Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-13
Bethel Reform cue Annipersary.

Bethel Reform cue 4nnireFSdry'
Another of those popular, moral re-
iormalory institutions which have sprung
up so thickly in this State during the past
eighteen months has just measured the
first year of its existence, aud marked
this period OF usefulness by grand cee-
bration. Bethel club has been one OF the
| largest and most enthusiastic OF the Ok
ford family. and during the time oil It's
existence has not only reformed many
drinkers at home, but. by missionary
work" has brought within It's influence
an army who had homes outslde'ot the
! immediate locality. This club is pecu-
! liarly fortunate in its location, having a
large village, inhabited by al unusually
! intelligent populace in which 10 operate.
Though Bethel has never been dis
tinguished as an Incorporate place. the
club has yet found ample material for
frs,-class iron-clad association, and has
moved through q year. with large de-
gree of success. The first President, 5.
+. Gibson. Esq, is An active member,
and being lawyer. accustomed TO the
use of language, backed by an energetic
disposition, and love for the reform
work, he has done much to place The club
upon It's present footing. Mr.. Haskell
now occupies the position OF presiding
officer. and performs his duties 10 the
satisfaction oil his brother re.ormerS. IL
was q wise thought which led the re-
| formers 10 hold an extraordinary session
on the occasion of their anniversaries.
Such meetings not only awaken renewed
interes. by giving the members new
work TO perform, but by the gathering oil
those from other clubs, new IDEAS are ad-
vanced, aud u new life is impaired which
will not become extinct for many a day.
While thus al Ling the roiorm work,
social spirit is cultivated among our peo-
pie, aud they are bound more closely
together, by an unanimity OF effort, in
the ties OF frieudship-so necessary for
the complete prosperity of any comm m
wealth or community.
Ga Thursday last the reform clubs Of
Oxford County were invited to meet with
the Bethel club, and to celebrate with it
is first anniversary. Every preparation
had been made by the people OF this
town that the affair might be aSuccess-
except that they failed to give explicit
instructions 10 the weather department,
and hence the day was not type Of
that peace which pervaded the commu-
nifty. Ia other words, the day proved TO
DE very slormY-snowy ia the afternoon
and rainy 10 the evening. Sill this did
not prevent large gathering. DixGe.d
club was largely represented, while dele
gates were present from Waterford. Gi.-
cad. Yves, Paris, Paris, BryantS Pond,
Auburn, Mechanic Falls, and other places.
The meetings were held in the Congrc-
gational church. and the building was
crowded at both afternoon and evening
sessions. The exercises were such as
are usual on such occasions. consisting
of speeches and music. Dixield sent
delegation of most intelligent gentlemen
whose ringing addresses and enthusiastic
manners. not only added to the interest
of the occasion, but must have turned
some minds to more serious consider
alton OF the subject. Among The speak
ers from that place were Messrs. Austin.
Eustis. Abbott and clergyman. whose
name we omitted TO record. Mr.. Caleb
Bessey OF Bryant's Pond club. gave the
! rum sellers some hard hits. and told his
method of dealing with them. Water
ford was represented among the speakers
by Messrs. Knight, Mosher and Libbey.
There was so large number of short,
pithy speeches that we cannot find room
to name all the speakers, much less TO
give a synopsis of their remarks.
Music was furnished by Bethel Cornet
Band, q skilful and experienced company
of musicians. Also the church quartet,
consisting of Misses Kimball and Worm
ell, and Messrs. Woodbury. and Barker,
accompanied by Miss Anna Kimball,
organist, added much to the occasion by
singing and leading the congregation 10
familiar temperance hymns. A band OF
little folks sang several charming little
pieces, and Messrs. Grover and Burnham
produced laughing, temperance vocal
duet.
We cannot too strongly praise the hos
pitalitY of Bethel people, nor the good
taste manifested in every arrangement
for the occasion. Those vino were pres.
ent will not soon forget those few
hours Of enjoyment. and the cause of
temperance must have been tided onward
for another years success by this assemb-
ling of workers.
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