The Worthington advance., 1881-02-17

find them in the strictest HARMONY
with good order, good morals, purity Of
heart and life, and the spirit of univer-
sal brotherhood.
We had marked number of other
passages to quote, but must close with
these. We wish every church member
could read this work and get rid of
some of their reurile prejudices against
Spiritualjsm. Parties wishing the
work may leave orders at this Office.
A TEMPERANCE TEA PARTY IN
LONDON.
In these days of Temperance Tea
Parties, Crisseys, and humbugs gener-
ally, it will be amusing as well as in
structive to read the following account
of temperance meeting from Dickens
Pickwick Papers. In order to give the
account a local application, the reader
may substitute ''Crissey" for "Stig-
gins"
The monthly meeting of the Brick
Lane Erancn of the United Grand
Junction EbeneZer Temperance Asso-
citation, were held III Il large room, plea
sanity and airly situated at the top Of
a safe and CommOdious ladder. The
president was the straig walking Mr..
Anthony Hun'm, a converted fireman,
now schoolmaster, and occasionally
| an ltlnerant preacher; and the secretary
was MI. Jonas Nudge, cllandler's shop
| keeper, an enthusiastic and disinterest-
ed vessel, who sold tea to the members.
Previous to the commencement of bus
mess. the ladies sat upon forms, and
drank tea, till such time ~ they con-
sidered it expedient to leave off; and 4
large WOOdeN mOEey-bOx was conspicu-
ously placed upon the green baiZe cloth
OF the business table, behind which the
secretary stood, and acknowledged,
with gracious smile. every addition
to the rich vein Of copper which Law
concealed within.
On this particular occasion the wom-
EN- drank tea to a most alarming extent;
greatly to the horror of Mr.. Weller,
senior, who. utterly regardless of all
Sans admonitory nudgings, stared a.
bout him in every direction with the
most undisguised astonishment.
''S;.mlny." whispered Mr.. Weller, ''if
some o. these here people don't want
tappin' tomorrow laoruin', ain't your
father, and that's wot it is. Why, this
here old lady next ME is drowni.' her.
self in tea.'
BE quiet, can't you?" murmurcd
Sam.
''Sam," whispered Mr.. Weller, mo-
ment afterwards, in Il tone Of deep a.i-
tation, ''mark my words, my boy: if
that ere secretary feller keeps on for
only five minutes more, heU blow him
self up with toast and water.'
"Well, let him, il he likes" replied
Sam; lit amt no bis mess o yorn."
IF this here lasts much longer, Sam
voice, II shall feel it my duty, rs Il hu-
man bein', to rise and address tile
cheer. There's Il young 'ooman on the
next form but two, rs has drank nine
breakfast cups and half; and she's Il
swellin' wisibly before my VERY ewes" :"
Sile!co was then proclaimed by the
little man in the drab shorts, and Mr..
Humm rose and said-That, with the
permission of his Brick Lane Branch
brothers and sisters, then and there
present, the secretary would read the
report Of the Brick Lane Branch com
mittee;-a proposition W!licl, Was agaiF;
et-hanlkercliefs.
The secretary having snc, Zed in a
very Impressive malner, and the cough
which always seiZrs an assembly, when
any thing particular is going to be done,
having been duly performed, the follow
ing document Was read:
''Report Of the Committee of the Brick
Lane Branch Of the United Grand
| Inn ~.
ciation.
AS Sam Weller spoke. the little door
flew open, and Brother Tadger appe,. r.
ed, closely followed by the reverand Mr..
Stiggins, who no sooner entered, than
there was a great clappng Of hands and
stamping of feet, and Furnishing Of
handkerchiefs; to all OF which nanifss-
tations of delight. Brother Stiygins
returned no other acknowledgements
tan staring with Il wild eye, and Il fix
ed smile, ut the extreme top of the
wick Of the candle on the table; sway
ing his body to aud fro, meanwhile, in
u very unsteady and uncertain man
ner.
Are you unwell, brother Stiggins?''
whispered MIR. Anthony llumn.
II am all right, sir," replied Mr..
Stigglns, III il tone Ill which fe;oc:ty
was blended with All extreme thc&n
of utterance; II AIN all right, sir.n
"Oh, very WELL" rjoned Alr. AntLo-
ny Humm, retreating IL lew PAGES.
IL believe no man here has venturtd
to say that am not ali right, ,"saiu Mr..
Stigsins.
oh, certainly not" said Mr..
Humnl.
Il should advise him not to, sir:
should advise him not, said Mir. otiy
gins.
BY this time the audience were Der
fectly silent, and waited with some a,,x-
iety for the resumption Of business.
| "Will you address the meeting, broth
err" said Mr.. Humln, with il smile of
invitation.
No, sir" "rejoined Mr.. stiggins; NO
sir. l wilt not, Sir"
The meeting looked at each other
with raised eye-lids, and 4 murmur of
astonishment ran through the room.
Its my opinion," sir" said Mr..
Stiggins, unbutto,ing his coat, and
speaking very loudly; it's my opinion,
sir, that this meeting is drunk, sir.
Brother Tadger, SIR" said Mir. Stig.
gins, suddenly increasing in feIocitv,
and turning sharp round Cn the little
man in the drab shorts, ''Vou are drunk
sir.' With this, SIR. Stiggius. enter
tanning a praise worthy desire to pro-.
mote the sobriety of the meeting, and
to exclude therefrom all improper char
;scters, hit brother Tadger on the sum-
NIT OF the nose with such unerring aim.
that the drab shorts disappeared like Il
flash OF oflightning. Brother Tadger had
been knocked, head first, down the lad
der.
Upon this the women set up a loud
and dismal screaming; and rushing in
small parties before their favorite bro
theirs, flung their arms round them to
preserve them from danger. An ill.,
stance of affection, which had nearly
proved fatal to 11umm, who, being ex-
tremely popular, was all but suffocated
by the crowd OF female devotees that
| 1,nnu .,hnnf hic