Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-07-06
Temperance Meeting.

AT six o'clock Sunday evening. according to
announcement, a temperance meeting was held
in the vestry Of the Baptist church in this village
Singing and prayer at the opening Of the services
were followed by an informal address by Rev. Mr.
Rogers on The Signs of Progress in the Cause OF
Temperance lie saw these signs in the late
favorable legislation in many states Of the Union,
in the laws of commercial organizations restrain
ing employees from the use of ntoxicants, and the
movements Of the great religious bodies Of our
country. similar, or even more rapid progress,
Is seen in England, as shown by the remarkable
sale of late numbers OF the Contemporary Repie,c,
in which the alcohol question was discussed by
eminent physicians, and also by the testimony OF
Robert Graham, general secretary of the Church
Of England Temperance Society, who says that
already five thousand clergymen of that church
are total abstainers Other brief addresses fol-
lowed. Captain Lull illustrated the power OF
habit in his usual lively way. Mr.. John G. Wing
emphasized the motives to zeal and devotion In
the temperance cause arising from the claims OF
humanity and the interests OF society. Mr.. Page
Of Wrightsville very impressively told how he be-
came temperance man. Mr.. Frank L. II. Gary
spoke Of the evidence of progress within our own
observation seen in the advance of public senti-
ment. Formerly drinking wasopen and public and
social now 1t is concealed behind screens, away
from the eye of society and the law. Mr.. Gordon,
| though he believed in the efficiency of temper.
| ance organizations, thought the church was the
natural and most effective agency for promoting
| this cause, and commended the church with
which we met for making special provision fol
the work of temperance by the appointment Of q
| committee on 1t. He also showed the necessity
in order to complete success, of the active co
operation Of every one, whether connected with
religious and temperance organizations not
Mrs Rogers sitting at the organ, spoke Of the
change she observed In Ottawa, Kansas from
drunkenness to sobriety, arising from the fact
that the people could not now get ntoxicants
and added that public sentiment upheld tn,
Christian temperance police judge in fning tn
owner Of the shop one hundred dollars, and tn,
clerk who sold the drink fifty dollars, for ever,
offence. The pastor called upon Mr.. Poland t.
offer the closing prayer. We were special,
| gratifed to see the young men 80 earnestly en-
gagged and interested In the work. 1t is one o
the signs of progress, and is a most hopeful indi
cation of more thorough reform in this place
Older men were present In the large company
but the young men spoke with point and will
effect which made them glad to remain silent
and caused them to look forward to better day
for the cause Of temperance in this place. Tn
committee referred to by Mr.. Gordon is a stand
ing committee appointed by the church at the be
ginning of the year, at the time when all til
other work Of the church is organized lts dut
is to gather and present information, conduc
| meetings in the church and elsewhere in tn
vicinity and promote the cause Of temperance b.
all legitimate means, making its report quarter
to the business meeting of the church.