NELSON TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 75, 12 August 1843, Page 299

NELSON TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

[from a correspondent.]

On Tuesday last, a Tea Meeting was held in Ebenezer Chapel. About 140 individuals sat down and appeared greatly to enjoy their repast. After tea the doors were thrown open ana the public admitted. One of the Secretaries stated that, as the meeting had been called as a public meeting, at which discussion was invited, it was of course open to the meeting to elect any chairman they pleased. No person being proposed, after waiting some time the Teetotallers proposed Mr. J. Magarry, who, in compliance with their request, came forward, briefly stated his willingness to obtain a fair hearing for all parties, and afterwards called upon Mr. J. M. Hill to address the meeting. Mr. Hill said that it seemed as if the committee who had got up this meeting had a mind to commemorate his ninth teetotal birthday, which would take place in nine days from that time ; and, in an animated speech of considerable length, he described the disgusting customs of a public-house, and endeavoured to induce the working people to abandon them, stating that the publicans enjoyed the sweets of the poor man's labour. He also desired Teetotallers to stand by their principles; and those who joined them to do it. from conviction, and not from the impulse of the moment. m No speaker coming forward to reply to Mr. Hill, a few Sunday-school teachers and children sang some lines which they had selected as suitable for the occasion: this they did in a very creditable manner, and obtained much applause from their audience.

Mr. A. Saunders being called upon, said that he regretted that no person would come forward to state any objections they might have against teetotalism : he knew none ; in a ten v-urs' trial of it he had found none ; and it apured to him like talking to the wind to defend a cause to which no one would object. He noticed a few respects in which he considered Teetotallers had an advantage over any other class ; endeavoured to show that teetotalism was perfectly consistent with the whole purport of the Bible, and that it was not only a right, but the right course for those to adopt who profess to be followers of Him who " pleased not himself."

The boys then sang a teetotal song, and the Chairman again stated his unwillingness to call upon the advocates of one side of the quest on only, and hoped the meeting would be addressed by those who entertained different opinions upon the subject. Mr. A. Saunders said that he had heard that some parties had said that they would oppose teetotalism, if it were at a meeting where fair play could be expected, but that they might as well come forward in a lion's den as in that meeting. He was sure that the majority of the meeting were friends of teetotalism; but, in order that there might be no ground for such a slur, he took the present opportunity to say that, whilst he remained in the colony, he should be glad to meet any opponents, at any time and at any place they may appoint, provided words only were, used ; as he should despise himself if he could entertain views he was afraid to bring to the test of a fair discussion.

Dr. Cater said he believed he was the party referred to by Mr. Saunders. He had said something which, by passing from two or three mouths, might easily amount to as much, but it was a mistake to suppose that he was opposed to teetotalism, as, from the little he knew of it, he thought it was a very good thing in the abstract.

At the close; twenty-two signatures were obtained.