BLUE SPUR TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 3 November 1870, Page 6

BLUE SPUR TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

A meeting of this society was held in the schoolroom on the evening of Friday last. There was a fair attendance. The Rev. Mr. Keall occupied the chair. He slated that his views in favour of the temperance movement had been greatly strengthened by cases which he had met with when lately riding about the country. lie had met with one case in which a man had spent about forty pounds in public houses the week before he died, and the children he had left behind him were cast on the benevolence of the public to provide for them. So far as the movement had already proceeded, he was glad to say that they had to mourn over none of those who had joined it who had since returned to their drinking habits. Many inducements had been held out to some to return, and even stratagems had been employed for this purpose. If such unworthy measures were continued, means would have to be taken to counteract them.

The Rev. Mr. Menzies delivered an address on the power of habit. There had been great discussion about the freedom of the will — some affirming it and others denying it. The truth seemed to be between the two ex- .. tremes. Undoubtedly, in an absolute sense, we feel that we are free ; yet the force of habit is fo strong, that many of our acts are done under its influence, and without reflection, so that in such cases it would be said our will was not free. In fact, habit often becomes a tyranuical master, and this was especially true of the habit of drinking ardent spirits. He had himself met with one man who said to him that if his drinking stood between him and his salvation, he could not give it up. He would therefore warn all to beware of a habit so insidious in its character, which might lead in their case, as it had done in other cases, to such a deplorable result.

Mr. M'Lelland, in the course of his speech, read a leading article which had lately appeared in the " Cromwell Argus," advocating in the strongest manner the formation of a temperance society in that district. He (the speaker) said that such an article reflected the highest honour on the good sense and moral courage of the proprietors of that journal, who had no doubt looked more to the public weal than to their own selfish interests in taking such a stand. He referred also to the noble conduct of the Prime Minister of New Zealand in lending all his influence to the promotion of temperance, and for his efforts in the direction of a Permissive Bill.

The Rev. Dr. Copland said the heartiness with which the temperance movement had been adopted in many parts of the country seemed to bear a clo3e resemblance to the zeal and earnestness attending a new rush. Certainly it would compare most favourably with any rush that had ever attracted public attention. To enable them to judge of its nature, he might tell them some of the prospects which had been already obtained. He might

confidently speak of the prospect of good health. The prevalent delusion that health could not be found here had been dispelled. It was shared in by every member of the body. The head was found here in its proper place — not, as too frequently happened, in some other rush he could name — in the place that should be occupied by the feet. The tongue, too, which was an important indication of the health, presented a pleasing contrast to the tongue which was often observed elsewhere, being there inclined at first to become too loose, so that it spoke too much, and afterwards insulting and abusive, sometimes foul and even profane. The stomach seemed here to have no severer complaint than a certain well-known uneasiness about three times a day, for which abundance of good food afforded a safe and satisfactory remedy. The legs, too, were up to their weight, retaining their proper position, and never inducing their owners (to use a phrase familiar to that meeting) to walk horizontally. He referred to other prospects which had been got at this rush — of wealth and happiness — the happiness afforded by a good character, and by an earnest endeavour to do good to others. He said that there was no difficulty in getting into a claim here. All that was necessary was that they should be willing to work their shai*e. It would cost them nothing for all the water they would need, and it could be obtained everywhere. There was no gunpowder required unless that which was used for tea ; there was no tunnelling of their health — no blasting of their reputation. The duty which had been levied on their gold at bars was taken off ; the escort of police might, if the rush became universal, be almost done away with. They might obtain here miners' rights for nothing, a residence area wherever they pleased, and a lease of their claim as long as their life.

Mr. Manuel stated that a Band of Hope had been formed at the Blue Spur, numbering about forty members.

Temperance melodies were sung during the meeting, and, at the close, several gave in their names as members.