d who have resolved to
abstain themselves from all intoxicating drink, and to encourage others
to do so as well. Evidently something great was expected. The western
gallery was covered with tastefully-decorated cloth, on which was
inscribed, in emblazoned silver letters, thirty inches deep, "The London
Temperance League," with an elaborate painted border, composed of
garlands of flowers. The royal gallery, and the smaller one opposite,
was covered with scarlet cloth, on which were arranged rose-coloured
panels, with the words, "London Temperance League," in silver letters.
The front of the platform and the reporters' box was also decorated in a
similar manner. At the end of the royal gallery was fixed a large royal
standard, the folds of which hung gracefully over the heads of the
audience. Under the royal standard was placed the union-jack. At the
end of the opposite gallery proudly waved the banner of the great
Republic of the West. The platform was decorated with flags, bearing
inscriptions of various kinds. Like the stars in the heavens, or the
sands on the sea shore, they were innumerable. In front of the organ
were arranged the choir of the Temperance Societies, and on the floor of
the platform were placed the Shapcott family, with their Sax-horns.

Why was all this preparation made? For what purpose that living
multitude of warm hearts? The answer is soon given. Some twenty-four
years back a poor lad, without money and learning--almost without
friends--was shipped off to America, to try his fortune in the New World.
Arrived there, the lad became a man, lived by the sweat of his brow,
learned to drink, to be a boon companion, and fell as most fall; for
there is that in the flowing bowl and the wine when it is red, which few
can withstand. Friends left him; he became an outcast and a wanderer; he
sank lower and lower; he walked in rags; he loathed life; his frame
became emaciated with disease; there was none to pity or to save. It
seemed for that man there was nothing left but to lie down and die.
However, whilst there is life there is hope. That man, in his
degradation and despair, was reached; he signed the Temperance pledge; he
became an advocate of the Temperance cause. His words were words of
power; they touched men's hearts, they fired men's souls. He led the
life of an apostle; wherever he went the drunkard was reclaimed; zeal was
excited, the spell of the sparkling cup was gone, humanity was