Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-04-26
A VERY SUCCESSFUL WORK.


Testimonial to mr.. spear the Tenn
Perance Evangelist.
PORTLAND, Conn, April 20.-Temper-
ance Evangelist W. 81. Spear of New Ha-
ven closed his weeks gospel temperance
iabors here Last evening at Waverly hall.
Notwithstanding the counter attractions at
Middletown and other nearby places, the
hall was crowded to It's full seating capaci-
ty and men were lined up against the rear
wall.
r. The large chorus choir held q spirited
praise service and the nesting was one
that will long be remembered In Portland. 1t was
decided ovation to Mr. Spear. Edward F.Bige-
low, editor Of the Middlesex County Record and
president of the Connecticut Editorial associa-
tion, was the first speaker Of the evening. he
has done much in starting the work In town
and in securing Mr.. Spears presence
He spoke of the grand work the
young evangelist had done in the week he had
have been added to the pledge record, many OF
| them being men known az hard eases. he
that tho peops ~ere osth to have Mr.
Spear leave. His work had been earnestly and
| kindly performed and its results had surprised
memSrancs Moaa sSsF attend NJ Spears
parture for he had made many friends during
his brief stay in Portland and already the people
had begun to love him for his GOOD DEEDS ano
oliver W. Mack one of the principal quarry
| when there had been talk OF having q temper
/ ance worker come to Portland, he had been one
Of the skeptIcaI and NON enthusiastic ones. But
he wished tonight to confess bis conversion Q
Mr.: Spears methods Of work. In the forty year
he had been res ident OF Portland he said, n
had never before witnessed such mervelou
revival Of temperance interest and had believed
1t impossible. Mr.. Spear haa taught him new
doctrine and he wished him q ferVent Gedspee'
| wherever his duties in the future called him.
| Mr. Spear spoke for about half an hour, gath
eripg up the closing ends Of his work and ndmor
ishing the people to work diligently on the sam
their power. He told them to be patient an
hood for the perpetuity of gospel temperance n
| form.
At the close of his address Mr.. Spear was pull
Sy presented BY the citizens executive . con
forth his work, which was signed by the commit
tee and many of the representative men OF tn
town, with the officers OF the Catholic Temper
| ance society and Temple OF Honor.
PORTLAND, Conn, April 10, 1893.
To whom it may concern: we,the undersigned
citizens or Portland, having witnessed the wor
done In this community by Mr.. W. d. Spear, th
! | gospel temperance evangelist, who to-nigf
| closes q weeks temperance labors here. desire
testify to the fact that he has stirred the town
He has taught new gospel OF brotheriy 10,
and kindnes, that has reached the hearts Of Il
people and led hundreds to sign the pledge:
He has preached the goepei OF . living Chris
. | earnestly and eloqusntly, and much good HI
been done In this community by his coming.
We heartily commend HIM to aEy csnmuni
t | desiring q similar work Of grace.
A large number signed the pledge after N
j., | Spears address and in closing the choir sal
! feeiingly, "God Be With You Till We Ne
1 In