No. 8.

NOTICE.

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No attention will be paid to anonymous communications.

THE RAID UPON LIQUOR-SHOPS.

THE liquor-sellers are beginning to find that Mr. BRIGHT'S statement about their fighting a losing battle is working out its proof in a way they little expected. Mr. BRIGHT had in view, no doubt, the widelyintensifying agitation in favour of Local Option. The liquor-sellers had the same influence before them. Though, probably, they did not place Local Option among the immediately realisable of legislative objects, yet the impression was manifestly strong among them that a powerful Local Option agitation would make Sunday Closing, and other restrictions, appear as very meagre concessions to public opinion. The history of the last year or two shows that the liquor-sellers were quite within the mark. Though only the very earnest of us may place Local Option within measurable distance of attainment, common expectation among liquorsellers places Sunday Closing for England among the certainties of an early future. But their system has experienced onslaughts from quarters other than legislative. Formerly it was their fashion to sneer at people who contented themselves with persuading others to leave the drink alone. They feel slightly different now. From that despised quarter the Salvation Army, and the Blue Ribbon Army have come, and so great has the influence of their suasive efforts been, that the traffic is suffering from a slight attack of paralysis. Houses are going down in value, brewers are resorting to dodges to get customers they would formerly have despised, and, altogether, the prospect for liquordom is as black as it well could be.

No doubt the bulk of this is largely the result of plodding temperance work for the last half century; though the in-gatherers may not be the original workers, the enemy suffers to destruction, and our great principle receives triumphant recognition. The special gratification is that the attacks-or the methods

are multiplying. The latest is Earl STANHOPE'S measure now passing the House of Lords, in which he proposes to prohibit the payment of wages in a publichouse. His lordship, in moving the second reading, said "he believed that such a proceeding was attended with very bad results, and that workmen were thereby induced to spend a considerable part of their wages as soon as they had earned them for the good of the house, as it was called. He had heard of cases where men remained in a drunken state at the public house from Saturday until Wednesday on the occasion of receiving their wages there, and some landlords had admitted that they had found large sums of money under the counter which had been literally thrown away by these men when in a state of intoxication." His lordship fortified these statements by citations from the Report of the Lords' Committee on Intemperance, and intimated that his bill would carry a penalty of £5 or £10 for attempts to continue the practice. Earl ROSEBERY, on the part of the Government, has admitted that the Bill would bring about an improvement in the present state of things. Of course, under the circumstances, Government could hardly aid Earl STANHOPE; still, if the Bill reaches the Lower House, it will have an excellent pilot in the person of SAMUEL MORLEY, Esq., M.P. for Bristol. Mr. MORLEY rightly described the measure as a practical one, and, with his usual insight into the needs of society, would enlarge its scope. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Congregational Total Abstinence Association, Mr. MORLEY said "He would also have the same rule apply to benefit societies. Everyone who went to pay his little weekly instalment to the funds of such societies was expected to drink something for the benefit of the public-house in which they assembled." Nothing could be truer of the real incidence of public-houses upon the members of such societies. The meetings are a direct source of profit to the landlord, and the number of them a most important factor in determining what a house is worth in the event of a sale. Such results can only be to the personal detriment of the

members. Every farthing spent is a direct addition to the society's premiums, but brings no pecuniary benefits to the members. The society, too, is a sufferer, for such expenditure means loss of time, exposure to vicious influences, and certain risk to health from the drink imbibed. Thus association of a friendly society with a public house is like the provision of a twoedged sword to extinguish provident habits. And the worst of the evil is that the discovery of its character is not made until time for remedy is past. Some of our contemporaries object when their societies are called drinking clubs. They allege they are not so, and affirm that in most things their method of management and financial basis are infinitely better than those of teetotal clubs. We are prepared to concede much in the latter direction, if only to strengthen the propriety of Mr. MORLEY's proposal. The better the club the greater the inducement to belong to it, to go to the house where its meetings are held. As the house is a place for drinking, few persons care to risk the imputation of meanness or unsociableness. Consequently they drink, whether obligated or not, and the results are the same either way. The house is profited, the man is tempted to loss of self-respect. Character soon follows. While the societies may not take special account of their losses from this source, the little home which knows its father, husband, brother, or son, no more, has reason to bitterly remember the power of temptation under cover of an aid to thrift.

We can commend Mr. MORLEY's proposal without a suspicion of personal interest as Sons of Temperance. At present one of our chiefest claims as a society isour meetings are not held at public-houses. Were other societies forbidden to meet therein this feature would no longer be peculiar to us. So our interest would be to keep them there. Still we hope sectional claims do not blind us, and therefore we urge Mr. MORLEY to persevere in promoting this divorce, as a great advantage to the members of those societies, and at the same time a further practical raid upon the profits of liquor-sellers.

PROHIBITION IN PRACTICE.

As many of our readers are active in educating public opinion up to the point of prohibiting the traffic by popular veto, we cull the following paragraphs from our excellent American contemporary, The National Temperance Advocate, by way of illustration and encouragement:

CONNECTICUT." The following is a summary of the new liquor law just adopted by the Legislature:- Both branches of the Legislature have passed the bill for restraining the traffic in intoxicating liquors. The bill defines as intoxicating liquors all distilled liquors, wines, ale, all beer manufactured from hops and malt, or hops and barley, and cider sold to be drunk on the premises. The present local option system is to be retained, each town deciding for itself whether to license or prohibit the sale. Licenses are to be issued from the county commissioners, five per cent. of the receipts to go into the county treasury and the remainder into the town treasury. Every application for a license must be endorsed by five taxpayers of the town where it is to be granted, and advertised for two weeks in a local paper, or, where there is no paper, by posting on a sign post. Any citizen of a town may object to the granting of a license, and upon such objection the commissioners are required to make investigation as to whether the applicant is a suitable person or not. Applicants must furnish bonds in 300 dols. or must pay for a license not less than 100 dols. or more than 500 dols., as the commissioners may decide. For the sale of beer or cider only the license is fixed at 50 dols.

The license for druggists is fixed at 12 dols. A record of all licenses is to be kept by the clerk of the Superior Court of each county. No intoxicating liquors can be sold in any building belonging to the State. Violations of the law are punishable by both fine and imprisonment. The House of Representatives have passed the constitutional amendment, by a vote of 140 to 20. It now goes over till next year, and if both houses concur it will be submitted to the people in 1883."

KANSAS.-"Outside of a few law-breaking cities the law is enforced as well as other criminal laws. A correspondent of the Inter-ocean, writing recently from Topeka, says: Having spent the last three months in Central and Southern Kansas, travelling the entire length of the State-from Atchison on the Missouri River to the frontier, fifty miles west of Dodge City -visiting country seats and many of the larger towns, I have had a favourable opportunity of learning the working of prohibition in Kansas. The prohibitory law is enforced with fully as much vigor as are other statutes. Many violators of the law have been arraigned before the courts; numerous convictions have occurred, with fines of 100 dols. for each offence, and costs often amounting to 150 dols. more; and even where there has been a failure to convict the liquor-seller has been kept in a hot water of agitation and anxiety. The results are most salutary. Public sentiment in favor of the law is increasing. Even journals indifferent to the principle advocate the enforcement of the statute as law-abiding citizens. Twenty-five ministers met recently at an association in Kansas. Twenty-three of them reported from a partial to an entire success in the enforcement of prohibition in their respective towns. The distillery in Topeka stopped manufacturing in February, and its owners are going to remove it to a license State, acknowledging that the business has become disagreeable, dangerous, and unprofitable. The president of the distillery company is reported to have recently said: Nearly one-half of the liquor trade has fallen off; we meet with constant opposition, are hampered and hounded by temperance people, liable to be closed up by the State authorities and fined; none of the first-class insurance companies will have anything to do with our property.' 'A representative of the liquor-traffic at Kansas City, Mo., also says: "We send no more liquor agents into Kansas.' 'Last Monday, at Beloit, Kan., five saloonkeepers and two druggists were convicted by the District Court, in sums of from 100 dols. to 400 dols. each, for violation of law; and a multitude of similar instances might be produced, showing that prohibition does prohibit in Kansas.”

NOT ALL FOR BEER.-"It was a prophecy of the liquor advocates that on account of its prohibition of brewing, distilling, and liquor-selling Kansas would henceforth be shunned immigrants who are continually coming in large numbers to this country and seeking homes in the West. It appears that the very opposite is proving true-that Kansas is getting its full share of immigrants, and many of better than the average quality. Its fame has gone abroad, and a prominent Holland Journal, the Nieuive Rotterdamische Courant, states that on Sunday, February 26th, the following appeal would be read from every Protestant pulpit in the provinces North and South Holland, Utrecht, North Brabant, Gelderland, and Overyssel: 'Hollanders who wish to exchange the tricolor for a flag which floats over a sober republic are earnestly advised to disregard any and all inducements, and settle in the State of Kansas, in the United States, where their children will not be surrounded by the drunkenness and its associated crimes and miseries of their neighbours. If you have to leave the fatherland, carry the sobriety, industry, and perseverance left to you by your forefathers to a country where they are the rule and not the exception of the inhabitants."

Iowa. The following is the text of the amendment which is to be submitted to the people for their approval, June 27: 'Section 26. No person shall manufacture for sale, sell, or keep for sale as a beverage, any intoxicating liquors whatever, including ale, wine, and beer. The General Assembly shall, by law, prescribe regulations for the enforcement of the provisions herein contained, and shall thereby provide suitable penalties for the violations of the provisions thereof.' • Two liquor-men riding in the cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad were recently overheard to say that Kansas had passed a constitutional amendment, and now Iowa was trying to get one, and one of the men said it must be stopped; if Iowa adopted the amendment ten or twelve other States would also pass it; and he added that he would give five hundred dollars towards the campaign fund to defeat it."

for Cadets of Temperance.

A SIGN-BOARD.

I will paint you a sign, rum-seller,
And hang it above your door;
A truer and better sign-board

Than ever you had before.

I will paint with the skill of a master,
And many shall pause and see

This wonderful piece of painting,
So like the reality.

I will paint yourself, rum-seller,

As you wait for that fair young boy, Just in the morn of manhood,

A mother's pride and joy.
He has no thought of stopping,
But you greet him with a smile,
And you seem so blithe and friendly
That he pauses to chat awhile.

I will paint you again, rum-seller,
I will paint you as you stand
With a foaming glass of liquor
Holding in either hand.
He wavers, but you urge him:

"Drink! pledge me just this one!" And he lifts the glass-and drains it, And the hellish work is done.

And I next will paint a drunkard:
Only a year has flown,

But into this loathsome creature

The fair young boy has grown.
The work was sharp and rapid;
I will paint him as he lies
In a torpid, drunken slumber,
Under the wintry skies.

I will paint the form of the mother
As she knelt at her darling's side-
Her beautiful boy, that was dearer
Than all the world beside.

I will paint the shape of a coffin
Labelled with one word-" Lost !"

I will paint all this, rum-seller,
I will paint it free of cost.

The sin, and the shame, and sorrow,
The crime, and want, and woe,
That are born there in your rum shop,
No hand can paint, you know;
But I'll paint you a sign, rum-seller,
And many shall pause to view
The wonderful swinging sign-board,
So terribly, fearfully true.

ROBERT'S PLEDGE.

Sturdy little Robert was at Willie's birthday party, with a score of other children.

They were having a merry time, playing blind man's buff, and many other games. By-and-by they grew tired, and then Willie's mother called them all into the dining-room, where a long table was spread with delicacies, cake, and pie, and maccaroni, and sweetmeats, and all the things that children like.

Of course they all ate, and chattered like so many birds; and eating so much sweet food made them thirsty, and then Willie's mother brought on a great pitcher of sweet cider. She poured a glass full, and set it by each plate. Every one of the children lifted the glass and sipped from it save Robert. He did not. He nibbled away for a few moments, but he was so thirsty he could not eat much more without a drink. Pretty soon he whispered to Willie: "Please, Willie, I should like a glass of water."

'Why, didn't you give Robert any cider, mother," called Willie.

Willie's mother came forward. "Yes," she said; "here it is." And she moved the glass nearer Robert's plate.

"But I would rather have a glass of water, ma'am," said Robert, blushing.

"Don't you like cider," smiled Willie's mother, as she gave him a glass of water.

"Oh, yes, ma'am," answered Robert; "but I have taken the pledge not to drink anything that can intoxicate."

"But this is sweet cider," said the lady; "and it will not intoxicate."

And

"I know," Robert answered; "it is sweet cider to-day, but to-morrow it may be hard cider; and, if I make a practice of drinking cider, I may make a mistake some time, and drink some that is not sweet, and, perhaps, get intoxicated. then, I think sweet cider only teases the appetite, and makes it crave for wine and gin. I am sure the best way is to let all drinks alone, and then I shall never be wrong."

"Quite a little preacher," laughed the lady; but she was impressed by the boy's words, nevertheless. "Little hero,"

she thought; "he is in the right, and he will never be a drunkard, as he says. Yes, he is on the right side." So he was, and I wish there were more such boys.

TWO SCENES.

A gentleman took his son to a drunken row in a tavern, where the inmates were fighting and swearing, and said he : "Do you know what caused all this?"

"No, sir."

His father, pointing to the decanters, said: cause. Will you take a drink?"

"That's the

The boy started back with horror, and exclaimed-"No!" Then he took the child to the cage of a man with delirium tremens. The boy gazed upon him affrighted, as the drunkard raved and tore, and, thinking the demons were after him, cried: "Leave me alone! leave me alone! I see 'em! they're coming!"

"Do you know the cause of this, my boy ?" "No, sir."

"This is caused by drink; will you have some ?" and the boy shrank back with horror as he refused the cup.

Next they called at the miserable rooms of a drunkard, where was squalid poverty, and the drunken father beating his wife, and with oaths knocking down his children. "What has caused this ?" said the father.

The son was silent.

When told it was rum, he declared he would never touch a drop in his life.

But suppose the lad had been invited to a wedding feast where, with fruit and cake, the wine cup is passed, amid scenes of cheerfulness and gaiety, where all the friends are respectable, beloved and kind to each other, and he had been asked to drink, would he have refused?

Or suppose him walking out with his father to call on his young lady friends. With other things, wine is handed to him by the smiling girl. His noble-hearted father, whom he loves, presses the wine-glass to his lips, and compliments the young lady on the excellence of its quality; what wonder if the son follow his example?

AN ANCIENT TEETOTAL PLEDGE.

On the blank leaf of an old English Bible, which has been transmitted from sire to son through many successive generations, and appears as the property of Robert Bolton, B.D., and preacher of God's Word at Broughton, Northamptonshire, is inscribed the following pledge:

"From this daye forwarde to the ende of my life, I will never pledge any healthe nor drink a whole carouse in a glass, cup, bowle, or other drinking instrument, wheresoever it be, from whomsoever it come, except the necessity doe require it; not to my own most gracious Kynge, nor any the greatest monarch or tyrant upon earth, nor my dearest friend, nor all the goulde in the world, shall ever enforse me. Not angel from heaven (who I knowe will not attempt it) shall persuade, not Satan, with all his oulde subtleties, nor all the powers of hell itself, shall betray me. By this very sinne (for sinne it is, and not a little one) I doe plainly find that I have more offended and dishonoured my glorious Maker, and most merciful Saviour, than by all other sinne that I am subject untoe; and for this very sinne it is my God hath often been strange untoe me, and for that cause and noe other respect have I thus vowed, and I heartily beg my Good Father in Heaven of His great goodness and infinite mercy in Jesus Christ to assist me in the same, and be so favourable unto me for what is past.

Amen.

A RECORD OF SUCCESS.

The committee of the Grand Division of London in their fourteenth annual report to the members of that branch of our Order, are able to affirm that the year now closed has borne ample witness to the soundness of the Society, and has considerably added to its prosperity. Notwithstanding that in the previous year, through the change in the investments, the sum of £308 realised as profit was added to the normal income, the present receipts exceed them by £30, being £2984 against £2954 for 1880. This they allege is chiefly attributable to the improved rate of interest derived from the new character of the securities, which accounts for £162 10s. 11d. of the increase, the difference being made up by the contributions of new members. The Sick and Funeral claims have been heavier than those of last year, which were exceptionally light, but were less in amount than those of 1879, although there are now 228 more members contributing to the fund than there were then. The following comparison gives the income and expenditure during the past four years, and shows the yearly saving on the respective funds :

FUND.

SICK (1879) 2001 5 5 1317 10 11

(1880) 2293 16 11 1015 18 3

746 9 2

683 14 5 ASSURANCE (1879) 641 14 250 0 0

660 5 10 137 10 0

(1878) 603 0 1 90 0 0

513 0 1

(1878)

£1259 9 3

TOTAL ANNUAL SAVINGS.

(1881)

647 11 9 187 10

1 92

£1075 8 6 £1800 14 6 £1492 14 1 The interest derived from investments has been £413 11s. 6d., as follows:-From Ground Rents £361 1s. 6d., and from Secured Loans £52 10s.; the Sick Fund receiving £268 14s., and the Assurance £144 17s. 6d.

The membership has increased by 137, the numbers now being 2258 as against 2121 last year. Of these 1702 belong to both funds, 257 to Sick only, and 229 to Assurance only, the latter department admitting females on the same terms as males. This gives 1959 contributors to the Sick Fund, and 2001 to the Assurance. 366 of the first named claimed the benefits, representing 11,668 days of Sickness, at an expense of £1304 4s. 8d. This gives an average of a little below 32 days, and £3 11s. 3d. per sick member, or comparing with the full membership, shows that 18 per cent. declared on the funds, representing just under 6 days per head throughout the District, about one-fifth of which, as usual, may be set down to accidents. Considering that the ages of the members range from 17 to 70, and some of them have been for years on the funds, the Society fulfilling its obligations, no matter how lengthened or severe an illness may be, it must be admitted that the average is exceedingly low compared with other organizations.

In the Assurance Department there have been 11 deaths, absorbing £177 108. In addition to this, the Society has paid the claim for the wife of a member who joined under the uniform scale, amounting to a further £10. This makes an average of 1 out of every 182 members, or just 5 per thousand a rate not exceeding half that of an ordinary Friendly Society. Two of the deceased having belonged to the Order between six and twelve months, were only entitled to half-pay, and afford strong instances of the value of the Societies to the working classes. The sums paid to their nominees were £10 and £7 108., while their contributions to the fund only amounted in the one case to 5s. 9d., and in the other to 7s. 10d. During the year a further sum of £4342 8s. 5d. has been spent in the purchase of seven additional Freehold Ground Rents, producing £195 158. per annum. This brings up the total sum so invested to £11064 10s. 3d., the rents derived therefrom being £507 5s. Although the rate of interest is calculated on the naturally heavy expenses incident to this form of investment as well as on the actual purchase money, they yield £4 128. per cent.,-a rate equal to that obtained by the large

Assurance Corporations and Insurance Companies, and far higher than ordinary Benefit Societies. This year has wit nessed the important act of affiliation with the National Division, and this Society is now a registered branch of that body under the Friendly Societies Act of 1875. This will not in any way affect its funds, of which the Grand Division will retain full control as formerly, while the advantages of the Society will be increased by the now legal, as well as the fraternal bond of union. Two New Divisions have been instituted the one at Newhaven and the other at Camberwell, the latter being named after the late much respected temperance advocate, Wm. Tweedie. They are both in good working order, and bid fair to be useful in furthering the Society's operations in in their respective localities.

It is remarkable that again this year as in former years, less than one per cent. of the membership have left the Order through breaking the pledge. This record is, we venture to say, the lowest by far that any Temperance Society has ever published, and proves, if proof were needed, that the design of its original founders in first making, and then keeping people teetotallers, was wise, and admirably adapted for its purpose. The past Grand Scribe, Bro. Johnson added the following remarks:

The above Report is my last official act as your Grand Scribe, and I find it is my 27th quarterly statement on your finances. I cannot help for a moment comparing the position of the Grand Division at June, 1875, when I had the honour of being elected, to its present aspect. My first report showed the Grand Division to consist of 1,800 members, with funds of £4201, bearing £140 a year interest. My last, just read, shows 2,258 members, with over three times that capital, and nearly four times the amount of yearly interest. The small net increase in the membership is misleading without the explanation, that during this period, at least 1,800 have joined, of whom 1,400 have left through various causes, only 60 being due to removal by death. But this only brings ont the large increase in the capital in still more striking relief, and causes us naturally to speculate what would to-day have been the position of the Society if these 1,400 seceders had remained to us. However you have been so surfeited with figures, if with nothing else while I have been your Grand Scribe, that I will not wear out your patience by dwelling on them further. I confess it has always been a weakness of mine, and you will be fortunate in the change of officer, if only to be relieved of the monotony of dry statistics, for which I fear I have obtained a not altogether popular notoriety. But every man in his own order: with all my fondness for figures, I am after all human, and I cannot finally retire without feeling that 1 am depriving myself of the close intercourse I have long enjoyed with personal friends, official it is true to begin with, but none the less pleasant and profitable. That I have faults I am too constantly reminded by others to be unaware of, but believe me when I say, that they have been of the head more than of the heart; in other words, want of ability, or of opportunity rather than of disinclination, or of deliberate intent. Although rejoicing at the prospect of relief from the great pressure of routine work, this feeling is mingled with regret at the severance which must take place between me and the valued honorary agents of the Order. As a soldier, my term of service having expired, I retire, but only to rejoin the colours as a volunteer. Whatever ability I may possess, and my sixfold re-election proves that you think I have some, it will still remain at your command, and my successor, whoever he is, may rely on my best assistance at all times. It only remains for me to express my heartfelt thanks for the universal kindness and courtesy with which I have been treated, the remembrance of which has often sustained me, when inclined through sheer weariness, to waver in the work, and which will ever be a bright record in my life's memory."

There are two or three words necessary to complete this historic sketch, which was properly approved by the Grand Division. The closing of the last year found the Grand Division still working through forty-six Subordinate Divisions which were instituted by the pioneers of the work in London, and which remain till to-day, the strongest branches in the district. The district moreover worked until the close of last year, upon the tables of contributions calculated out by the first Grand Scribe of London. Indeed apart from a change in the mode of investment there has been little departure from the original lines, so while in no way detracting from the merit of those who began later and still remain in the front, it is only fair that the founders of the work should be remembered, and gratefully remembered, though some have gone into rest, and others are content with standing in the ranks.

News of the Order.

[Under this heading we shall be pleased to report any local efforts on the part of Divisions, such as Public Meetings, Essays, etc., but have no room for ordinary meetings, or installations, etc. The copy MUST be written on one side only.]

Portsmouth.-The quarterly meeting of the Grand Division was held at Gosport on April 29, at 5 o'clock in the evening. Owing to the exceedingly rough state of the weather, great difficulty was experienced by the representatives from Portsmouth in getting across the harbour which separates Gosport from Portsmouth. However, a number from Portsmouth succeeded in reaching Gosport safely, in spite of wind and rain, and the Grand Division was duly opened by Bro. Rogers, G.W.P., who, in presenting his report, congratulated the brethren on the steady progress made throughout the district. Two representatives were elected to attend the National Division at Chester. During the evening a very interesting event took place. Bro. James Morgan having retired from the office of G.S., which position he had held during the last six years, the G.D. unanimously resolved to present him with a suitable testimonial, to mark their apreciation of his services during his tenure of office. In presenting it the G.W.P. said it afforded him much pleasure to do what he was now about to. It was not often such an opportunity offered. It had been his pleasure during Bro. Morgan's term of office to work with him, and he had always found Bro. Morgan a good and faithful servant, devotod to our noble Order. Every measure that was brought forward for the good and advancement of our cause Bro. Morgan took an active part in. It was for this that the members had subscribed to this testimonial. He felt sure that what he was now about to present to him had been given by the members with that cheerfulness and enthusiasm which would make the gift all the more acceptable. He hoped that Bro. Morgan would be long spared to labour with them, and that health and happiness would be his to the end of life. The G.W.P. then presented him with a testimonial in pink and gold, bearing the G.D. seal, and signed by himself and G.S. handsomely framed and mounted, together with a purse of £6, amid loud and prolonged applause from the members. Bro. Morgan, who was received with another round of applause, said it afforded him much pleasure to have this valuable testimony from them. He was glad to know he had done his duty. His work had not been all sunshine. Many ups and downs he had seen in the G.D., but thank God they had all been surmounted, and they were now sailing along in smooth water. He had accepted the testimonial, not for its pecuniary worth, but for the expressions of esteem and regard it conveyed, and he trusted that prosperity would always attend their efforts, and he thanked them one and all for their kind expressions to him. The business was afterwards resumed, and the meeting closed about 10.30 p.m.

Glasgow.--On the 24th March the members of the Great Eastern Division held their annual social meeting in the Alberthall, Bridgeton. The chair was occupied by Bro. James Fanning, P.W.P., and about one hundred and thirty sat down to tea. The chairman, in the course of a short address, gave a brief report of the last year's work, showing that although no great progress had been made as regards membership, still the year had financially been a great success. During the evening a stirring and interesting address was delivered by Bro. Anderson, Ayr, who gave a graphic description of the work carried on in that town by the Blue Ribbon Army, he being one of its leading members. Addresses were also delivered by Bro. Morrison, G.W.P., Bro. Dunn, G.S., and Dr. Campbell, the medical officer of the Division. The presence of a select musical party, who contributed glees, solos, duets, &c., in an efficient manner, added greatly to the success of the meeting. Finally an enjoyable entertainment was brought to a close with the usual votes of thanks.

Treorky.-The Sceptre of Charity Division, No. 386, held their quarterly meeting on April 27th, when an excellent tea provided, and the members together with many friends partook of the cheering cup. The Division is in a flourishing condition, between sixty and seventy new members having been enrolled lately, and a band has been organized under the leadership of Mr. T. Wilkins. In the course of the evening the band paraded the town and surrounding districts, playing in an excellent manner. After this an entertainment was given,

when the Rev. D. Davies presided. In opening the meeting the reverend gentleman expressed his deep sympathy with the Division, also his joy at the progress they were making. He believed that the Sons of Temperance would bear comparison with any order in the Kingdom, and that young men could never do better than join them. After this an interesting and amusing programme was disposed of. The following took part in the entertaiment :-Selection on the instruments, Mr. T. Wilkins and party; recitation, Mr. J. Jones; selection, the string band; recitation, Mr. A. Davies; song, Miss M. Thomas; recitation, Mr. D. C. Davies; Song, Miss C. Nash; address, Mr. D. Davies; song, Miss C. Nash, accompanied by the string band; recitation, Mr. T. Davies; song, Mr. W. Wilkins: song, Miss G. Jones; recitation, Mr. S. Tindle; song, Mise Nash. A vote of thanks was presented to the chairman, and this closed a pleasant and profitable evening.

Barnsley. A new Grand Division was instituted at Barnsley on Saturday, 13th of May, and promises to be a great success. There are five Subordinate Divisions in the town and neighbourhood, the first of which was established just twelve years ago; they have combined together to withdraw from the Bradford Grand Division, with a view to putting themselves into a position the better to advance the interests and spread the benefits of the Order. As reported and noticed in the So of Temperance last month arrangements had been entered into with the Bradford Grand Division for a friendly swarming, and also with the chief officers of the Order for the opening ceremony to take place on the day named. Accordingly the brethren were summoned to attend at the Temperance-hall, Pitt-street, Barnsley, at 3.30 in the afternoon. The M.W. Scribe arrived from Manchester shortly before the hour appointed, but the M. W. Patriarch was not so fortunate, for in journeying from London he was delayed on the way by a slight accident that happened on the railway, which consequently caused him to be a little late. Immediately on arrival, nowever, after Bros. Wightman and Clarke had been greeted by a goodly company of friends, who had assembled to witness and take part in the opening, business was at once commenced under the direction of the M.W.P. The application for charter, the charter itself, and the usual forms of institution were read; the neccesary officers were duly appointed and installed; and the Grand Division was declared to have been opened in due form by the National Division officers invested with the authority to act in that behalf. An opportunity wa then given for any member to ask questions on matters relating to the Order, and several availed themselves of the chance to do this. The most important question raised was "What are the advantages to be gained by adopting the graduated scale system and the centralization of funds?" In reply the M.W.P. made a clear and most explicit statement of the true reasons why these two methods ought to be adopted and carried out; and in the course of an interesting address, counselled those present on many other matters. Bro. Clarke also spoke a few earnest words for the good of the Order. On the motion of Bro. G. Cragg, which was seconded by Bro. T. J. Pick, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the two Most Worthies The following were the officers appointed:-P.G.W.P. Bro G. Cragg, G.W.P. Bro. T. Ward, G.W.A. Bro. Jos. Mellor, G.W. Scribe Bro. W. Watson, G.W.T. Bro. T. J. Pick, G. W Chap. Bro. James Fazey, G.W. Con. Bro. T. Depledge, G.W. Sen. Bro. J. T. Bennett, Auditors Bros. A. J. Wroe and W. H. Scorah; Provisional Committee of Management, all the officers elect. The Grand Division next deputed Bro. W. Watson to attend the National Division at Chester, at Whitsuntide. At half-past five an adjournment was made to a tea, which was provided for both members and the public. After tea there was a public meeting, held for the purpose of adVocating the cause of the Order, and the principles of temperance generally. The chair was taken by Bro. T. Ward, G.W.P., who at the outset stated that he should very much have preferred that the position he occupied should have been taken by another. They had invited the Mayor of the town to preside, but as they would hear from a letter Bro. Watson would read, that gentleman would be unable to do so, hence he must do the best he could, and that he had great pleasure in doing. He considered that to be a red-letter day in the history of the Order in Barnsley. The letter referred to was them read as follows:-"Dear Mr. Watson,-I regret extremely that in consequence of other engagements it will be out of my power to be present at your meeting on Saturday evening, as I should have wished. Temperance friendly societies, under whatever name, have my warmest sympathy, and I trust you will have a successful and pleasant gathering.—I am, yours very