Smyrna times., 1874-11-25
mise eII0W eOWS.
For the Smyrna Times" lNO.5.l
A Brief History of the Smyrna Tenn
perance Society from February 1888
to June 1888.

The Committee appointed to report on the |
best means of carrying their Temperance prin.
clples into effect among the cOlOred people, |
was very suitable one. All were members OF
the NJ. +. Church save one, and he was par
ticularly interestedn the welfare of the cOlored
people. Three of this number were not only
class leaders, but local preachers, of established
character in the Church, and ready for every
good work. The whole were well known and
jealous in the cause of Temperance. The
committee thought proper to commence their
Investigations by holding familiar converse
tions on the subject Of Temperance generally
with respectable individuals of this class, as
chance threw in their way. These converse
tlons fully justified the hope entertained by the
committee, that the subject had only to be
suitably aud publicly introduced, in order that
its advantages might be fully seen and APP
preciated. For this object the committee made
public the request that the cOlored people
would meet them in the NJ. E. Church, that
their views might be known ou the subject of
Temperance and Temperance Societies. On
the occasion alluded to the committee had the
| satisfaction to see respectable and orderly
company of more than fifty cOlored persons
who were addressed by a member of this com
| mittee, and another gentleman of exemplary
piety, and staunch advocate Of Temperance.
| At the conclusion of the addresses, all present
| who were willing to register their names IN
support of the Temperance cause were invited
to come forward and suffer them to be entered.
| Your committee had then the qualification to
see twenty-five persons, fourteen males and
eleven females, approach and desire that their
names should be registered Your committee
would suggest the formation OF a cOlOred SO
ciety auxiliary to the Smyrna Temperance
Society," A committee Of five were appointed
to meet with, and aid them in forming dis
tinct organization for themselves. They elec
ted the following white gentlemen for officers
viz: The Rev. +. jefferson, for their Presi
dent; Denny Stevenson, Vice Presidents IS
H. Collins, Secretary, and n. Stockly, Trea
surer The 10Th of May, 1885, was appointed
for their hrst meetng.
A meeting OF the Smyrna Temperance 80
ciety was held on Tuesday evening, the 23'
of February, 1886. 1t was called in Obedienc
to the request of the American Temperate
Society hat simultaneous meetings should b,
held throughout the Con inent on this day
1t is truly gratifying to u lover of good morals
even at this distance from the time OF tn
great Temperance movement, to notice 1t
gradual advancement. Our own history Il
doubt is the counterpart OF Others.
A SO iety being formed in some town G
village, it increased in magnitude until 1t too
in the surrounding country, the county and tn
State. Then there is call from the Amer
can Temperance Society to hold meeting
throughout the Continent on the same day
Its movement at first was like little rll
that moved gently and unobtrusivsly along
but as it passed, other currents flowed into i
till it became like mighty river, swift, powe
full, and impetuous in its course.
October 18th, 1887 OnmOtion, n. Stock
w. Gilbert and j. Millaway were appointed
committee to procure information as to tt
quantity of liquor which may have been We
ded in Smyrna and its vicinity during Il
present year. X.
November 10th, 1874.