Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-14
THE WAVE OF REFORM.
Large and Enthusiastic Temperance Meet.
ing-Ths RefOrmers in Earnest-Thril.
ling Speeches-The Iron Clad Pledge
Formation OF Reform Club.
Touch motifs poisonous to thee;
Taste not-alas, it ruined me!
The unclean thing forever shun,

IDe uucleau tnlnR lOTeNtT suuu,
Or thou, y pilgrim, art undone!
The Auburn Reformcrs of whom such good re-
ports have been made for the past year, have o5syed
the Macedonian cry "Come over and help u.s.. The
meetings held in this city by strong delegation
from that club, commencing Saturday evening and
continuing Yesterday, were large and enthusiastic
and fruitful of results. Bringing their fire with
them, and not waiting for any kndlings from the
dull embers here, these reformed men have awak-
ened hopes and good resolutions that will we'll re-
pay them for all their efforts.
The first meeting was held on Saturday evening
in Meonian Hall, the audience being large. The
following gentlemen. earnest workers in the cause,
were present and took seats upon the platform
c. c. Frost, c. Ii. Taintor, G. d. Barnum, p. B.
Wing, o. Laveriy, c. Mckenzie, H. F. Rice.
Mr.. Taintor introduced the songs oflhe Auburn
Reform Club, and printed sheets were scattered in
the hail. containing some Of the good old fashion,
ed melodies and some aspiring new songs, The
members Of the club and the audience joined in
singing, "The morning light is breaking" Mr..
raintor read portion of the lst chapter Of Luke,
containing the parable Of the Prodi gal son. and Of
fe, ed prayer. lie then said that he and his breth
rem had to the city. not to get up sensation,
10 show them ,elves, 10 make mouey, but to ex-
tend helping hand to those who are held by the
bondage OF drink. One year ago he was in the
city of Lowell, sadly low and powerless to resist
his appetite for drink; going down rapidly to the
pit. lie fell in with clergy men from Lawrence,
who asked him to come to that city, away from
his old associates. and from the temptations o.
the open bar He did so, but one day the devil
came and reasoned with him, assuring him tina,
wine and cider were harmless drinks. Again he
was dsgraced. and he was almost in despair, then
he laid hold Of One that Is mighty to save; and
bringing is will into subsection TO the divine will
he found himself man ruined by sin, but saved
nv The blood Of Christ. One year ago he was u
drunkard but to night he is licensed preacher Of
If the gospel of Christ. He would assure the au
dence that those who were present with him were
not kid-gloved set, but had come to labor with
drinking men. Three hundred and seventy three
men in Auburn had been reclaimed by the Re
form club.
c. c. Frost wa, introduced. He said he had
come not to instruct and edify the intelligent peo
pie Of Augusta, but to reach out the hand to
class of men who are low down. They had come
to talk to such men, also to those who ever drank
glass of rum and to stimulate all TO activity in
the work 1t was with no feeling OF pride that
they make the confession that they had drank; but
they knew how to sympathize with men who are
travelling the road over which they came. No
audience of respectable proportions can be gath
ered but in it may be found many who drink. They
came not simply to reclaim the gutter drunkard,
but ask all men who drink to sign the total abstl-
nence pledge, which is the only safeguard. 10
reach men who drink the most, those who drink
but little must stop He asked the ladies OF the
city to help in saving the most debased drunksrd.
In Auburn, the ladies are the strongest workers; ;
men have stood almost petrlhed when KIND words
have come to them from virtuous and noble women
He CLAIMED that the easiest persons to be reached
are the hardest drinking men in the community
The drunkard needs not to be told Of his great sor-
row and disgrace-tbat he is killing himself with
drink-he knows that already. lie knows that
good people shun him, and won't employ him.
Now we must get down and take the poor man by
the hand and try to save him. He gave athrlng
incident occurring in the city of Bangor, where
drinking signed the pledge, fell repea tedly,
but was saved by the persistent Efforts OF Mia.
Crossman and the noble ladies associated with her.
o. Laverty was the next speaker, and spoke IN
humorous vein. He had been hard ticket,
worse even than the prodi.al son; speaking
was new business TO him, and if he bust
up, the people mustn't laugh. lie had drank
for Is years, and had put hlmsen down as
an habtual drunkard. Worked in Connecticut
shoemaking; the man who employed him Was
rumseller, aud all the woikmen took their pay IN
rum. Hearing of the Maine law, he came to Lew
iston, but on Lisbon street in that city he found
rum. and went speedily back to his old habits, and
for three months he didn't go to bed sober. lie
took the last cent from his wife and spent 1t for
rum. During fit of intoxication he found his
way into hall where the Auburn club was hold
ing meeting; he felt impeied TO sign the pledge.
though he was drunk he did sign 1t, and 1t saved
him. He had always before been against temper
ance, and every temperance organization. lie had
come down here to save man-to save drunk
ard and he was going to do it, and ''dontyou for
get it." The men who have drank are the ones to
save those who drink.
c. Mckenzie thought the day of great temper
ance orators" had passed. He said this movement
of the refurmers adapted 10 the wants OF drink.
ing men, who never could and never can be re-
claimed by the law. lie had been desperate
drinker, but ten months ago he signed the IRON
clad pledge, and had keptit, and in place OF misery
IN his home, there is now gladness and JOY The
club room Of the Auburn reform ers Is an attractive
place, where the drinking Ian Is met as brother.
Out of 800 who had signed the pledge, but q had
fallen, and these among those who had drank but
lightly.
At the close of these remarks the iron-clad
pledge was presented, pledging among other
things, total abstinence from all intoxicants,
not excepting malt liquors, wine and cider.
There were two pledges, equally binding IN
character, for drinkers 10 sign, and the other,
general pledge for all others to sign, ladies, and
those even who had never drank, thus lending
their moral support and influence to the reforma-
tory work. While the "Reformer's Battle Song,
and Hold the Fort were being sung, several
quite hard drinkers came up and sig ned the pledge,
being cheered as they did so; they were cordially
taken by the hand by the retormers, and honored
with seats upon the platform. There were mani
festations of JOY as every new brand was plucked
from the burning. A large number OF our first
citizens and ladies signed the general pledge.
Mr.. Taintor said he wished to get an expression
of the audience, and asked all those favorable to
the organization Of Reform Club here to arise.
The whole audience arose as one man.
Dir. Brckett said the pledge otfersd to night was
the same old pledge under which the Reform
Club in this city had previously hourshed, but the
cause had been about killed by the introduction of
the SO. called manhood Pledge" and for the past
year the temperance sentiment in town bad been
dead and buried, and rum-shops had toulished.
At the close Of his remarks the doctor signed the
pledge.
I. F. Murphy disagreed with DR.. Brickett that
the temperance sentiment was entirely dead. The
Catholic Temperance Society had been organized
for about a year, were doing good work, which
they meant to continue while life lasts.
After some cheering celebrations from the Re
70, mers and the singing of "Praisc God form
Whom All Blessings Flow" the meeting closed at
about ten o'clock.
THE SUNDAY MEETINGS.
Meonian Hall was filled yesterday afternoon, be-
fore the hour announced for assembling. Sever
al of those who had previously signed the pledge,
took seats upon the platform, where were also the
eight vsi .ors of the Auburn club.
Nearer, my God, to thee" was sung. Mr.. Tain
tor read from the 10th chapter of Luke, beginning
II, XIII tha of w m