Help, then, help! we need your kind assistance, Sign our pledge, and to abstain begin; The stronghold of sickness and sorrow we shall win. Seeking to staunch the death-dealing tide ! Welcome friends, &c. For a general Gathering, when parents, teachers, and others may be present: TUNE_" Willie, we have missed you." Dear friends, we now invite you, come, come, and sign. For a Children's Meeting on an ordinary occasion. The verses within brackets [ ] to be used if occasion served—i.e., if any teachers or parents, who were not abstainers, were present: TUNE—“ We love the Sunday School.” Upon the meeting night, For we love the Band of Hope, Our union is against the drink, Which brings such crowds to ruin's brink, So we love, &c. We think it can't be right, For we love, &c. Though it might cause us pain, So we love, &c. And lads and lasses come, For we love, &c. And turn them from the snare, For we love, &c.] That you our cause will aid, For we love, &c.] Lay bare thy shining sword, Ever bless the Band of Hope, Fellow labourers, keep yourselves and the children from vulgar parodies, doggerel, and nonsense, and it shall be well with you, well with them, and well with the cause of Temperance. HOW WE DO IT. To the Editor of the “BAND OF HOPE RECORD." Dear Sir,—In accordance with your request, I have much pleasure in sending you a detailed account of the manner in which our Band of Hope is conducted, and trust that other Societies may be induced to fumizh similar particulars. We shall probably gain a few hints from one another's exper.ence. Any child desirous of becoming a member of our Band of Hope, is required to fill in one of the following forms of application, which can be obtained on meeting nights : HAVERSTOCK BAND OF HOPE, , OR Juvenile Temperance Society, HAVERSTOCK SCHOOL ROOM, HAVERSTOCK HILL. Children of both sexes, between the ages of 5 and 16, are invited, with the consent of their parents, to become Members. They will be required to give their names to the following Declaration : "By the grace of God, I promise to abstain from all Intoxicating Drinks, and I will try to induce others to do the same." Children wishing to join should send in their names and residences above, and return this paper on a meeting night of the Band of Hope, held on the SECOND and FOURTH WEDNESDAY of each Month, commencing at Six o'Clock in the Evening, and terminating at Eight. The Superintendent will call with “The Declaration," for signature by the Child whose name is filled in above, and also by the Parent and Guardian, signifying their consent. H. T.STANES, Superintendent. In due time the Superintendent calls with the following simple pajer for signature: THE DECLARATION. No. By the grace of God, I promise to abstain from all Intoxicating Drinks, and I will try to induce others to do the same. Signature consent a Signature of Parent or Guardian, giving h Superintendent. But it is necessary to state upon what conditions a child is permitted 10 sign the foregoing. They are these :—That the Superintendent has had an interview with one of the parents and the child together, and finds that the latter thoroughly understands the nature of the Society, and is really anxious to join, and that the former is willing to give consent in writing. The pledge is read to the child, and explained. More particularly are the words “ By the grace of God” pointed out, and be is reminded not to trust his own strength, but to pray to God for help and guidance. The child who thus sig at the following meeting receives a Member's Card, for which One Penny is expected, and signs the scroll in the presence of all assembled. This method of admission we consider of paramount importance, and though no other visit should ever be inade, we hold that this one is indispensable to the effectual working of the Band of Hope. If it is desired, we should be most happy to state our convictions why we would not conduct such a Society upon any other terms. Another point with us is, that the Superintendent makes it a rule never to urge or even to ask a child to sign, but leaves the request to come from the children, or for them to invite one another. This also we consider of much importance. We have reason to believe that were these two rules strictly adhered to, the number of deserters would be reduced to a minimum. MEETINGS. As regards our meetings :—The children as they enter the room give their number, which is taken down, and afterwards marked accordingly in the record of attendance. We commence by singing a hymn, and a brief prayer is offered. The remainder of the proceedings vary according to circumstances. Sometimes an address is given or something useful and interesting is read. Boys (boys only) recite pieces of poetry or prose.—Singing of course is not overlooked. But neither in singing, recitations, or reading, do we confine ourselves to the subject of total abstinence. We fear the young people would ere long lose that degree of interest which the charms of variety usually afford, if the one subject of abstinence were constantly the theme. We therefore endeavour to combine it with other subjects. Many of the children know hy sad experience (if not in their own homes they see in those around them,) the evils resulting from intoxicating drinks; there is therefore no end gained by constantly enforcing upon them what is so evident to the youngest child. We do not neglect to make them feel that though they relinquish one indulgence, it is for their own good, as well as for the good of others, and that they are engaged in a great work. REWARDS. During the summer months we hold a flower show occasionally, in which prizes are offered for the best nosegays or wreaths of wild flowers ; the successful competitors carrying off a fancy geranium or fuchia, and so forth. At the anniversary meeting, rewards are distributed for the best answers to scripture questions, and for recitations. Children who have attended over two-thirds of the meetings throughout the year are, taken for an excursion into the country some time during the summer. MEDALS. We do not allow members to purchase medals. The very word denotes a mark of honor; it seems therefore absurd that they should be at the command of any fortunate child possessing a penny or two. We therefore make them awards, and in order that members of all ages may be on equal ground, they are given to every one who obtains their first new member for the Band of Hope. Girls have one with a pink ribbon attached; boys with blue. We find this plan works well, 80 having been awarded during the 10 months it has been in operation. In concluding this brief and imperfect account of the Haverstock Band of Hope, (which was established on the 22nd March, 1860, and now numbers 320 in its ranks,) we would only add, that we consider it a very mistaken idea to permit the children to think they are doing you a favor by attendmg the meetings; we would not for an instant encourage this, but make them feel it is the other way. HENRY T. STANES. care. THE HISTORY OF TWO VILLAGE APPRENTICES. (Continued.) By Mr W. B. AFFLECK. From the blossom flowers and fruit : It was blighted from the root.” ; and of an ancestry who from time immemorial had rejected the Book of God. At the age of two years, the apprentice, who was the youngest of three children, was deprived of maternal In the dispensation of a wise and benign Providence, the mother was removed to her eternal state. Then commenced life's bitter trials. Motherless children have much to bear. Their's is often a hard fate. At the age of nine years the boy left the healthful dales of Yorkshire, and wandered alone into the county of Durham, where he solicited, and obtained employment at a coal pit. The dialect and habits of Yorkshire are very prejudicial to a pit life. The unsuspecting innocence of a Yorkshire youth was ill prepared for the cunning and cruelty of pit lads. The first day down the pit was one of great trial. He was sent to work at a difficult job, known in the pit phrase as “helping up." One of the “putters," being dissatisfied with the strength and energy exerted by the boy, told him he would scum his gob wie the loue," and suiting the action to the word, put a burning candle to his mouth, and blistered his lips in a most cruel manner. This is only one species of suffering, amongst many others, which are daily practiced by the stronger on the weaker portion of the mining population. But as the parched a |
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