The Rev. Hugh Allen, D.D. presided. Mr. G. M. Murphy desired them to persevere in trying to add to their numbers, for every little boy and girl could do good; and concluded by saying that useful people were always happy. The Rev. Hugh Allen said he wanted the members 1st-to love Jesus Christ; 2nd-to honour their parents; 3rd-to try and get their parents and companions to sign the pledge. Mr. Haynes spoke on individual labour. The Rev. J. B. Smyth said he could not see why men and women could enter the public houses, for if they only looked at the signs of them they could learn lessons. There was one called the "Cross Keys "-one key to open the door and let happiness out, and the other to open the door and let misery in. Mr. Hawkins, in moving a vote of thanks to the Chairman, gave his fable of the crocodile being killed by the spiders. Several pieces were recited by the children during the evening. The meeting was very large.

NOTTINGHAM.-A grand demonstration, in connexion with the Sunday-schools identified with the Band of Hope, was held in the grounds of the Arboretum, on July 1st. Vast numbers were present from Sheffield, Leicester, and other places, Sheffield alone contributing 3,680 visitors. Flags, banners, music, processions, &c., were the order of the day, and the number of children as well as adults was immense. An open-air meeting was held, and among the gentlemen on the platform were - Rev. J. S. Withington, Nottingham; T. D. Dyson, Esq., Leicester; J. E. Nelson, Esq., Manchester; Rev. S. Chester, John Unwin, Esq., and W. J. Clegg, Esq., Sheffield; Dr. Popham, Nottingham; Mr. Thomas Turner, agent of the British Temperance League; Rev. R. Buck, Leicester; Mr. Mellors, &c. Mr. Dyson occupied the chair, and called upon Mr. Nelson, of Manchester, who delivered a lengthy and beautiful address. He was followed by Mr. Clegg, Rev. H. Farrant, and Rev. W. Buck. Mr. Turner of the British Temperance League, addressed a vast gathering from the caravan, opposite the refresment rooms, on the sources of wealth and on the productive power of the nation, showing the loss of life and capital by the drinking customs of society, and asserting that the only hope for emancipating the people lay in the Temperance Reformation. After an hour and ten minutes' address, in which he elicited frequent applause, there were loud cries, "Go on," but the keen breeze, which rendered the day delightful for such an out-door gathering, made it somewhat severe for the speaker, who stood facing the wind,

making the audience merry at the expense of the drinking and smoking customs of society. The arrangements were of the most satisfactory character, and reflected great credit on the committee of management. It was computed that about thirty thousand people visited the grounds during the day and afternoon.

YORK. From the 24th annual report of the Temperance Society, just issued, we learn that 400 pledges have been taken during the year, and 250 members transferred from the Band of Hope to the Parent Society, which now numbers 1,420 members. This vigorous organization hes effected, and is effecting, a great amount of good in York.

KENILWORTH.-The fifth annual report exhibits considerable usefulness and success. Twenty-six meetings have been held. Since 1856 upwards of £250. have been expended in promoting the good cause. Two thousand tracts and one thousand copies of the Band of Hope Review have been circulated. There is a library of one hundred volumes. The motto of the report is excellent

"In life's earnest battle,

They only prevail,

Who daily march onwards,

And never say-Fail."

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.-The Annual Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion is being held this year at Newcastleupon-Tyne. A committee of the Conference has arranged with Mr. Wilkie to provide the dinners for the preachers during the sittings of Conference at his Temperance Hotel. It was in the first instance desired that ale should be provided for the dinners, but Mr. Wilkie positively refused to undertake the contract except upon teetotal princi ples; and at length his faithfulness to conviction was rewarded by the assent of the committee, and perhaps for the first time in the history of the Methodist Conference, the preachers will dine without the adjunct of malt liquor.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

All communications should be written on one side of the paper only.
Names and Addresses should be written very plainly.

Intelligence should be sent early.

Books for Review, Articles for the Record, &c., may be sent to the Editor, at No. 37, Queen Square, London.

Business Letters, as Orders for the Record, must be addressed to Mr. S. SHIRLEY, at the above Office.

J. BALE, Printer, 78, Great Titchfield-street, Marylebone.

BAND OF HOPE RECORD.

ON THE GENERAL FEATURES AND OBJECTS CONTEMPLATED BY THE BAND OF HOPE UNION.

By Mr. S. SHIRLEY.

To persons interested in all that affects the Band of Hope movement, an enquiry into its present condition cannot fail to exercise feelings of deepest interest.

It would afford us the highest gratification to present such a view of the Band of Hope movement as would convey a true picture of the present state of the cause throughout the world; this however without much labour could not be done, nor shall we attempt it. We may in a general way remark, that it is matter for deep and heartfelt gratitude, that labourers in many parts of the world have recognised the claims of youth on their sympathies, and that God has so signally blessed their labours in connection with the Band of Hope movement. The results of these labours are more apparent in some places than in others, and perhaps America may claim for herself the enviable position of having done most for, and consequently reaped most from, this particular department of the temperance enterprise. Scotland has also in a most noble and worthy manner laboured in this important department of the temperance field, and at the present time probably presents an organization without a parallel.

Ireland has also been partially worked, though labourers are few, and from the limited reports received, it is feared that but a very small portion of this fertile field is brought under cultivation. In Wales there have been most flourishing youth's societies, and still the results of these are felt, while many a flourishing Band of Hope gives evidence of the vitality of the principle in this interesting portion of our country. Coming to the provinces, we have in many parts most encouraging signs of progress, and abundant reason to be thankful—to look forward and take courage. Many of the manufacturing districts particularly, such for instance, as Bradford, Leeds, Birmingham, Huddersfield, Frome, Devizes, Nottingham, Northampton, Poole, and many others which might be named, give proof of vigour and vitality of the most cheering description. Gratifying, however, as these general statements may be, a moment's consideration will shew that tens of thousands have not been brought under the elevating influence of the movement.

But our present object is to deal more particularly with the Bands of Hope in the metropolis. But here even our task is not light. Nor can we hope to present a flattering picture of the progress of our cause. True it is, that in London and its suburbs we have a large number of these institutions, many of them possessing features of the deepest interest, but justice demands that we should deal faithfully with a subject of such vast importance, and the truth is, that the Committee of the Band of Hope

Union see many and grievous defects in the metropolitan Bands of Hope. There are, of course, exceptions as to the mode of working and managing and some Bands might be regarded as models, but these are few and far between. As a rule, we fear that London Bands of Hope are a long way behind kindred institutions in many other parts. It may be necessary therefore to point out what is defective, and if possible suggest remedies. One great defect is, want of order. Children in some cases appear to think they have license to do just as they please, and scenes of most serious disorder are witnessed; children restless-talking-moving about from place to place during an address, and frequently openly rebellious against lawful authority. The conductor may not be an unmoved spectator of such disorder; frequently it is evident that he is pained by it, and storms at it, striving to put it down by noise rather than authority; in all such cases, however, the conviction forces itself on your Committee, that the fault lies not so much with the children as the manager, for were he thoroughly well trained himself, his charge would manifest the fruits of that training; for it may be regarded as an axiom, that a class—a school -or a Band of Hope, will be a reflection of the mind and character of the teacher. The remedy therefore for disorder of this kind, is to be found in well informed and well trained teachers. It must not be here supposed that the Committee do not appreciate the intentions of such conductors, as now frequently take upon themselves their duties. We give them credit for the best intentions, nor would we say to them, relinquish your tasks; but our exhortation to them is, brethren ! seek by prayer, by close application and well directed study, to qualify yourselves for duty. There is also a danger that our Bands of Hope may be turned into semi-theatricals. We have had dressing up in character, and partial performances. To say the least of this, it may deter many from lending us their aid, and identifying themselves with us, whose sympathy and assistance it is most desirable to secure. Nothing will be more calculated to keep the religious part of the community at a distance from the Band of Hope movement, than putting our children unduly forward, or introducing any system calculated to cherish a desire for display, or a love for theatrical and public amusements of an objectionable character. There can be no objection to singing-to a dialogue or a recitation, but in all these cases the selection should be judiciously made; and if a Band of Hope has means of carrying on its operations without the children being › elevated to the platform at all, it is the opinion of many that it would be for the advantage of Bands of Hope so to be conducted. Singing is a branch of Band of Hope work of such importance as to merit special consideration. In most metropolitan Bands of Hope, this forms a prominent feature of their evening's work; but persons who have visited these institutious in London, and who have an ear for music, cannot be very much gratified with the advancement made in this branch of science; irregularity in time—noise instead of harmony-notes omitted, and others added-make up frequently a jangle of sounds, which should not be named singing; it is not that there are not, good voices, but they want training, and for that purpose there requires the trained teacher. Let us

have such men in connection with the movement, and the singing alone may be made a means of attraction, which will draw vast numbers to our meetings, and when there, the truth taught in our hymns, and spoken from our platforms, may find a lodgment in their heads and hearts prolific of mighty results. One method of securing better singing has been suggested, viz., the engagement of a competent teacher who shall visit periodically Bands of Hope gathered in districts, and on the tonic sol-fa system impart to them the theory, and drill them in the practice of singing. Another subject requires noticing. Our friends are aware that at our meetings, addresses are in almost all cases given; now to persons attending Bands of Hope, it need hardly be told that such addresses are frequently most unsuited; they are frequently too long, and quantity is given instead of quality. Now addresses to children should be simple, earnest, pointed, anecdotal, and illustrative,—but specially short; and only by such addresses can children's attention be secured. If we want material, the Bible-natural history every day life, furnish abundance; let the speaker's mind be given to his work, let him study before he goes to speak to children, and by such a course he may hope to be prepared ; but there can be no doubt that some are more gifted for the work than others, and it should be the earnest aim of Band of Hope conductors to find out right men for the right place in this respect, and to exclude from their platforms unsuitable speakers; but specially, coarseness, vulgarity, and inconsistency should be rigidly excluded from the Band of Hope platform. The time of meeting, is another matter deserving our notice. Doubtless in almost every case, the earliest hour possible for the conductor to be present, is that fixed on for the meeting, and mostly this is at a seasonable time, but great care should be taken to bring proceedings to a close at an early period. A mere hint on this point will, it is presumed, be as much as is required.

The present time in the history of the Band of Hope movement may be regarded as one of the deepest interest; for notwithstanding the imperfect character of its elements, it must be borne in mind that the movement is quite in its infancy, and yet shews signs of vigour and vitality. Many a devoted Sunday school teacher is prepared to buckle on the armour in its defence. Many a minister of the gospel throws around it the weight of his influence; in many a domestic circle are its principles cherished with the tenderest solicitude; connected with many a sabbath school we have our Bands of Hope. The same may also be said of day schools; while on every hand we find words of encouragement from those who are not personally abstainers, but who have evinced their sympathy by subscribing, and in other ways indicating their interest; and though personal abstinence is the only standard we can fully recognise as consistency, still we would remember the words of our Master," he that is not against us is on our side." But there is one thing in connection with our movement, more encouraging than anything beside, and that is the fact that we can look to God for his blessing, fully believing that he has owned and is owning our work; and though the labourers are few, and the instruments feeble, the cause has had its parallel in the gospel. Disciples met in an