Nations and individuals have their besetting sins — Britain’s great sin is Intemperance— the general spread of this dire evil — Foreign Nations admire our many great qualities, but are astonished at our drunkenness — the sum of money yearly expended to feed the vile drinking habits...

Revs. Dr. Beattie, William Anderson, and Ritchie, enter as friends of Temperance— the weakness of the old pledge of moderation shows itself, and many wisely for a new society — they had to wait patiently for strength to advance safely — suspicion of the working classes against the first societies, well or ill-founded it did mischief — the author of this work joined 5th December 1830 — gave a lecture a few days after uniting — Teetotalism was his creed then in theory and practice — Ireland has 12,000 members, the result of Revs. Rd. Edgar and Carr’s labours, with other good and true men who stood boldly against the giant vice of our country…