The True and False Idea of a Pledge.

63

of witnessing the evil effects of the system. A man is called upon to make an affidavit, and as he esteems this the same sort of thing and just as unimportant as your pledge, he swears just what suits him; he is found out, and gets into trouble, sometimes of a very serious character. And all this results from your foolish practice of pledging children."

MR. C. "Gentlemen, if I could be brought to think that the statements you have made were correct, I should feel that a strong case had been made out against us, and that the sooner we gave up our work the better. But you must not as reasonable men credit our efforts to save the children with all the violations of promises, oaths, and declarations; any more than you would like us to charge all the frauds upon lawyers, or all the evils that afilict society upon divines. You must also remember that, by a very slight manipulation, your arguments would tell as much against Sunday Schools and similar institutions. We simply ask a child to refrain from that which, in the expressive words of Scripture, biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.' We use our utmost endeavours to explain the nature of the pledge, before we allow the child to sign it, and show that to trifle with it is to trifle with a very important thing indeed. And I am happy to say from a very extensive acquaintance with children, that they understand much more than we generally give them credit for. May I ask, Mr. Pulpit, if you ever attended a Band of Hope meeting?"

REV. J. P. "No, sir. I tell you my opinion is that such meetings can do no good, and therefore I never countenance them."

MR. C. "I am sure that if you were to attend a properlyconducted Band of Hope your opinion would soon change."

Mr. L. "However well the meeting were conducted it would not alter my opinion. As a man of law, I object to children signing a pledge they don't understand, on principle."

MR. C. "Well, let us see how far your principles and practice agree. How old must a child be before it is allowed to give evidence?"

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The True and False Idea of a Pledye.

MR. L. "I am not aware that there is any limit, if the child is considered capable of speaking the truth."

MR. C. "Well, I am glad to hear you say that, for that is the principle upon which we proceed in our movement. When a child is called upon to give evilence, do you place it in the witness-box ?"

MR. L. "Yes."

MR. C. "Now as a man of honour will you tell me if you think that the child really understands what is meant by the crier of the court placing in its hand a Testament, and proclaiming the usual form of oath ?"

MR. L. "I think there is certainly some room to doubt whether young children do understand the nature of the oath they thus take."

MR. C." If you think so, you surely ought to endeavour to effect a reform. But if you think, looking at it as a whole, that the law is wise in holding the evidence of children to be valid, we cannot be so radically wrong if in some humble measure we copy so good an example. And as in law so in commerce. Children receipt bills, sign books, and in various other ways show trustworthiness and capacity. If you were to question Band of Hope children, you would find that they fully comprehend the nature of their obligation. They all know that drink is a great evil, and that the pledge means they must never touch it."

MR. L. "I did not think that you could have found so cogent an argument from my own profession, but certainly you are engaged in a good work, as it now appears to me, and I hope that, by the assistance of my rev. friend, you may succeed in your undertaking.”

MR. C. "I really hope that we may rely on your assistance Mr. Pulpit."

REV. J. P. "I shall have pleasure in calling a meeting to discuss the matter, and shall do all that lies in my power to help forward your project."

MR. C. "I am exceedingly obliged. Good night."

Exit.

The Grand Crusade for Sober Freedom.

THE GRAND CRUSADE FOR SOBER

66

FREEDOM.

65

[Written for the ONWARD RECITER," and Dedicated to the

Rt. Rev. Dr. Magee, Bishop of Peterborough.]

AL LL ye who love fair Freedom's cause,

Come join our grand Crusade,
Come war against licentious laws,
And hell's strong-hold invade.

KING ALCOHOL, a tyrant, stands,
Uncheck'd by Church or State:
His victims, held in iron bands,
Sink to their hopeless fate.

Mark how the fiendish "Mocker" scowls,
Or sheds his ghastly smiles,

'Mid orphans' tears and maniacs' howls,
Through our fair British Isles.

See him destroy Earth's precious fruits,
By bounteous goodness given,
While his " Circean cup" embrutes
The sons and heirs of heaven.

With mind clear-searching, near and far,
Beyond the solar span,-

Man numbers, names and weighs each star,
And tracks Creation's plan.

Erect in form, of kingly mien,
Heaven-ward he lifts his face,
By faith, by hope, by love serene
A miracle of grace!

Made in his Maker's image, free,
See him, by Drink depraved!

Robb'd of his glorious destiny,
Body and soul enslaved :

Reason dethroned and conscience seared,

All aspiration dead;

God's will no longer loved or feared

The Life-divine hath fled.

Oh, awful wreck! oh, ruin sad!

See how archangels weep;
Satan hath triumphed,-Hell is glad
Through all its caverns deep.

66

The Grand Crusade for Sober Freedom.

And still this plague of Drink-bred woe
Rages from year to year;

Still countless victims downward go,
And myriads more draw near.

The Dragon-Drink-like ravening beast,
Seeks whom he may devour;

On human blood and tears to feast,
And triumph in his power.

Who can, who dare this demon fight?
Is he not Britain's god?

What claim of right? what arm of might
Shall break this tyrant's rod?

By Law enthroned-in Custom strong-
Girdled by Fashion's charm:

How shall we crush this giant-wrong,
Its power for ill disarm?

Must this dread curse for aye prevail,
Unchecked and uncontrolled?
Shall nought against its strength avail?
Can nought unloose its hold?

A cureless curse it cannot be,
For God still reigns on high;

E'en now His thunder-bolts we see
Forth issuing from the sky.

His own great name and mighty word
Stand pledged for Truth and Right:
Jehovah is our sovereign Lord,

'Tis He leads on the fight!

The battle doth to God belong;
His soldiers, faithful men;
Hark! angels catch our triumph-song,
And chant a grand Amen.

The day of vict'ry draweth nigh,

The conquering host appears;

The mountain height is flushed with light,
Earth's valleys ring with cheers.

Then in God's name let all combine
To smite the Demon Drink;

Nor touch, nor taste, nor handle wine-
But from its witchery shrink.

Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel.

67

Thus taught by Truth, whose voice can awe-
Stern facts and common sense-

By wisdom, prudence, love, and law
We'll chase the tyrant hence!

Mere human power can ne'er avail
To make our effort strong:

With God we'll work, and thus prevail
Against the mightiest wrong.

Then on God's arm let us rely,
And put forth all our might:
"God and the people" be our cry,
"For Freedom and for Right."

The PEOPLE'S VOICE- -by prayers and votes—
This monstrous wrong shall smite;
All ye who know its bane and woe
Stand foremost in the fight.

Who would be free themselves must strike
Stout blows for liberty!

Then chains, self-wrought, will melt to nought,
And man, through Truth, stand free!

MANCHESTER,

January 1st, 1875.

T. H. B.

ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL.

A

LEIGH HUNT.

BOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich and like a lily in bloom,

An angel, writing in a book of gold.

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?"-The vision raised its head,

And, with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?" "Nay, not so,"

Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,