Rechabite Soiree.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2951, 31 July 1878, Page 2

Rechabite Soiree.

The third anniversary of the Friendly Help Tent, 1.0.Ji., Female Branch, was held at the Templav ,Hall last evening. The attendance—the inclement state of weather being considered—was good. After the tea, Bio. J. Danby, P.C.It, of the Hauraki Tent, 1.0. R., took the chair, aud, the opening ode having been sung, briefly opened the proceedings by congratulating the Female Branch on the good progress made since the institution of their tent.

Bro. E. Honiss said tbs temperance question had come to the front all over the empire, and no one was more interested in the suppression of the drnk than women, who wpre the principal sufferers from it. He then read the Secretary's report:—

To the W.O.ft, Officers and Members Friendly Help Teat, I.O.R.—Our Teat has now been establish' d three years, having been opened on the 26th July, 1876, with nine meinheri!, and it. is pleasing to find that in the past the good of such an inslitu ion has been practically proved, not only by '.he benefits receired by.those who, prompted by provident habits and principles, hare availed ihemgelves of the opportunity for preparing for the day of sickness j but also by the means afforded to the earnest iriends and supporters of the cause of temperance for learning and diasemi nating the truths of that great question of the day, which next to our holy religion comes nearer than anything elsa to our homes and he ;rtbs, and effects our domestic comforts and happiness, and, in fact, entirely envelopes our well being as wives and daughters. I deem it good then that those associated together for the purpose of using tbeir efforts (however humble those efforts may be when compared with the mighty evils they contend with, and the weighty questions involved) in the consideration of the drinking habits of our nation, and the best means for abolishing such a drgrading custom. I say, 1 deem it good that tbose thus bound together with one common cause in view, that they should be still closer united as we are, for the purpose of assisting and comforting each other in the time of sickness and trial. Such being the objects in view in instituting our Tent, I think the Tent may be congratulated on the success which has attended it since its charter was granted. The year (bat has now clos d has been fairly successful* At its commencement we had fifteen financial members and six honorary. During the year five new financial members have joined, whilst three have left and one has retired to the honorary list, and two new honorary members have joined, making our numbers now sixteen financial and nine honorary members, being a total ''nowise of four in our membership. Bach financial member is entitled at death to the sum of £10 10s from the funeral fund of the district, and we have the sum of £26 6s Id to the credit of the sick fund, and £1214s lid to the credit of management fund, making a total of cash to credit of £39 -Is. It is worthy of our notice that cf. the three members who htve left during the past year two have married, and baVe therefore made other provisioi for comfort and protection in the time of sickness, and though they have ceased to be financial memb-ra, their love and sympathy is with us, and may still continue to be honorary members of our ino&u 'honorable Order. The thanks of the Tent; are due to Bro. J, P. Jones, of the Star of Hauraki Tent, fortiis assistance, advice, and the interest Le tins evinced in the management of the Tent; also to Sfc'er Bennett, who basketed as Honorary Secretary during the entire year. Trusting our Tent may long continue to prosper and increase in strength and usefulness, I ha<-e the honor to remain, yours in the bonds of the Order, Sabah J. Honks, Hon. Secretary.—Tbaincs, 30Mi July, 1878.

Mrs John Gribble then sang very effectively, "We parted by the river side." Bro. Nodder gave a reading from Spurgeon's '■',". John Ploughman " with force and humor.

Master J. Gribble, who posaesses a treble voice of exceptional sweetness and power, saDg " Joe Perkins," which being rapturously encored he gave "Merry Dick."

P.C.R. Bro. Brown, having made a few - etnarks, Miss B. Gribble was deservedly encored in " Don't come teasing me, sir." Mr Newell Phillips recited Macaulay'i ballad " Tie Battle of Ivry "in a manner which the close attention oi the audience showed their appreciation of. . > . Mr Meacbem sang " Steer my bark to Erin's Isle " with taste and feeling, and was loudly applauded. Bro. J. P. Jones congratulated the Tent on its financial position, and hoped they would double the numbers during the year. ■_;:- Miss Gribble sang " You need na come courtin' o' me " very nicely. , The Chairman gave a reading in good style. Miss Keven sang very sweetly " Let the Angels iv," the effect being much enhanced by the final chorus given pianissimo.

Mr Newt 11 Phillips said not being a member of the Order he could only address them on the total abstinence question generally. He urged rery forcibly united action of tie 1.0. E. and 1.0. G.T. in establishing a temperance journal for the tforth Island, and for other purposes. He was, personally, disposed to agree with the well known saying, "Men cannot be made sober by Act of Parliament," and looked for lasting results chiefly to their being able to convince people that driDking did no good and entailed much evil. In this age, when mankind had won such a mastery over the forces of nature through the discoveries of science, the lives of thousands were often in the hands of one man; and if that man was inthe least degree under the influence of liquor, a mistake on his part would, and often had caused incalcul-, able misery. For this and many other' reasons there was more need for the complete triumph of temperance principles than at any previous period of the world's history. The address was very attentively listened to, and loudly cheered at its close.

Sister Richards then presented Sister Benuetfc with a P.O.U. Bash on behalf of the Teat as a mark of -heir appreciation

of her services as honorary secretary. Mrs -Bennett having ncknowledged th« presentation, Bro. Tredinoick mo/ed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had provided the tea, and the ladies and gentlemen who had given the^r services that evening, especially to Mr Phillips for his excellent recitation and very interesting address. The vote having been carried by acclamation, the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close.