Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-06-06
Temperance Convention

Enthusiastic Meetings After
noon and Evening +!
Sunday, June and, va. time Of general re-
joicing among the Temperance people q onr
city. Nothing cheen and inspires the WORKERS
in this noble cause more than to meet those en-.
gagged In the work In other towns; each work
Ing TOR the good Of the co immunity In which he
lives, and Tor the advancement Of Temperance
and the right generally.
On Sunday our city was visited by, at least
twenty active Temperance men from different
| towns In the county and from Bangor, some o(
whom knew the blackest and darkest side q
rum drinking. some who knew what 10 termed
the moderate side. therefore both classes were
addressed, those who have reached the lowest
depths from this habit, well - those who
are following the course which viii sooner or
later surely bring them there.
| At two O'Clock r. NJ. Hancock Hall was well
6lled, probably better filled than IL would have
been had there been the usual service ii the
Baptist church. but the service there was omit
ted In order that the clergymaa and his people
might attend this temperance meeting. This
Is the course taken In other towns and we are
glad that some Of our people feel that this 10 .
work which should 90 hand In hand with the
church work
President Aiken presided. and was well sur.
rounded on the platform By men from the diff.
ferent Reform Clubs. Amer singing by the con.
gregaiion Rev. Mr.. Lyon offered prayer. The
n u. Il.
upon the beauty Of this Temperance work, and
spoke Of the food Of light which breaks over
every man who signs the pledge. The more he
studied the work, the more he loved 1t. He
spoke Of the nobleness In being true reformer
His highest aim was to write. In his feeble way
his name with those who had striveu TO en-.
tighten aud exalt mankind.
Mr.. Montgomery iron Bangor, felt that when
. man becomes determined to reform be must
shun the company ot those who favor drinking
in the least.
Mr. "Trip Of Bluehill, knew tina, no man
would say rum did him any good. Each one
was placed in this world for = purpose, thst
was for esch to do his best for all mankind; in
order to do this each must do the best for him
self. II he would do this. he must be himself.
and no man who drinks Is himself. The only
good thing about liquor Is that II effects all who
drink It; the Judge and the senator IS we'll -
the poorest and meAnesi. These reform men
had signed the pledge not only for themselves.
but that they might do their duty better, and
urged all to do likewise.
Mr.. Tillock from Bucksport, though, there
were but two sides TO This question; those who
are ,eeto,alers. side, those who drink ii all
on the other. Every one should engage In this
work for the sake Of the children. iffor no oth.r
reason. Believed success wonld come, for God
Is with the cause.
Mr.. Eaton OF Bsngor. and Mr.. Lewis Of Buck.
sport, were each glad they had signed the
pledge and kept II. Mr.. wardwell Of Buck.
sport. felt tina, this work was Gods work and
would not come TO nsught The iron clad
pledge Is the drinkers declaration OF indie nd.
Ance. As = rcformer he believed 10 moral su.-
sion, but A. friend Of men, women and child
rem he believed In prohibition. The speaker
could and did appeal TO the runseiler. After
the closing prayer by Rev. Mr. White. the meet.
Ing adjourned until evening.
EVENING SESSION.
Although the afternoon meeting was inter
e.ting and enjoy able. the evening meeting Was
rather more inspiring. The hall wss crowded.
the platform well filed, aud President Aiken In
the chair which he evidently knows how to oil.
The opening prayer was made BY Rev. W. H.
Lyon. Tho President called upon Mr.. Cobb Of
Bucksport, - the FIRST speaker. He was deeply
interested In the cause OF total abstinence, and
believed that the future prosperity Of our coun-
Try depends upon the success Of this movement.
The speaker Eel, that the present moyemen,
Was all owing TO the efforts OF few women,
and now there l. q Temperance army OF thous-
ands OF men, marching TO the laughter Of happy
children. Total abstinence IL . christian virtue
and u Is the duty Of each and oil To endeavor 10
teach the young. so that wh-n they 60 out IN
battle with the weird they will have found.-
ton 10 build upon which viii be strong and &C.
cure. something to build . character upon
which will carry them safely through this life
and carry them 10 future peace and happiness.
Mr. Mcfarland OF Bangor had hesitated
about signing the pledge fearing he could no,
keep IL. hut through the prayers and efforts OF
The women he was enabled TO sign and keep the
pledge. His only faith was In godliuess. There
are laws which are enforced to protect dogs and
alewives. but II men asked for the enforcement
Of law 20 protect their wives and children,
they were considered radical and fanstieai
The object Of this movement Il to help those
who have fallen and prevent Others from falling
!! the yOun. ladies did their duty they could
belpsihe cause wonderfully
DIR. Ware Of Bucksport, thought when peo-
pie Acknowledged that they were christians,
they must acknowledge that they were inter.
esled in the sinful and unfortunate, therefore
they must be interested In this work.
Mr.. Hall OF Bucksport, was glad TO see that
the fires kindled three year, ago had not gone
cut, and that the people Of Ellsworth are still
interested In this cause OF total abstinence for
alcohol has caused more want and wretched-
ness than anything else. But where that had
made darkness. this reform work was bringing
light where that had made misery, this " a
brirg ing happiness; therefore We should press
on in this glorious work.
Mr.. Parker from East Bucksport, said many
would not do or say anything for temperance
or against run drinking, because they were
safe themselves; this was . most selfish view
How many Of US would favor minister who
said nothing In fsvor Of goodness and against
sin becsuse be was sale himself. II seemed TO
the speaker the two cases could be parallel.
Mr.. Actntire from Bangor, was glad TO be
counted ~ one Of the many thousand who were
formed into . society which bad for lis notices
Malice toward none and charity toward ALL
and Dare 10 DO right The speaker feared all
were mot doing their duty; some would do
have great influence. Mr.. AcIntire recited
touching poem which showed that Il was but
small thing which showed . drinking man his
sin and need OF reform. II all are true 70 the
Mr.. silsby spoke Of the great change the re-
form work had wrought In Bucksport. The
more truly and earnestly man engaged Ia tn IL
work, the more interested he b,comes 10 his fel.
l0w men.
Rev. Mr.. Lyon made remarks which showed
most plainly which side Of the question he Is on,
and which ought to make every citizen Of Ellis
worth proud, that The speaker could be counted
- one Of them. The crowded hall reminded
the speaker Of the time when the Temperance
WORK 1rss commenced here. Three years have
| passed, since then much has been learned. ,nany
have found that they knew nothing Of this a.
gantic evil. To put ii mildly one half the crimes
come from this one evil, for when the self re-
| spect II broken In one respect, We cannot tell
ways true. still In . majority Of cases We zee
| that IL . man has one bed habit the desire
spreads and the man h ruined. The question
now comes "whss are We going 10 do about it,
In answering this, Mr.. Lyon addressed himself