I.O.G.T., WELCOME RETREAT, LODGE, NO.44

Temuka Leader, Issue 1496, 22 April 1886, Page 4

1.0.G.T., WELCOME RETREAT, LODGE, N 0.44

The weekly meetiDg of this Lodge was held on Monday evening, the W.C.T, presiding. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, Mr A;. Fisher and Mr Robert Smith were initiated as members.; The Lodge was then made an open one. As a good programme had been preparedi and the open night had been announced’by Mr Bootbroyd the previous day, the attendance was very large, the ball being crowded to excess, 89, persons paying: for admission. The programme was opened by Mr Thos. Bowkett singing “The Blind Boy.” The W.C.T. then addressed those present, stating that Good Templary was in a flourishing condition in Geraldine, both as to the way members were keeping their obligations and with regard to the new members who were comingiforward for initiation. The Lodge had lost one good member in the Rev, Mr Clark, but his place would be filled by the Rev. Mr Boothroyd. They had also among them that evening a gentleman who had long experience as a missionary and temperance worker, Mr Sewtree. He (the W.C.T.) was afraid the Blue Ribbon had not sufficient hold npon those who had taken it, and he liked to eeeth m coming forward and joining the Good Templars. He urged upon the members the necessity of assisting persons to do so. Miss Beckley next sang “Please Give me a Penny, Sir,” followed by Mr Parker with a song “King of the Forest Glade.” Mr Thomas Seatree then addressed the meeting. He was, he said, glad to be present to taka part in the meeting that evening for as regards the temperance movement he was n univeraalist. He did not attach himself to any portion of the work and adhere to that only; he liked them all, and as far ss he could he would assist them •II in this great, grand, and glorious work. (Applause). He rather objected to the various names by which the bodies engaged in the grand work of temperance were called. Ho believed in them all being called the Teetotal Army, Of course they were all great divisions cf the great armyjthat was engaged in the cause, and be would like them to shake hands all round, and then they would be able to shout “Victory.” He differed with those people who sneered at leetotalism and called it a failure. Teetotalism was not a failure. It proposed to take a man that was a drunkard and make him a sober man, and it prevented a man from becoming a drunkard, for if a man, woman or child never took intoxicating liquor into their mouths they could never become drunkards. Good Templary was not a failure, but it was taking a firm hold of the people. He had read in a paper recently that there were one hundred and thirty thousand Good Templars in England, and eighty thousand of the youth of that country were total, abstainers, pledged npon oath to neither touch, taste, nor handle, nor yet to smoke. But if tha world would stand by the Old Book there would be no need for Good Templars or any other temperance body. Mr Sbsrratt. next sang “ One Story is Good till Another is Told.” Miss Andrews next ■ang “Tarnham Toll.” Mr Patrick followed with a recitation, and was succeeded by Mr Herdman with the song “ Jessie o’ the Dell.” In response t»the encore which was demanded, this gentleman substituted “My Nannie’s Awa’.” The Rev. J, Boothroyd next addressed the meeting. Ue said he was very pleased to be present that evening. No one could say, after having attended a meeting like the present, that teetotalers could not enjoy themselves.! He had enjoyed himself, and he was. sure if the good, people of Geraldine never spent their evenings in a worse way they would never go far wrong. With regard to the temperance cause he could assure them it had his warmest sympathies. Our Saviour said a tree was known by its fruit, snd.vrhen they looked upon the fruits of temperance and the fruits of the drink traffic there conld be. no doubt as to which was most desirable. He had been delighted with the progress of the temperance cause in Christchurch and everywhere else in New Zealand that he had been. When Mr Noble and Mr Glover arrived in Auckland there was a great demonstration held there by the various temperance bodies, and a person had remarked that the publicans could make a demonstration tflo if they choose. Mr Glover had said lie would like to see the demonstration they would make, with some of their best customers and their wives and children in the procession. The rev. gem lemon spoke for some little time, and npon resuming his seat was heartily applauded. Mr Pratt next gave a song “The MarbleMr T, Sherratt a reading, and Miss Maslin followed with “The Songs, My Mother used to Sing.” Mr Maslin then addressed the meeting, and after a few words from the W.C.T, and the singing of the National Anthem the Lodge closed. The W.C.T. staled the Lodge would meet again for business on Wednesday week.