TOTAL ABSTINENCE TEA PARTY,

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 17, 27 September 1845, Page 3

TOTAL ABSTINENCE TEA PARTY,

This Society held their Anniversary Tea Party in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, on Tuesday evening last. The room was densely crowded in every part by a most respectable audience, jwho testified, by their deep attention to the business of the evening, the increasing interest taken by the community in the success of the principles of total abstinence. The Hall was tastefully lighted up, and elegantly decorated, with flags and mottos, under the able and indefatigable exertions of the committee. We noticed the star-spangled banner of the Americans, and behind the chairman was gracefully folded the Union Jack kindly and promptly lent by His Excellency the Governor for the occasion. Around the mottos we noticed a mourning border, placed there by the society from respect to the late Rev. J. Skevington, who was interred on that evening. The party— large as it was—having comfortably and hilariously partaken of the well-regu-lated refreshments of tea, cake, &c, plentifully provided by Mr. Gorrie, confectioner, the purpose of the irieeting commenced by our respected townsman, Mr. F. Gardiner, taking the chair, and opening the business in a short and neat address, in which he dwelt eloquently upon the advantages of those principles they were now called upon to celebrate, and concluded bycalling upon Mr. Joshua Robinson to address the meeting. Mr. Robinson stated, that it afforded him the highest gratification to find that the cause of total abstinence was progressing fast, and that the strongest evidence of such being the fact, was manifested in the crowded and respectable meeting he had the pleasure of addressing. He animadverted in strong and earnest language upon the habit of using intoxicating liquors — pointed out the ruinous consequences, and the utter destruction that must necessarily ensue to many of those who continue their use, and concluded a very able address by entreating atl in the assembly to exercise their influence and example in destroying the drinking customs of the age by extending the benefits and blessings of total abstinence principles to their fellowcolonists. Mr, Newman next addressed the meeting, and after descanting ably upon the evils of alcoholic drinks, he illustrated his subject by describing some scenes wsich he had witnessed in England, which shewed the great and important advantages to' be derived from the practice of the principles of total abstinence, and to adopt which he energetically called upon all present at the meeting. Mr. Hart, having been called upon by the Chairman, presented himself to the meeting, and said, — Ladies and gentlemen, after the very able addresses which you have heard this evening there is little left for me to say. The evil attendant upon intoxication has so often been the theme of the eloquent and talented that I may well shrink from the task of endeavouring to illustrate a subject so exhausted. \The successful march of the Total Abstinence principle has of late years almost exceeded belief. That banner, said the speaker, pointing to the American Ensign, some few years since floated over millions of drinkers of ardent spirits. America was the hot-bed of intemperance, but now, my friends, the rapid stride of tern-

perance lias been sucb that the Americans are at present the most temperate people in the worlds, and I am sure this meeting will rejoice with me in seeing some of our Ameiican friends amongst us to celebrate our anniversary festival. The number of Ladies who now grace this assemblage induces me this evening, more particularly, to address myself to them. No matter how eloquent may be the speaker, no matter what may be the vigour which he may bring to bear upon his subject, no matter how faithfu%, yet vividly, he may picture the accumulated horrors of intoxication, or the powerful blessings that appertain to those who abstain from the use of that most fatal of all poisons — intoxicating drinks, such efforts shrink into insignificance, compared to the impassioned, tender, and affectionate influence of womans pleadings. Many a man that would resist the conviction of the most unanswerably drawn argument, would yet yield to the mild per- < suasive language of woman. I must confess that upon the occasions of lectures upon tbebubject of Total Abstinence, it was a source of disappointment to me that such meetings were not graced by the presence of the fairer part of the Creation; the effect of your absence is invariably to take from such discourses much of their usefulness, without your assistance this cause cannot continue to prosper. Much has certainly been effected by the eloquent and learned men who have addressed themselves to this subject, but your fineside influence has been mu^h more powerful,— it has effected much more good. It sometimes happens that when misfortunes overtake a married man, that he gives way to drinking lo f as he says drown sorrow ; to the female part of my auditory I look for assistance to remedy this evil, it is a part of their duty, and I have noticed that a married man, falling into misfortune, is more apt to retrieve 'bis situation inthe world than a single one, chiefly because his spirits are soothed and relieved by domestic endearments, and self respect. Kept alive by finding that although all abroad be datkness and humiliation, yet there is still a little world of love at home, of which he is the monarch ; whereas a single man is apt to run to waste and self-neglect, to fall to ruin like some deserted mansion for want of an inhabitant. 1 have often had occasion to remark the fortitude with which women sustain the most overwhelming reverses of fortune. Those disasters which breakdown the spirit of a man, and prostrate him in tho dust— seem to call forth all the energies of the softer sex, and give such intrepidity and elevation to their character, that at times it approaches to sublimity. Nothing can be more touching or deeply interesting, than to behold a soft and tender female who had been all weakness and dependence, and alive to every moral roughness, while treading the prosperous path; of life, suddenly rising in mental force, to be the comforter and supporter of her husband under misfortune, abiding with unshrinking firmness, the bitterest blasts of adversity. As the vine which has long twined its graceful foliage about the oak, and has been lifted by it in sunshine, will, when the hardy plant is rifted by the thun-der-bolt, cling around it with its caressing tendrils, and bind up its shattered bough $ so too it is beautifully ordained- by Providence, that woman who is the ornament and dependant of man in his happiest hours, should be his stay .and solace when smitten with calamity — winding herself into the rugged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting the drooping head, and binding up the broken heart. Will you, with such powers of doing good, refuse us the benefit .of your never failing influence. Shall we appeal to you on behalf of those you hold dear, of Fathers, husbands, brothers or sons 1 , and make the appeal in vain. I fancy I hear you all respond that the cause of Total Abstinence shall command our warmest wishes, our most unceasing advocacy ; for by so doing, we bestsecureour own comforts and domestic happiness. Mr. George Hunter next addressed the meeting, and, in a strain of great humour, satirized the lovers of strong drinks — said, in reference to their habits, he could not " speak unto them smooth things," — pointed out the baneful effect of intoxication upon a man's dearest earthlyinterest — his wife and family, — and called upon all to abstain from the use of wine, and spirits, if only for the sake iof those whose interests were, or ought to be, so dear to them. He also, in affectionate language, appealed to the children, of which many were present, to call npon their parents to abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks, and effectually illustrated his subject by an occurrence in England, where, by the interference even of children, adults were induced to sign the pledge. Mr. Griffin and Mr. Caleb Robinson gave their testimony in favor of total abstinence ; pointed out many of the advantages to be derived from the establishment of such societies in young settlements like our own ; and deprecated any compromise of the principles of the society by those who bad taken its pledge. Mr. Falwasser (who professed to attend the party in his capacity of reporter,) suggested the propriety of the meeting addressing Iris Excellency the Governor upon the subject of a Savings* Bank, as the establishment of such an institution would second the exertions of the society. Mr. Hart said he fully concurred in the great benefit that would accrue to the working classes from the establishment of a savings' bank. — Many a man who now spent his money in the purchase of spirituous liquors would, if such an institution were established, deposit his little savings in the bank, and, at the end of a short time, would find himself in a situation to add to the delight of his domestic hearth by the intioduction of many little comforts. He (Mr. Hart) had no doubt that a respectful application upon this subject, to His Excellency the Governor, would meet with the attention it deserved — his Excellency having promptly, upon all occasions, acceded to any course that would tend to benefit the community — particularly the working classes. After a few remarks fiom Mr. M'Nair, Mr. Joplin, and several others — Mr. Thos. Somerville stated that he was requested by several of the ladies present to move that a vote of thanks be presented to Mr. Hart for the very kind and able manner in which he had advocated their interests, — and which, after being seconded by Mr. W. Hart, jun., of Tamaki, and put to the meeting, was carried by acclamation,

Mr. Hart, in returning thdiiks, said— Ladies, need I say that I am most highly flattered and honored by this mark of your approbation, and I assure you i cannot find words to express the deep feelings I entertain for this distinguishing mark of your kindness. During the evening several temperance hymns were sung, accompanied by the band in attendance, who also played our national aiis, and tiiose of our respected American visitors, the .captains of the Tobacco Plant, and Falco. The meeting went off with great eclat, and broke up at half-past ten o'clock— several persons having joined the Society, and taken the pledge.