entirely among the villages where he distributes his tracts. To my fellow-teachers I would say, 'Here is a pattern for us; let us imitate the good old man, nearly seventy years of age."" "My congregation consists chiefly of poor persons, on whom I could not press the CHRISTIAN WITNESS, although very cheap and very useful. Our sale did not exceed six copies. But when the PENNY MAGAZINE appeared, I urged the matter from the pulpit, and am glad to be able to tell you that names are given in for 100 copies. I sincerely thank you for the PENNY MAGAZINE; I regard it as a valuable helper in promoting the spiritual welfare of my flock." "Last month we circulated 56; this month (February) the number has increased to 96, and there is an urgent demand for about 30 copies of No. 1. At two other small places in this neighbourhood I have ascertained that the circulation has reached nearly 100 monthly at each place. Let all who love Congregationalism, nay, let all who love our common Christianity, devote but a small amount of energy to this work, and the monthly sale of THE FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE will quickly rise to at least Half a Million." "I have done my utmost for the WITNESS and the PENNY MAGAZINE, and now inform you of the result. The first year we had for the WITNESS 43 subscribers; this number, I am sorry to say, has sunk to 12. The greater number declined from its being above their capacity and beyond their means. I hope, however, we shall sink no lower, but gradually rise. I feel most thankful for the PENNY MAGAZINE, which is just the thing we needed. I took the canvass for it into my own hands, and have obtained 100 subscribers. We shall order 120 for February. I have succeeded in introducing it to six villages, and hope for a gradual increase of sale." "We have now reached 112, and the effect of Sir Culling's letter on my mind is such that I am determined that before March the number shall be 200 PENNY MAGAZINES, and the WITNESS 80." "I have sold 100 of the FRIEND, and after the week-evening prayer-meetings, in a place where, but fifteen months ago, no Dissenting church or school had been formed." "Much to my disappointment, only 12 copies of the WITNESS were circulated here, and the reason I found to be twofold-the too high character, and the price of the work. You may judge how delighted I was at your announcement of a Penny Magazine, and still more at the inspection of the first Number, aye, of the whole of it. I rejoice to say that, in addition to the 12 WITNESSES, there are now 100 PENNY MAGAZINES." "We were satisfied, highly satisfied; in the evening it was recommended from the pulpit; last night the young man appointed among us to receive orders for it, told me he had got already more than 100 names, besides many more ordered by the people through their booksellers." "I state this simply as a fact I think you should know, as an indication of what many people's views are in these parts-that had it not been for that very article, (the Appledore Tract,) our people, as already stated, being so replenished with periodicals before, would have hardly ordered 12 copies of the FRIEND, but now they order of it at least 10 times 12! Our friends of the New Connexion here have also taken it up very warmly." "I must just mention the deep interest we have felt and taken in your brush with Sir Culling, and the delight your noble stand for our great principles afforded us. Since then we have sold more than double the number of the PENNY MAGAZINE, and have fresh orders almost daily." "You will see what we are doing this year and what was done last. I only wish that all would do what they can; then you will have a circulation of Five Hundred Thousand copies. It must come to this." [Last year they were 87; this year they are 145.] "You state in your address that the circulation of 200,000 will be expected. I have endeavoured to answer it by multiplying the WITNESS by four, making 100 for the FRIEND without reducing the number of the WITNESS; that is, 20 WITNESs and 100 FRIENDS." "We have in our congregation disposed of about 650; that is pretty well." [So we think.] "We took in about 1000 of the first Number of the PENNY MAGAZINE, and shall, I hope, continue to do well." We are reluctantly compelled, for the present, to desist from the pleasing task of recording the results of the noble exertions of our faithful friends, with a thousand thanks for their generous and energetic co-operation, and with the humble hope that they will just double it, and then we have Two HUNDRED THOUSAND, and then we shall, by an additional gentle bound, ascend at once to OUR QUARTER MILLION! Temperance. PERIODICALS FOR FEBRUARY. The Scottish Temperance Review.—This is one of the ablest numbers that has yet appeared. The original papers, "Excuses up the number the following are entitled counsel, he is sneered at, worried, and ill-treated. to attention: Here it appears that, diminishing the consumption of spirits one-fourth, the mortality was reduced to less than a third. Spirit-drinkers, ponder these things! Are you impatient for the grave? Then drink on! Drink, and die! The National Temperance Magazine opens with an excellent lecture "On the Moral Elevation of the People," which well deserves the consideration of the "People," and of those who claim to be their superiors. The following statement will appeal to the experience of many an aching heart: We sometimes stand appalled at the contemplation, and think that the indifference now felt to the facts and arguments adduced by the friends of the temperance cause is one of the most melancholy instances of the perversity of the human mind. At present we wish to look at the question as it affects employers, knowing that they have to suffer much from the intemperance of their work-people, and have a great influence for good or evil on those they employ. There is scarcely an employer in existence but has had to complain, more or less, of the bad conduct of those working under him; and there is not one certainly who could not do much to remove the evils which press upon the unfortunate victims of dissipated habits, their wives and children. Many workshops are mere seminaries of drunkenness we have known promising boys, the joy of the domestic hearth, a fond parent's delight, with bright hopes and generous feeling about them, utterly ruined by the vicious example of a set of depraved shopmen. If the lad spends his money freely, he is petted and caressed; if he shrinks from their society, and attends to parental Its effects are often fatal to the future well-being of the youth. Then what must be the consequences of such temptations to a boy whose early culture has been neglected, who has a foolish, a vicious, or neglectful parent? Every base appetite is strengthened by the example of his new associates; every wavering disposition confirmed in evil. Look at the beer-shops and taverns, crowded with their filthy and debauched tenants depend upon it many of those whose laugh is loudest in the riot would have to date their first step in the drunkard's career to their entrance into a workshop. The following passage is well entitled to the consideration of employers of every rank and class throughout the nation : They (the examples) are taken at random from the Report to the Secretary of State of the Poor-Law Commissioners, on the Training of Pauper Children." Several gentlemen gave evidence, and strongly declared the inferiority of uneducated to educated workmen, not only in operative ability, but in steadiness, peaceableness, reasonableness, sobriety, economy, and general respectability of character. Convinced of this, they have promoted education among the working classes. Mr. Smith, of Deanston, for instance, provides schooling, at his own expense, for 200 children; and it was stated by another employer, whose name is not published, and who has provided for the schooling of upwards of that number, that at first the expenditure was given chiefly to make the work-people happy; but, said he, "we have found that had it all been done simply as an investment of capital, it would have been a highly profitable one. I would not, as a pecuniary speculation, consent to take less than £7000 for my set of workmen, (upwards of eight hundred,) in exchange for the uneducated and uncultivated workmen of another manufacturer opposite. We find the steadiness of the men induces steadiness of work, and comparative certainty in the quantity and quality of the produce." Speaking of the recreations which he had provided for the work-people, he said, "Thou mayest think it strange for one of my persuasion,"-(he is one of the Society of Friends,)-" but it is true I have paid for a big drum and some horns, to give them mirth after their hours of labour." Mr. Smith stated that, as a master, he thought it right to exercise his influence in preventing drunkenness, &c.; his best workmen are the soberest men; he has 350 teetotalers among them; he has all the workmen residing in habitations built with a view to comfort, cleanliness, warmth, economy, and respectability of appearance; drainage is particularly attended to. The London Teetotaler, and General Temperance Intelligencer.-This journal is a great favourite with us, always received with pleasure, and read with avidity. The name is very appropriate; it is a true and large mirror of Temperance life and action in the Metropolis. It contains, from week to week, ample, accurate, and interesting reports of all the principal meetings, forming a species of magazine admirably adapted to advance the interests of Temperance, and to supply the defect of those that deal more largely in dissertation. But in addition to this, it contains a full proportion of valuable original articles. We shall treat our readers to DICKEY TURNER'S SPEECH. Richard Turner, of Preston, in Lancashire, has, very undesignedly, got his name immortalized by the term Teetotal. As to the etymology of the word, a knowledge thereof is not professed but it is often used in Lancashire and : Cheshire in the light of a strong affirmative, as real, entire, absolute, altogether, and such words, are generally used. Dickey, in the effervescence of his zeal, at one of the meetings in Preston, when attempting to depreciate the moderation pledge, observed, "Nothing but the tee-teetotal pledge will do." This phrase was immediately taken up, serving as a convenient substitute for the circumlocution which had previously been used. It spread rapidly, and it is now the standing technical name, both in England and America, for the doctrine of total abstinence from all alcoholic liquors. Dickey Turner's head contains a vocabulary of new words; but as the Preston friends are not very fastidious, Dickey always obtains a favourable hearing. His usual remark is, "If I make blunders you must expect them." The following is a sketch of one of his speeches: "I have need to rise to speak-well of the glorious cause of Temperance, for the good it has done for me. At one time I was a trouble to my parents; for I believe I was the worst lad that ever was born of a man-(roars of laughter.) Oh! you must not expect much from me, because my education was at the ale-bench. When I go through the streets on a Sunday, it does my soul good to see so many reformed drunkards well-dressed and going to their places of worship. What fools you are to cover the landlords' tables while you yourselves must live on potatoes and salt, and your children barefooted and bareheaded, your coats out at elbows, and your trowsers out at knees, as mine used to be. I used to call these temperance people fools; but after attending a meeting at the Moss School, I found I was the fool, and they were the wise men. If they had got so much good, why may not I too? They wanted me to come up and sign. I went up to the table. They asked me how long I would sign for? I said a fortnight; for I thought it was quite as long as I could keep it. I signed the moderation, but that would not do. Afterwards I signed the Teetotal, and, bless God, I have kept it. I am strong and hearty, can do my work better than ever I could, and am determined to go about preaching temperance as long as I live." The Scottish Temperance Journal is, as usual, full of mind, spirit, and impatience at the culpable apathy of abstainers. It opens with an article of great force and earnestness, urging union and "a fixed source of revenue. We give our English readers the benefit of the views of this energetic writer, for we need to be pressed on this point quite as much as our Scottish brethren. Referring to the forthcoming Convention, he proceeds: Before the Conference, to which so many are looking forward with much interest, we do not see that there is any reason why all the abstainers of Scotland should not be united under one board of direction. All must agree that we would thereby be better able to accomplish the ordinary business connected with the Temperance agitation, and undoubtedly be in a fitter condition to enter with zeal and alacrity on the schemes that shall emanate from the world's Temperance meeting. Before, however, anything effective can be done, there is a vital question to be considered-the funds. This is truly the questio vexata; it is nevertheless essential that there be money to carry on the work, and plenty of it! As soon will a steam-engine accomplish the design of the mechanic without its motive power, steam, as the Temperance cause be carried forward at the required velocity without a supply of money. The power that propels the Temperance machine is a compound of two elements, the intellectual energy and the circulating medium of the country. The former can be got, to a certain extent, at little expense; but there is a vein of rich ore that can only be excavated by having cash to pay the expense of working out the mineral. The press is that ore, -the mine replete with that which shall enrich us for all our toils and anxieties, only it must be brought to bear decidedly on the question. What signifies a few thousand numbers of two Temperance monthly periodicals for Scotland! Can the country that absorbs its weekly hundreds of thousands of copies of fugitive literature of various, and some very questionable kinds, only afford the sorry pittance awarded to two small periodicals, published at intervals of a month?— and yet Scotland is the land to which many look as the field of temperance and temperance men! -the hallowed spot where is cradled much that is good and great in religion and philosophy. Others can forward their interests through the press, and may not we? Other societies circulate hundreds of thousands of tracts, and are we to be chased from this mode of advocacy, as if it had no good fruits for us?-presenting no green spot on which the eye could rest amid the arid waste. But this brings us again to the treasurer's account. First of all, then, every abstainer must begin to feel and act on the impression that he has a special interest in the movement-that he has a personal duty to perform in connection with it. This may be of two descriptions. He may either have a little time to devote to advocacy, or otherwise promoting the cause; or he may have something to spare from his income to employ others to do so, either through the medium of publications or by delivering addresses. But the great desideratum is-a fixed source of revenue. Then, at once originate a fund-a large one, too-that the operations may be carried on in a style commensurate with the character of the movement; not as if it were imbecile and scarcely able to stir a limb, but like a stalwart man, buoyant with 1 elastic energy. soon attain his meridian splendour, never to be eclipsed but by the brilliancy of a millennial era. These are words of wisdom. When we first began to look intently on Temperance operations, we quickly saw wherein their weakness lay-in the want of a pecuniary qualification, no matter how small, and the necessity of union, a league which, like a net, should cover Britain from shore to shore, pronouncing them, in respect of order, a rabble rather than a regiment," which so maddened some weak brethren that they have not ceased to resent the "insult" to this hour, men who boastfully proclaim that "after the battle was fought," and the “victory we came in at the eleventh hour to reflect on the organization of the troops. "Victory won!" Would it were! All that has yet taken place is only a little hopeful skirmishing. Where there is a will there is a way! A single farthing a-week, contributed regularly by every abstainer in Scotland, would realize a handsome subscription;-a very little from each would produce as much every week as has been altogether expended since the abstinence question was first mooted among us. Think of the large revenues of the Free Church, and how they are raised; are they not abundantly augmented by the halfpence and pence of its zealous adherents? Remember the magnificent testimonial to Rowland Hill for his exertions in connection with Post-Office reform, procured in sums not exceeding a penny. won, And reflect on the princely financial efforts of the Corn-law repealers, first with their £50,000 fund, and next asking a quarter of a million sterling, and getting it, too. Many such efforts might be instanced, though only three of the most notable have been particularised. And shall it be said of all sects and parties that they make extraordinarily successful attempts to promote their views, while the friends of temperance are in a condition of listless inactivity? Let us free ourselves from the morbid torpor, and quit us like men. To attempt to emulate the last instance given above would, of course, be preposterous in the present state of matters; but may not a plan like one or other of the former be advantageously tried, especially among those who are unable to contribute liberally? The larger sums that would be subscribed would soon swell the amount. We have been engaged in more unlikely and less worthy attempts, and have seen them successful. We are willing to try again, and are sanguine enough to believe that an effort like that here proposed, conducted by those who have hitherto toiled so unceasingly, would not fail to be reConsiderasponded to in a substantial manner. ble labour would certainly be necessary; but what signifies expenditure of bone and muscle, if our object be gained? Who will try the experiment? Those who have hitherto laboured hard in the cause, are they only to whom we can look. Who, we ask, will join them-willing either to hew wood or draw water, and immolate SELF at the shrine of a world's welfare? Henceforth let us be as the brethren of one family, vieing with each other only as to who shall excel in works of love and mercy-determined to labour in the great enterprise with redoubled zeal and energy. We would earnestly press the finance question on the attention of all our friends; and if a General Committee to Superintend the Movement throughout Scotland, were appointed, (we care not by what name it is known,) aided by efficient sub-committees for the various departments of labour, embracing all the most influential abstainers throughout the principal places, with sufficient pecuniary resources to rely on, before a year of its labours had floated down the stream of time, the greatest successes ever known in connection with Temperance might be recorded; and the sun of our nation's glory having again risen, would The National Temperance Chronicle and Temperance Recorder is vast in range, strong and copious in fact, courteous in spirit, and firm in purpose. What the London Teetotaler is to the capital, that the Chronicle is to the world. It glances at all nations, and presents a condensed yet satisfactory epitome of Temperance operations throughout the whole world. On this ground its claims are superior to those of all other kindred publications. It is emphatically a matter of fact publication—full of business. On the subject of " Temperance Advertising" it contains the following paragraph, which is as interesting as the subject is important and the plan valuable, and which we give not only for the sake of the cause of Temperance, but of truth. It consists with our knowledge that the circulation of all the chief periodicals mentioned from the WITNESS downward is considerably overstated. There are few subjects with which there is more falsehood connected than with advertising. Portions of the collectors of advertisements, on taking up their blue bags, seem to lay down their consciences till they return, and this for the benefit of their own per centage more than of their employers, who we doubt not generally, would spurn the wretch who tells a lie to catch a penny. TEMPERANCE ADVERTISING. In order to impress more forcibly upon the minds of our readers the importance of the plan of Temperance advertising, we present a tabular statement of the names and circulation of the religious periodicals in which advertisements By multiplying the circulation of the respective periodicals by the number of insertions, it will be seen that 168,700 copies of temperance articles have thus been distributed among Christians of various denominations, at a cost of only £39 28. Independent of postage and trouble of distribution, tracts of all sizes to that amount, at an average of 8d. per hundred, would have cost £56, and could not have been introduced into the families where these advertisements have entered. A tract is generally seen by only one or two persons, while each advertisement was probably read by not less than five persons, which calculation will give the enormous number of EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED individuals who have thus had the subject of temperance brought under their immediate attention. This one fact is surely sufficient to induce all the well-wishers of the temperance cause to subscribe, according to their ability, to the furtherance of this most important object. The Cornwall and Devon Temperance Journal is quite up to the mark, and increasing in circulation. We present a fact, by way of example: We are highly gratified at the successful efforts made by some of our friends to increase the circulation of the journal. Mr. Hill, St. Just, has increased his former order of 60 to 80; Mr. Shakerley, Camborne, has doubled his order, viz., from 100 to 200; and Mr. Fryar, Falmouth, has more than trebled the usual order for that place -he is circulating 100 monthly, whereas the former agent took 30 only, and actually sold but part thereof. If our half-asleep friends in certain other places can be aroused by the zealous doings of our wide-awake go-a-head men, thousands more of the journal will be circulated monthly. The Hull Temperance Pioneer is, as always, spirited, decided, and practical. The Temperance Penny Magazine, "Vice-Patron and President, the Bishop of London," meetly brings up the rear. It is, as usual, very "moderate;" no naked spirits, but use your pleasure, if you will clothe them with liquids of such colours as you choose, and call the compound wine. Our friend, Mr. Barrow, we see, has been giving the worthy Secretary, Mr. Owen Clarke, resurrection counsel, part of which is as follows :— If its funds would allow, an article should be written setting forth the nature and necessity of an aroused and enlightened opposition at once to the prevalent habits of intemperance, and to the tyranny, danger, and folly of teetotal tactics and arguments. A very large impression of the Magazine should then be struck off, and a number of copies, say 5000, gratuitously sent to as many ministers at present unconnected with the Society. Something ought to be done, not only to inform the public that there is a rational and scriptural Temperance Society in existence, but that there is also one UP AND DOING. Society, assuredly, only needs to be better known to be better loved. Success would ensue. Ultra teetotalers may rant and rave, but the violence of their behaviour neither proves their truth nor their strength: they are a bigoted, intolerant, vociferous, LITTLE faction, and need not be cared for, if we could only set going our institution in such a manner that it should be even more noted for its industrious efficiency than from the distinction it enjoys from its illustrious and right reverend patrons. poor Your Let the Teetotalers take courage. It appears that theirs is not the only society smitten with the blight of poverty. Mr. Barrow seems to doubt whether the "funds" of the oldest society among us, with a Queen for its Patroness, and a Prelate for its President, can afford-say a guinea-for "an article" to raise it from the dead! Strange, too, that this Society is not yet "known!" Alas! we are afraid its day is gone by. At any rate, we have no hope for it till its right reverend patron" shall have been kindly relieved from the weighty cares of imperial legislation, that is, allowed to vacate his seat in the House of Lords, which will leave him more leisure to attend to the concerns of the Moderation Society. This Society, however, although in the end an utter failure, was not merely a great, but a valuable experiment; it introduced the subject to the country under high auspices, and secured to it the attention of multitudes to whom, in its present true and proper aspect, it would have been an object of ridicule and scorn. |