PRESBYTERIAN CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6934, 7 February 1884, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CONFERENCE.

HOW TO PROMOTE TEMPERANCE REFORMATION. The quarterly conference in connection with tho Auckland Presbytery was held last evening at St. James's Church, Wellingtonstreet. The Rev. T. Mackensie Fraser presided. The other ministers present were the Revs. Messrs. Macky, Macnicol, Norrie, Monro, McCallum, Dunn, Mason. The general attendance was small. * The proceedings were opened by singing the 51Qth hymn, after which the Rev. Chairman read a portion of-the Psalms and led in prayer. The Chairman said the subject to be discussed at this conference was the temperance movement and how it could be best promoted. It would be opened by the Rev. Mr. McCallum, of the North Shore. He would not occupy them with any preliminary observations, but at once call on the Rev. Mr. McCallum to open the conference. Mr. McCallum commenced by expressing regret that the state of his health had not allowed him to give the necessary time to prepare thiß paper, but he had jotted together a few thoughts. Speaking of the drink traffic, he wished to premise that in it there was right and wroug, that which was necessary and useful, and that which was wrong and injurious. The subject had been selected on account of its practical importance and special value at the present time. "There is a tide in the affairs of men," and the tide seemed now to have turned with the temperance cause. They were in a peculiar position here. They were the pioneers laying the foundation of a great national existence, not only here but in the Pacific Islands, and what, he asked, was to be the future of this Britain of the South, and what was the influence they were to exert on those other countries with whom they would be brought into contact by commerce ? Were they to carry with thum the benign influences of Christianity and sobriety, or repeat the old story ! Were they to carry the curse of fire-water, seeking new markets for rum and beer, or not ? The fate of the red man of North America, the aborigines of Africa, leaving out of the question the aborigines of this colony lifted up to them a warning. And how were similar results to be avoided if not by temperance reformers, and the banishing of the liquor traffic from their trade? In the old country it was almost hopeless to pull down the liquor traffic, but this was a young country, and full of hope, and whatever faults there were in the youth of New Zealand (and they were not few), its bent was towards temperance. He referred to the Band of Hope movement and the good which it was accomplishing. What thoy (ministers and professing Christians) should guard against, was indifference to the actual reality of intemperance. He alluded to the danger of overlooking it on account of its being so common, or getting callous to it. Alluding to tho daily occurrence of people being convicted at the Police Court, and the danger of looking on it as a common occurrence, he said the fact of a woman being convicted of drunkenness, and making use of indecent language, in consequence, was a disgrace to the community. It ceased to be felt so from its bning so common, but an alteration in this pitch of public feeling was the first step towards reform. He need not remind the meeting of the extent of the pvils of intemperance here and in their native land, and the horrible crimes it led to —' murder, suicide, domestic misery, showing the need of a great change. It was hindering the progress of Christianity, and was a source of weakness to ' the churches, and defeotion from its ranks. The best means of reform were to employ the Pulpit and the Press to create a juat and healthy public opinion. Public opinion wa3 the sovereign of the time, stronger than Governments or crowned heads, and in a cause like this it might be said vox populi vox Dei. Hitherto drink had been vox diaboli. The time would come when the sale of these poisons at their busiest corners would cease to be respectable, when it would not be considered proper to put the wine bottle on the diuing table, when public opinion and public decency would no longer tolerate eo'called hotels, and when the instincts of man and woman would rise indignantly against the scandal of young girls selling drink day and night. When this worst disgrace was no longer tolerated, when the influence of public opinion was such that they could not be tolerated, then reformation on this subject was certain. The lecturer then referred to the craving for drink as a physical disease, alluding to the question of asylums for inebriates, recommending good wholesome food and refreshing drink, which would go far:towards removing the craving for tlriuk. Why could they not have tho refreshing beverages of the sober Turks and Persians, the coffee palace, tho evening promenade in the parks here as in other lands ? They would reduce the gains of the publican, and increase those of the public. Museums, public gardens, zoological gardens, were all in this direction, as well as being instructive. Moro perhaps within their personal influence was that of personal abstinence. He spoke from thirty-five years' experience, during the greater portion of whioh he had been an abstainer, and could say that it was a positive benefit to a Christian man, arming him with new and marvellous power to lead the young and inexperienced in the paths of pleasantness and' safety. Qf all the plans for promoting temperance instituted during the last 40 years none commanded itself more than the Gospel Temperance movement—the Blue Ribbon Army—for it relied on the grace of God, and inspired its followers with the love of Christ. He was aware that mere talking would not do much, but faith could remove mountains. The subject matter of the paper was commented on by several speakers in terms of approval, and a vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. Mr. McCallum. If you want a really first-class Sewing Machine, tho undersigned have the largest Show Rooms, best and cheapest stock in Now Zealand Call and inspect, or write for prices to Shakkspear and Co., opposite the Market', Queen-street, Auckland. ToothacheCure.—Edson's Magic Essence gives immediate relief. In shilling bottles. We have just been shown by F. Lewisson, twenty-four single atone lady's and gent's diamond rings, pure white, set in 18 oarrot gold, which he is offering for £7 10s each. They are a bargain, and for sale at F. H. Lewisson's, wholesale and retail jeweller's shop, Queon-strebt, Auckland. For bedroom furniture, you cannot do bettor than purchaee from the 3ity Hall Arcade. Immense variety—common, strong, and cheap, as well as? hlgh'cl&ss. Iron bedsteads and bedding all sizes, ready for delivery. Sitting, dining, and drawing-room furniture to suit ovory class of customer. All kinds of Manchester goods, such as sheetings, quilts, calicoes, curtains, blinds, and cretonnes. Blankets both colooial and English. Discount of 5 per cent, allowed to cash bayers. Garlick and Cranirell, City Hall Arcade, Queen-street, Auckland. Eighty-six pairs Lace Curtains, bought a job f;om the manufacturer, to be sold very cheap Some are slightly soiled. "Will be quitted at very love rates. Great bargains amongst them. On sale now by Garlick and Cranwell, City Hall Furnishing '•-Varebouse, Queen-street. Ayer'e Ague cure is the only remedy known, which Is certain to cure Fever and Ague pormanently, by expelling the malarial poison which produces the disease. It does this surely, and leaves no ill effects upon tho system. Nothing is so thoroughly depressing and discouraging as the periodical return of the alternate chills, fever and sweating, peculiar to this disease. Messrs. J. A. Tole and C. W. Cavk (late of Travers and Cave, Wellington) havo entered into partnership as Barristers and Solicitors, and will carry on businoss at their offices, next Bank of New Zealand Queen-street, Auckland. Catarrh op the Bladder.—Stinging irritation, inflammation, all kidney and similar complaints, cured by *'Buchu-paiba."—Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents.