Durham, at both of which places there are extensive Ironworks. The attendance was good at both places, and the addresses were listened to with marked attention, and seemed to produce a good effect. At Witton Park, previously to the adult meeting, we examined and addressed a large number of juveniles, many of whom belonged to the Band of Hope. They appeared to be intelligent children, and gave very appropriate answers to the questions proposed. Mr. Lewis, the secretary, informs me that there were in the district 600 children in the different sabbath schools, and that before our visit there were about 300 " pledged abstainers," but (he adds) since your visit a consultation between the officials has taken place, and, now we have determined to make all our sabbath school children members of the Band of Hope, and meet all together once every month to listen to addresses. We thank you kindly for the interest you take in this noble cause. Your visit will not soon be forgotten; all seem to have been delighted at our meeting." RICHMOND, SURREY.-The fourth Annual Festival of the Band of Hope was held on the 5th inst. at the British School Room. About eighty persons were present. Mr. Freemantle presided over the meeting. After singing and prayer, Mr. F. Cox, the secretary made a report of the proceedings during the past year, shewing that 35 pledges had been taken, and 495 Band of Hope Reviews distributed. Very interesting and instructive addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Banham, Messrs. Yeanes, Newby and Charlesworth. At the close, an abundant supply of tea and cake, &c., was brought in, and that being disposed of, and a few pledge cards presented, the assembly broke up highly gratified. PERCY CHAPEL BAND OF HOPE, BATH.-A very interesting meeting of this Society was held in the school-room of the above Chapel, on Tuesday evening, Oct. 28th, when notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather, the attendance was overflowing. In the unavoidable absence of Thomas Thompson, Esq. of Prior Park, Mr. Beavis was unanimously called to the chair. In opening the proceedings, the chairman expressed his regret at the absence of Mr. Thompson; he then gave some striking anecdotes, illustrating the frightful consequences of intemperance, and also related instances which had come under his own notice, of wondrous reformations effected, through the blessing of God on the efforts of members of the Temperance Society. Mr. D. B. Hooke then addressed the meeting at some length. He most earnestly entreated all present to have nothing to do with strong drink; for no less than 40,000 of our fellow countrymen are every year hurled into another world through its influence; that the holy Bible expressly declares, that no drunkard shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Then how appalling the condition of those whom strong drink has hurried to their graves! Mr. H. also gave many statistical facts, showing the vast sum of money expended yearly in this debasing and soul-destroying Mr. T. Anthony said, he was not at all accustomed to address an audience on the temperance question, although he had been a total abstainer for 13 years. He said he felt a particular interest in Bands of Hope, on the ground that prevention is better than cure; he had rather custom. prevent a child ever becoming a drunkard, than having become one, be the means of reclaiming him. When a man has gone to great lengths in vice, he cannot be perfectly restored, he retains the mark through life. If you rub the bloom off the peach, can you restore it ?--or shake the dewdrops in early morning from the leaves of the tender plant, and by what process can you replace them? During the evening some very excellent recitations were given by members of the Band of Hope. We may mention the following :-"The Drunkard's Auction," Master A. Jones; "The Rescued Boy," T. Price; “Alexander and the Robber," E. & A. Jones; "Close the Alehouse Door," Miss Ryman; "A Drop of Water," E. Ryman; "A Story of Heaven," L. Gifford; "Robin Gray," E. Gough; "Battle of Blenheim," Master Lane, member of Vineyards Band of Hope. Mr. J. S. Sturges, the President, then proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman and speakers for their kind and able assistance. He said there was much reason for gratitude to God for the success which has attended Percy Chapel Band of Hope, for although the society has existed little more than a year, it already numbers more than 300 members. Mr. S. then gave a short account of Alexander the Great, who, he said. conquered the whole world, but himself became an abject slave to drunkenness, and concluded his remarks with several instances which had been brought under his notice in one day, in which health, character, and business had been sacrificed at the shrine of intemperance. The Doxology was then sung, and the meeting separated all well pleased, and we trust much profited. KENILWORTH.-On Tuesday evening, November 11th, an amusing and highly instructive lecture was delivered in Abbey Hill School-room, before a uumerous and much-gratified audience, by J. W. Kirton, agent to the Alliance, on "The History and Mystery of a Glass of Pale Ale." His interesting remarks were illustrated and enforced by the exhibition of numerous diagrams, and the use of an apparatus, by which he performed certain experiments on a pint of ale, and clearly showed how useless all such drinks really are, and their utter inability to supply the place of food in imparting strength and nourishment to the human system. Mr. Kirton succeeded in making his remarks so plain that the youngest child might understand them. VENTNOR-On Friday evening last a lecture was delivered in connection with the Ventnor and Bonchurch Temperance Society, by Mr. C. Starling, (of the Band of Hope Union, London,) at Wesley Chapel, High street, on the advantages of the Band of Hope movement. The meeting, which was well attended, was commenced by singing a temperance hymn. The. Rev. S. Illingworth, Primitive Methodist Minister, then engaged in prayer; after a few introductory remarks by the chairman, (Rev. G. Reeves, United Free Methodist Minister), Mr. Starling proceeded to deliver his lecture, which was interspersed with anecdotes of an interesting and amusing character, and was listened to by the audience with the greatest attention. The drum and fife band, in connection with the Band of Hope, was in attendance, and played to and from the meeting.-Hampshire Independent. J. BALE, Printer, 78, Great Titchfield-street, Marylebone. |