CHRISTCHURCH TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4686, 7 May 1883, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

The usual weekly meeting of this Society was held in the Templar Hall on Saturday evening last, Mr B. Clephane presiding. Tbe attendanoe was fairly good, snd the speakers were Messrs Hopkiaa and J. T. Smith. Mr Hopkins delivered an interesting and instructive address on "The obstacles that the temperance movement has had to overcome." These he regarded as three in number, viz.— (l) fashion, (2) religious opposition, (3) (cience. These obstacles, he said, had now been almost wholly overcome. Mr Smith tben gave a resume of the Blue Bibbon movement. He described (1) its origin, (2) its principle. Ab to its origin, Francis Murphy, an Irishman who had emigrated to America, was the originator of tho movement, and strangely enough, he began this in the gaol at Portland, in which he was at that time confined bb a confirmed drunkard. This was brought about by the agency of a oity missionary, who visitod Murphy in the gaol. Murphy's conversion to Christian life, his becoming a total abstainer, his preaching to his fellow prisoners, and the extraordinary influence that attended his services after bis releaee from Portland prison, wero interestingly dwelt upon. The first soenes of his labours after his releaset from prison were Pittsburg and Philadelphia, and through his labours 40,000 persons became total abstainers in the former town, aad 60,000 in the latter ; and in the latter no less than forty iiquor saloons were closed in a few months. The principle of the movement was— l. That the blue ribbon was an outward sign that its weorerß bolieved that the temperance pledge saves from intemperance. 2. That the Gospel saves from sin (for this wub solely a Gospel temperanco movement). 3. That wearing the blue ribbon was a prinoiple of recognition, and made known to all that the wearers were t»tal abstainers and believora in the Christian religion. _. Esau-pie was furnished by wearing the blue ribbon, and in this there was also safety for the wearers, if they were not stro-gly grounded in tomperauce principles. Mr Smith then related the natdre ol the blue ribbon campaign to be entered upon on May 14, and stated that sixteen clergymen in this oity had promised their support, and also a aumber of influential laymen. It was, he Baid, intended to hold a week's services in the Oddfellows' Hall, popular speakers were to be engaged, twenty pledge- books were to be provided, a table the whole length of the platform was to be orocted, and twenty ladies were to bo engaged with pins, pinoußhions, and blue ribbon. It was expected that the results of the campaign would bo suoh as haß not yet been seen in New Zealand. This mighty mwol movement of the united ohurches, this attack upon the stronghold of liquordom, would, it was hopefully expected, result in triumph for the temperance cause, and in the emancipation of fallen humanity. Mr Stowni-o gave a capital recitation. A hearty vote of thanks waj given to the speakers, as also to Mr Byron, who had kindly given his services in playing the harmonium.