Year: 1878

FRANCIS MURPHY INAUGuRATEs REFORM MOVE


cHURcH-MUcH ENTHUSIASM.


A large and enthusiastic meeting of the friends Of
temperance and those who desired to enlist in tho
total abstinence held yesterday afternoon in
the Seventh Street Methodist Church. Rev. Mr..
Glider, pastor Long before the hour announced for
the commencement of the exercises the body OF the
hall well the galleries were filed and many
had to leave from inability to procure even
standing room. Chauncey' Shaii.r. vice presi-
dent of the American Temperance Union. under
whose auspices the meeting held, presided.
AFTER singing and the reading of the Scriptures and
prayer by the pastor letter read from the Rev.
Dr. Stephen II. Tying Jr regretting that professional
duties prevented his attendance, but assuring them
that his heart with them in the good cause. The
presiding officer then stated that laborous work
in the New England the Middle and the Western
States, Mr.. Murphy visited New York at very pro-
pitious time, while she laboring
der headache in consequence of recent
political events" He stated that while many
temperance organizations had signifed their desire
to join in the present temperance movement, Mr..
Murphy would be under the direction Of no particu-
lar society but would act in conjunction with all
friends of total abstinence wherever they could be
found Mr.. Murphy was then introduced and
ceived with prolonged applause.


MR.. MURpHY's REMARKS.


Mr.. Murphy said that he glad to be again
among those from whom he had heretofore received
so much kindness. He hoped to be able to speak the
truth in a spirit Of love and gentleness-"with
enmity toward none; with charity for ALL He had
no unkndness for the man who does or who
does not drink. He considered New York good field
at this time the spread Of temperance views and
the conversion of drunkards to the paths of sobriety
As this the commencement OF series OF meetings
he would begin at the beginning He then gave an
illustration of real life with its various gradatons and
vicissitudes, showing where men of resolution had
tree Of prosperity He related the story Of his early
life in ireland and his fearing to come to the New
World graphically described his passage hither his
going into drinking saloon with some of his fellow
passengers: their treating one another as was the
custom of the country. until they all became drunk
He often became afterwards. He soon found him.
self not only without money, but without friends.


Mr.. Murphy continuing, said that he had expected
to strew flowers in his mothers pathway after he
came to this country from the results of his own la
Dor, but the curse of strong drink prevented him.
He obtained employment; but in moment. when
rum had bostered him up with the idea that he was
Independent any other man in this country, he
saucy to his employer and was discharged. He
and they would command their respect. 20, young
men," said the speaker. "have the courage to stamp
the passion for strong drink upon the ground Here.
in this consecrated house, you will be helped by
Gods people to crush out the temptations Of the in
toxicating bowl"


He wanted the church people to be more sociable.
and did not hold it for true Christian to
go around with lugubrous face, il his soul was
In torment man with true religion in his heart
had to be thankful to be happy to rejoice and
to smile smile Of profound contentment. The rich
church goers did not treat the poor kindly. How
different this with the saloon keeper. who would
coaxngly invite a customer to take drink whether
he wanted it mol The great charm in drinking is its
socability and the great charm in religion should be
its kindliness and fellow feeling. Mr.. Murphy
referred to the case OF his noble hearted Scotch
friend. John Courtney, who once said to him.
murphy, you must stop drinking and go to the
country He took his friends advice. but that
friend failed to take his own. and finally filed
could do Mr.. Murphy related his experience in the
country, showing how the old farmer with whom he
lived the confidence of his cattle by gentle treat
mcnt. IT. said he, $50 much can be done through
kindness to dumb brutes, what may not be done by
adopting the same means toward human beings 2?


Mr. Murphy next related his experience hotel
keeper in Portland Me-; how he put up bar against
his wife advice and contracted habits of excessive
drinking, until his friends decided it best that he
should be locked up the visit there of Captain Cyrus
Sturdvant with the Christian people who prayed for
the prisoners how he became converted and how he
after left the prison walls free and reformed
man.


SIGNING THE PLEDGE


During several portions of Mr.. Murphy's address
q large number of stout looking old men and grave
looking matrons. well AS many Of the more youth
fu and tender hearted. moved to tears. At the
close of his remarks Mr. Murphy cried, Now who
will up and sign the pledge? Who will be firstg
The work of signing the pledge then commenced and
the crush and excitement were great that it was
difficult to move in any direction. Amid the
stentorian tones of the popular temperance
reformer. who continually ejaculated, Come up,
men: let the women come up too a voice cried,
"Oh. we've come a long way to see you Mr. Murphy
and large delegation from Troy filed into the area
stands, the singing. meanwhile. being kept up with
great spirit.


snence demonstration that has been held in this city
for long time. The meetings to be continued
from day to day in different parts of the city.