TEMPERANCE “RALLY."

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 385, 9 April 1902, Page 3

TEMPERANCE “RALLY."

Last evening, a combined meeting of Gisborne Endeavor Societies was held in Wesley Schoolroom, tho members of St. Andrew’s Society accepting the invitation of those of Wesley Church. The Rev. B. F. Rothwell presided, and, in the course of his address, said he hoped the meeting would result in a working alliance on distinct Christian lines. It

was their duty to keep the Christian aspect of the work to the front. The Church had commenced the work, and the Methodist Church had for several years given ungrudgingly her best men. The oiler was often made them, “Cease praying, say nothing about Christ, and we will join you,” which meant, in effect, “ Cease to Jean on the arm of God and you shall have my arm to lean upon ; ” hut their retort was, “ I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." Lot each one he true to their individual responsibility, and place a high value upon the privilege of being at the source of a young nation’s life. Rev. J. G. Paterson gave a stirring address, in which he expressed the hopo that something practical would be the outcome of the meeting. He had become a prohibitionist through Mr Isitt, who had convinced him that when a Christian man hadj the option to vote for or against the liquor traffic he I must, if true to his principles, vote against I it. He knew that some were awfully disgusted with him for so often preaching upon the subject, but he felt like the young Methodist preacher who was told on coming to a new place that he must not speak too plainly on the liquor question because there was one man interested in it who gave fifty dollars. Go replied “ take fifty dollars off my salary, and let me speak my mind.” Later in the meeting Mr Paterson nominated three members of a committee to formulate a scheme for work in view of the local option poll. Mr Bothwell nominated a like number, and the committee was constituted to report to a future meeting. Short addresses of a very practical nature were also given by Messrs C. Rosie, of the Presbyterian Society, Mr Hawkins, of the Methodist, and Mr Vowles. A number of hymns were sung and solos contributed by Miss King and Messrs Ellerbeck and Vowles. Mrs Foster and Miss Vowles gave appropriate recitations in a pleasing and able manner. After refreshments had been handed round by the Wesley Church Society, Rev. Mr Paterson expressed the thanks of the visitors and the meeting closed.