TEMPERANCE COLUMN. CONGREGATIONAL TOTAL ABSTINENCE ASSOCIATION.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

TEMPERANCE COLUMN. CONGREGATIONAL TOTAL ABSTINENCE ASSOCIATION.

a. meeting unuer me uuHpicou vi this association was held lately in the City Temple (Dr. Parker's), Holborn Viaduct, London. Mr. Edward Crossley, M.P., in the chair. The body of the temple was filled. The Rev. G. M. Murphy read the report, which expressed regret at the death of the esteemed treasurer, Mr. Samuel Morley. It recounted with gratitude the progress made in all directions except that of legislation. While in 1 883 the ministers in England and Wales, who were abstainers were barely in the majority, they wore now in a large majority, there being now 500 more abatainera than non-abstainers. This fact was telling throughout the churches. The abstaining students in tho colleges were in a large majority. More than 200 meetings had been held duriug the year. The report concluded by expressing a fixed opinion that no man should go as a missionary to the heathen who is not a total abstainer. The report was very warmly receivod, and Mr. Murphy asked the audience to empower the Chairman, on their behalf to sign a petition to Parliament praying for the entire closing of public-houses on Sunday. The Chairman said it would ill become him to occupy the chair if it had been possible for Sir Edward Baines, in his 87th year, to be present on the platform. (Applause.) If Sir Edward could have come, he was sure he would have been amongst them with the greatest possible pleasure — (hear, hear) — and then they would have had a living example of the benefits ' of total abstinence. The value of total abstinence was well illustrated in the life of their esteemed president. (Cheers.) Proceeding to speak of the position of the temperance question, the Chairman said they were making progress. This great question of temperance was now placed on a different platform from what it was ten or twenty years ago. Before that the arguments were somewhat dogmatic in their character; but they had the testimony of the best scientific men in favour of total abstinence. They had now, indeed, the best of the argument. (Applause.) He would sooner see pure water used at the Communion than any alcoholic wine, and he thought they would be justified in using it. He felt that the working men of this country were getting impatient at seeing at every turn glaring temptations to indulgence. The sooner legislative action was taken the better. When they got a system of local government in this country there would be coupled with it the power to deal with the traffic in strong drink. (Loud cheers.) The Eev. J. Ossian Davies said the temperance cause had been laughed at by caricaturists of all kinds, but now they were beginning to feel its power. They must not relax their efforts whilst breweries were paying 1 1 per cent, to military and clerical shareholders. (Hear, hear.) He complained of the action of the Legislature, and charged the Radical and Tory Governments alike with looking too long at this question through revenue spectacles. A nation that was rich enough to spend £120,000,000 a year in drink, was rich enough to pay all its church find chapel debts. (Cheers.) Dr. Macfayden said if they looked nround them they were reminded on all hands that they were on the winning side. They had produced an impression on the country and on its conscience. (Hear, hear.) Their legislators now felt that there was something in this temperance movement, and a good deal of grip and power in. the men who were working it. There waß much to encourge them, they should not give up. They had a work in hand, which, with the exception of the special work of the Church, they could not find better use for in respect of the vast issues involved. With continued perseverance and courage their ultimate victory was secure. (Applause.) > • Mr. W. S. Came, M.P., did not think that in all their Church work there was anything of more importance to the cause of Christianity than their denominational temperance associations. It was a most satisfactory sign that the movement was recognised in their various Church conferences. (Hear, hear.) One of the main objects which he had when he entered Parliament was to try and further the temperance cause. (Hear, hear.) He wished they could do more in Parliament than they were doing at present ; but even in the present Parliament they had made progress. The sentiment of the House of Commons on this question was tested the other night in connection with the division on the Truck Bill. On that occasion they beat the drink interest by seven votes. (Cheers.) As a member of Parliament, he was glad they had passed a resolution in favour of Sunday closing. That movement was making progress, and he believed the present House of Commons was in favour of it. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Came concluded by strongly condemning the traffic in intoxicating liqours in India. He expected a discussion would be raised on that question on tho Budget. (Cheers.) The Eev. Newman Hall proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman,

and alluded to his services in the temperance cause. He also referred to the great services of Sir Edward Bainea, whoso persevering efforts to promote the welfare of the people they nil knew. (Applause.) Mr. Crossfield (Liverpool) seconded the resolution, and suggested they should send a message to Sir Edward Baines telling him^how satisfactory the movement was pi ogrossing, and j how tho little one was becoming a thousand. j This proposal was received with f cheors, and Mr. Murphy said the Chairman would undertake to convoy tho message. Before the gathering in the Temple, tho business meeting was held, under the presidency of Mr. J. W. Willans, of Leeds. The report ! and statements was presented, and I the committee and officers for the ensuing year elected. Sir Edward Baines was re-elected president.