going before me to clear the way. During the month that had elapsed since the first meeting, the excitement among the publicans and their customers in the neighbourhood had gone on increasing day by day, and heavy bets, it was said, had been laid-first, as to whether the workmen would appear or not, and and next, what would be the nature of their answer if they did. This will account for the immense crowds drawn together on this occasion. "On reaching the interior of the Church, and taking my place on the platform, I was glad to find the group of workmen already in their place, waiting patiently for the opening of the meeting; and as soon as the rush and murmur occasioned by every one desiring to be near enough to see and hear them was subsided, I called on the workmen to ascend the platform, and give to the meeting, through their spokesman, the result of the experiment which they had undertaken to make, of abstaining entirely for a month from the use of beer and every other kind of stimulating drink. 666 "A profound silence ensued, during which all eyes and ears were open, and directed towards the men. They ranged themselves along the front of the platform, and the foreman, addressing himself to the audience, stated in substance as follows:"We have faithfully kept the promise we made since the last meeting held here a month ago, and from that time to this, not one of us has tasted any intoxicating drink. For the first few days of the experiment, we found the use of water as our ordinary beverage, instead of beer, to be extremely flat and insipid, and were glad of the relief of coffee at breakfast and tea in the afternoon. But we confess that on the first Saturday night we felt ourselves less wearied and exhausted by our ordinary week's labour, than on any previous Saturday that we could remember; and on the Sabbath morning, instead of being drowsy and lying in bed an hour or two longer than on working days, which is a common custom, extending with some workmen even towards noon, we were as fresh as on any previous day of the week; arose as early, and had the forenoon for church or meeting, and the afternoon for a country walk, and a cheerful evening with our families and friends at home. During the second week, the flatness and insipidity of the water as drink was considerably abated; and we found ourselves so much less thirsty than usual, that we took very little liquid except at our meals. We found the next Saturday and Sunday an improvement even on the former ones; and remarked that our appetites were stronger, our digestion better, our tempers less liable to irritation, and our vigour and cheerfuluess greatly increased. We were therefore so satisfied with the experiment, that we rejoiced at having made it, and continued it to the end, improving sensibly as we proceeded; and as we had not been a single day, or even an hour, absent from work during the usual periods, there were no deductions from onr wages for lost time; so that, besides being stronger, healthier, and happier than before we commenced this substitution of water-drinking for beer, we had each of us, at the end of the fourth week, from thirty to forty shillings more in our pockets than we were formerly accustomed to have for the same period. We rejoice, therefore, that we attended the first Teetotal Meeting held in London, though we came to oppose it; and we mean to persevere as we have begun, and recommend all working-men to follow our example.' "The effect of such a statement as this on such an excited crowd may be easily imagined. Some cheered, others hissed, and some showed their rage and disappointment by more violent modes of expression. But as we received it all with patience and good humour, the disapprovers began to retire ; the approvers chiefly remained, and after an address of about an hour, on the general question, the meeting dispersed in perfect order and tranquillity. "I may add, that the chief of this group of working men, who acted as their spokesman, was Mr. T. A. Smith, who subsequently employed his leisure in the study of anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, and who has now, for many years past (for the meeting took place twenty years ago), been one of the most able and successful lecturers, in the metropolis and the provinces, on the evils of intemperance, illustrated with anatomical and physiological diagrams, to show its deleterious effects on the human frame, and by chemical experiments to prove the existence of alcohol in all fermented drinks, and exhibit its injurious properties in the effects produced by it on the human organs. "In June, 1834, Mr. Livesey, of Preston, came to London, and proceeded to the office of the Moderation Society,' where he offered his services upon the temperance question, but, as that gentleman's labours were directed against every kind of intoxicating liquor, he met with no encouragement from such a quarter. So little, indeed, does Mr. Livesey seem to have been indebted to the then friends of temperance for assistance, that 6 he hired, upon his own responsibility, a place in which to deliver his celebrated Malt Lecture;' and in order to make the time and place of its delivery known, took a bell, and rang it himself as he went through the streets of Finsbury, announcing the meeting in the fashion of a town crier. This lecture, the first delivered in the metropolis, involving the principle of entire abstinence, though given to an audience of not more than thirty people, will continue to exist, by the weight and solidity of its information, when more elaborate treatises shall have glided on to forgetfulness." THE FALLEN STAR. Not many years ago a beautiful girl made her debut in a Royal Theatre, and soon became a popular vocalist. She used to appear on the stage dressed in white, and sing Old times, old times, the gay old times, When I was young and free, And heard the merry Easter chimes, Under the greenwood tree! My cross upon my hand, A heart at rest within my breast, And sunshine on the land. Old times, old times, &c. I've liv'd to know my share of joy, To feel my share of pain,— To learn that friendship's self can cloy- To feel a pang, and wear a smile,— To tire of other climes, To like my own unhappy isle. And sing the gay old times. Old times, old times, &c. Oh! come again, ye merry times, My tears would flow in vain ; If I could waste my heart in sighs, They 'd never come again. Old times, old times, &c. Alas! strong drink became her bane, and she has now the degradation of a drunkard's notoriety. Not long since, a in a London newspaper contained a report of her appearance police court, when the following conversation took place:Magistrate. Here you are again! How have you come by these frightful black eyes? Prisoner. I think that a friend who was in my company must have struck me. Magistrate. A drunken friend, I suppose. Prisoner. The fact is, I got into a penny gaff. Magistrate. This horrid gin has brought you down lower and lower. Guoler. She gets drunk and loses her property. Prisoner. I have burst a blood-vessel, and I thought I should have died in the station last night. I wish to go to prison, sir, and I wish you would send me there. Magistrate. When a person feels grateful for being sent to prison, it bespeaks the last stage of misery; and, as it is your wish, I shall send you there for twenty-one days. Prisoner. Thank you, sir. And so she went to prison, and perhaps thought of her young and happy days, and wept forth her once-popular song: If I could cry away mine eyes, My tears would flow in vain,— They 'd never come again. Old times, old times, &c. AIDS TO CONDUCTING BANDS OF HOPE. No. 1. Rules for the Members OF THE HAVERSTOCK BAND OF HOPE, ASSEMBLING AT THE HAVERSTOCK SCHOOL-ROOM, HAVERSTOCK HILL, N.W. This Society is formed for the aid and encouragement of Children who are desiring in early life of abstaining from the use of alcoholic drinks, and who thus, by practice and example, determine to raise a standard against the fearful evil of our nation. RULE 1. That children of both sexes and all classes, between the ages of five and sixteen years, be eligible as members, but only with the full consent of their parents. 2. That any child wishing to become a member must obtain a printed application on pink paper, which can be had from members, or at a Band of Hope meeting. The name, age, and full address of the child should be filled in, and the paper given to the superintendent. 3. That when the application has been received, the superintendent will take an early opportunity of visiting the child and its parent. Should the former thoroughly comprehend the nature of the society, and the latter be willing, the following resolution will then be signed by the child:" By the grace of God I promise to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, and I will try to induce others to do the same." 4. That at the ensuing meeting the "scroll" will be signed by the new member, in presence of all the children. The sum of one penny is expected for a card of membership, which card should be carefully preserved, and, if possible, framed. 5. That meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month for girls only, and on the fourth Wednesday of each month for boys only, from six to eight o'clock in the evening. 6. That each member should endeavour to attend punctually, with hair brushed, clean hands and faces, and to enter and leave the room without unnecessary noise or confusion,--taking care to give their correct number as they enter. 7. That medals are not allowed to be purchased, but one is awarded to any member through whose influence their first new member is obtained for the Band of Hope. 8. That prizes are offered, first for answers to Scripture questions, second to boys for recitations. In the summer months prizes will occasionally be given for the best rosegays or wreaths of wild flowers. 9. That members who have attended over two-thirds of a year's meetings, and whose behaviour has been in every respect satisfactory, will be taken for an excursion into the country some time during the summer. 10. That all members should endeavour to take in regularly either the "Band of Hope Review," "The Adviser," or the "British Workman." The two former are one half-penny per month, and the latter one penny. They can be obtained on meeting nights by those who have previously given in their names as wishing to have them. Boys and girls, let it be your determination, by the grace of God, to leave the world somewhat better than you found it. Set not only an example of temperance, but of truthfulness, honesty, courtesy, perseverance, and firm trust in God. In your warfare against evil, take the Holy Scriptures for your guide, and Jesus Christ for your Helper, Friend and Saviour, and then you need not fear derision. Aspire to the crown that is laid up for you in the realms of light, and let this be your motto: Onwards to the glory, Upwards to the prize, Homewards to the mansions Far above the skies! And that God will bless you is the prayer of Your sincere friend, H. T. STANES, Superintendent. N.B. These Rules should be placed in some conspicuous place; if in a frame, so much the better. |