Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-26
Temperatures Meetings.
AFTERNOON.

AFTERNOON.
The temperance meeting, which was announce
for Sunday afternoon, brought togethera throns
which completely filed Granite Hall. The plat
form was occupied by the clergymen Of the city
whose various churches were closed for the after
noon and evening, by the members of the Reform
Club and large choir Of ladies and gentlcHen.
Shortly after . o'clock, Mr.. John Rowe, The
President of the Reform Club, called the meeting
to order. After singing by the choir, Rev. DIR
Quinby read Il selection from the Bible anc
offered prayer.
Mr.. Rowe, after few remarks stating that the
club had long felt the need of such a meeting
called on Mr.. Hobbs, the chairman of the com
mlltee which had arranged the present meeting
Mr.. III. said the reformed boys were hoping thi:
would be the greatest day for temperance Angus
Ia had ever had. The object Of the MEETING wa;
to concentrate and give direction TO public sent
ment, and it rcjoiced them to many there
This was an auspicious time for such gathering
there was a movement of the waters. \ new
temperance organization had been formed. The
speaker then read the agreement which had been
arranged by the druggists of this city, and which
appeared in Saturdays journal. As the reading
finished there was considerable applause. This
the speaker said. was good temperance organz-
alton, and he hoped the members would stick to
it. lie testified to the good the sympathy Of the
cheering words from all IN their behalf. lie
wanted TO see this good and clean city.
Rev. Mr.. Curtis SAID that meeting like this
shows that Augu sta is Oh the side of reform. 1t
was well for public sentiment to uphold the le-
formed men, for they help elevate the tone Of So
ciety. They may be aided by our sympathy. We
should believe they song to keep their pledge,
and aid them by putting temptation out of the
way, TO. now 1t is met every day. We take pride
IN our homes, why not have pride in our larger
home, the city Dunkards know their course is
wicked, but therwill is weak. This week he had
received assurance Of the success of temperance,
and the speaker went on to relate the case which
had encouraged him A young and promising
lawyer bad become Incorporate and fallen. His
wife had plead for years and in vain, but lately he
had reformed and sgrod the iron clad pledge. In
closing he urged all to hope and work.
After singing, Rev. Mr.. Penney was called up
on He said that he must soon 90 to attend to his
labor at the Insane Asylum, and that when he
looked into the faces Of the unfortunate there, he
thought what a large per cent 0 we'd their insanity
directly or indirectly to intemperance. A Church
is a temperance organization, but they were not
credited with the work they are doing. Every
week he preached temperance, and every Church
in the city is ON the side of temperance. The po-
sition of the drunkard is bad. lie is not only in
firm, but he is sinner In addition to the sign
ing of the pledge, the strength Of tod is needed.
We want temperance in our hearts, and should
get an impulse from these meetings These tip
ping shops should be put out of the way. 10
closing, the speaker pledged himself - work in
tAe cause of temperance.
Mr.. Mckinney being introduced said the reiig-
ion of God was dearest to him, and the temperance
cause next. He made some feeling remarks and
plead for the members of the club.
Rev. Mr.. TIlden said he had lately looked deeper
into the lives of Incorporate men, and had seen
more closely the evils Of such a course. lie be-
lieved in being practical, and good results would
follow, If you would come in contact with the
drunkard, and use your influence with him. The
Incorporate man Is sensitive, and needs encour-
agement. Feeling he is an outcast he loses his
self respect and continues to drink. lie should
be kept from bad society, and steady employment
furnished him. The speaker concluded by SAYING
that If we stood should + to lhouider in our sym
pathy the Temperance cause would succe d.
The President thanked the audience for their
presence, and the exercises OF the afternoon closed
with singing.
EVENING.
The evening meeting found the hall as crowded
as in the afternoon. As in the afternoon, ell the
cergymen, with an exception or so, were present
and occupied seats on The platform, Mr.. Rowe pre-
siding the exercises were opened with singing
followed by prayer from Rev. Mr.. Curtis.
Rev. Mr.. Adams was the first speaker, and he
said that there was no need of statistics. The
fact that &c, 900 die annually by reason OF strong
drink does not seem to affect the public mind. lie
would speak of the cost of intemperance to the
diunkard not alone the cost in money, bat in
tears, groans and despair In the first place the
drunkard suffers by the loss of his good name
and this being lost, he is worth hardly anything to
the world. Secondly, he suffers IN regard to his
self respect, and finally in his useiulnoss. There
is point at which man can no longer control
himself, but God can help him. 1t is the duty of
the temperate to meet this question. There arc
plenty 10 take the man after he has reformed, but
to get down in the dust and take him up is our
duty We should continue to lift the fellow up.
The rum seller should be given the sword of law,
but upon the druukard should be bestowed kind
words.
Rev. Mr.. Dearborn being introduced, said lie
questioned if we recognized the grandeur and
magnitude of this undertaking. lie thought we
should not see in our day two greater conflicts
than those with slavery and incompetence. And
yet, these conflicts have not derived their success
from wisdom displayed in making the laws, but
because moral sentiment was aroused. He con-
graduated the women Of Augusta that they have
.ucceeeed when legislation has failed We are al
most too prone to distinguish between rel. zion
and temperance. When we are lifting mp men,
we are doing II In the name of the Lord. Much
as he loved his Church, and would rejoice at its
increase in numbers, be was glad that he loved
humanity more. lie felt convinced that these re-
cent agitations OF the question were filling up the
invisible Church of Christ.
Mr. Nye said he wished TO talk on the legal as
going on thirty years, and the speaker compared
the condition now, when liquor Is sold nowhere III
the State like other commodities with what it was
not many years ago, when II was openly dealt out
in any quantity. These changes have been caused
by law. Tue speaker said the Maine law was a
mild one, and to prove SO compared the law
against pool selling, where the law is very severe,
and the evil to be checked very much less than
that involved in intemperance.
Mrs. Quinby read an appeal for aid to the la
dies of Augusta, in behalf of the Ladies Union.
She also read the pledge of the Union.
Mr.. Robertson occupied few moments in max
ing an earnest speech. He spoke of the obliga-
tons they were under TO the reform boys, and of
the kindness and sympathy due them.
Rev. Mr. Ecob made few interesting remarks.
He said he had been looking up the pedigree OF
the word intemperance, and had found that il
came of bad blood. lie said that the iron clad
pledge was just as strong as the sgner's will, and
no stronger.
After few remarks by Mr.. Henry Haskell, the
exercises closed with singing. The pledge was
circulated and received Few signers.