ELO

principles of our Lord are telling, and though these may not have much direct effect upon the habitual drunkard, yet, indirectly, they work by bringing to our side the thoughtful and intelligent who are willing to deny themselves for the sake of others.

P.-Yes, my experience of humanity is not large, but from what I have seen, I should say that the drunkard in his sober reflection is to be won, by the fact of a stranger to him showing himself a brother. That man is not hopeless, I am sure, who is convinced that he is cared for and prayed over by one who has no self-interest to secure.

W.-You mentioned the word "hopeless"-that leads me to ask, what do you think of our Bands of Hope? Are they indeed what their name implies ?

P.-Well, here, at least, is the instruction given at the right period of life. Spring is no more promising of summer, than youth is of righteousness, if it be brought in training. In every good cause, the hope must be in the youth who hear its claims.

W.-Yes, that is my view of Bands of Hope. I wish they were better attended, not only by our .smaller children, but by our elder scholars. Í like the idea of the children themselves taking active parts in the meeting. It gives them a greater interest, and they cannot be too often impressed with the divine motto, "Touch not, taste not, handle not." That is the only safe remedy for the evil ve deplore.

P.-Well, Willie, I must be going, but, stay! What is that? Something has fallen just there in front of us.

W.-In this light it looks like a tree, but that cannot be, for-see! some people are hastening to it. We'll just go up and see. Curiosity can be awakened even in the masculine mind and likes to be satisfied.

P.-Oh dear! I little thought we should so soon find a practical and visible illustration to our subject. They are carrying a poor drunkard home. You said you thought it was a tree that had fallen. The sight reminds one, certainly, more of a helpless thing than of a man, made in the image of God, and endowed with a mind and a soul. Poor fellow, I hope for his own sake, and the sake of humanity that he may be reclaimed. Good night, Willie.

W-Good night-let us remember him in our prayers.

P.—Yes, there begin ; but the miserable sight we have just witnessed, and which is but a type of too many, demands vigorous action, and our improvement in our little way, to fortify the minds of our Bands of Hope against so fearful a tempter, that can bring about so great a fall. Good night.

Astley Bridge.-The usual monthly meeting of this branch was held on March 5th. Rev. George Williams presided, and a lecture was delivered by Mr. F. Nightingale (president), the subject being “ The Child: What will He Become?" taken from an illustrated slip advertising “Cassell's Popular Educator." Large portraits, kindly furnished by Messrs. Cassell & Co., were exhibited and explained, and tended much to make the meeting interesting. The attention of the audience was kept up throughout, and the customary votes of thanks brought a successful meeting to a close.

Corwen.-A grand demonstration to celebrate the Jubilee of the temperance movement in Wales, was held here March 4th. A conference and two public meetings were held. The Rev. H. C. Williams (Baptist), who was chairman of the committee, read a paper on “Future Reforms in Connection with Temperance," which was followed by an interesting discussion. The speakers were Dr. Hughes, Sir Llewellyn Turner, J.P., Revs. D. S. Davies (Independent), of Bangor; J. J. Cooper, of Northampton; G. Ellis, B.A., of Bootle; H. B. Williams, of Wrexham (C. M.); H. Hughes, of Llangowen (Wesleyan); and D. R. Jenkins, of Wrexham (Baptist). It was a great success.

Lyndhurst, Hants.-On March 5th, a tea and public meeting in connection with the Baptist Chapel Temperance Society was held, the chair being taken by the Rev. W. H. Payne (pastor). A most enjoyable evening was spent, the programme including a magic-lantern exhibition, recitations, and singing.

Milnsbridge. – Baptist SUNDAY SCHOOL Band of HOPE.--On Monday, Feb. 23rd, the Rev. J. M. Hewson commenced a five days' Gospel Temperance Mission here. The chair was occupied on the first evening by our Pastor (Rev. H. C. Field), who very heartily and ably introduced the lecturer. Throughout the week most successful meetings were held, 497 signed the pledge, and over 800 donned the "blue. Our church here was in a healthy and flourishing state, still it was felt that the lowest stratum of the population was untouched. This Mission has been the means, in God's hands, of inducing many careless ones to come and hear the Word. A gang of reckless young men signed the pledge, and asked that a Bible Class might be formed for them. A suitable teacher being found, sixteen attended, twelve of these came to the evening service in the chapel, and five stayed to the prayer meeting. On the last three evenings, collections were made, and the expenses thus defrayed. The B. T. A. A. has every reason to be proud of its able advocate (Rev. J. M. Hewson). Our committee agreed to affiliate with the Association.

Penzance.-BAPTIST BAND OF HOPE.—A very successful entertainment was given in the schoolroom, on Tuesday, Feb. 24th, by the members of the above society, consisting of dialogues, recitations, and singing, interspersed with pianoforte duets and solos. The whole proceedings were much appreciated by the large audience so as to elicit several encores. The chair was taken by Mr. Perrow, who made an earnest appeal to all present who were not abstainers to unite and swell their numbers, which now exceeded eighty members. Mr. A. Berryman also gave a short address. Some pledges were taken at the close. The entertainers were Miss Gray, Miss Kendall, Miss Matthews, Misses Lugg and Ash, Miss Stevens, Mr. Moody, Mr. Rowe.

"OLD Hawker" in the Grimsby News, writes :-"How many men are there even in Grimsby who spend at least sixpence each day of their lives on strong drink? I was turning this matter over in my mind the other day, and took a sheet of paper on which I made certain calculations. The results are somewhat startling, especially to those who have never known the value of saving sixpence. If the daily sixpence were paid regularly at the end of the week into the Post-office Savings' Bank, it would in twenty years amount to no less than £235, and in forty years the large sum of £683 would stand to the credit of the total abstainer. Suppose, however, each £30 as it was completed, were transferred to a good 5 per cent. investment, the sums of money would be in twenty years 2303, and in forty years £1,112. This little capital sum would give the sensible teetotaler a nice little income of twenty-one shillings per week; with no fear of ending his days in a workhouse. Is not this matter worthy of consideration to the working man, who gets his pint of halfand-half twice a day, and a drop of something extra on Saturday night? What say you?"

He who is false to present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and will find the flaw when he may have forgotten its cause, -Beecher.

Woodgrange.-The Tower Hamlets Band of Hope Union Choir, led by Mr. G. W. Williams, entertained us with a concert on the rith inst., when we had an encouraging attendance. The programme consisted of pianoforte solos, part-songs, solos, and a choral march. The pieces were well rendered, the following being much appreciated: -Part-song,“ Sweet and Low," (F. Barnby); solo," Only once more" (F. Moir), Mr. C. Oliver ; solo, “Dolly's Revenge" (Pontet), Miss F. C. Bridge; part-song, "The Wandering Savoyards," (W. F. Taylor); solo, “The Diver," Mr. Howard.

Tubbermore.--RisiNG STAR Band of Hope.-The fourth monthly meeting of this society was held in the Baptist Chapel, on Wednesday evening, March 11th, at seven o'clock. The chair was occupied by the pastor, the Rev. R. H. Carson. An enjoyable programme of addresses, recitations, and readings, was given by Messrs. S. Nelson, Neely, Houston, J. Nelson, McKee, and McKinney. During the evening several temperance pieces were rendered by the choir, Miss. Carson presiding at the harmonium. Twenty-seven cards were given out to the persons on probation since the last meeting, thus raising the number of members to 108. Twenty-five new names were taken by the secretary, Mr. R. H. Carson, after which the proceedings terminated.

ou tou sou NU NOU UN

5 AN

To the Editor of the " BOND OF UNION.".

HOW TO VOTE. Sir,-Being asked how I intend to vote at the next General Election, I reply :-.

(1.) I am a soldier and a servant of Jesus Christ, and I intend to be faithful to the uttermost of my power

Strong drink is the mainstay of Satan's kingdom. It is now universally admitted that strong drink is the cause of three-fourths of the crime, pauperism, divorces, and nearly one-half of the idiocy and lunacy of the country.

Therefore you can see how I shall vote as a Christian.

(2.) I am an Englishman, and, subordinately and subject to (1), I intend to be loyal and patriotic.

The last public words of the late Duke of Albany were. “ Drink is the only terrible enemy England has to fear," and I believe it. It has further been proved over and over again that the mis-spending our money in drink is the main cause of the present depression in trade.

Therefore you can see how I shall vote as an Englishman. Pro bono publico. (3.) I am a party-man, but before party I am

A CHRISTIAN ENGLISHMAN. P.S.-Will Temperance organisations take care in time that we have Temperance candidates to vote for.

Lackson,

11. M., Hristol

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SUBSCRIPTIONS, DONATIONS, &c.,

Received from Feb. 18th to Mar. 18th, 1885.
Aldridge, Mr., Dulwich
Aldridge, Mrs. »

.. 0 2 6 Andrew, Mr. Jno., Leeds

.. .. 0 10 0 Avery, Miss, Westbourne Park

.. .. 0
Bacon, Mr. J. P., Walthamstow
Bailey, Rev. J., Sheffield ..

.. O
Baker, Rev. T., Stony Stratford
Bethnal Green Road Temperance S
Billing. Mr. J., Guildford ..
Boustead, Mr. Edward, Clapham,
Burton, Mr. S. B., Newcastle-on-Tyne
Buswell, Mr. J., Stockwell . ..
Caine, W. S., Esq., M.P., Clapham
Campbell, Mr. P., Perth . .
Carmichael, Mr. J. M., Glasgow ..

.. OS O Cayford, Mr. E., Westbourne Park

.. . 2 2 0 Clark, Mr. John, Folkestone

.. .. 0 26 Cockerill, Mr. D., Putney Hill

.. .. 1 0 0 Collins, Rev. J., Lymington .. ..

" .. 0 2 6 Curtis, Mr. F. J. , Chelsea .. .

Carried forward £2160