Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 5 August 1882, page 182


The Blue Ribbon Movement.

THERE appears to be an unwonted activity in temperance matters in Brisbane just at present Efforts are being made in several districts to form branches of the Church of

England Temperance Society, and we have received a circular from the " Blue Ribbon United Temperance Workers," who announce that the great aim of their movement is "To secure personal sobriety on a scale so large as to change the social life of the colony; to stimulate and unite the friends of temperance everywhere to more active exertion in suppres-sing the drinking customs of the day." The mode of operation proposed is:—" By holding public meetings, gospel and temperance addresses, singing or sacred and temperance melodies, and the reading and reciting of temperance and other sound literature, as approved of by the committee." The members are all to be pledged abstainers, and will be expected to wear a blue ribbon as a public testimony of their principles. Whether the means proposed are adequate to the end in view may be subject for difference of opinion; but the public sympathy must go heartily with all who are earnestly and honestly working for the suppression of the vice of intemperance. The committee of the Blue Ribbon Move-ment made arrangements for a grand opening public meeting on Saturday night, and by the dint of well-directed earnestness, they succeeded in making a good start, both in the way of gathering a large audience and by enrolling a good number in the Total Abstinence rank. At 7 o'clock the Volunteer Band assembled at the fountain, and after a hymn was sung and a short address given by the Rev. J. Stewart, the band struck up and led the way up Queen and Edward streets to the Temperance Hall. By 8 o'clock the hall was packed, and the audience was both orderly and attentive. The Rev. S. J. Alden, the president of the Blue Ribbon Association, took the chair, and he was supported on the platform by the Revs. E. Griffith, J. Buckle, T. Jones, J. Nock, J. Stewart, W. Johns, and a great number of other well-known citizens who are workers in the temperance movement. Addresses were given by the chairman, Rev. E. Griffith, Mr. J. A. Clark, and Rev. J. Stewart; and pieces were sung by Mr. Dinte, Mr. Youngberg, and Miss Alden. A lady friend played the accom-paniments on the piano. As the result of the meeting over 200 became members of the movement, and the ribbons were attached amidst a great deal of enthusiasm. There is every reason to believe that this earnest way of working will make a good impression, and every one in favor of a sober and prosperous community must rejoice to see such earnest men at work.