MISS LYDIA P. AULD.
The first of April, 1869, by the advice of our friends in St. Augustine, Fla., and by express command from the State Superintendent, who said we were working too hard, we gave up our night school, relying more upon their judgment than upon our own view of the case.
The young men in the night class of Miss Bowker (now Mrs. Clift), expressed a strong desire to meet at least one evening in the week for instruction. The idea of forming themselves into a temperance society was suggested to them, and they decided upon a speedy organization.
Accordingly, on the evening of April 6th, about a dozen young men met in our little school room, and proceeded to organize the first temperance society in St. Augustine. After the election of the various officers, the evening was devoted to music. Miss Bowker had previously taught them several temperance melodies. Mrs. Mayhew, of Orange, N.J., who was boarding in town and greatly interested in the welfare of the colored people, was present. She was a sweet singer, and drilled them in two or three new pieces.
On the 13th, there was an increase of numbers. Mr. Berrian, from New York, was invited to address the young men. He gave them excellent counsel, and read the simple pledge he had prepared, explaining its binding obligations. We did not wish any to sign that night, as we desired them to give the subject careful consideration.
A week later, on the 20th, there was a large attendance. The good friend who was with them the previous week plainly stated the object of the meeting. He exhorted them not to do anything rashly; and read the Constitution he had drawn up for the Society, with the following simple pledge attached:
“We hereby solemnly pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors, or drinks, as a beverage.”
A few moments of solemn silence followed the announcement, “We are now ready for signatures to this pledge,” which was broken by one after another rising and stating, in a clear and intelligent manner, his reasons for signing the pledge. Many of their remarks were truly affecting. One young man said, “A gentleman, who went North to-day, offered me a bottle of whisky. I said, ‘I thank you, sir; but I have joined a temperance society, and am going to-night to sign the pledge, so please excuse me for not accepting it.’” Another referred to his beastly intoxication on the Christmas day before, and resolved that the return of that day should find him a different man.
The first to sign was the President, who is even to this day their leader. I think no word was uttered during the signing of the pledge. The firm, manly footstep and scratch of the pen were the only sounds heard. Sixteen names were affixed, and the signatures ceased for that time. Then the organization was completed. The name Lincoln Temperance Society (since changed to Independent Lincoln Temperance Society) was adopted. Some temperance songs were sung, and those young men went quietly and thoughtfully to their homes—nobler, indeed, for the onward step they had taken.
On our return in the fall, we found that the young Society had steadily grown in strength and numbers. Not one of the “sixteen” had violated his pledge, though often and sorely tempted to do so. Such abstinence was very praise-worthy in a community where drinking was the universal custom. The Freedmen’s Bureau had erected for us a new school building, in one of the rooms of which the Society held its meetings every Monday evening.