BLUE RIBBON GOSPEL TEMPER ANCE MISSION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1212, 2 August 1884, Page 2

BLUE RIBBON GOSPEL TEMPER ANCE MISSION.

The anniversary of the introduction of the movement in Temuka was celebrated on Thursday evening last in the Volunteer Hall. A moat rechercM spread was provided by Mr Edward Lee; As the anniversary had been looked forward to by the temperance part of the community it is not surprising that about 200 persons partook of the good things provided, and to show that Mr Lee had ample resources at his command hV'assured our - reporter” ffiat he could well have have, supplied 100 persons more. After tea the President (Rev. T. A. Hamilton) opened the meeting, the room by this time being, full to overflowing. The choir song hymn 361 (Sank'eyV Hymn Book), after which Psalm 115 was-read by the President, the Rev. D. Gordon afterwards engaging in prayer; The' Rev. Mr Hamilton in -bis opening remarks dwelt on the better condition of many who had,given up strong drinks, and said the very fact of mich a full meeting showed that God was on their side, and that He had blessed them during the labors of the past 12 months,He also brought before the notice of the meeting the: fact of having been waited upon by the Hon. Mr Rolleston who desired to thank the merhbeirs of .the mission and temperance workers for the great help and assistance he had received at their hands during the recent election; and to assure-, them that he would on'all occasions remember such service by helping forward - temperance legislation. A great responsibility rested upon the members of the mission, who, he ; hoped, would go .forward, conquering and to conquer, and on tixa...occasion of the next anniversary he hoped still greater results iwould accrue.; They were met together without consideration, of denominations, and with God’s ; continued blessing they would yet win the day. Mr - Russell, Treasurer, then stepped forward and read the following report, which’was received with'applause For the purpose of establishing the above the first 'gathering took’-place at the Rev. T. A. Hamilton’s residence, Tepiuka, in the ’month of June of last year, which resulted in a Cornmitfcfce being formed, having for; its object' the carrying but of the work monthly, which has been done, over since, with'a Very slight' 1 with the most favourable reslilts.- The first meeting took place in this Hall on the 18th June, 1883, and the work was carried bn for three successive nights. The speakers from a distance on that occasion were Mr J.'T. Smith of Christchurch, and the Rev. Mr Blike, ably assisted by our local three nights’ mission was most. satisfactory, ending oh the third night" by 803 of onr population signing the pledge and donning the.blue ribbon. - 5 The Committee consists of various local gehtleine'n, assisted by ladies of the various denominations, having for its officers the Rev. T. Hamilton,. President j the Revs. Gordon and Wills, Vice-Presidents; and. ah Hon. Secretary.and Treasurer; Besides the above,.there hasbeen a Literary, Committee uppointefl) viz;, Air Lucas and Master Leonard Rayner, with the object in view of disseminating temperance', literature, and educating the ' public mind'- to the advantage fo be derived from temperance principles, more especially, urging, those principles to be carried into practice. The people may be curious to know how the finances stood such a strain, when no charges were made. In a few,instances the voluntary contributions given by che, people did not suffice to pay for the hall,, but .the Committee and friends subscribed privately and made up the 'deficiency. Besides - ' this,\ r Mr Lucas kindly volunteered but ‘of ‘ his bfrn private funds to find the necessary capital for the firstintalment of boots and periodicals, a great amount of the latter being freely distributed among the people free bf cost. .The various .meetings ;to yhe present date brought on the roll 526 pledged members. A few have violated fheir obligation/ butj they are a; very small, percentage indeed.) The expenditure consequent on this movement through rents of hall, paymept of temperance lecturers; travelling expenses, of ribbon, pins, pledge cards, hyton books, advertising, etc., amount to £25 Os sd, and the income accruing from collections and sale of a few hymn book* kmourit to £26 4s Id, leaving a . credit balance at Ihe last Committee meeting amounting to £1 3s Bd. Wo hare a 1 few smali bills in " B e meantime to pay for advertising, etc., - 'which will absorb this balance, but not exceed i|, >o that we now stand before you as poor as when we started, but clear, of debt. This statement it entirely independent of the transactions of the Literary Committee,- which will be given to you in detail;. If the proceeds of thi» night's soiree will war rant it, we; have the intention of engaging tlle s ,'services of some of the ablest of the temperance men of New Zealand to advocate the cause, on this platform. (Signed) J. Goof kb, Hon. Secretary. . .v > A. Russell, Treasurar. ; Addresses were then delivered by the following gentlemen Revs. P. Wills, Harris, Gordon, and Captain Lewis, of the Salvation Army,,; and ,we regret that pressure on - bur apace preveats us from giving more than passing notice. Suffice it to say that each gentleman was listened to, with nipt attention, and it has seldom been onr lot to hear any of them to greater advantage, and as a result bf this united effort 21 new members donned the bln**.. The choir, under the leadership of Mr/Harrison, contributed in no small degteo to - the success of the 1 meeting. During the evening recitations were given by th- Misses Li'-lian Brown, Boulter and Rose Goodev, a”'d a capital ''solo by Master Willie Storey.

Too cm tom-try votas.of thanks, proposed by Mr Stewait io an amusing spec oh, and the pronouncing of the,benediction by the Rev. Mr Harris, brought a most successful and enjoyab’e meeting to a close.