Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-14

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or appetzing aspect. Five tables, running the
entire length Of the hall, were, to use trite ex-
preston, groaning beneath food, substantial,
wholesome and ornamental. To this repast, pro-
vided by the Ladies' Christian Union and the club,
the "boys" and lady guests gave their individual
attention, sharpened appetites not being able to
"wade through" all the good things provided.
Following the supper the boys of the three
clubs formed procession, and marched through
many of the principal streets, receiving the con-
gratulations Of many who had known them as
drinking men, but were now rejoiced to see them
clothed and in their right mind" Capt. E. F.
Wyman acted as Marshal.
A public meeting was held at Granite Hall in
the eve ning at TX o'clock, but long before the
hour the hall was thoroughly packed, hundreds
even being obliged to 60 away for want of stand
ing room.
President Rogers of the Augusta Club, presided
and welcomed the visitors and the audience.
The scriptures were read and prayer offered by
Rev. MIR. Tilden.
President Rogers said the people in this valley
had met together on many gteat political and fes-
tive occasions, but never before under such hap
py circumstances as tonight. We can speak Of
redeemed men and happy households. The young
men who are entering the reform army will form
mighty and invncible power. de hoped that
one OF the results of the meeting would be, that
those who have been so long hestating would
come forward and take the places where they be-
long
Rev. Mr.. LeLacheur, President of the Halo
well Club, was introduced, and said he was proud
to be the President OF such an organization, and
proceeded to produce his credentials to member
ship in the iron clad which he fairly earned when
quite boy. Every christian man is unworthy the
name who is not interested in the reform move
ment. The Hallowel club extend hearty thanks
to their Augusta brethren and sisters for their
kind entertainment and hearty reception. He
thought that God is in the movement; it origina-
ted in and has its support in prayer sthe grand
est uprising witnessed in the world. 1t once
required courage to take public position in be-
half of temperance; now the popular tide is turning
| all that way. He wanted the rumsellers looked
after most thoroughly. While we put the arms
| of sympathy around the drinking man, he would
use harsher means towards the rumseller. The
Haowell club is backed by the intelligence, re-
fnement and wealth of the city.
David Potter, President of the Gardiner club,
was happy to be present, and brought to mind
other occasions when he had visited the Reform
club OF Augusta He was abundanty qualified for
membership in the iron-clad club, he could assure
all his friends. Four years ago he had signed the
pledge, and he had kept it. God had helped him
and sustained him, though his appetite for drink
had continued. Recently the club in Gardiner
has been making good progress, additions being
made to the pledge. He believed in strict meas
| ures against the rnmseer, and doing away with
the rumshops. He loved to work in the cause,
and to encourage those who were struggling to
leave Off drinking.
| Rev. Mr. Harding. Chaplain of the Hallowell
club was happy to be identified with the move
| ment, and was very much interested in the work.
He had witnessed many temperance movements,
but none so wide spread and thorough as this.
| 1t was simply remarkable, and enlisted the SYM
pathies of christian men. Were the Saviour on
earth he would be interested in it. The christian
church has been too long engaged in theology and
the building up of denominational interests and
lacked in that deep and broad humanity illustra-
ted by the Saviour of mankind. He predicted
that this would be permanent movement, because
God is in 1t. There are two obstacles to be met in
carrying it out-the weakness and the wickedness
of mankind; for the former he would commend
kindness, for the latter, law.
Jos. Dill of the Gardiner club, believed that all
reformers had something to do. 1t was something
unusual to be in Augusta sober man. He re-
membered being here at fremen's muster, when
he couldn't tell hand engine from steamer
they looked ali alike. He rejoiced that now he
was free. The faces before HIM expressed SYM
PATTY and helptulness the very sight helped him.
From moderate drinker, he had descended to
the gutter, the usual course of such, and had got
to be town nuisance. While in jail. he had
made up hi. mind to sign the pledge, and be had
kept it. lie took comfort in trying to raise up q
fellow creature.
Dir. Hathaway of the Hallowell Club, said he
had always taken pleasure in the work, and loved
the cause of temperance; and policy or no policy
he considered it the duty of every man to identify
himself with the work.
Lev Goodwin of the Gardiner Club made an
appeal to those who were in the habit of drinking
TO abandon the whole family, from cider to alco-
hol.
Mr.. Norton Of the Hallowel Club, addressed
few words to moderate drinkers.
Parker Paten of Gardiner said he was but a re-
cent convert, but had been saved by kind word,
and the old ron-clad pledge, from desperate life
| of drunkenness. He thanked God every day, and
prayed to Him for help.
A fine choir Of male singers belonging to the
Augusta Club, irterspersed the speeches. at the
close OF which the pledge was brought out and re-
ceived several signatures. The utmost enthusi-
asm prevailed throughout.
MIR. Rodney l.. Fogg was noticed in the audi
ence, and was called out by DR.. Brickett. Mr..
Fogg responded eloquently
The meeting adjourned at about half-past ten,
and the guests returned home on the Pullman
train, after one of the largest temperance meet
ings ever held in Augusta.
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