TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 136, 15 September 1870, Page 4

TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

A public meeting of tho Tuapeka Total Abstinence Society was held iv the Athenseum Hall, Lawrence, on Friday eveninglast. There was a pretty good attendance. The Rev. Dr. Copland occupied the chair. lie culled upon the Secretary (Mr. Crow) to read the minutes of the previous rneetiug. The Secretaiy stated that the number of names on the roll was sixiy-two, including twelve ladies. The Hew Dr. Copland delivered a very good address. lie was glad that tho interest taken in the movement; was increasing instead of diminishing, and trusted that it would continue so. Persons who had not yet signed the roll-book would have au opportunity of doing so after the meeting. It was satisfactory to learn that there had been a meetiug at the Blue Spur for the same purpose, and a good number of names had been enrolled. The cause was taking root iv other districts also. At Tokoinairiro there were 100 members. A Band of Hope had also been formed there for the purpose of training the young in the paths of temperance. He hoped steps would be taken here to form one also. At Baiclutha the society numbered between 70 and SO ;at West Taieri, 140. Societies had also boeu formed at the Teviot and CJuecnstown. He looked -upon it »«.«5 a hopefuJ sign seeing, so many districts had taken the cause up. He was afraid a good number were hanging back, but trusted they would come forward, so that their inliuencc and example would strengthen the ca>ise outside. He had just received a note from Mr. Bennett, who stated he was unable to attend ; he would therefore call upon Dr. Halley to address the meeting. Dr. Halley said he was pleased to see such a meeting. He would not treat the subject in a religious or moral view, but in its physical character. In the first place he would state that every movement of the body and every thought of the mind deteriorated to a certain extent from the strength of the muscles and nerves of the human frame, which required to bo replaced by food taken into the system, which is converted into blood, and dispensed from the heart, purified through the lungs, and sent to perform its duty through the whole body. Now, let them consider how far alcohol assists in supplying nature with that nutriment which is so necessary to support the human frame. He might at once state that alcohol did not act as food at all ; it was not, in fact, digested, but flew at once to the nerves and brain, and caused an enervating excitement, which detracted from the natural state of the body. Dr. Halley then related the following experiment on a dog, as reported by Dr. Percy. Dr. Percy inserted two and a half ozs. of alcohol into the stomach of a dog, which caused almost instantaneous death. He analysed portions of the body, and cut the head off, and analysed the brain, vi.d found that a very large per centage of the whole had lodged in the brain. That, of course, would tend materially to show that alcohol, instead of possessing nourishing qualities, was nothing more or less than a direct poison. It deprives the system of the oxygen which is necessaiy to keep up a healthy action, as oxygen had a stronger affinity to alcohol than to fat. la the greatest work of Dr. Christie's, alcohol is treated as a poison f r which there is noantidote. He (Drll.)cc alcohol, as a medicine, was very powerful. He could not agree with Dr. Higgin-

botham, of Nottingham, who denied it to be good as medicine. He (Dr. Halley) thought it should be kept for sale in every chemist's shop, and also in our own medicine chests. He found, in cases of loss of blood, it was very valuable. He recollected in the first year of the diggings here, there was a low kind of typhoid fever, commonly called colonial fever. In such cases he would rather use port wine or brandy than any other medicine. This, he thought was a strong argument that it should only be used as a medicine and not as a beverage. As a further instance why alcohol should only be used as a medicine, it is frequently illustrated in cases of accident, more particularly in the London hospitals, to brewer's men, and others who are in the constant habit of using alcoholic drinks. They often die under an operation, owing to the stimulant administered to them not having the desired effect in stimulating the system, as would not have been the case with men of temperate habits. We regret that our space precludes us giving any more of Dr. Halley's able address, but we may say it was listened to with rapt attention, and the Dr. sat down amidst great applause. The Rev. Dr. Coplaud said that the society ought to be very much obliged to Dr. Halley for his address, as he had clearly shown that alcohol ought only to be used medicinally. He would now call upon Mr. Blewitt, who said there were some people who had good ideas in their heads, but who have not language to express them ; he was one of those, and he trusted that he would be excused if he did not come up to the mark. He considered the present system of nobblerising very bad ; any rational person could see that. It was ruination to a man ; it caused premature old age, besides idling time and spending money unprofitably. He considered sobriety a vast acquisition to a man. He for one could testify that he could do his work much better without drink, and felt better and happier ; whereas, when he used to drink, he always felt dissatisfied with himself and everyone else, and felt a curious craving for something — he thought, perhaps, for drink. Since he had joined the society, he felt totally different. lie found it was a good cause, and only hoped that those who had already signed their names would stick to their pledge, and that others would join. Mr. Robert shaw, who was next called upon, said he could not, like other gentlemen who had become total abstainers, flatter himself that he had become one as an example or guide for others. He would that he could boast like them of such abnegation of self. It was with feelings of self-abasement that he had been obliged to publicly pledge himself. He considtied it beneath the dignity of a man so to do. He thought, however, that all who could not use drink in moderation should become total abstainers. Drink was given to man by God Almighty for his uae and comfort, and not for abuse. He could not refrain from saying a few words to another class. He wished he had tho Cinimand of language that would convey to them at least how sincerely he ft.lt that which he would impress upon them. He would earnestly entreat them from the depths of his soul to become total abstainers, lie meant tliose from whom the ranks of the drunkard were continually gettiug recruited. Those young men of a happy, joyous temperament possessing too great a flow of animal spirits without sufficient moral control to keep them within the bounds of moderation. Many such having some meretricious attraction which, while youth lasted, caused their company to be courted for the amusement they afforded, and who were induced to take stimulants in the shape of alcoholic drinks to increase their hilarity and convivial talents. Directly any such feel they possess a taste for drink, he would indeed beg of them to join a Total Abstinence Society. He would not depict the hideous future marked out for many — far too many — generally the most generous dispositioned youths, who thoughtlessly lend themselves for the amusement of others, and who are treated as a toy to be played Avith till the glitter is rubbed off, and then cast aside. He could state for himself that Mr. Drink and himself had been acquainted from his earliest recollections. When a child, he had half a glass of wine allowed him with his dessert, and as he increased in years so did the quantity of wine. He could say that he was the first teetotaller in his family or amongst his relations. He did not think that any harm could come of taking just a little drink, but lie found the habit was so strong that he could not throw it off till it had blasted his reputation, and damned himself in his own esteem. He was glad he had joined the society, and hoped many more would join. — (Great applause.) Mr. Adams, avlio was the next speaker, said he had never been a strict teetotaller in all his life, but he could say he never had been drunk. He strongly advocated the formation of a Band of Hope in Lawrence. He tliouglit thab more good ■would be derived by the formation of one than from societies. He thought that supposing such a band be formed they should endeavour to work it the same way as they did in Hobart Town, and that they should give the children a treat — say a pic-nic — every year ; and he had no doubt but that the Lawrence Brass Band would blow away some wind in their cause, as they had often done so for things of far less importazice. He strongly advocated ladies signing the pledge, as he considered they had a great influence in a community. He remembered once, while surveying near Switzers, his party and himself were caught in a severe snowstorm on the ranges, and after several hours walking, in which time they got soaked to the skin, reached their camp, and found the cook had some pea soup ready which they took in pannikins, and they all felt far better for it than if it had been hot grog. He never kept, or allowed to be kept, grog in his camp. He thought if all kindred societies joined together and . formed a temperance league, they would have more power to act. Although he was not a teetotaller, he would be most happy to join, if by so doing he would benefit the society. — (Applause.) The Chairman then said ho would now have- the pleasure of calling on the Rev. Mr. Keall, who said Mr. Adams remarked just now that if he could do any good by signing the pledge he would do jßov He (Mr. Keall) thought that Mr. Adams could do good, as his example

would induce others to join the society. Many people considered signing the pledge publicly was humiliating. He considered it not so. If a man joins a society for the purpose of benefiting himself and others, that ought to be sufficient to show him that it was not so. He strongly advised the formation of a Band of Hope. He was pleased to find that twelve ladies had become members of the society ; and he thought that ladies ought to come to these meetings, so that they might work together hand in hand for the cause. He concluded by saying that if the doctor prescribed alcohol as a medicine for Mm he would take it at once. Dr. Copland, in concluding, said as it was rather late he would just say a few words. The society was not intended to make people think that they could not keep steady without signing the pledge, but for the purpose of strengthening the cause. He was happy to see the Band of Hope question so well supported. After the meeting, thirteen new members were enrolled, making a total of seventy-five.