Transcribed from the 1843 D. Cussons edition by David Price, email
ccx074@pglaf.org





                                   THE
                               FIRST REPORT
                                  OF THE
                                HORNCASTLE
                             TEETOTAL SOCIETY


                            ESTABLISHED, 1836.

                                * * * * *

                               HORNCASTLE:
                   Printed by D. Cussons, Market-place.
                                  1843.
                                ONE PENNY.

                                * * * * *




_Statement of Accounts from February_ 1842 _to February_ 1843.

                          RECEIVED.                                                     PAID.
                                             £      s.      d.                                       £      s.      d.
To Balance in Treasurer’s hands              3       7       8  By Expences of Tea Meeting          18      15      1½
To Proceeds of Tea Meeting                  16      17       0  By Advocates’ Salaries and          10       8       0
                                                                Expences
To Amount of Collection                      0      18       2  By Rent of School Room               1       5       0
To Subscriptions and Donations               9       1       4  By Printing and Postage              1       1       5
To Proceeds from Mr. Grubb’s Lecture         2       3       6  By Town Crier                        0      18       6
To Balance due to the Treasurer              2       4      9½  By Candles                           0      16       5
                                                                By Rent of Committee Room            1       8       0
                                           £34      12      5½                                     £34      13      5½

REPORT.


THE Committer of the Horncastle Tee-total Society have great pleasure in
bringing before the public their first printed Report, and are grateful
to acknowledge the success which has attended their labours, in connexion
with other friends of the Temperance cause; and notwithstanding the
opposition they have had to contend with, the cause is still progressing
in numbers, and exercising a mighty influence on the social and domestic
habits of the community at large.

The first public meeting to explain the principles of total abstinence in
Horncastle, was held in the British School Room, in November, 1836, on
which occasion Mr. Biscombe Agent of the British Association for the
suppression of intemperance, delivered a lecture, when fifteen signed the
pledge.  On the first of June, John Hocking, the Birmingham Blacksmith,
delivered a second lecture in the old Methodist Chapel, which produced a
powerful impression on the minds of the hearers, a great number gave in
their names, and the society became regularly organized; and thus six
yean ago the foundation of this society was laid, and by the laborious
exertions, and untiring zeal of a few individuals, who with little
influence, and still less money, but with feelings of sympathy for
suffering humanity, applied themselves with ardour and perseverance to
propagate its principles, to improve and ameliorate the condition of
those, who, through the use of strong drink, were sunk into the lowest
depths of poverty and degradation, to which it was possible for human
nature to arrive, and also to raise an impassable barrier, to the
progress of what undoubtedly is the greatest curse that ever afflicted
this or any other country.  And it is owing to the valuable services of
those persons, who, in the face of the most determined opposition, and
the indifference of others from whom was expected better things, that
this society under the approbation of providence now holds its present
position and influence in the town and vicinity.

The committee have still cause to regret, that notwithstanding the flood
of light, and truth, and knowledge, which has issued from the press and
found its way into almost every nook and corner of our land, and the
testimonies of living witnesses in every direction, around us, there
still exists a great amount of ignorance, prejudice, and secret
opposition to the onward progress of this glorious and god-like
institution, proving too plainly that man is still a slave to interest
and appetite, but being fully persuaded that the principles of the
temperance cause are based on truth, which cannot be successfully
controverted, and having within its bosom, a great many of the most
eminent Ministers both in and out of the establishment, and medical
gentlemen of the highest authority; and also having outlived the violence
of many a storm and now being firmly established, they look forward to
the period when this society will not have to expend its money and its
energies in reclaiming the drunkard, but in preserving the rising
generation as they attain to years of discretion, from ever becoming
such.

The Horncastle Tee-Total Society numbers at present 530 Members, of which
300 are adults, and 230 juveniles, including a great many reclaimed
drunkards who have been raised from destitution and want, to a state of
happiness and enjoyment.

In laying before the public the claims of the temperance cause, in order
to secure a greater amount of their attention and support, the committee
scarcely know what farther motives to urge most likely to exert a
practical influence on their minds, which have not already been brought
forward both at public meetings, and by the circulation of tracts,
sermons, &c. by thousands, (the talent and production of eminent men)
called into existence by the temperance cause.  The experience of
millions in the United Kingdom prove to a demonstration that the use of
alcoholic drinks are unnecessary for the health and comfort of man; there
are sixty thousand of our fellow creatures, in this country alone every
year falling a prey, to the influence of this spirit upon their system,
and be it remembered their numbers are made up from those who boast of
their temperance, and would shudder at the thought of ever becoming
drunkards; see also the vast amount of poverty, disease, and destitution
which the prevalence of this evil entails upon millions of our fellow
countrymen which is not confined to the drunkard alone; there are also
fifty millions sterling annually spent without a murmur, producing crime
beyond calculation, when not the fiftieth part of that sum is raised by
all the benevolent and religious institutions together, for the lessening
of human woe, the circulation of the scriptures, and the evangelization
of the world: let us reverse the picture, and in this town we see homes
transformed from the abodes of wretchedness and misery to scenes of
comfort and happiness; we could name fifty who were victims of inebriety
in its worst forms, persons in every sphere of life once in the most
dreadful state of ignorance and brutality, now become sober, clothed,
fed, and in their right minds, attending places of worship instead of the
public house or taproom; _these are reasons_, which ought to weigh
powerfully on the minds of those who wish well to their fellow men, in
effectually bringing about a mighty co-operation, for the speedy
accomplishment of those happy results, which this society has in view.

Here is an object worthy the attention and employment of every one, and
in securing which, all distinctions and differences may be set aside,
here neither religious nor political sentiments need intervene to prevent
that union of effort which is required ere our principles are fully
secured, but every one may cast in their portion of assistance and
influence until the effort thus made, shall entirely sweep away from our
country, the chief, if not the greatest curse, that ever came upon it.

The Society (as will be seen by the cash account) is in arrears with the
Treasurer; an appeal will therefore be made to the public to enable the
committee to liquidate the same and meet the current expenses of the
society, as much greater effort requires to be made to put down
drunkenness which still abounds to a great extent.

_Annexed are the Testimonies of a few individuals_ (_in this town_, _and
well known to many_) _who once classed amongst the most degraded and
debased_,—_they are now trophies of our cause_, _and are commanding
respect and esteem in their respective localities many more might be
named if required_.

No. 1.  Robert Baildham, Sen., became a drunkard at 18 years of age,
owing to the example of an intemperate master, and continued a drunkard
for 33 years, so that himself and family were at times reduced to the
greatest distress and poverty, wanting the common necessaries of
life,—has been a Teetotaller nearly 7 years: he has now food and raiment,
a comfortable home, gained credit, and become a respectable member.

No. 2.  John Wright, never tasted ale until 34 years of age, afterwards
became a drunkard and continued so 18 years, having expended about £500,
depriving himself and family of the common necessaries of life, causing
them to suffer many deprivations,—has been a Teetotaller 3 years, and is
now possessing every enjoyment a working man can desire.

No. 3.  William Markwell, commenced a seafaring life at the age of 18
years, learnt to drink, and became a drunkard, which course he followed
more or less until he was 60 years old, during that long period he set
all at defiance, his character is too well known to need further
description, suffice it to say he has been a Teetotaller upwards of 6
years, he is content and comfortable in his circumstances, and enjoys
better health than he did for 20 years previous.

No. 4.  James Taylor, for a length of time given to drink has been a
Teetotaller 4 years, consequently has become a respectable man.

No. 5.  William Jordan, Thomas, Jordan, William Turner, Thomas Heath,
James Barker, Christopher Hunter, and John Towell, Brick-makers, in Mr.
Harrison’s Yard, were all drunkards, some of them to a great extent,
spending their time and money in public houses, to the injury of their
families and the annoyance of their employer,—have now been Teetotallers
6 years, and not a gill of ale has been in the yard since.  Themselves
and families are comfortable, enjoying good health; and following a most
laborious employment.




SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Sir Henry Dymoke, Baronet                         £2  0_s._    0_d._
                      s.      d.                           s.       d.
Allison, E.            4       0  Wright, J.                4        0
Sissons, W.            2       0  Carter, R.                2        0
Simpson, C.            2       0  Stainforth                3        0
Evison, C.             2       0  Coviller, J.              6        0
Cussons, J.            2       0  Jackson, T.               1        0
Addelsee, W.           2       0  Wood, W.                  6        0
Jordan, W. sen.        6       0  Darby, W.                 2        6
Jordan, W. jun.        1       0  Hickson, J.               6        0
Elam, J.               1       0  Pocklington, H.           2        0
Birch                  1       0  East, M.                  4        0
Heath, T.              1       0  A Friend                  4        0
Stephenson, G.         1       0  Daubney, W.               6        0
Stephenson, E.         1       0  Pain, Rev. J.             4        0
Stephenson, E.         1       0  Ashton, J.                2        0
Keightly, M.           2       0  Ashton, S.                2        0
Hird H.                2       0  Tupholme, T.              1        0
Barnes, E.             1       0  Blakey, W.                1        0
Evison, J.             1       0  Henson, T.                2        0
Moody, E.              2       0  Whitton, G.               2        6
Cutforth, R.           1       0  Whelpton, R.              2        0
Coppin, E.             1       0  Sellwood, H. Esq.         2        6
Hanson, J.             2       0  Kent, W. R.               1        0
Hairby                 2       0  Wright, G.                1        0
Blow, J.               1       0  Glazier, J.               0        6
Farbon, J.             2       0  Hotchin, W.               0        6
Nicholson, R.          3       0  Lenton, J.                1        0
Clarke, T.             6       0  Smith, (Draper)           1        0
Johnson S.             2       0  Overton, T.               1        0
Fowler, T.             1       0  Hill, W.                  0        6
Coppin, W.             1       0  Slater, J.                0        6
Maltby, R.             1       0  Hogg                      1        0
Farbon, L.             2       0  Gainsley, J.              2        6
Kent, S.               1       0  Donations                 2        4
Gainsley, S.           1       0

                                            [Cussons, Printer, Horncastle.