any but the gluttonous to excess. All
are now gathered and take their places; young and old sit side by side.
The squire, his lady, his daughters, and the clergyman are there. Every
one is assured of a hearty welcome, and falls to in earnest when the
grace has been sung. At length the vehement clashing of knives and
forks and clattering of plates has subsided to a solitary click or two;
all have been satisfied, and the squire rises. He has a word of
kindness, love, and encouragement for each. They know how he loves
them, and they listen with the deepest attention. And thus he speaks:--

"Our kind and beloved pastor has addressed us all in church this
morning, and I trust we shall remember well the words of truth and
wisdom which he spoke. And now it falls to myself to speak to you. I
can most truthfully declare how it rejoices myself and my dear wife to
see so many healthy, happy faces at our yearly `Band of Hope' festivity.
But to-day we specially rejoice, because we see here a happy couple who
have just been joined together as man and wife in our church, with the
blessed prospect of being fellow-partakers of the happiness of heaven.
I am very thankful to number them among my tenants and people. You all
of you now know something of Samuel Johnson, his trials, temptations,
and struggles as a Christian total abstainer. (`Hear, hear,' from Old
Crow.) What a truly happy gathering this is! I have no need to look at
any with misgiving lest their bright faces should owe their brightness
to excess in intoxicating liquors. We have no false stimulants here--we
have no clouded brains, no aching consciences here--none will go home
needing to rue the gathering and recreations of this day. And now,
young people of the `Band of Hope,' my dear boys and girls, I have just
a parting word for you. Never let any one persuade you, go where you
may, to forsake your pledged total abstinence. Never care for a laugh
or a frown, they can do you no harm while God is on your side. Oh,
remember what an insidious, what a crafty tempter the drink is! I have
a short story to tell you that will illustrate this. Many years ago,
when the English and French were at war with one another in North
America, a portion of the English army was encamped near a dense and
trackless forest. The French were on friendly terms with a tribe of Red
Indians who lived thereabouts, and our men were therefore obliged to be
specially on their guard against