.
The great mistake friends of temperance
have hitherto made, has been in separating
it from religion. Law is good, but it should
be backed up by more of religious effort.
One encouraging feature of the present
movement is the religious People are
relying upon God calling upon Him i'll
earnest. for help. He eNhorted the people
to throw themselves, heart and soul into
the work-to adopt some definite line OF
action. that which under the circumstances
seemed best adapted to their wants, ana
then press forward to victory What has
already been done shows that the ladies
should have a large share in the work. ana
in some departments of it, take the lead.
Rev. Mr. Greene spoke of the feeling he
had that the churches We're not doing
what they should. and of the pleasure with
which he welcomed this movement. He
then dwelt upon the idea that, rs temper
ance means something more than simply
retaining from the use of intoxicating
liquors, 50 intemperance means more than
simply drinking moderately OF even L
excess.
Rev. Mr.. Eastman WAS the last speaker
He reioiced in the religious aspect of the
movement: Il. the Lord thy God. am
Jealous God His glory He would no
gi We to another lie should he recognized
and His help implorcl in every attempt a
reform; it mast he. to insure a permancn
reform. Abiding To Judge Carpenter
question. What does it cost3 he said N
would also, like Yankee, ask a question
" How much will You give to have thi
curse removed? d" How much of praye
and effort" He appealed directly to tn
ladies' - Ladies', how much will You give
VIII You rive your prayers, time, effort?
The very general feeling was, we vii
give anything necessary, even ourselves. {
the work.
The exercises of the meeting We're inter
sperscd with music by the choir of til
Good TemplarS.
Another meeting i To be held ut tn
NeStrv of the Congregational Church. mex
Sabbath afternoon.