CHURCH PARADE

Evening Star, Issue 15515, 10 June 1914, Page 9

CHURCH PARADE

I TEMPERANCE LODGES. I About a month ago the Pioneer of-Dun: edin Lodge of Good Templars approached I the Rev. R. S. Gray for the use of the

Hanover Street Baptist Church for a ■ parade of the temperance lodges oi the City. The request was willingly granted, and last Sunday evening the parade was held. A yen- tine congregation was present, and the Rev. Gray occupied the pulpit, on which were seated Bro. Edward Cameron (Chief Templar, Pioneer Lodge), Bro. Tapp (Chief Ruler, Hope of Dunedin Tent, 1.0. R.), and Bro. Turnbull (Worthy Patriarch, S. and D. of T.l. There was a very large gathering of members of the Good Templars, Rechabites, and Sons and Daughters of Temperance. The wearing of tho various regalias oi the societies looked very impressive. The preacher, in a few opening words, heartily welcomed the visiting lodges on behalf of his church office-bearers and himself. The text chosen for the sermon was taken from Romans xiv., verse 21; “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wino, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth.” Tho speaker gave a powerful address, which was brimful of strong truths regarding the responsibility of the individual and tho Church on this great question of alcoholic liquors. Several very clear points were brought out. showing the severe handicap the Temperance party were working under when ( hey had to secure the three-filths majority. He hoped i that the present appeal for a reduction m the majority would bo successful. During j the course of his sermon Pastor Gray spoke jon tho platform of the Good (Templar Order, which is “total abstinence for tho ! individual and Prohibition for tho State.” j Ho urged members to stick to their guns, i practise the precepts of their pledges, and j the coming polls would see the overthrow I of the liquor traffic in New Zealand, j The singing portion of the service was ! well catered for, the choir rendering a 1 beautiful anthem. Several well-known I hymns, including ‘ Onward, Christian soldiers,’ were heartily sung by the largo conI gregation. A solo entitled ‘ The Lord is | My Light ’ was pleasingly sung by Sister ; L Clarkson, of the Good Templar Order, j Mr J- Gilbert was in charge of the choir, land (Mrs M'Laren officiated at the organ.