LECTURE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1888, 7 May 1889, Page 2

LECTURE.

On Friday evening Miss Ackerinan, the representative of the Women's Temperance Union, delivered an address io the Volunteer Hall, Temuka. There was a crowded attendance, every available seat being occupied, and many of those present had to stand. A capital choir and orchestra, with Messrs Eutland and Proudlock as conductors, rendered choice Selections from Sankey'a hymns during the evening. The Eev. T. A. Hamilton occupied the chair, and opened procee&figT by reading from Eomans, xiv. |Che Rev. R. S. Bunn then engaged in prayer. Hymn 400 having been sung, the chairman said it was usual at a meeting of that kind to give a few introtory remarks, and his should be brief. Miss Acker man was engaged by the Women's Christian Temperance Union to deliver lectures pretty well throughout the world. The Union was an association formed in America of 300,000 women, who were banded together in opposition to the drink traffic. Their object was not only one of reformation but. for the stirring up of men's and women's hearts, that it might be demonstrated that Christianity and temperance should go hand in hand. He briefly referred to the sympathy existing between America and England, especially in missionary work, and spoke of the duty owed by men to their weaker brethen, so that the latter might be strengthened hy the former's example. lu conclusigtei he trusted Miss Ackerman might, after a long course of travel, be restored safely to Home, Sweet Home. Miss Ackerman, who on rising was greeted with applause, said that although she met them under the auspices of the Blue Ribbon Army, she was really the representative of quite a different organisation, none of whom had yet visited that district, The organisations established by men had proved comparative failures, and women, who had for years contented themselves with prayer, found that they must rise to the pressing occasion. In a township but little larger than Temuka seventy-five women set out to pray in front of the different public houses, and thus went on from week to week until their numbers considerably increased, and the movement spread to other towns and then to other States. Now it might be said to have extended from nation to nation, for a missionary from their society had made the tour of the world, and when she (the speaker) returned to her home very few countries would remain unvißited. The organisations of men had failed through want of moral courage. With men so many conflicting interests /intervened that their efforts were nearer fully put forth. For claimed a higher degree of moral force, and gave an amusing anecdote to illustrate her contention. The outcome of the first effects of the Union was that they had caused an Act to be passed in Congress to the effect that boys and girls should be scientifically instructed in the evil effects of intemperance. This was soon made law in 23 different States. 'To illustrate the strength of their society now she referred to a meeting of delegates from different branches held in New York prior to her departure. Four hundred and eight delegates attended, and for the occasion a building having the largest auditorium in the world was engaged. For 6 days and 6 nights they were engaged in deliberations, the cost of the building being £IOO a day. When 300,000 women started out to reform they meant business. She briefly referred to the prejudices against women lecturing, Ac, but claimed that it would soon pass away. It was for them to defend their rights, and when they saw the evils inflicted upon the sex, the dishonor of homes, and the temptations that assailed their boys, they felt that it would be a sin to stay home and keep silence. Much had been said about moral suasion/ but it did practically little. People were such creatures of habit that the only way to overcome the evil was to keep the source of it away 4 -..3Jhe truth was that men were only Controlled by law and governed by law, and in America women had recognised this and. had gone in for legislation. The petition of the women of Illinois was 160, yards long, and although at first they received no help they ended by carrying the scientific Temperance Instructions Bill. Out of 60 members of Congress 57 voted for it. Would it be believed that the same body almost at the same time voted 3.0,000, dollars to encourage vintage culture ? They made laws for the protection of fish, game, and forests,, and for the Apache Indians,, than whom a more depraved race she (the speaker) had never seen. To thef latter it was penal to, supply drink r ! but no law was made to protect their- ; own boys from procuring it It was- ! in the first drink that the danger lay. She made an eloquent appeal to the women present to agitate for legisla.tion, and pictured the inconsistency, not to say the iniquity, of cities paying their police. a»d paving their streets with the money earned from licenses, deceived from hotels, &c. Itj was the pride and boast of America and England that they led the van with missions. With ' every missionary shipped aboiufe s. 70,000gah. of rum went, and foutSlße convert to Christianity there were? about 100 drunkards. In her concluding remarks she spoke hopefully of the time when strong drink wouldj

be banished from her own country, and believed it would be by woman's influence. She thanked them for her kindly reception, and invited any present to come forward and sign the pledge of the Blue Ribbon Army. To wear the ribbon did not mean that they were lifted from the gutter, but that they gave their influence for right. A number present at once did so. A collection was them made, and a hymn sung, after which the Rev. Mr Bunn moved a vote of thanks to which was carried by acclamation. The proceedings terminated with the Benediction. Miss Ackerman is of good presence, I and speaks clearly and fluently. Her illustrative anecdotes are told with much point, and with a species of dry humor, essentially American. The impression she created was essentially a favorable one.