Volume 1

The temperance movement and its workers : a record of social, moral, religious, and political progress / by P.T. Winskill ; with an introduction by F.R. Lees.

  • Winskill, P. T. (Peter Turner), 1834-1912.
Date:
1891-1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The temperance movement and its workers : a record of social, moral, religious, and political progress / by P.T. Winskill ; with an introduction by F.R. Lees. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    313/324 (page 253)
    of speech, and wielded an able and vigorous pen. In 1842-44 he edited the Christian Temperance Magazine, and afterwards filled many columns of the Scottish League Journal, besides publishing Temperance Sermons, a llistorg of Monastic Lnstitutions, a Sketch of the Remarkable Welsh Preacher, Christmas Evam, Life of John Calvin, &c., &c. In all these publications the cause of temperance was ably advocated and enforced. In the early days of teetotalism, and indeed dii-ectly aftei’ his iidhesion in 1839, Mr. Messer closely studied the question as to the propriety of using alcoholic wine in the sacrament, and came to the conclusion that it was not a true symbol of the blood of the Redeemer, and resolved never again to place in the hands of any of God’s ])eopIe a cup containing that deleterious poison. This resolution, which he faithfully kept, subjected him to much perse- cution and pecuniary loss; but his was not a spirit to be broken by persecution for righteous- ness sake. Concerning Mr. Messer the British Temperance Advocate says: “ He has moved with quiet power through many parts of these kingdoms, scattering liberally and broadcast temperance thought, symbolized in‘words that burn,’ and oftentimes that sound has gone forth in districts distant and neglected; and though the seed thus sown may now and then have been deposited in earth cold and dam]], vitality possessing it, the blade has put forth, and the ear is now in many parts of the king- dom casting an hundredfold. His name is fondly chei’ished in very many homes; his temperance teaching ever sounding from the Cross, proclaiming aloud that true teetotalism was the only remedy—the cure and prevention of national drunkenness. At the same time this was accompanied with the greater truth, the vital thought, the Cro.ss only can meet and settle the great perplexity of sin. Not only have the use and laboui’s of our friend’s life been manifested in public teaching, but as a framer of laws for associations, conferences, and leagues, his influence has been felt and acknowledged. In the first conference held in the northern towns his voice was that of a leader who seldom gave an uncertain sound, while his devotion to the cause ever tended to insjnre others in distant districts which he never reached in his direct personal laboui-s; and thus, though his travels have been long and toilsome, yet has the saving influence of his ardent devotion out-travelled him in arous- ing the faithful cry against the national evil, the drinks of commerce, as also establishing as well as si)ieading the cause of true temper- ance.” The Rev. Dawson Burns, as London cor- resi^ondent of i\\& Alliance iVeics, says; “d'he late Rev. T. J, Messer was one of the oldest advocates—one of the oldest of the grand race, and one of the most uncomj)romising and energetic that ever lived. He was free, too, from that narrowness of view which has attached to some excellent men, who can only see one way of reforming the world and getting it out of its drunken ways. Mr. Messer had a good word and a helping hand for every means of separating man from strong drink. As recently' as the 14th of October (1878) he took part in an Alliance meeting in Wands- worth, and moved a resolution in support of the devotion of electoral influence against the liquor traffic, and in favour of the Permissive Bill. He was then cheerful and apparently in fair health, rejoicing over great successes, and anticipating greater ones to come. In part he had a reward here for his .self-denying labours, and a richer reward awaited him where he has now gone to enjoy it” {Alliance Reivs, February 1st, 1879). Mr. Messer died January 13th, 1879, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. William Underwood, Senr., of Luton, was one of the active spirits of the movement in this locality, a popular local preacher amongst the Wesleyans for about forty years, and a class-leader. It is rather singular that his first and last sermons should have been de- livered at the same place, the village station, Cockernhoe, after an interval of forty years. His attention being drawn to the total abstin- ence movement, he became identified there- with, and for twenty years was a staunch friend of the cause. He died at his residence in Luton, at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. Henry Brown of Luton began life as a maltster, but on becoming a teetotaller in 1840 he relinquished the business, and after- wards became a successful timber merchant. He founded an adult school for men and women, and was for more than half a century identified with the educational progress of Luton. He died September 6th, 1880, at the age of eighty-three years. A man who will suffer persecution and loss for the sake of an unpopular princijde, proves that he believes it with all his heart. Such