Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-10-29


Is In good standing and has held regular
meetings for nearly three years. Inc
club pledge has between five and SIX hun
dred names enrolled upon il. The CLUB
has had considerable to contend with. and
has not been supported by the prominent
business men OF the village. Several
men who had been in the habit OF drink
ing had signed. and were true temper
ance workers. among them himself, and
this was sufficient reward for all effort
expended.
j. A. Brown brings no Ill report from
tho Norway club. There have been times
when things looked blue; but the cause
is now fourishing. Over forty names
have been added to pledge since the State
Convention, and there are now so or 80
Iron clads in good standing. Never was
there so much interest in the good cause
as at the present time. Tho Ladies' Aid
Society is among the best in Maine, and
deserves much credit for the work done
by this club.
II. w. Park says OF the East Rumiord
club that it is located in a rural COM
munity; it was organized Feb. q, 1876
has done a little missionary work. and
now has $50 members. Club circulates
the general pledge, making no distinction
between classes. OF 100 drinking men
who signed, but very few have failed to
keep their pledge. Meetings have been
held regularly once . week or fortnightly.
Mr. Park then spoke of his own expert
ence in the use OF liquor, and says it was
always An i'll use to which he put il.
Caleb Bessey of Bryant's Pond says
their CLUB was organized three years ago
29ih day of November; has 100 iron-clads
and 400 general signers; IS per cent, at
least have kept the pledge. He looked
back 10 1865. st the close of the rebellion,
and compared tina, time and public sen,i-
meut as then manifested, with this day.
He says when he csmo home from the
war. nearly every man. and many women
carried bottle OF liquor with them now
such a sight is very uncommon. Club
has had hard time. lacking the support
OF prominent men in town. Ladies' Aid
Society meets ior;nightly, and is great
power in the work. Reports fifteen dele.
gates present from the Pond, and thanks
committee for honoring his club with an
appointment for next convention.
On motion of q. F. Hammond, speak
ors arc limited to five minutes each.
Bro. Atkins cannot give so good an &C
count of The Canton club as he would
ike. There are four or five hundred
siguers, some OF whom have fallen away
The club is now working with energy
to reclaim the fallen and advance the
cause.
Henry Maxim OF Sumner, was prime
mover in organizing the West Sumner
club. Formerly much liquor was carried
20 jackson Village from other towns Tor
tipping purposes, but the practice haS
nearly ceased. Club organized three
years ago in this small village, and 700
names had been pledged. Club is still
alive and doing good work.
Bro. Wilmington OF Buck6eld was did
dent about speaking before Paris Hill
audience on account OF their reported
arisiocrstic tastes, but concluded to speak
In this good cause anywhere and when
ever called upon. lie was converted
four years ago, and wishes orybody
could look at the movement as he does.
Had used liquor Tor twenty-five years
against the wishes of his wife. but her ia
fueuce had finally been instrumental in
his reform. He spoke ieelingly OF The
influence exerted by women, and urged
mothers, particularly, 10 lake an interest
10 the work. MIR. w. is always &C inter
estlDg speaker. and the audience calls
ego on" when bis time is out.
VIM. w. Abbott OF Di16eld. says that
all who signed their pledge with the
heart, have been true-90 out OF 100. at
least. have kept the pledge. Three men,
who had been drinkers, were reformed
by the club. and now occupied good po-
sitions in society. He spoke with deep
feeling OF what drink had done in his
own family.
Bro. Kneeland Of Waterford. says the
No. Waterford club has 100 names
pledged, but many have broken their
promises to abstsin. Things do not look
very encouraging, and among the great
est discouragements is lack of interest
among church members.
L. W. Childs says more liquor was for
merly sold in Milton Plantation than in
any similarly populated territory in the
county. Twelve years ago you could not
have secured three votes 10 abolish the
agency; now you cannot get three TO es-
tablish one. One year ago branch club
Was organized, and the two have swept
the field clean.
f. A. Bodwell tells sad story OF the
Audover club. He says that in 1876 there
were seveniy-fve ron-clads and two hum
dred and sixty general signers. There is