Methodism from Primitive
Beginnings ... continued
Beginnings ... continued
There was a strong Temperance feeling among the Methodist community. The Temperance Hall was built by the local community in 1884 and rebuilt in 1934, with the wood for the roof being donated by ancestors of the Fleetwood Hesketh family. The hall was used for public meetings, children's parties, magic lantern slide shows and as a Sunday School, amongst other activities. It was used for various Chapel activities for the people who had difficulty travelling to the main church.
The Independent Order of Rechabites
The Independent Order of Rechabites, a friendly society, had, from the beginning, adhered to the principle of abstinence from all alcohol. In 1831 it was suggested that clubs and benefit societies should be moved to schoolrooms, such things having been previously held in public houses.
A Mr Livesey of Preston wrote the first "pledge" to which seven men added their names. By 1833 the Total Abstinence Movement was started in Manchester although some members were led astray by attending friendly society meetings amongst their non temperance colleagues. In 1835 Dr Grinrod suggested the formation of Temperance Friendly Societies.
Originally members paid sixpence a week to alleviate distress to other needy members. It then became also a means to save for funeral expenses, by paying another sixpence a week to a burial society. These payments were made on unlicensed premises.
The Rechabites were formed with a view to getting rid of all intoxicating liquor. The name, Rechabite, comes from the 35th Chapter of Jeremiah verse 6. "We will drink no wine, for Jonadab, the son of Rechab our father, commanded us saying. Ye shall drink no wine neither you nor your sons for ever"
In Marshside this philosophy fitted well with the Methodist thinking and there were also juvenile branches of the movement. Local branches were named "Tents".
Other temperance groups were also popular. The National British Womens Total Abstinence Union had the "Little White Ribboners" Here parents could sign the pledge on behalf of their children or babies promising to see that their children would abstain during their childhood years and setting a standard hopefully for life. There was also the Band of Hope. This began in Leeds in 1847 with much the same ideals, and also incorporated signing the "Pledge". A Mrs A.J. Carlile, a 72 year old Irish Christian is quoted as saying "What a happy band these children make, they are the hope of the future"
There was clearly a great feeling by many individuals that concern for the welfare and nurture of children was of great importance. This was embraced by many of the Marshside community.
Methodist Church