The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-30
rEMPERANoE REHIHA1s.
Great Interestin Temperance Work in Had
 lyme Aroused by W. 1T. Spear.

| Great Interestin Temperance Work in Had lyme Aroused by W. 1T. Spear.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND CoURIER
 We have been having a big time up
 here in Hadlyme, and we want the out
 side world to know something about it,
 A series of temperance gospel meetings
 has been carried on here by MT. w. Fl.
 Spear of New Haven, the temperance
 apostle, and such meetings we never
 dreamed of before. We are a conserva-
 tive people, and they say we are hard
 to reach, but if anyone could see the
 wonderful work MT. Spear has done
 here they would believe that Hadlyme
 had heart of great tenderness and | that it has been most thoroughly stir red. When this series of meetings was first suggested people laughed at the idea. They said no man can arouse TIadlyme from it's sleep and create interest in temperance. A few of us mad beard of MT Spear and one or two
 knew of the great work he did at Old Saytrc ok, Old Lyme, Moodus and other towns in Connecticut We had read of
 it in the papers and got him here and
 are glad of it.
 Meetings have done us good. He
 came a stranger, but has become dear
 to our hearts because of the grand
 work done among us.
 A few nights ago a young man, one
 of the best known in town, came into
 the meeting hilariously drunk. They
 kA I,,1k
 Spear wouldn't have it He said he was there to get hold of just such men as that He said that's what these meetings were for, and no man could foretellwhat God could do with a man in that condition. MT. Spear shook the young mans hand kindly and gave him as good a seat as he could find in the house. The result is this man has been won to signing the pledge, has. sobered up, has drunk nothing since; works every day, says he means business, and God helping him has had his last drunk. He is now ah officer of the new ly formed temperance society here,and is working now on his old chums. A night or two later another we'll known young man came into the meeting with heavy jag on. He was reached by kindness; has signed the pledge and keeping it nobly, and is to-day an of- ficer of the temperance society. Peo- pie said these men couldn't be reached. They have been reached in large num- bers and night after night interest has deepened.
 Last night Comstock hall was jam med to the doors, and people were turn ed away unable to get seats. The long flight of stairs leading to the hall was crowded until it would hold no more, and many had to go home after coming several miles, unable to get inside of the door. Hadlyme brass band was present and played it's liveliest airs. The platform was filled to it's full ca- pacity with the best singers of the town, and they sung the stirring gos- pei hymns with a spirit that thrilled the people. Sixty signed the pledge and of the newly formed tenn perance society last night, and thus far about everyone you meet in Had lyme wears the blue ribbon. People have driven in from miles around to attend the meetings which have been a benediction to us as a people, and a great uplifting moral help to our com l 
 George W. Hall is president of the | new temperance union, Ernest Selden and Newtoin Roselle vice presidents, | Arthur Broadway secretary, Lewellyn | treasurer, Rev. F. F. Dal- | zell chaplin and besides these is an | executive board, social committee of | the most active young men and wo- 1 ven of the town, a. musical committee, | a committee on pledges and ribbons, press and advertising committee and | committee on outlook and visitation.
 The society will meet every Tuesday right in Comstock hall. It's member ship comprises both sexes, and the blue S the badge of fraternity Public tenn meetings will be held monthly md during the summer festivals, recep- ions and entertainments will be given md everything possible will be done o keep up the interest and perpetuate he work MT. Spear leaves in the hands # Hadlyme people. A W. B.