similar particulars. another's experience. We shall probably gain a few hints from one 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 paper for signature: By the grace of God, I promise to abstain from all Intoxicating Drinks, and I will try to induce others to do the same. But it is necessary to state upon what conditions a child is permitted to 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 he is reminded not to trust his own strength, but to pray to God for help and guidance. The child who thus signs, 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 made, 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 by 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 attending the meetings; we would not for an instant encourage this, but make them feel it is the other way. HENRY T. STANES. THE HISTORY OF TWO VILLAGE APPRENTICES. (Continued.) By Mr W. B. AFFLECK. "From the leaves to form the blossom, From the blossom flowers and fruit : But, alas! by evil training, It was blighted from the root." The other apprentice first entered on this earthly existence on the 16th of April, 1830. He was born at Grassington, near Skipton-in-Craven. His parents were very poor, and, alas! his father was an avowed disbeliever in Divine Revelation ; 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 care. 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 66 earth speedily drinks in the rich rain and gentle dew, so did the heart of the boy, naturally depraved, greedily drink in the practised wickedness, and "roll it under his tongue as a sweet morsel." "Evil wert thou: evil art thou- And impermeate with guile." He worked in the pit from five o'clock in the morning until seven o'clock in the evening, both on the week-day and Sunday. During the first year he scarcely, if ever, enjoyed one day's respite. Having only one shilling and sixpence per day wages, and having to pay board and lodging, and also to buy clothes, out of his earnings, compelled him to work very constantly; and Mackay's words are strikingly appropriate to his case:— "Ere yet my years were ten, A weary lot was mine, I worked in coal pits cold and damp, I never saw the sun But on a Sabbath day, I knew not how to read and write, I never roamed the fields, When I was a little child." Like all other boys employed in the pit, he was exposed to the contaminating influence of bad examples. The pitmen of the North were then notorious for their intemperance, violent conduct, brutal amusements, and coarse profligacy. Their chief recreations were bowling, quoit-playing, cock-fighting, dog matches, and revolting pugilistic encounters. Sunday mornings often found large mobs of pitmen assembled to witness two powerful dogs tear each other to pieces; or two men fight until one or both were so beaten and bruised as to be quite blind and helpless. Even the women were extremely foul in their speech and habits, and their houses were far from being clean, quiet, and pure. It was in the midst of such scenes that our apprentice was now placed. How he fared we will see. (To be continued) FACTS FOR ADVOCATES. AN EVIL THING.-Manchester contains 482 public houses. How many churches? How many bakers' shops? PALE ALE.-Messrs. Bass & Co. employ 900 men in their brewery. WHAT CHILDREN CAN DO.-I am ashamed to see, where I live, the widow of a dissenting minister sending her servant, sabbath after sabbath, after her return from the house of God, to a public house to buy beer. No longer ago than last Sunday I saw a man carrying home a jug of beer from a public house, who is the most gifted man in prayer that I ever listened to, and one of the most active men among the Methodists in our neighbourhood. I think this is a very great evil, and until we can put this thing down I am afraid we shall have but very little power in dealing with the question. I will tell you how it was put down in one case. Three or four boys connected with a Band of Hope found that one of their Sunday School Teachers was in the habit of buying his beer on the Sunday. They went together, and stood on the kerb in front of the public house, and saw him go in after his beer, and then they stopped there and watched him out, but they did not say a word; they repeated this on three sabbaths, and then he was so ashamed of doing it that he left it off, and never went there again. He went to the next temperance meeting and signed the pledge, and is now one of the most devoted of teetotallers. That was the way in which three or four little Sunday School boys converted a Sunday School teacher from buying beer on Sunday.— Rev. J. Doxey. DRINKING EXPENSES.-It is a fact worthy the attention of every political economist, that the sum expended in intoxicating liquors in this country actually exceeds the value of our exports, the former being 70 millions, the latter being 65 millions; of the 70 millions thus expended, Mr. Porter estimates that 49 millions come from the pockets of the working classes! For that class to persist in their use, does indeed appear the very height of infatuation; and yet how often do we find an individual squandering money needed to furnish his family with decent apparel, whilst a few yards from his dwelling the tailor and shoemaker are in want of employment. Few persons who habitually indulge in intoxicating drinks are aware of the amount they needlessly waste. The man who thus spends 3d. per day, literally throws away 7s. per month, which if put into the deposit department of the Life Assurance Society, would amount in five years to £24. 2s.; in ten years to £52. 2s. 6d.; in twenty years to £122. 5s.; in fifty years to £513. What then can be said of those individuals who squander four times the amount named; for unhappily it is too well known that many, even working men, expend week in drink. That any toiling artizan should squander in his life-time the worth of £2000. in intoxicating drink, does indeed appear incredible; such, however, is the fact. There are thousands who heedlessly waste sufficient to enable them to spend their old age in plenty and in ease, who at that time will have no alternative but the union-house or starvation. 7s. per |