Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-05-04
L HE
The Temperance Meeting


At the City Hall Wednesday evening was, WI
think. the largest yet held on week day
evening. Why the galleries were nos opened
We do not know, for there were enough
standing about the hall to comfortably MI
them. After singing, Rev. Mr.. Brastow
offered prayer, and Rev. Mr.. Stafford was ar
nounced as the first speaker.
One week ago he had called upon Mrs:
Molloy, and, authorized by the prudential
committee of the College Street C0ngrega-
tional church, of which he was pastor,
offered her the use of the church for her
meetin es. The offer was declined. lie had
called upon Mrs. Molloy again, and asked
her what he could do to help the temper
ance cause, and in answer to that questi on
he was here tonight. lie thought his own
personal attitude was in no doubt. lie
referred to the relations which the churches
of the city and their pastors sustained to
tn is temperance reform. There had been
whisperings OF distrust in relation to the
attitude of the ministers to this movement.
A member Of the Reform Club had said that
only one minister in town had Joined the club,
and that the ministers W no did not sympathize
with this reform movement would be crltlclz-
ed. The suspicion, also, had been expressed
that the churches did not come up to the
work as they ought But he was ready to
say, let the good work 90 on. Whoever was
in the way, run over him il necessary. The
minister who would stand in the way of
this reform deserved to be rul over. lie
would say that the minister who did
not sympathzc with such a movement
should be crushed. Did any one think that
the ministers did not care for drunkenness.
which takes the boys from their Sabbath
schools, causes such misery to many of the
women in their church, and even sometimes
robs them OF their members? lie would
have this temperance reform go on whoever
it might ride over. Bat he knew of no
such minister in town as he had described
So far a. he was acquainted. the pastors OF
the churches IN Burlington had done as
much TO reclaim and reform incbriates as
other men and there were earnest women
in the churches in which he was best
acquainted, who had the cause at heart.
and labored and prayed for it, but they
could not ascend the platform and make
speeches, such things should not be asked
OF them. Those who accused the ministers
and churches of Burlington of indifference
on the subject of intemperance, did
not understand the people. Do not
let US waste our energies IN fault
finding or direct them against each other.
Let there be no fighting in the camp. Some
one had said that every temperance move
ment for the past twenty years, IN town,
had been broken up by Discussions among
those engaged in tine work. The speaker re-
ferred to the temperance reform in England
and Scotland, under Cough and Dow, where
the moral suasion party and the legal sua-
sion party were arranged against each 9th
er, in almost as bitter warfare as they
waged against intemperapce. remark
which Mrs. Molloy had made about ''split-
ting hairs" with reference to the elder
clause" in the pledge might mean him. lie
was of the opinion that the pledge would be
better without the ''cider clause" should
it read so as to include all alcohol: or il
toxcating beverages; but he was open to
conviction on this point. as on all other
points wherein he differed with others. As
to signing the pledge, he had repeatedly
signed total abs tinence pledges and had
never broken one; and he could not sec the
reason in signing pledge every time one
was presented. lie was sure good work
had now begun In Burlington, and believed
IT was IN answer to earnest prayers, and
hoped it would go on. 1t had been said
that this reform meant work. lie would add
that this work meant sacrifice, and he thought
he was willing to make any sacrifice RI
quired OF him to help the work 20 on.
Mrs. Molloy followed in defence of the
cider clause reciting q case where a
glass Of cider caused the relapse of reformed
inebriate, and brought other arguments to
bear on the point. She also again referred
-. l. II
when she come here to labor. People did
not work here As they did out West. There
they were "rcd hot" When she come here
she felt as though she had landed down by
an iceberg. She had not received that sup
port from the churches, the ministers or the
local press that she anticipated. hence she
had said what she bad.
Mr.. 7. n. Doutney followed Mrs. Molloy,
also in defence Of the 'cider clause" in
the pledge, bringing arguments from his
own personal experience and observation.
Cider at AZ hours old contained alcohol,
was intoxicating, hence. he said, was dan
gerous. lie closed with an earnest appeal
to young men to be total abstaIners.
Rev. Mr.. Ferguson made few timely re-
marks, setting forth the necessity of union
of action, and the disadvantages and IN
Of discussions among labOrers
in good cause, and an opportunity was
given for any who wished to sign the pledge.
For half an hour the scene in City Hall was
a lively one. While the singers on the
stage sang some of the stirring temperance
hymns, workers were in different parts of
the hall, urging their friends to come for
ward and sign. and many camo forward
and Gid 50. Though it was late, nearly half
past ten, most of the audience remained
until dismissed with the benedctiOn, pro-
nounced by Rev. Mr.. Ferguson.