BAND OF HOPE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 142, 27 October 1870, Page 6

BAND OF HOPE.

On Friday evening last a meeting was held in the Tuapeka Athenaeum, for the purpose of forming a Band of Hope. There were about seventy children present, besides a good number of adults, who took an interest in the total abstinence movement. The Rev. Dr. Copland occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks told the young people that they had been called together to enlist in the good cause of temperance, which many of their parents had joined. They (the children) were invited to form themselves into a Band of Hope that they might be trained to temperate habits, and so assist in moulding society when their parents were taken away. Almost the youngest of them were aware of the mischief that was done in the world by strong drink. The Rev. Doctor referred to the Spartans of old who were renowned as a nation of soldiers. Such a thing as drunkenness was unknown to the Spartans, and in order that the children might grow up sober like their parents, one of their slaves would be made drunk to show the horrid and degrading effects of drunkenness. The taste for strong drinks had often been acquired by people when they were very young, and in order that they might have no desire for it in after' yearß, they had been called together to form a Band of Hope to bring about such a good result. Mr. Adams had kindly undertaken to lend a helping hand. Mr. Adams then addressed the children in a few very suitable remarks, and read some rules which he thought it would be well for them to adopt Mr. M'Lelland followed by giving a very amusing and instructive address, well spiced with anecdotes.

The Eev. Mr. Menzies also ad* dressed the children. The following office bearers were then elected : — Mr. Adams, President ; Mr. Bloxham, Vice- President ; Mr. M'Nicoll, Treasurer; and Mr, Ford, Secretary. The following gentlemen were elected to act with the office bearers as a committee, viz. : — Messrs, Crow, Robertshaw, and Menzies, jun. It was decided to hold the meetings of the Band of Hope fortnightly, the next meeting to be held on Friday, Nov. 4th. The names of all the children present were taken down, all of whom would be enrolled as members of the youthful band who brought the written consent of their parents at the next or succeeding meetings. The meeting then closed.