Greytown Band of Hope.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2038, 4 March 1887, Page 2

Greytown Band of Hope.

There are few societies tbat have such a tendency for good as Bands of Hope. Many of the most prominent temperance advocates of the present day look back upon the t<me when they as lads joined a Band of Hope and started on the path of Temperance. Ihe young mind is easily trained, and these societies have borne a rich harvest of men and women who espouse the cause. It was a pleasing sight on Wednesday evening to see snob a numerous company of juveniles sitting down to tea at the Wesleyan schoolroom, Greytown, and it was gratifying to see among tbat company the children of parents whose example is known to be anything but one of abstinence from strong drink. An abundant supply of good things was spread upon the tables, and we are informed tbat the cakes and buns were the work of some of the yonng lady members ol the society. The tables were presided over by Misses A. Haigh, J. Baillie, E. Hobman, H. Cole, Emily Mills. Edith Robinson (Carterton), Nellie McMaster, and Eweu, and among the lads the chief workers seemed to be Wm Haigh and A. Hornblow. Not a little of the success of the Greytown Band of Hope is due to Miss Haigh, for sire is an indefatigable laborer among tbe young people, teaching them many pieces ol music in odd hours. Miss Baillie, secretary to the society, also deserves special mention for her zeal. After tea a meeting was held in the obnrch, and tbe attendance was good, the many seats filled with happy children adding to the attractiveness of tbe meeting. Miss Haigh presided at the harmonium. The Rev J. Ward presided and opened the , proceedings with a few suitable remarks, expressing a hope tbat a heartier support would be extended to tbe movement by tbe older people because the future success of the temperance cause lay to a great extent in the young people around them. He wished it to be known that tbe Band of Hope was not a Wesleyan one—the Society simply held its

meetings iu the Wesleyan school room. The following is the programme : - Song, “ H You’ve anything to Do,” Mary Hillier, Ada Hall and Annie Morris; reoitation, “ Lay of the Last Lodger,” Amelia Brocks ; song, “ Prepare Me,” Eva and Kate Wilkie ; dialogue, ■' Beer and Hard Work.” Annie and Maggie Morris ; song, “My Mother Dear,” Ethel Wood ; reading, " Little Maid's Amen,” Susan Saywell ; song, “ Sparkling Water,” J. Hornblow, F. and H. Haigh and W. Hobman ; recitation, " Beautiful Snow,” Ethel Anderson, (encored) ; reading, Mr 'J. Wilkie ; reading, “ Getting it by Heart, ’ John Hornblow (encored); song, " All through a Song,” Kate MoMaster ; song, Miriam Hillier ; Instrumental Solo, "Vesper Hymn,” Miss Hillier ; recitation, Mr Blayden ; song, " Nothing Else to Do," Miss E. Hillier; quartette, " To the Bubbling Spring,” Misses Hillier, Haigh and Baillie and Messrs Baillie and Hawke ; song, " The British Lion,” Mr Jas Baillie, juo.; dialogue, “ The Post Office Savings Bank,” W. Haigh and A. Hornblow; song, " Fox and Grapes,” Miriam Hillier and Annie Hall ; recitation, “ Hero of the Lake,” Miss Cole ; recitation," A Leak in the Dyke,” Kate Wilkie ; “ The Choice of Trades " and a motto " Dare to do Bight "shown on hand banners, were very well presented by a number of children.

Mr T. Johnston, the Superintendent of the Society, gave a short sketch of the progress made doting the last twelve months. At the last public meeting there were 90 members' names on the books, with an average attendance of 50. Since then there had been a steady increase, tbe roll now showing 106 names and the average attendance being about 80. Then there weie some who oame to the meeting who were not members. The behaviour was good and be believed that tbe members of tbe Society would grow up to be temperance men and women. He was in hopes for still farther prosperity and further hoped that the rising generation would receive an education in which the temperance question wonld form a special feature. He appealed to young men and women to come in and help the movement. Mr W. U. Nation, at tbe request of the ebairman, spoke briefly. He proposed a vote of thanks to tbe youthful laborers who had worked so diligently in getting up the tea, to Miss Haigh for her self-denying exertions among tbe children to bring them on in sing, ing ; to Miss Baillie the secretary of the Society, and to the President. He spoke of the benefit of tbe Society to the young, and expressed a hope that when they went away from home to situations they would not yield to tbe many temptations which would come before them, and while rejoicing in their temperance principles he hoped that they would be charitable to those who were the slaves of their passions, and who would give anything to be fiee from the bondage of drink. Little by little those persons had lost all power over their appetites and now the crave for drink had become n disease. He exhorted the young people as they grew up to throw out a g uid influence in whatever company they might be. At the conclusion of hie remarks Mr Nation added a vote of thanks to the chairman of the meeting (the Bev Mr Wardj, vhich, with the other votes, were earned earthy. A hymn and the benediction closed the ..'leeling.