Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-05-25
Reform Meeting at Buckfeid.


twenty three visited that pleasant village
on Thursday evening, and held reform
meeting in the Baptist church.
The boys chartered the Uncle Sam,
from Mr.. Rawson which carries witt
comfort, thirty passengers, and started
from the square in this village at
O'Clock, p. M. The weather was delight
ful. the reads in good condition. anC
with team OF six horses. and merry
company o: sober men. the ride Of thir
teen miles was certainly pleasant one
Mr.. Canon, leader Of the Mechanic Fall:
band. was one OF the party, and with hi:
cornet tor accompaniment the Relormcr:
made the hills and valleys OF this section
echo again and again the music OF the
club hymns
The party arrived at Warren's hotel a
about + o'clock. where an excellent sup
per awaited them. and which was EN-
phatically done justice to. 4 ride in the
pure, bracing air. sharpened their appe
tites, and the supper was one OF War
ren's best, which is sufficient guarantee
that it was good.
The meeting was called at O'Clock,
and when the boys marched in the house
was about one.lhird full and possessing e
all the elements of an iceberg. The peo
pie seemed 10 look upon them with
dislrust and doubt, and there was such u
cool and distant feeling pervading the
audience that the most sanguine seemed
10 feel that they had struck the wrong
town, or, rather, that there was little
hope OF making any converts to temper
ance out of that assemblase.
The president. Mr.. Warren. arose and
opened the meeting with \ few briei
remarks, stated the object of the mission
and the principles upon which reform Is
based. aud the meeting was formally
commenced by singing the hymn
"Shall We Gather at the River" which
was followed by prayer by Mr.. Crock
EFT, and reading the parable OF the
prodigal son. by Mr.. King, when the
hymn Bethany" was sung, after which
the President introduced Mr.. \. z. Will
son, who was followed by Messrs. King
and Clark. The audience at this point
had increased. until nearly every seat in
the church was filed The seating capac-
ity Of the building being about four hun
dred. The President arose and gave an
earnest invitation 10 all who desired 10
sign the pledge 10 come forward and do
so while the "Rslormer BIttle Hy mn
was being sung. Scarcely had The
audience finished the second line, when
the lam was broken and two came tor
ward and put their autographs to the
iron. clad pledge. the first man being Mr.
Wilmington. The effect was electric
and from every section of the house
there seemed 10 be n continued moving
current toward The platform. the ladies
wing with the men in their efforts TO be
first to sign. The boys kept singing
verse after verse. repeating again and
again the chorus. and finally taking up
the Battle Cry, ,"Messrs. King, Clark.
Downes, Warren and Wilson urging
them between The verses TO pass forward.
After the excitement had subsid'
ed. and the audience had again
resumed their seats. Mr.. Daniel
Ward was introduced who made a
characteristic speech. after which the
President announced that forty. eight
names had been subscribed 10 a club
pledge, and hundred or more to the
general pledge. The boys were unable
to restrain their pentup enthusiasm any
longer, and three as hearty cheers and
tiger as ever emanated from human
throats made the church ring to the echo
Such an ovation for the cause wa.
certainly unexpected in Buckaeld, and
the surprise was not confined 10 the
boys by any means. as tue citizens them
selves were unprepared for any such
event.
Just previous to the close Mr.. Warren,
in graceful speech, thanked the people
for the kind hospitality shown the club
and on motion OF Mr.. Atwood vote oi
thanks was rendered the club for coming
in their midst and sowing the seeds o.
Temperance reform.
The meeting closed at little past TO-
and the citizens and members Of the
club congratulated each other on the
success of the meeting.
A delegation of the club will visit
Bucklield again by special invitation, OF
Thursday evening of next week, wher
another meeting will be held, at which
arrangements for permanent organiza
ton OF the "Buckield Reform Club
will be made.
Again victory perches upon the banner
OF temperance reform, again has tht
benefcent result OF sympathetic inhuenc,
been shown. in community. too. which
has been looked upon as hopelessly los
to the cause of temperance, Verify tb'
handwriting on the wall is apparent il
this movement the arm OF the Lore
giveth strength to the right.
The passage home was accomplished
iu safely, the boys reached the square q