Page images
PDF
EPUB

in the SCOTTISH UNION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF INTEMPERANCE, under the patronage of Earl Stanhope and Sir Francis Mackenzie, Bart., of Gairloch. This society consisted of all persons who signed either of the following pledges :

"1.-I agree to abstain from all intoxicating drinks. "2.-I agree to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, and will not give nor offer them to others."

On the 13th of August, in this year, Father Mathew visited Glasgow. His arrival was celebrated by a great procession. Large numbers of persons came from Edinburgh and other places. After the procession, a meeting was held on the public green, where Mr. Mathew administered the pledge to 10,000 persons, and before he left Glasgow, at least 40,000 had taken the pledge from his hand. In 1843, the Eastern Scottish Temperance Union, having almost become extinct, sought admittance into the Western Union. Mr. Robert Reid proposed to raise £1,000, to be presented as a freewill offering to the Western Union at its next anniversary, in 1844; in the meantime, it was thought desirable to draw up a new constituion for the union. This occasioned some discussion and dissension, and resulted in some of the friends withdrawing from the union, which was at length dissolved in July, 1846. On the 5th of November, 1844, the SCOTTISH TEMPERANCE LEAGUE was formed at Falkirk, and two years afterwards, as we have just seen, it absorbed the Western Union. A provisional committee having been appointed in

November, and having arranged all the preliminaries, the first general meeting of the Scottish Temperance League was held on March 16th, 1845. The Rev. William Reid was elected president, William Menzies, Esq., M.D., of Edinburgh, treasurer; and Mr. W. J. Templeton, secretary. The league consists of those abstainers who have signed the long pledge, and who subscribe not less than five shillings annually to its funds. Mr. Robert Reid, Mr. A. H. Maclean, and Mr. James Mitchell deserve especial notice in connection with the formation of this league. In October, 1845, the Scottish Temperance Review, under the superintendence of the Rev. William Reid, was commenced, and Messrs. Henry Vincent, Thomas Beggs (then of Northampton), Edward Grubb, and T. A. Smith, were engaged to lecture. In Edinburgh, also, the work went on well. An increase of about one hundred members took place weekly, and the total number of registered members was about 8,000. In May, 1845, the PERSONAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY of the United Presbyterian Church was formed; consisting of ministers, elders, preachers, and students, connected with the United Presbyterian body. The bond of union was personal abstinence; and agreeing to the following resolution constituted membership :-"I hereby promise to abstain from all intoxicating liquors, except in the ordinance of the Lord's supper, or when required as a medicine."

Thus the movement is still making onward progress; and notwithstanding the opposition of many, and the

apathy of others; and notwithstanding the divisions among its friends, yet "progress" and "success" is everywhere written upon the enterprize. The finger of God directs the movement, and His blessing everywhere accompanies it. And while its adherents, with a single eye to His glory, endeavour stedfastly and truthfully to disseminate the principles of total abstinence, they may always expect to receive His smile of approbation, and may safely look for the protection and favour of Him who "willeth not that any should perish." Let temperance reformers, therefore, never be weary of well-doing, for in due season they shall reap, if they faint not.

CHAPTER VII.

FROM THE WORLD'S CONVENTION IN 1846,

TO THE GREAT EXHIBITION IN 1851.

The religion which emanated from the Divine Foun

der of Christianity was in its nature perfect, and in its adaptations to the wants of man, complete ;—its end was "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good-will to men." A very little time, however, elapsed after the first promulgation of the religion of Jesus before many corrupt doctrines began to be taught. And there have not been wanting men who have endeavoured to prove that there was a remarkable analogy between the corruptions of early christianity, and the corruptions of temperance societies. In the British and Foreign Temperance Penny Magazine, for 1847, a writer endeavours to show wherein this analogy may be seen. His arguments, however, are, notwithstanding the ingenuity of them, clearly illogical; for he should first have shewn that the moderation society (in whose favour he writes) was analogous to pure christ

ianity, before he attempted to shew that teetotalism was one of the corruptions of temperance.

Notwithstanding this, however, teetotalism continued to make rapid progress. The Metropolitan Mission was still conducted by the National Temperance Society, though on a more limited scale; one of the missionaries was appointed to labour among seamen in the port of London, and many important results attended his labours. The young, also, were not overlooked, and during the year the committee called in the aid of the press, and the following short and cheap essays were issued in a uniform series.

1. To Parents and Guardians of Youth, by Mrs. Ellis. 2. On the Importance of Temperance as a part of Domestic Discipline, by Rev. W. Reid.

3. To Teachers in Sabbath-schools, by Rev. B. Parsons.

4. To Children and Youth, by Mrs. C. L. Balfour. With regard to the press it may be observed, that during this year the following temperance periodicals were published:

ENGLAND, MONTHLY.-National Temperance Chronicle and Recorder, National Temperance Advocate, Bristol Temperance Herald, Central Temperance Gazette, Teetotal Topic, Cornwall and Devon Temperance Journal, Hull Temperance Pioneer, Long Pledge Teetotaler, Northern Counties Temperance Journal, Rechabite Magazine, Teetotal Times, Truth Tester, York Temperance Visitor.

« PreviousContinue »