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Staffordshire the son of a drunken forge labourer, often obliged to work all night for his father, who was on a drinking bout, carried off a prize against great competition; his course has been ever upwards, and now at twenty-one he is manager and part proprietor of the works on which he has been employed. An old schoolmaster writes that he could name nearly a score of his boys who are receiving a greater salary than himself, many of them through his recommendation of them. One was engaged at a brewery, eventually was apprenticed to the firm, is getting a liberal and progressive salary, and at the termination of his apprenticeship his services will be worth from £400. to £500. a year, owing to the acquaintance he has acquired with the qualities of barley and malt. The schoolmaster adds, “My old boys often come to me for advice, and I believe I have more influence over them now, than I had when they were in the school-room. They seem grateful; I feel thankful." Mr. Norris, in thus closing the last report he has to write, suggests that evidence of this kind is more valuable than the statistics on which we are much in the habit of relying.

LOAN SOCIETIES.

Mr. Tidd Pratt's annual abstract of the accounts of loan societies in England and Wales shows a constantly lengthening list. These societies are now 758 in number. At the close of the year 1859 he had to report on societies with £293,005 in borrowers' hands; at the close of 1863 the societies in the list just issued had £473,985. out on loan. Loans were made by them in 1863 to 172,850 persons, and the amount circulated in the year was £802,269. The societies received £54,370. for interest, and charges for forms of application and for making inquiries; and the expense of management was £20,266. The sum of £28,402. was paid for interest to depositors or shareholders, and there was left a net profit of £7,969. In the year 1863, 15,966 summonses were issued for £33,551., and 1,804 distress warrants; borrowers or their sureties paid £2,805. for costs. Five hundred of these societies are in the metropolis and the suburbs, and the place of business of these London societies is almost invariably a public-house. Some of these societies are upon a very small scale; there are not above ten in all London with £1,000 out on loan. In Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire, and at Nottingham there are societies on a higher scale, having £3,000., £4,000., and £5,000. in circulation. A loan society at Leeds has above £11,000. out on loan; at Hanley, and also at Birmingham, there is one with £18,000., and one at Longton, Staffordshire, with £20,000.

THE LOST SHIP.

The Neptune carrying 36 men, sailed from Aberdeen, on a fine morning in May, with the fairest prospect of good weather, and a prosperous voyage. About eleven o'clock the wind arose from the east, and swept over the sea with overwhelming violence. In about an hour she was seen standing in, but under such a press of sail as, con

sidering the gale, astonished all on shore. But on she came, now bounding on the top of the sea, and then almost ingulfed in the foaming cavern. The harbour of Aberdeen is exposed to the east, and formed by a pier on one side, and a breakwater on the other, and so narrow at the entrance as not to admit two large ships abreast. All saw that something was wrong on board. One attempt was made to shorten sail, but the ship was then within a cable's length of the shore, and urged on with an impetuosity which no human power could withstand. The wives and families of the men who were thus hastening to death had assembled near the pier; but all stood in silent horror, broke in a moment by the cry, "she's lost!" as the vessel, lashed on by the tempest, passed to the outer side of the breakwater, and struck with awful violence between two black rugged rocks. The cries of the victims were most horrible. The dreadful crisis had come, and they were lost indeed. A few brave men on shore endeavoured to man the life boat, and take it round the breakwater, but it was unavailing. One heavy sea rolling over the wreck for a moment concealed her, and when the people looked again she was gone! Her crew and timbers were hurled against the rocks, and with the exception of one man, who was washed up and lodged on a projecting edge, none escaped of the 36 who had that morning left the shore in health and spirits. From the man who was saved, the melancholy truth was learnt that the crew were all intoxicated, and could not manage the vessel.

Annals of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union.

THE FETE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

The Committee of the National Temperance League are making arrangements for a great fête at the Crystal Palace, on Tuesday, August 9th. All the magnificent attractions of the Palace will be made available for the entertainment of the vast multitude expected to assemble on that day.

There will be a display of the whole series of water fountains, a sight which will never be forgotten by those who witness it. It is intended to have a great Temperance meeting in the central transept, which will be addressed by popular advocates. The orchestra will be occupied by 1,500 Children, connected with the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union, who will doubtless entrance the audience. It is intended also to have a grand procession in the grounds, and an Open-Air Temperance Meeting. Bands of music will perform in the Palace and grounds, and the majestic organ will be played at intervals during the day. It is intended by the Band of Hope Union to give a New Testament to each of the Children of the choir, and also, through the kindness of Mr Joseph Livesey, a copy of

his famous "Malt Lecture." We hope this will be the most successful Temperance demonstration ever known in the Metropolis.

THE CONFERENCE PAPERS.

Our friends will be glad to know that the valuable Papers read at the May Conference of the Union, are now very nearly ready. In a few days those friends who have ordered them, may expect to receive them. Although a much larger number have been ordered, than even was anticipated by the Committee, yet as the papers are both practical and likely to be very useful, it is hoped that they will be still more widely circulated.

During the month Mr. G. BLABY has attended and addressed the following meetings:- Denmark Street, twice; Whitfield Chapel, twice; Working Men's Club, Westminster, twice; Cromer Street Chapel; Wandsworth road; Vauxhall Walk Temperance Hall; Victoria Street, Shad well; Deverell Street; Lansdowne Place; Caledonian Road; Windsor Street, Islington; William Street, Poplar; Spa Fields Sunday Schools; Stafford Street, Peckham; Charlotte Place, Walworth; Trinity Schools, Vauxhall Road; Little Denmark Street, Ragged Schools; Mission Hall, Moor Street, Five Dials; Meadow Row, New Kent Road; St. James's Walk, Clerkenwell, and Amicable Row, Kent Street, Boro'; he has also preached six sermons, and addressed three Sunday Schools.

Mr. WILLIAM BELL has during the last month visited meetings as follows:-Peel Grove, Bethnal Green; Mercers Street, Shadwell, twice; Duck Lane, Westminster, twice; George Yard, Whitechapel, twice; Little Denmark Street; Fitzroy Hall, Fitzroy Square; Kettering; Kennington Park; Albion Hall, London Wall; Slough; Newington Causeway; St. James's Walk; Hawkeston Hall, twice; Whetstone; Waterloo Street, Camberwell; Calthorpe Street, Gray's Inn Road; Mission Hall, Moor Street, Five Dials; Union Hall, Bishopsgate, twice.

Mr. FREDERIC SMITH has been attending rehearsals of the children who are to sing at the Crystal Palace, on August 9th, every evening during the month.

BRISTOL.-The Rev. G. W. M'Cree lectured on "Lights and Shades of Life in London,” in the Broadmead Rooms, on July 4th, when Robert Charleton, Esq. presided. The audience paid for admission, and the local press spoke highly of the lecture. On the 5th about 60 ladies and gentlemen met Mr. M'Cree at tea in the Tailors' Hall, Broad Street, and listened with great attention to an address on the " Present Condition of the Band of Hope Movement." Henry Wethered, Esq., presided. A public meeting was then held in Counterslip Chapel, (the Rev. Mr. Maeinaster presiding), when Mr. M‘Cree lectured to a large audience, on "Parents and Children."

CHIPPENHAM.-On Saturday, July 10th, the Chippenham Band of Hope festival was celebrated. The members, to the number of 300, meeting in the Causeway at two o'clock, from whence, at half-past two,

they marched, headed by the Road fife and drum band, to the Temperance Hall, where, after singing melodies, and some very creditable perforinances by the fife and drum band, eliciting much applause from the children, they were regaled with a bountiful tea; after which, at half-past four, they were marched to Blackhorse Field (kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. Rixon), where various games had been provided for their amusement, cricket, archery, footballs, swings, &c. Some beautiful working models were exhibited. Between eleven and twelve hundred persons availed themselves of this opportunity of visiting the field, a charge of one penny towards defraying the expenses having been made. At a quarter to nine the band, who by their excellent performances had been enlivening the proceedings at various intervals during the evening, now struck up the National Anthem, on which signal the parties assembled quietly retired from the field, having, to all appearance, enjoyed themselves with great zest for about four hours without the aid of alcoholic beverages.

CHRIST CHURCH, CHELSEA.-Three interesting meetings—a combination of adults and children-were held on three consecutive Thursdays, May 26th, June 2nd, and June 9th, under the presidency of the Rev. W. W. Robinson, M.A. Incumbent. Fifteen of the former, and one hundred and thirty of the latter, (since increased to one hundred and fifty-five) took the pledge. The Rev. G. W. M'Cree, and the following speakers ably addressed the audience, viz., Mr. Hewitt, an abstainer of twenty-eight years standing, now in his seventy-fourth year, and Messrs. W. Robson, W. Bell, Kilpatrick, T. O. Chapman, and F. Smith, as deputations from the Band of Hope Union. The proceedings were commenced as usual, with singing, prayer, and a portion of God's word, and the speeches were interspersed with striking anecdotes and frequent allusions to spiritual subjects: so that if any were present who neglect the house of God, they heard of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, and were exhorted to attain it, by earnest prayer for the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit.

DARLINGTON. Under the auspices of the Darlington Temperance Society, the Rev. G. W. M'Cree (hon. secretary of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union, London) delivered two excellent lectures on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, June 22nd and 23rd, in the Mechanics' Hall, to very large audiences. On Tuesday evening, the subject of the lecture was, "Parents and their Children." The Rev. T. Holme, vicar of East Cowton, occupied the chair. The lecturer recommended parents to send their boys to works where it was known the men were generally sober, and referred to the fact that there were "sober trades and "drunken" trades. On Thursday evening the subject was "Lights and Shadows of Life in London," when the Rev. Marmakuke Miller took the chair. The hall was crowded to excess, and the Rev. lecturer handled his subject in a masterly style.-Local Paper.

EAST COWTON.-On Wednesday the 22nd of June, the village of East Cowton assumed a very gay and bustling appearance; at 4 o'clock nearly 400 persons partook of tea in a tent provided by the Society. After tea a public meeting was held, presided over by the esteemed president of

the Society, the Rev. T. Holme, who in a very affectionate manner invited his hearers to adopt the temperance principles. Messrs. Dakyn and Johnson next addressed the meeting. The chairman then called upon the Rev. G. W. M'Cree, who in a thrilling speech, pointed out the folly and misery attending the degrading habits of those who indulge in drink. EAST LONDON TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION, PEEL-GROVE HALL, BethNAL-GREEN.-During the past few weeks large and attentive audiences have much encouraged the committee of this association in their efforts to build up a "faithful Temperance band." Mr. W. Bell, of the Band of Hope Union, gave three stirring lectures on the 9th, 16th, and 23rd of June, to good assemblies. On Monday, the 27th, the Rev. R. M. Johnson, gave an interesting lecture to a large assembly. On the 30th, Mr. S. Sims, of Greenwich, gave a good practical address, which was well received. On the 4th inst. the hall was crowded to hear an oration from Mr. John De Fraine, who was loudly applauded. On the 7th Mr. Joseph Bormond gave an eloquent lecture, which was well received. On Saturday evenings music holds its sway to increasing and appreciative audiences.

FITZROY HALL.-Dear Sir,-We were well pleased with Mr. Bell's addresses on June 30th. The early one to the children engaged their attention, and met with their hearty approval. The address to the adults at eight o'clock was still better; he well proved "that Temperance men were the friends of all, and the enemies of none." At both portions of the evening there was a good attendance, and both companies were equally delighted. J. P. DRAPER.

A PLEASANT LETTER.

8, Carlton Road, Mile End, 24th June, 1864. My Dear Sir,—I think you will be very much pleased with the spirit which has taken place since your kind appeal, and with such earnestness, few could but feel impressed.

They considered that my having for three years carried it on so successfully, that the time had arrived to relieve me from some of the labour; therefore they commenced their first meeting of their fourth year, by ehoosing a President, Vice President, 22 years total abstainer, Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee consisting of twelve.

They also, I find, have passed resolutions—to have immediately a pledge book-all above 14 years of age to sign, without requiring Band of Hope Certificates. I have had made for them a very nice cupboard, so as to induce them to get a nice library, as also to contribute a small sum weekly for other purposes, so that with the continuance of divine favour every blessing will be abundantly bestowed.

Your Record, Melodies, Pledge Cards, &c. &c., I will bring under their notice, if you send me any copies that you consider most useful, and I hope in time they will testify their zeal in the cause.

Twenty tickets for the Palace will not be sufficient, as I always average twenty-three for Mr. S. and E. Hall.

Yours respectfully,

The Rev. G. W. M'Cree.

W. BROWN.

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