The daily gazette., 1877-09-24
FIRST EDITION!
TEMPERANCE AT MlODLeTowN

VISIT OF THE WILMINGTON REFoRMERs
IA LARGE Observation-Disclosures BY
MEssRs. MOORE, MCINTYRE, HARGIs
AND butcher. -
Recently the good people of Middle
Town commenced temperance reform
movement, and by industrious labor
soon secured over 400 signers, and pre-
pared pleasant reading room over Ad-
kisson's drug store, where those who
were trying to reform might find pleasant
recreation and freedom from their great
temptation.
Meetings were held in the Town Hall
each Sabbath afternoon, and last week
an invitation was extended to George
butcher and his co-workers in the tenn
perance cause in Wilmington to come
down and help on the good work.
In response to this invitation Messrs.
George butcher, John Fl. Moore, FL. b.
McIntire, e. B. Frazer, James Hargis,
VIM. 81. Quinn and VIM. Stokeley, all
members of the Moral Suasion Reform
Association, drove down to Middletown
yesterday to do their part towards help
ing on the temperance work in this State.
After delightful drive through the
finest farming section of the State which
Bro. butcher thought far superior in
richness and general fertility to any coun-
try he had travelled through, Middletown
was reached, and the visitors were taken
in charge and Hospitality entertained by
the good brethren who conduct the tenn
perance work.
At $3.50 O'Clock the meeting opened in
the spacious auditorium If the Town
Hall, with every bench crowded and all
the available standing room occupied =.
Rev. T. X. Martindale, pastor of the NJ .
E. Church, and formerly of this city, pre-
sided, while several prominent citizens
sat with the visitors on the rostrum,
among whom were his Excellency Gov.
Cochran, and Rev. John Patton, d. d,
pastor Of the Forest Presbyterian Church.
The meeting opened with the usual res
ligious services, after which John II.
Moore, of Wilmington, president of the
Moral Suasion Reform Association, was
introduced. He responded in short,
practical speech, in which he briefly al
luded to the evils that unerringly follow
in the track Of intemperance. and TO the
benefits which are to be derived from a
life of sobrietv. His earnest advice was
for all to let liquor severely alone and
help on the temperance cause.
] Ii. b. McIntire, of Wilmington, was
| the next speaker. He alluded to the an
cient search for the philosophers stone
which resulted in the discovery Of alco-
hol, and then briefly referred to the evi
results which have followed this baneful
discovery. He said no man could hell
being benefited by signing the pledge
and hoped every man and woman present
would see the force and truth of his re
marks. -ts-tl .7..-g r-L.4
James Hargis was then introduced and
responded with a rattling speech in
which he handled the great enemy in
temperance without fear or favor. Among
twelve other points he claimed that it re
Quired men to make .the business o.
the liquor seller respectable, by signing
his application for license. Take away
this "respectable" prop, and the business
has not the slightest vestige of respecta
bility to stand upon. .
George M. butcher was the last speak
er, and for over an hour he held tn
audience spsll-bound by his resistless elo
, quence. He appeared to be fairly in
spired with fervOr in the good cause, anc
: the result was O matchless effort, whicl
surpassed any effort of his Ghappies
, moods heretofore. Tears of sorrow dim
I med the eyes of his hearers as he related
: the cause of his childhood's suffering ant
/, manhood 8 degradation and asi he tolC
) in his slmple, affecting way, the story o
: his redemption, and the result of his frs
i. effort to save fallen humanity, the tear
> sorrow gave way to drops of sympath.
and Joy, He said ii this country eve
) was ruined it would be through rum, AM
r he also said many other good and inter
esting things, which were so palatabl
and attractive when told in his straight
forward, manly way, that the large audi
ence listened intently to the last WORD
and were really sorry when he came to
d CLOSE. '- 'gn
r AT the conclusion of Mr.. butcher
- speech collection was taken and tn
meeting closed with the doxology. !
number of persons signed the pledge PR
;, vious to leaving the hall.
q The temperance workers of Middl
n town expressed themselves as bein
much encouraged at the result of th
meeting. Their gratitude to their Wi
mington brethren was freely expressed
: while for Mr.. butcher their enthusiasm
is unbeunded. He will doubtless pa
anothar VISIT tn MiddletOWn before lon