GOSPEL TEMPERANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1900, 24 July 1888, Page 3

GOSPEL TEMPERANCE

- .-' >• :: ■ .—.■. „♦ : The monthly meeting of the Flemington Gospel Temperanoe Sooiety was held on Friday evening, and took the form of a eo.ial gathering, refreshments being served round during an interval. There was a large number of members present, and aooommodation had to be found for more than a hundred persons. The. Bey A. Blake oocupied the chair, and addressed the meeting on the grounds for total abstinence to be found m reason and the Soriptnres. There were shooting deaths occurring m the province through drink, and as Christians they must think of a remedy. A burning question m England at present was that of compensation. In certain parts of the United States and Canada it was the publican who had to pay compensatory damages, and to support the paupers, widows, and orphans canssd by the traffio. Messrs Andrews and Dalton, from ABhburton, also delivered telling addresses, and a .e&Aoxe oi tbe evening was the spoeoh oi Mr Watkins, who had jußt oome to settle m the district. It appears he is a veteran m the cause of temperanoe, and his earnest and pointed remarks were muoh appreciated. He observed that a considerable ohange had come over the district, one faotory had been removed — he referred to one for the manufacture of drunkards— and another faotory of a productive kind had been built. There was this building m whioh they were met which was for eduoation, and one across the roadjfor the preaching of tbe Gospel, so they had not been idle. He had long known Mr Andrews' efforts iv the Temperance cause, and he would be glad to assist him m the burial of John Barleycorn. He thought he knew of an appropriate place. He had been Living m the Geraldine distriot between Mount Misery and Mount Horrible (laughter). This was where the drink traffio landed them, and he. thought it would be a suitable plaoe for the funeral. Tbe proposed oeremony was then described m striking language, and Mr Watkioß oonoluded with an affeotlve and stirring appeal m favor of abstinence from Btrong drink. Appropriate songs were contributed m ezoellent taste by Mrs Wheeler, Miss Haytnan, and Messrs Wheeler and Dunn. Readings were given by Messrs McDonald and Wheeler. Mrs Harding presided at the harmonium. After some announcements and the usual votes ot thanks, the Chairman closed the meeting, when all left highly delighted with the evening's entertainment. -—-_-_-_------------»■-«--