Good Templar Entertainment.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3127, 25 February 1879, Page 2

Good Templar Entertainment.

■ What is known as an " open lodge meeting " was held in the Templar Hall last evening, having been got up by the Northern Pioneer Lodge. At 8 o'clock the Hall was quite full, and a number who arrived a few minutes later were unable to obtain seats. The chair was taken by Bro. D. Scott, W.C.T., who made some remarks on the object of such meetings, and in the course of them said Templars were organised, not to. wage war merely against the publican, but against the liquor traffic and such legislation as supported it, the which had wrought such mischief to mankind. He argued that nothing protected men from its dire influence—neither education or position. He called upon- Miss Gribble for a song, and " Silver Threads', &c," was given acceptably. This was followed by a selection from J. B. Gough by Bro. Bright—a recitation. Bro. Cocks, jun., then gave a song, which was fairly received. Bro. Nodder followed in a reading, being a record of firmness to temperance principles. Mrs Jamei Gribble was, as she usually is, well received; she sang " Eobiu Adair." Bro. Speight on being called on for a speech, explained that he had again to appear in consequence of the absence of a rev. gentleman who had been expected, and who might have presented them arguments in a new form. The grounds on which Temperance advojv cates spoke they (the audience) were^fn familiar with ; and there was scarcely an argument left for him to knock over. The necessary thing was to get people to think, which they wouldn't do. In re- { ference to the verdict of some of the best minds that England had produced, in the medical profession, he said it was taught that alcohol instead of being a necessity was injurious to the human system. He spiritedly referred to the passing of Irish Sunday Prohibitive Bill recently passed in the British Parliament, and contended that the people of this Colony should see they were free from those evils which had caused the poverty and vice they had fled from in the old country, and they had the power here of aiding or marring the greatest interesls of this colony. Bro. G. P. Hilton sang " The Briton," and received a decided encore, to which he responded, and again pleased the audience. Bro. Halliwell took well with a capital recitation, which .might be called a ballad of the Rhine, by Hans Breitman. The piece was applauded. Another song by Miss Gribble was sung in good voice, and a reading by Bro. John Scott—"Byron's Lament on the Decay of Greece' I —well read, brought the programme to a conclusion. Mr it. A. K. Owen played the accompaniments in a very satisfactory manner.