CHAPTER X.

TEMPERANCE: METHODS (AND, INCIDENTALLY, TEACHINGS).

A man must also have a certain readiness and fitness for teaching, and a certain quality of body, and above all things he must have God to advise him, as God advised Socrates to occupy the place of one who confutes error.-EPICTETUS.

Sectarianism in Temperance, or politics, or ecclesiasticism, is the antagonist of all organization as an army; that is, as moved by one impulse and one plan to one purpose and one end.-Dr. F. R. LEES.

The wise man goes forward apace, because the right way is always the shortest; on the contrary, the crafty politician arrives later at his end, because he walks in by-ways and crooked paths.-CONFUCIUS.

WITHOUT a doubt Mr. Livesey was in the habit of doing things in his own way, ⚫ and sometimes perhaps he was rather impatient of the methods of other people; but then if this had not been the case, he would not have been Joseph Livesey. His individuality was strongly developed, and its influence pervaded all his public work, that of Temperance being no exception. While he formed, aided, and co-operated with societies and associations of various kinds, he never allowed himself to be merged in the mass, neither did he expect his associates to lose themselves in the crowd. One truth which Mr. Livesey saw clearly and never failed to act on himself, or impress upon others, was this, that each person in the world has an allotted task, and no man can do another's work. And hence whatever may be done in promoting Temperance or any other beneficent object in association with others, forms but part of one's duty, and can in no case supersede personal and individual duties and responsibilities.

At the outset of the Temperance enterprise in Preston, Mr. Livesey applied to its promotion those plans, agencies, and methods by which he had previously endeavoured to extend education, moral reform, and true piety among the people. It was in every way a great advantage to the new movement, that he was an original and experienced teacher and reformer; and a man whose sympathies were deep, whose benevolence was extensive, and whose Christianity was of the most practical kind. The fact that he was a ready and agreeable speaker, and a practised writer at the time the society started, was also highly advantageous.

MR. LIVESEY AS A SPEAKER AND LECTURER.

Antoninus has said that "a man may be rigid in his principles, yet easy and affable in his manners, and free from any moroseness in delivering the precepts of his philosophy;" and Mr. Livesey was a practical demonstration of the truth of the axiom. Very few speakers on Temperance equalled him in persuasiveness. There was no trick in his advocacy, no stage effects were sought after; neither did he sacrifice reason to rhetoric. He was sparing of his appeals to the emotions, always cxxix k

CXXX

Mr. Livesey's Persuasiveness as a Speaker.

keeping them in due subserviency to his addresses to the understanding; while he chiefly relied upon the force of truth presented to the intellect and conscience in a plain straightforward manner. Mr. Morris mentions that as Mr. Livesey was once speaking at an open-air meeting in Scotland, two gentlemen were attracted by "the silvery tones of the orator," a remark which is in strict accord with other opinions regarding Mr. Livesey's voice.

While the quotations given in the previous chapter from the Malt Liquor Lecture as published give a good idea of Mr. Livesey's matter, they do not help us much regarding his manner on the platform. It is a written rather than a spoken discourse; fortunately, however, a verbatim report of the lecture was taken and published at Birmingham; † and that enables us better to understand the extraordinary results which everywhere attended its delivery. The words as spoken seem instinct with life, and there is altogether a verve about the Birmingham edition which we do not get in others. In his famous lecture Mr. Livesey not only convinced men in spite of their prejudices and appetites, but in the very teeth of their interests. Even the manufacturers of intoxicants themselves, listened and succumbed. A notable instance of this happened at Mr. Livesey's first lecture in London, and is recorded on page 70 of the "Autobiography." Nothing could be more depressing to the speaker than the circumstances on that occasion. He was utterly alone, so far as human help, or even sympathy, was concerned, and very little practical good seemed likely to result from the effort; but shortly afterwards, Mr. Livesey was gladdened by a note informing him that “an ale brewer, and partner of Dr. Epps, has given up the use and sale of it from what he heard at your lecture." Thus was a convert secured from the class of all others the least likely to contribute one. But another parallel case may be cited. When in Scotland, attending the anniversary of the Scottish Union in 1839, Mr. Livesey delivered his lecture at Edinburgh. The Rev. W. R. Baker, referring to it in an article in the Temperance Journal, says: "The following morning a young lady informed me that her father, who was present, and who is a porter, wine, and spirit merchant, was fully convinced by the lecture of the truth of teetotalism." ‡ On this occasion Mr. Livesey had a very distinguished auditor in the person of Mr. E. C. Delavan, who thus speaks to Dr. Marsh of the lecture :

"On the evening of the 5th, I heard Mr. Livesey, of Preston, give what is called his Malt Liquor Lecture. I shall not be able to give you any idea of it. You have read it, I presume; but the effect in delivery was very great, as the experiments and quantities were all placed before the eye, and thus more readily affected the mind. I will try and give a little analysis before I close, which you can put in [the Journal] § if you think proper.||

One other testimony as to the effect produced by the delivery of the lecture may be cited. The late Mr. T. B. Smithies regarded it not only as the most con

"Morris's History," p. 89.

"The Great Delusion: Mr. Joseph Livesey's celebrated Lecture on Malt Liquor; delivered in the Town Hall, Birmingham, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the 5th and 6th of April, 1836, With several important statements connected with the Temperance Reformation. Birmingham, printed and published by B. Hudson, at the office of the Philanthropist,' Bull Street, 1836." Such is the title page of a closely printed pamphlet of sixty pages, entirely occupied by Mr. Livesey's Lecture, which took two evenings in delivery.

Temperance Journal, London, vol. i. (1839), p. 231.

§ A synopsis of the lecture, occupying about half a column, appears in next issue. Journal of the American Temperance Union (1839), p. 127.

The Stability of His Converts-Really Effective Work. cxxxi

vincing of all the utterances on Temperance of the time of its delivery, but was strongly impressed with its permanent value. Writing in his Welcome for July, 1882, he says:

"It was our privilege to hear this popular lecture in the city of York, and we shall never forget the marvellous effect produced on the audience as Mr. Livesey poured out the various measures of barley on a large white sheet on the platform. If Joseph Livesey had done nothing more than his frequent repetition of this most convincing lecture in the chief towns of the land he would have merited national thanks. It is perhaps not too much to say that this lecture, which was printed above forty [really forty-six, now forty-nine] years ago, is to-day regarded by the old Temperance workers as one of the best and most useful Temperance tracts ever issued. It cannot be too widely circulated. It is a fact worthy of note that to the delivery of this lecture was due not a few of the early adherents to the Temperance

cause.

And it may be truly said that these early adherents-converts of Mr. Livesey's -bave been throughout the standard-bearers of the movement. Their teetotalism was of the sturdiest type, and they remained true to it in spite of the blandishments of society, the adverse influence of the medical profession, and even the temptations of the 'traffic.' The career of the late Mr. George Charlton, J.P., of Gateshead, who -after having laboured with rare devotion and singleness of heart for upwards of half a century in promoting Temperance-died September 15th, 1885, presents a striking illustration of this. The Newcastle Chronicle of September 16th, in sketching Mr. Charlton's useful life, states that he joined the 'moderation' society in 1834, but that:

"In 1835, Joseph Livesey visited Newcastle, and delivered his celebrated 'Malt Lecture,' in the old Music Hall, Blackett Street; and from that point may be dated the vivication of teetotalism in this district. A society was formed, and among its earliest members was Mr. Charlton."

It is difficult at this time to appraise the true value of Mr. Livesey's services to Temperance during the period of transition from 'moderation' to teetotalism. The more radical members of the old Temperance Societies throughout the country, anxious to effect the change from the partial to the complete system, looked to Mr. Livesey as the great exponent of the new principle. His publications constituted their ammunition and enabled them to effect great things; but they needed his inspiring presence, and hence the invitations from all parts of the land which poured in upon him. To these he responded as he was able, visiting all the great centres of population, and effectively exposing 'the great delusion' of ale drinking. It was found that one lecture from Mr. Livesey was sufficient either to engraft the new idea into the old society, or, when the conservative element within the society was too strong for this, to establish a new Society upon the sounder basis.

It should be remembered that this important work-details of which will be found in the "Autobiography ". was undertaken entirely and completely upon the terms laid down for Apostles in the Gospels. Not only did Mr. Livesey lecture without fee or reward,† it was his rule to pay his own expenses. Hence his strength as a teacher, and his independence of patronage or favour. In this The Welcome, 1882, p. 424.

Mr. Livesey deprecated making an admission charge to Tenperance meetings. In the Advocate, for March, 1837, appears the following: "CHARGE FOR ADMISSION.-J. Livesey gives this notice, that he will attend no meetings when there is any charge made for admission" (p. 24).

cxxxii

Birmingham-The Old Methods and the New.

crusade he "courted no man's smile, feared no man's frown," but laboured to establish the truth, and promote universal well-being. Often, as in London, he had to make his own arrangements, and prosecute his labours in spite of the opposition of the nominal friends of Temperance. Mr. Livesey's task in breaking the ice in Birmingham presents a striking illustration of this difficulty, but the opposition was encountered and overcome. Nothing in the history of Temperance in Birmingham has ever equalled that incident, and yet a parallel has been attempted to be drawn between the first meeting addressed by Mr. Livesey, and a meeting addressed by Mr. R. T. Booth, of Gospel Temperance celebrity. But no two incidents could really be more unlike.*

Mr. Livesey's visit to Birmingham, in 1836, may be mentioned as forming another important event in the history of Temperance in that town. A festival was held in the Town Hall on the evenings of the 6th and 7th of April, and he lectured each evening. The published report of the proceedings has already been mentioned. From the Preston Advocate, we learn that Mr. John Cadbury presided on the first, and Mr. James on the second evening. The results were very gratifying, and as Mr. Livesey had rendered the Society services so invaluable without fee or reward, the friends wished to acknowledge their indebtedness in a manner which would not be distasteful to him. They accordingly arranged for a silver medal (of not much intrinsic value) to be presented to him by the Rev. John

* Briefly, Mr. Livesey visited Birmingham on June 17th, 1834, where, according to prearrangement, he was to lecture in the evening. He called upon Mr. Cadbury, who was the recognised leader of the movement, but when it was understood that Mr. Livesey's lecture would be directed against fermented liquor, Mr. Cadbury declined to sanction it, and said its delivery would not be allowed. Whereupon Mr. Livesey remarked that as he had come to lecture, he should do so; and if the chapel announced for it was not allowed to be used, he should “make the street his meeting place." His earnestness and determination were evidenced by the bell man being at once sent round to announce a mid-day meeting for working-men, in St. Luke's churchyard, which was accordingly addressed by Mr. Livesey. As the time for the evening meeting approached, the opposition to it was withdrawn, and the lecturer was allowed to take his own course. The result was that Mr. Cadbury-whose mind would naturally be somewhat prejudiced against Mr. Livesey's teachings-was convinced of the soundness of the views propounded, and immediately invited him to pay a second visit to Birmingham as soon as possible, and repeat his lecture.

Very different indeed were the circumstances under which Mr. Booth visited Birmingham, Mr. Ernest Blackwell, Mr. Booth's secretary, in his elaborate prospectus of Mr. Booth, "Booth; or, the Factory Boy who became a Gospel Temperance Evangelist, London, 1883" (pp. 49-52), describes the preliminaries to the meeting; the crowd, the choir, the ribbons and pincushions; and by-and-by the hero, "with his dark brown hair, and blue eyes," walking on to the plat form leaning upon the arm of his host, Mr. John Cadbury (son of Mr. Livesey's friend), whose "silvery locks" were covered by a broad-brimmed hat. Of course the reception was grand. After singing and prayer, Mr. Cadbury, who presides, rises; but perhaps Mr. Blackwell had better speak for himself: "Mr. Booth rises also, and the mass-congregation follow his example. The old gentleman tries to speak, but the people cheer; and being more in numbers, whilst averaging fewer years, they have the advantage. The clapping of hands is succeeded by the stamping of feet, and shouts of joy seem to be crowning the demonstration, when Mr. Booth's keen eye descries a young woman waving a white handkerchief, far away towards the back of the hall. He fumbles in his coat pocket for his own, and can't find it. Anybody else's will answer as well, so he helps himself,-perhaps takes the chairman's,—and waving it high above his head, signals for the whole congregation to do likewise. Then the wave of enthusiasm rolls higher and higher and the sea of heads becomes capped as though with whitecrested breakers. Tears are brought to the chairman's eyes, and when he attempts to address the thousands before him, only a few, seated upon forms near the platform, can catch his words.' It is noteworthy that up to this point, Mr. Booth had done nothing, except walk the platform, slap "a rheumatic (sic) old clergyman upon the back," and go through the performance with the chairman's handkerchief; and yet the audience is psychologized, and the venerable chairman in tears. Persons in that condition will readily sign the pledge; but all that has been effected, in the case of those who have acquired a liking for the drink at least, has been to exchange one form of excitement for another; and friends who hope to rear a permanent Temperance reform with such materials are sadly wanting in a knowledge of the causes of drinking, proximate and remote. But for Mr. Blackwell's mention of Mr. Livesey's first Birmingham meeting, Mr. Booth's name would not have been introduced into this volume.

A Presentation.-Rev. J. A. James-Printers' Ink.

Angell James, to whom was entrusted the task of proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Livesey. The medal was inscribed

"PRESENTED TO JOSEPH LIVESEY, OF PRESTON, AT A TEMPERANCE MEETING HELD IN THE TOWN HALL, BIRMINGHAM, ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6TH, 1836, AS A SMALL TOKEN OF GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR HIS STEADY ZEAL AND UNCOMPROMISING ADVOCACY OF THE PRINCIPLES OF TEMPERANCE." *

Mr. James in the course of a eulogistic speech said:

"I have only to express my earnest hope, that those energies with which God has endowed you, may long continue; may God spare your life and strength to continue your exertions in this cause; may you be enabled to go on, followed in your career, as you doubtless are, by the tears of gratitude and smiles of joy of reclaimed drunkards' wives and children; followed by what I am sure you will always value, the blessings of society, the approving testimony of your own conscience, and the smile of an approving world." †

PRESENTATIONS NOT TO BE ENCOURAGED.

Mr. Livesey accepted the medal at the time, but he viewed presentations with suspicion, and regarded such tokens as rewards which no true reformer should look for. Subsequently he explained his part in the transaction as follows:

"I was invited to deliver my Malt Lecture, in the Town Hall, in Birmingham, which I did to an overflowing audience; and up to the moment I pronounced the last word of my address, I had not the most distant idea of the intention of my Birmingham friends. But so soon as I took my seat, to my surprise, and, I may add, to my confusion, the Rev. Angell James rose, and, after an appropriate address, delivered into my hands a silver medal. Respect for the kindness of my friends, and a desire that the harmony of the meeting should not be interrupted, led to the acceptance of this present; but this I can say sincerely, that if I had been apprised of their design before the meeting commenced, I should have resolutely insisted upon my friends relinquishing their intention. And in proof of my settled principle upon this point, I will here state, what otherwise would have remained generally unknown, that a kind friend and a warm supporter of the Temperance cause wrote, some time ago, begging my acceptance of a silver tea service, which he would have come and presented at a public meeting, in Preston, but which for the reasons assigned in this paper I respectfully declined." ‡

THE PRESS AS A MEANS OF ENLIGHTENMENT.

Douglas Jerrold somewhere remarks, "When Luther wished to crush the devil-didn't he throw ink at him?" And ink was the great weapon with which Mr. Livesey attacked the current belief in the supposed good qualities of the 'Devil in Solution'—alcohol. We have seen that he commenced this mode of warfare at least sixty years ago, and as long as he could wield a pen he prosecuted the crusade. Active in every department of Temperance labour, and himself the inventor of many of the best plans and methods of action ever devised, Mr. Livesey always regarded the printing press as being the most efficient engine for the dissemination of Temperance truth. And he fully acted up to his belief. His own magazines and periodicals are filled with teachings judiciously expressed in the plainest Saxon. His Temperance pamphlets are models of their kind, while his smaller tracts and leaflets are pointed and effective and like a "nail driven into a sure place." His Struggle, although a Free Trade paper, was permeated with Temperance teachings. Indeed, it was rare for a number to be issued without an Preston Temperance Advocate, vol. iii., Apl. Sup. (1836), p. 6.

+ Ibid., vol. iii. (1836), p. 37.

Ibid., vol. iv. (1837), p. 66.