1 844.] FRANKLIN HO WORTH. 63 



to put benches in the aisle. We often see large congregations 

 gathered together for a doctrinal subject; but it was /^r more 

 delightful to see them coming on a great practical question — 

 one which perhaps, more than any other, affects the welfare 

 of thousands and tens of thousands. There were a great 

 many, now consistent Christians and teachers in Sunday 

 schools, who had been notorious drunkards. It is enough 

 to inspire any one with joy. The singing was very beautiful — 

 no shouting ; but every one seemed to be putting his whole 

 soul into it, and that was the richest harmony. F. H. and 

 I sat in the pulpit together. I gave out the hymns in two 

 lines, and read the lesson, and offered the last prayer. Most 

 of our people were out, including some of the greatest opposers. 

 The sermon was very affecting and impressive. ... S. and 

 I agreed that if we had been moderate drinkers, it would have 

 made us excessively unhappy. The people would take it from 

 F. H. better than from me, and I feel a relief of conscience 

 that the truth has been told them. Oh, what a blessed cause 

 it is, that unites together people of all parties in such a Chris- 

 tian work ! Our tea-party seems to have given unusual pleasure 

 and satisfaction — the friends from Manchester and Bury were 

 quite delighted : and, what is more, a great many who before 

 were prejudiced, thinking us a moping set, are now quite 

 favourable ; and some of the worse drunkards have signed the 

 pledge." 



He then stated why he did not sign an Anti-slavery Address 

 from the Unitarian ministers to their brethren in America. 

 "I gave it all the consideration I could, and talked to F. H., 

 S. C, J. J. T., and others about it, and we all agreed. I do 

 not think it calculated to do good. We know how they took 

 the Irish Address, and I think this would only aggravate them 

 more, instead of making them think ; and if it would npt do 

 good, we have no right to send it. I do not see that as a 

 body the Unitarians have taken such a stand in the unpopular 

 reforms of the day in England as to give them a right to 

 lecture, across the Atlantic, their brethren who have been 

 much more forward than they in temperance, peace, education, 



